How the project transformed Nicosia’s city center into a model for culture-driven urban regeneration
Nicosia’s HUB-IN, also known as the Walled City of Nicosia, is evidence of a place rich in history and culture. The city’s walls, its people and their stories, the architectural gems-most of them still in life-, the landmarks, and other hidden treasures, are the definition of a place anyone would love to discover, make a home at, or start a business.
Despite the Municipality’s efforts to promote this unique cultural and social identity, though, Nicosia’s historic urban area is struggling with neglect and abandonment, unlike other parts of the island -Nicosia outside the walls included. By joining the HUB-IN project, Nicosia was able to develop an Action Plan that helped preserve its identity, while at the same time, it helped transform and regenerate its city center.
By focusing on heritage preservation, cultural activities, and fostering creativity, Nicosia’s historic urban area has redefined itself as a sustainable cultural tourism destination, highlighting both its tangible and intangible heritage, while also becoming a hub for cultural industries and a growing grassroots startup community.
Setting the Digital Stage
A top priority for Nicosia was to map the landmarks and the Cultural and Creative Industries within its territory. This has led to the development of a new platform, linked to Nicosia’s Digital Twin. This tool offers an immersive experience, which enhances accessibility to Nicosia’s cultural heritage, boosts tourism, and encourages sustainable exploration.
Heritage Walks and their Twins
Another way to connect locals and visitors with Nicosia’s cultural landscape was by launching ten free thematic promenades. Each weekly walk promoted different cultural and creative elements of both the tangible and intangible heritage of Nicosia within the walls while engaging the Cultural and Creative Industries of the area, and other local businesses and institutions.
Fifty walks were implemented in total within the framework of HUB-IN, with the participation of more than a thousand individuals of different ages, backgrounds, and nationalities, including people with disabilities, and EU representatives. Not only has this initiative increased visits to the area and enhanced the use of soft mobility/active travel, but it has also strengthened neighbourhood pride for residents and visitors alike. All walks are now embedded on the platform.
Activations of the Hub: Interacting and Engaging
With the aim of bringing locals and visitors closer to Nicosia’s arts and artisanry, and introducing them to its Cultural and Creative Industries, five free creative workshops were launched – one for everybody, two for kids, and two for adults.
Through this action, places and people who embody and manifest the vision of Nicosia becoming a place to safeguard, transit, and promote the historic memory of Cyprus, collaborated with Nicosia Municipality and the HUB-IN project, to offer the community a series of experiential events that (re)connect traditional and contemporary practices, bridging old and new skills, while enhancing social engagement and interaction. Thirty-five people joined the workshops in total.
Creating a Cultural and Creative Industries startup
Finally, to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, while revitalizing its historic urban area, Nicosia, in collaboration with the University of Cyprus, launched the Nicosia HUB-IN Accelerator; a two-month programme designed to support business ideas in the Cultural and Creative Industries, focusing on preserving Nicosia’s rich heritage.
This Accelerator represents a significant milestone for Cyprus, marking the first dedicated Accelerator for Cultural and Creative Industries, and serving as a critical step toward developing a sustainable ecosystem for cultural entrepreneurship, driving both economic development and community enrichment.
Out of 15 applications, 8 ventures were selected to receive mentorship, training, and resources. These ranged from artistic initiatives to tech-driven solutions, all of them enhancing cultural experiences, generating economic value, and promoting social impact, inclusivity, and community engagement.
Nicosia’s HUB-IN: a model for culture-driven urban regeneration
Important lessons learned include carefully mapping the stakeholders to be involved, ensuring smooth communication and setting up a realistic timeline to follow.
In conclusion, Nicosia’s HUB-IN initiative has revitalised its historic urban core by blending heritage, culture, and innovation. Through projects like the Digital Twin, heritage walks, and Cyprus’s first Accelerator for Cultural and Creative Industries, the city fosters creativity, sustainability, and community participation. By harmonising tradition with modern solutions, Nicosia stands as a model for culture-driven urban regeneration, inspiring other cities to achieve resilience and prosperity.
Discover the stories of the European cities involved in the HUB-IN project: have a look at the Storytelling Booklets!
