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National scale · Social responsibility · December 2025

Northern Cyprus Urban Development and Renewal Strategy

ND İmar prepared this urban development and renewal strategy for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus pro bono, together with the TDMMB Urban Planning Commission. It finds that the population assumptions of the national plan have already been exceeded and proposes an integrated renewal framework for disaster risk, coastal pressure and run-down areas, with pilot projects in Lefkoşa (Nicosia).

KKTC pilot dönüşüm alanı görselleştirmesi
3.241,68km² land area
476.214population (2023)
485.103national plan's 2031 population, already exceeded
%60+of residents in the Lefkoşa–Girne region
6pilot renewal areas in Lefkoşa

Context

Its position in the Eastern Mediterranean puts Northern Cyprus at the crossing of the Development Road, the Belt and Road and the India–Gulf–Europe corridors. The report treats the Peace Water Project, which has piped about 75 million m³ of water a year from Türkiye since 2015, the new Ercan Airport terminal opened in 2023, and the planned subsea power cable as the base for future settlement decisions.

Scenarios and method

Three scenarios were compared: current trends, multi-centre development, and vision and identity. Options were assessed with SWOT, PESTLE, BEEM and econometric analysis against sustainability, resilience, functionality-feasibility and design-aesthetics.

Seven strategy themes

  1. Nature-based urban design and ecological carrying capacity
  2. Rural areas and small settlements: food corridors, eco-villages, rural tourism
  3. Integrated transport, logistics and digital infrastructure
  4. Social housing and fair access to public services
  5. Cultural landscape, heritage and identity
  6. Planning resilient to climate change and disasters
  7. Institutions, governance and participation

Pilot renewal areas in Lefkoşa

  • Walled CityArabahmet, Tahtakale and Yeni Cami area. Vision: “a living Walled City”; restoration, strengthening, façade repair and public-space renewal along the Büyük Han–Sarayönü axis.
  • Hamitköy – Haspolat gateway beltA new 210 ha urban area for 30,000 people; gross 140 and net 285 people/ha; 105 ha housing (55%), 95 ha facilities (45%).
  • Küçük Kaymaklı – GöçmenköyTurning dense, unplanned housing into an accessible mixed-use neighbourhood.
  • Kızılbaş – Kaymaklı industrial beltRenewal by separating intertwined industry and housing.
  • Ortaköy – MetehanPlanned urban extension area.
  • Gönyeli – Lefkoşa corridorReorganising the transition belt around the Alayköy junction.
Hamitköy–Haspolat pilot alanı görselleştirmesi Pilot alan konut adası görselleştirmesi Lefkoşa Büyük Han havadan görünüm Pilot alan yeşil alan görselleştirmesi

Action plan

Planning and legislation

A new integrated spatial planning law; GIS-based risk maps for every settlement; design codes for coasts, disaster-resilient areas and rural heritage.

Physical works and investment

Logistics hubs in Gazimağusa and Güzelyurt; disaster-resilient social housing in Lefkoşa, İskele and Girne; flood protection and recreation corridors along streams.

Institutional and community capacity

Planning units and technical training in local government; “Urban Cohesion Centres” for public participation.