Seminar “Sustainable and Green Nicosia” held in Northern Cyprus

The six-day seminar “Sustainable and Green Nicosia” continues at the Lefkoşa Municipality Center in Northern Cyprus. The event is organized by the Faculty of Agriculture of Near East University in cooperation with the Lefkoşa Municipality, Ufuk Planning, and the Union of Turkish Cypriot Engineers and Architects — Chamber of Landscape Architects.

The seminar gathered participants from the TRNC, Türkiye, and Azerbaijan and is held as part of the “Urban Forest Workshop” training on interdisciplinary spatial planning. On the first day, opening speeches were delivered by project coordinator Nejla Kılınç, faculty dean Professor Dr. Özge Özden, Associate Professor Dr. Buket Asilsoy, technical and urban design coordinator Ferdie Sav, and Mayor of Lefkoşa Mehmet Harmancı.

The program includes theoretical presentations, group work, field surveys of urban areas, and preparation of project proposals. On the second day, participants discussed the history of spatial planning, green zone regulations, and sustainability strategies; lectures were given by Halim Perçin, Gizem Caner, and Esra Köksaldı. The following days will feature preliminary juries, sessions on universal design, and courses on effective presentation skills.

Participants will present their projects to a jury composed of representatives from Near East University, Lefkoşa Municipality, and the Chamber of Landscape Architects on October 13; after evaluation, a certificate ceremony and cocktail reception will follow. The seminar emphasizes that its aim is to strengthen Nicosia’s green infrastructure, enhance climate resilience, and develop recommendations for future urban planning and environmental policy, potentially influencing local authorities’ decisions and green zone development plans.