Nicosia Airport, Dwindle memories awakened, Past, Present, Future

Yioutani-Iacovides, Maria

Abstract

Memories are gradually disappearing, and time took its toll on Nicosia Airport, a unique example of Modernist Aviation Architecture.
As it is left abandoned for nearly half a century due to political circumstances, the building is quietly fading away in the landscape, in the buffer zone, in the outskirts of the Cypriot capital.
Built in 1968, the Airport was the main arterial connection to the island for less than a decade, when it was interrupted by the Turkish invasion in 1974. Despite its abandonment, the building has survived untouched, and its architectural and structural integrity remains intact.
However, the memories of the place are fading away; the people who remember it are decreasing and the political negotiations for resolution seem to be moving further apart. Its fate is uncertain.
This paper argues that this 20th century building has unique architectural, cultural, and historical value. Its design concept and architectural details captured the essence of Mediterranean vernacular architecture. Its tangible and intangible cultural heritage is in danger of disappearing and an urgent endeavour is required from both communities, Greek Cypriot, and Turkish Cypriot to enhance and revitalises its significance. This shared heritage has the potential to be sustainably developed and become a hub of shared memories for both communities. A carefully studied proposal for its adaptive reuse and restoration could be a unique pilot project that could reignite viable negotiations of a 50-year political uncertainty. The study focuses to capturing the memories, ‘mneme’, and making an attend to provide some suggestions for its adaptive reuse, considering UN’s SDG16.
The study’s methodology (interviews, etc) aims to unearth memories of Cypriots from Greek Cypriots, and Turkish Cypriots. Dwindle memories, could be awakened, and recorded for the current and next generation. The study will aim to initiate the creation of an archive that could be treasured by both communities.
The paper argues that in the current climate, where relationships between the two communities are softened, it is timely to open a pathway for an initial study for a future sustainable project that would focus on People, and Place, and enhance a sense of Belonging.

Citation

Yioutani-Iacovides, M. (2024, June). Nicosia Airport, Dwindle memories awakened, Past, Present, Future. Paper presented at 6th Conference Changing the Cities Rhodes, Greece, Rhodes, Greece

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: 6th Conference Changing the Cities Rhodes, Greece
• Conference Location: Rhodes, Greece
• Start Date: Jun 24, 2024
• End Date: Jun 27, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jun 25, 2024
• Keywords: Architectural Heritage
• Publisher URL: https://changingcities.prd.uth.gr/cc/
• Related Public URLs: https://r-map.eu/events/the-6th-international-conference-on-changing-cities/