Engomi fairgrounds to become expansive urban park with lakes and green spaces

Plans are moving forward to transform the former State Fair site in Engomi into what would become the largest urban park in Cyprus, featuring extensive green spaces and two artificial lakes. The redevelopment would cover a 240,000-square-metre area, with buildings limited to just 10 per cent of the site and the remaining space dedicated to parkland, walking paths and recreational areas. The overall cost of the project is estimated at around €50 million.

A completed planning study for the Fair site and the neighbouring SOPAZ area will guide the next steps, with final decisions expected soon. An architectural competition is planned to shape the park’s design, while only eight of the original exhibition pavilions are expected to be retained and renovated. The two proposed retention lakes will not only enhance the landscape but will also be used to irrigate the park’s green areas. The site is also set to be linked to nearby districts via cycling paths, with funding already secured.

Road infrastructure plans in the area are being reassessed, with emphasis placed on protecting residential neighbourhoods and avoiding unnecessary traffic through local streets. The focus remains on maintaining a calm, community-oriented environment rather than introducing major road connections that could disrupt daily life. Ideas for future uses of the retained buildings, including cultural or exhibition-related functions, remain under discussion.

In the short term, funding is being sought for basic improvements such as cleaning, electrical upgrades and maintenance of selected pavilions, allowing limited use of the site until the full redevelopment begins. Local residents continue to support the vision of a park-led development, while technical assessments are underway to determine which existing structures can safely be preserved. Further consultations between relevant authorities are expected to finalise the future of both the Fair site and the surrounding area.