Mouttalos District Redevelopment

Mouttalos is a picturesque Turkish neighborhood of the so-called “Ktima” in Paphos, 2km from the coast that stands out for its’ special rock and natural caves that separates the city from the ‘Up-Πάνω’ and ‘Down-Κάτω’ - Paphos. The war that occurred in the island in 1974 changed everything, and the Turkish Cypriots, with the ex-change of populations, abandoned their home to the northern areas of the island, leaving this part of the city deserted while making the area a living museum of the not so far past. At the same time Greek Cypriots left the Northern part of the island to live “temporarily” in Mouttalos ever since, since they are waiting to return to their homes in the North, with all the impact this may have on the form of space. More specifically the project intervenes on a route with three key areas, the Mosque Area in Fellahoglu street, the main square Ismet Inonu Square and the Caves area. These selected key points in the region of Mouttalos, with a targeted urban architecture can change and revitalize the image of the region while creating all the necessary synergies for the future.

In the wider area of the Mosque, a proposal has been made for the creation of a Parking to meet the needs of the residents and visitors of the area. This configuration is expected to support the operation of the route and provide an important stopping point. In the meantime a botanical garden, a small square, and a public pavilion have been proposed to enhance the previous nonexisting neighborhood public space quality. An important area of the cultural route is the Ismet Inonu square, which is redesigned inorder to become a pole of attraction for residents and visitors while at the same time arrangements are made to decongest cars while guided to an adjacent parking area to make space usable for events and recreation. Last but not least, the caves park, which are part of the wider geomorphological aspect of the flap that characterizes the landscape of the greater Paphos area, is an important landscape of both natural and cultural importance, distinct from various parts of the city. The landscapes and trails of wood, pressed earth, concrete, and a square with a pavilion with a small canteen and hygienic spaces and shades create the conditions to enhance the usage of the space.

Overall, the more general design includes urban equipment, green areas/parks, parking, street reformation, pedestrian routes with green belts, public spaces and squares along with recreational pavilions. The main materials used are reinforced concrete, oxidized steel and wood. Finally, the upscale neighborhood will provide the residents of viable living conditions, possibilities of employment, recreation and social life, while on the other hand it will attract visitors to a historical walk-through and a vivid memory lesson.