SUMP Famagusta

In order to move towards a more sustainable mobility model, the Ministry of Transport (with partial financial support from the EU) has commissioned MIC-HUB and A.L.A. Planning Partnership Consultancy LLC to develop the SUMP as a tool to define measures to reduce car dependency.

The SUMP proposes an integrated approach towards a balanced development of all transport systems, with the simultaneous development of alternative modes of transport.

In line with EU targets, the SUMP’s high-level objectives focus on:

• Sustainability: a more sustainable public transport system;

• Safety: safe mobility options for everyone;

• Accessibility: a region that is accessible and easy to navigate;

• Public realm: quality environment for residents and tourists;

• Awareness: generate a renewed awareness of Famagusta District.

In an active mobility framework, the SUMP proposes expanding the cycling network by constructing new bike lanes for a total of 185 planned km. This new cycling network, called a ‘bicipolitana’, features 14 distinct lines that run throughout the district, connecting various communities, key attractors and POIs.

To address the current imbalance between summer and winter public transport services, MIC-HUB has developed a new transport strategy based on interchanges. Instead of providing few, poorly connected direct trips, the network will offer a frequent service on specific corridors, ensuring timely and guaranteed connections between lines at designated nodes.

The lines of the new system have been divided into four categories according to the level of service: pillar lines, local lines, summer lines and night lines. This proposal for the PT network also includes DRT (Demand Responsive Transit) services, which connect low-density areas to the pillar lines and the InterCity service. This is an innovation for public transport in the context of Cyprus.

The SUMP also provides measures for the road network, including ‘Road Diet’ interventions, a re-classification of speed limits, and the implementation of a series of 30 km/h zones.

These interventions are expected to yield substantial benefits in three main areas:

• road safety;

• reduced road-related fatalities;

• reduced noise levels.

The SUMP aims to transform Famagusta from a car-oriented district to a region with more space for social activities and soft mobility. It also proposes to limit the access of cars and HGVs to urban centres, reduce pollution and remove on-street parking where necessary to promote cycle lanes and public transport.