Future Gardens Project in Nicosia
Gardens of the future in the heart of Nicosia city, Cyprus
Introducing innovative circular Nature-Based Solutions that combine urban greening, sustainable food production, and water treatment, reuse, and harvesting in Nicosia. By integrating decentralised systems into public space, the DEMO strengthens urban resilience, improves liveability, and supports community well-being in one of the Mediterranean’s most climate-challenged cities.
Context
Cyprus faces growing climate change pressures, including rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, intensified rainfall events, and sea-level rise, challenges that are particularly acute in Nicosia, Europe’s last divided capital. Urban planning in the city is further constrained by political and spatial complexities linked to the UN buffer zone. At the same time, Nicosia is undergoing an ambitious revitalisation process through initiatives such as the bicommunal Nicosia Master Plan and a coordinated spatial strategy involving six municipalities of the wider Nicosia region. Within this complex urban context, CARDIMED DEMO9 demonstrates how circular and decentralised Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) can enhance water management, urban greening, food security, and social cohesion.
The DEMO: Three connected sub-DEMOs across public spaces: Together, the three sub-DEMOs form an integrated water–food–green infrastructure system designed to enhance the urban microclimate and deliver multiple ecosystem and social benefits.
- Sub-DEMO 9.1- Microalgae-based groundwater treatment for irrigation: focuses on improving groundwater quality using a microalgae-based photobioreactor based on microalgae, producing treated water suitable for irrigating urban green spaces.
- Sub-DEMO 9.2- Rainwater harvesting for water self-sufficiency: implements an innovative subsurface rainwater harvesting system to achieve water self-sufficiency for urban parks, reducing dependence on potable water while enhancing infiltration and groundwater recharge.
- Sub-DEMO 9.3- Green facades and productive vertical systems: introduces wall-based greenfacades with hydroponic and aquaponic systems to support urban food production, strengthen green infrastructure, and foster community engagement in the historic city centre.
Together, these sub-DEMOs form an integrated urban water–food–green infrastructure system that improves the urban microclimate, reduces the heat island effect, increases green space, and delivers multiple ecosystem services while promoting community building, social inclusion, and voluntary participation.
Output
Implementation of three operational circular NbS systems for groundwater treatment, rainwater harvesting, and urban food production across public spaces in Nicosia. The interventions improve urban microclimate, reduce the urban heat island effect, increase green space coverage, and deliver multiple ecosystem services. By reusing treated groundwater and harvested rainwater for irrigation—and enabling food production in public spaces, with a focus on engaging vulnerable and underserved residents—the DEMO strengthens community ties and supports social inclusion.
Solutions
- Groundwater treatment using microalgae-based photobioreactors
- Nature-inspired subsurface rainwater harvesting
- Hydroponic and vertical urban farming systems
