Green Enhancement Plan for Larnaca: Thousands of Trees and Shrubs to Be Planted by the Municipality
The Municipality of Larnaca has launched a comprehensive green enhancement plan aimed at planting thousands of trees and shrubs across the city. The “Greening Our City” program operates on five levels, covering the city of Larnaca and the surrounding areas of Livadia and Oroklini.
Level 1: Expanding Green Spaces Through Development Projects
The first level focuses on increasing greenery through ongoing and completed development projects, with special emphasis on three major parks: Pattichion, Salina, and the recreational park in Dromolaxia. At Salina Park, spanning 14,000 sq.m. and already open to the public, 232 trees and 1,105 low-growing plants have been planted. Pattichion Park, set to be completed by 2025, will include 593 trees and nearly 4,000 shrubs across its 16,000 sq.m. area. The park in the Tsakilero refugee settlement (9,500 sq.m.) will be enriched with 185 trees and 750 shrubs.
Additionally, urban areas will benefit from tree planting initiatives, with approximately 300 trees and 300 shrubs planned for the redevelopment of Alki and Acropolis Squares and the commercial center (Phase B), expected to finish in two years. The Larnaca-Dhekelia Road project will feature 180 trees and 18,000 shrubs, including pines, mastics, tamarisk, carob trees, mulberries, bougainvillea, and lavender. Other projects in the pipeline include the creation of the Theofilos Georgiadis and Pavlos Liasides parks in Larnaca and the planting of 500 trees in Oroklini’s Europe Park. The largest project is the Environmental Park in Panerka, Livadia, covering 19,000 sq.m., where over 1,000 trees will be added. Through 10 new projects under the 2021–2027 programming period, more than 1,500 tall trees and 25,000 shrubs will create urban green spaces totaling 145,000 sq.m.
Level 2: Planting Axes and Open Spaces
The second level of the plan involves planting trees along main thoroughfares and open spaces to influence the microclimate, provide shade, and promote walking and cycling. Planned plantings include tamarisk, pines, casuarinas, mulberries, mastic trees, ficus, brachychiton, and jacarandas. About 1,000 trees will be planted along Larnaca’s main roads, 900 in Oroklini, and 500 in Livadia.
Level 3: Sustainable Urban Mobility
The third level integrates green spaces with Larnaca’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan. It includes the construction of 10.40 km of bus lanes and 22.35 km of bike lanes. These projects, set to begin in early 2025 and conclude within 16 months, will also introduce 2,000 sq.m. of new green spaces along major roads.
Level 4: Public Space Prioritization and Revitalization
This level emphasizes the prioritization, organization, and revitalization of public green spaces. Larnaca’s green area ratio of 26.5 sq.m. per resident surpasses the World Health Organization’s minimum standard of 9 sq.m. per resident. By comparison, Athens has only 0.96 sq.m. per resident. To further enhance greenery, 19 neighborhood parks with certified playgrounds and accessible infrastructure will be created or renovated. Additionally, 12 parks in Livadia will be upgraded, and three new parks are planned for Oroklini.
Collaborating with the District Administration Organization and the University of Cyprus, the municipality is updating its geographic data map for better planning and maintenance of green spaces.
Level 5: Engaging the Private Sector and Community
The final level encourages private sector involvement and community participation. The Larnaca Tourism Development and Promotion Company (ETAP) has been running the “Greening and Enhancing Larnaca’s Beaches” program for six years, planting hundreds of trees. Through the United Nations Development Programme, over 1,000 trees will be provided for planting in schools and streets by organizations and private companies.
The Municipality has also launched the “+1 Tree” campaign, inviting residents to plant a tree for any personal milestone, fostering community engagement and a greener urban environment.
This ambitious plan aims to transform Larnaca into a greener, healthier, and more sustainable city
