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Volver a Nacer

Part 2 Project 2013
Nathan Ovens
Darran Levins
William Hei
Timothy Anderson
 University of Bath | UK
‘Volver a Nacer’, a city reborn

In Cyprus, the violent scenes of the 1974 conflict occurred recently enough to still be present in the minds of many of Nicosia’s residents. Subsequently the process of reunification can be a painful personal experience as well as a political hurdle. As such, the city remains divided and what was once the center of the island is now an abandoned edge. As a consequence, the migration of people out of the Old Town (80% of the population has left over the last 40 years) has caused it to deteriorate, its stone and cob walls gradually returning to the earth. This dereliction and neglect overshadows the numerous historical monuments that can be found within the cities unique Venetian walls creating a significant obstacle to Nicosia’s application for World Heritage status or European City of Culture 2017.

During the last forty years the unoccupied buffer zone has been transformed by ecological systems that were previously oppressed by the cities relentless urbanisation. In response to this, our urban design proposal presents an ecological solution to an architectural problem and petitions the idea that this scar can be reborn as a catalyst for healing. The two sides have previously engaged in essential partnership projects, though it is felt a more ambitious scheme is required if the country is to tackle the serious environmental issues it is facing, as the rise in temperature, the increasing water shortage and the rapid desertification of the island are arguably a greater threat than human conflict. Furthermore, the symbolism of ‘if’ and ‘how’ the Old Town is re-invented will have substantial repercussions for the future of the island. Like the oasis Ludwig Salvator described it as, Nicosia’s old town should once again become a symbol of hope in the desert, “a dream of the Arabian Nights realised”.

Nathan Ovens
Darran Levins
William Hei
Timothy Anderson
Tutor(s)
Tim Burgess
Anne Claxton
Jo Hibbert
Mr Alex Wright
2013
A Divided City: A UN controlled buffer zone has divided Nicosia’s iconic walled city since the conflict between Turkish and Greek Cypriots in 1974.
A Sustainable Response: Ecology in this buffer zone has demonstrated natures resilience and highlighted mans failures. Our urban design proposal petitions the idea that this scar can be reborn as a catalyst for healing.
PHASE 1 Water as a Healer: The output from a nearby wastewater treatment plant is reintroduced to the old town to enhance and extend the life within the buffer zone. A detailed water strategy outlines the technical as well as the aesthetic benefits of thi
PHASE 1 Temporary Installations: Temporary architectural interventions work with the vitality of the buffer zone to create inspiring, politically neutral places for the two communities to build relationships.
PHASE 1 Establishing a National Park: It is suggested that initially the borders remain but the buffer zone is opened up into a National Park. In a similar way to the ‘Nicosia Masterplan’ and the new wastewater treatment plant, it is envisioned that both
PHASE 1 A Sustainable System: This diagram tries to satisfy human requirements with the sustainable processing of their outputs reducing energy lost from the system. It also highlights opportunities for bi-communal, non-political partnerships.
PHASE 2 Establishing Institutions: Our main architectural interventions plug into vacant or dilapidated sites around the buffer zone. Institutions establish their own social order and overtime can form bridges between the two opposing communities.
PHASE 2 A Commercial Avenue: A new commercial strip based on the existing city grain and key buildings connects the Greek and Turkish Nicosia. Redundant workshops which bound the buffer zone are relocated along its length benefitting from its increased fo
PHASE 2 Pedestrianisation and Transportation: With the pedestrianisation of the city the streets become more conducive to public life. A continuous promenade invites people to ‘walk the walls’ and explore the old town.
PHASE 3 Repairing the Urban Fabric: Three strategies are taken to repair the old town’s urban fabric and bring life back to its street.
PHASE 3 Living Abundantly: Seawater greenhouses will be replicated along the other bastions creating a modern defence against climate change, extending the old town’s capacity for renewal beyond its bounding walls.
UN Intellectual Retreat: Considered a key institution (Phase 2).
Olive Grove Primary School: Considered a key institution (Phase 2).
Centre for the Built Environment: Considered a key institution (Phase 2).
Municipal Library: Considered a key institution (Phase 2).
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