LitusGo Local Information Database: Pafos, Cyprus (English)

1.1 Fauna

As mentioned above, there are no data about the administrative area of the municipality of Pafos.  Records have been made only for the Faros of Kato Pafo. The area is very important for the bords, since there can be encountered 23 species of Annex 1 of the Birds Directive (Alcedo atthis, Anthus campestris, Ardea purpurea, Calandrella brachydactyla ,Charadrius alexandrinus, Circus aeruginosus, Cursorius cursor, Egretta garzetta, Emberiza caesia, Emberiza hortulana, Ficedula albicollis, Himantopus himantopus,  Lanius collurio, Lanius minor, Lanius nubicus, Lullula arborea, Luscinia svecica, Nycticorax nycticorax, Oenanthe cypriaca, Pernis apivorus, Sylvia melanothorax, Sylvia rueppelli, Sylvia rueppelli, Tringa glareola).  Two of them are endemic(Oenanthe cypriaca, Sylvia melanothorox). In addition, there have been recorded 23 migratory species not included in Annex 1 of the Birds Directive (Anthus cervinus, Anthus pratensis, Apus apus, Apus melba, Apus pallidus, Delichon urbica, Emberizamelanocephala, Hirundo daurica, Hirundo rustica, Luscinia luscinia, Merops apiaster, Motacilla flava, Oenanthe hispanica,Oenanthe isabellina, Oenanthe oenanthe, Phoenicurus ochruro, Phoenicurus phoenicurus, Phylloscopus collybita, Saxicolarubetra, Saxicola torquata, Sylvia atricapilla, Sylvia curruca, Upupa epops), and also in the area occurs the Charadriusleschenαultii, which is protected by the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory of water birds. There are also seven species of reptiles in the area. The endemic Ophisops elegans schlueteri and Ablepharus kitaibelli budak and also Vipera lebetina, Acanthodactylus schreiberi, Crytopodion kotschy, Chalcides ocellatus and Coluber jugularis protected by the Berne Convention.

Other important species of flora found in the area are as follows: 6 endemic species (Biscutella didyma ssp. dunensis,Limonium albidum ssp.cyprium, Senecio glaucus ssp. cyprius, Teucrium divaricatum ssp. canenscens, Teucriummicropodioides, Bosea cypria), 4  types that are included in the red list IUCN (Papaver rhoeas ssp cyprium, Enarthocarpusarcuatus, Anthemis tomentosa and Taraxacum aphrogenes) and a plant that is protected from the Convention CITIES, Cyclamenpersicum.

1.2 Flora

Available information are only for the region of Faros. The area is rich in flora, there have been recorded eight habitat types of Annex 1 of the Habitats Directive. The habitats are: Vegetated sea cliffs of the Mediterranean coasts (with endemic Limonium spp), Embyonic shifting dunes, Annual vegetation of drift lines, mediterranean salt medows (Juncetalia maritime), Halo-nitrophilous scrubs (Pegano-Micromerietea) and Olea and Ceratonia forests.

Other major plant species found in the area area are the following: 6 endemic species (Biscutella didyma ssp. Dunensis, Limonium albidum ssp. cyprium, Senecio glaucus ssp. cyprius, Teucricum divaricatum ssp. canenscens, Teurium micropodioides, Bosea cypria), 4 species are included in the red list of IUCN (Papaver rhoeas ssp cyprium, Enarthocarpus arcuatus, Anthemis tomentosa, and Taraxacum aphrogenes) and a plant that is protected by the Convention CITIES, Cyclamen persicum.

1.3 Coastal water quality

At present time Framework Directive of Waters (2000/60/EU) is being implemented in Cyprus. For the freshwaters responsible is the Department of Water Development, wile for the coastal / seawaters responsible is the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research. According to the Department of Fisheries and marine Research, Cyprus seawaters are quite clearly and appropriate under the context of European Directives.

Due to the highly oligotrophic waters of Cyprus, phenomena such us eutrophication are rare. An eutrophication can appear only because of (water) pollution (caused by manufactures and / or agricultural waste treatment activity). For the area of Pafos there are no references. In the wider sea area of Pafos there have been recorded Posidonia oceanica lawns, which proofs seawaters high quality.

Blue flags have been placed in five beaches of Pafos town. From the 29 criteria that are required so that a beach can acquire a blue flag, 5 criteria are related to water quality (constant time checks, samples within limits, requirement that the beach is not affected by industrial effluent, or waste waters, or sewage-related discharges, requirements for concentrations within allowable limits for microbiological parameters such us faecal coli bacteria (E.Coli), and enterococci / streptococci, and other physicochemical parameters).

The beaches of the city that have been awarded with blue flags are named bellow:

• Vrysoudia A (with wheelchair access)
• Vrysoudia B (with wheelchair access)
• Demotika Banea (with wheelchair access)
• Faros
• Alykes

1.4 Nature protection areas

Within the administrative baountaries of the city, at the harbor, there is a Natura2000 area, code CY 4000013, named Faros Kato Pafos. The region has an area of 87,77 hec (0,88 m²).

2.1 Geology of the area

The province of Pafos belongs to the complex of Mammon. Inside the city of Pafos the usual rocks that one encounters are those of calcareous sandstone, sand and stone.

2.2 Coastal morphology – erosion trends

The coastline which is under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Pafos, is about 10 km long. It is divided into two areas, the north-west and south-west, and the boundary between them is the small fishing harbor of Pafos, characterized by the Venetian castle.

The north-west part of the coastline is rocky with some small sandy pockets. A conspicuous portion of the area is considered as an archaeological site (Pafos Antiquities are a UNESCO site) thus any construction is prohibited. However there are some “enclaves” of hotels. Apart from this, land and hotel owners, continuously and intensively claim the construction of breakwaters and the formation of sandy beaches.

The south-west part of the coastline is an extremely developed touristic area. The coast is sandy and partly under erosion, with several coastal protection structures, such as offshore breakwaters, groins and small harbors in front of the hotels.

2.3 Winds and waves

Significant wave height (Hs, in meters)	Wave Direction (deg)
	-15: 15	15:45	45:75	75:105	105:135	135:165	165:195	195:225	225:255	255:285	285:315	315:345	Total     (%)
< 0,25	1,5	1,68	1,32	1,32	2,06	1,36	0,59	0,69	1,12	2,84	3,61	1,27	19,36
0,25   : 0,75	1,2	1	1,28	1,28	5,69	2,72	1,01	1,14	2,42	5,75	8,9	2,31	34,7
0,75   : 1,25	0,01	0,01	0,02	0,02	1,37	2,15	1,11	1,11	2,47	6,18	6,23	0,26	20,94
1,25   : 1,75					0,24	0,91	0,52	0,87	1,74	3,67	3	0,05	11
1,75   : 2,25					0,05	0,49	0,26	0,76	1,25	2,22	1,59	0,01	6,63
2,25   : 2,75					0,01	0,11	0,13	0,37	0,6	1,24	0,88		3,34
2,75   : 3,25						0,02	0,07	0,18	0,34	0,91	0,32		1,84
3,25   : 3,75						0,06	0,01	0,03	0,1	0,34	0,36		0,9
3,75   : 4,25						0,03	0,02	0,08	0,16	0,22	0,09		0,6
4,25   : 4,75						0,01	0,04	0,06	0,07	0,05	0,08		0,31
4,75   : 5,75									0,06	0,08	0,03		0,17
5,75   : 6,75									0,08	0,03	0,01		0,12
6,75   : 7,75									0,03	0,03			0,06
7,75   : 8,75										0,01			0,01
8,75   : 9,75													0
9,75   : 10,75										0,01	0,01		0,02
10,75 : 12,75													0
12,75 : 14,75													0
> 14,75													0
Total  (%)	2,71	2,69	2,62	2,62	9,42	7,86	3,76	5,29	10,44	23,58	25,11	3,9	100
	Season:	Winter		Period:	1961 to 1990		No of observations:		8377
Table *.*: Probability that highest of sea and swell occur in the given height and direction class at 20 m contour south of Paphos

 

Significant wave height (Hs, in meters)	Wave Direction (deg)
	-15: 15	15:45	45:75	75:105	105:135	135:165	165:195	195:225	225:255	255:285	285:315	315:345	Total(%)
< 0,25	0,73	0,78	0,54	0,54	0,8	0,56	0,39	0,6	1,56	4,91	4,41	0,7	16,52
0,25   : 0,75	0,64	0,43	0,41	0,41	1,78	0,97	0,49	0,89	3,02	12,7	13,09	1,73	36,56
0,75   : 1,25					0,25	0,53	0,35	0,51	2,32	12,67	8,83	0,13	25,59
1,25   : 1,75					0,03	0,24	0,07	0,31	1,3	6,89	4,21	0,02	13,07
1,75   : 2,25					0,05	0,06	0,05	0,03	0,43	3	1,52		5,14
2,25   : 2,75						0,02		0,01	0,09	0,94	0,69		1,75
2,75   : 3,25						0,01			0,03	0,4	0,15		0,59
3,25   : 3,75									0,03	0,27	0,12		0,42
3,75   : 4,25										0,14	0,02		0,16
4,25   : 4,75										0,05	0,01		0,06
4,75   : 5,75										0,03	0,03		0,06
5,75   : 6,75													0
6,75   : 7,75													0
7,75   : 8,75													0
8,75   : 9,75													0
9,75   : 10,75													0
10,75 : 12,75													0
12,75 : 14,75													0
> 14,75													0
Total  (%)	1,37	1,21	0,95	0,95	2,91	2,39	1,35	2,35	8,78	42	33,08	2,58	100
	Season:	Summer		Period :	1961 to 1990		No of observations:		8171
Table *.*: Probability that highest of sea and swell occur in the given height and direction class at 20 m contour south of Paphos

 

3.1 Demographic description

According to the latest official population register of 2001, the city’s population amounted to 26,253 inhabitants. During the course of recent years, especially after the accession of Cyprus to EU in 2004, many people from the former eastern countries arrived in Cyprus in order to seek a better future, while thousand of retirement British people chose Pafos for permanent residence. While from the mid 90s a large population of Greeks of Pontus (Greek passport holders who previously lived in northern Greece, northern Turkey and former Soviet countries) arrived in Pafos. Because of all the above data we believe that the population of Pafos has almost doubled.

3.2 Human activities – employment

The service and especially the tourism sector are the major occupations of the residents. The construction industry constitutes the major employment, which at this time, because of the global financial crisis has been affected and a large number of   laborers can’t find jobs. A large number of residents work for the public sector, due to the fact that Pafos town is the administrative center of the whole province.

3.3 Land uses

According to Pafos local plan (including except the town of Pafos and the communities / municipalities that surround it), which has been published in 2003, inside the town of Pafos there are mainly residential areas, and a few rural and green areas. The coastal area is identified as a tourist and other uses area (including the archeological and Natura2000). The codes used for urban reports of the coastal area of the municipality are: Δα2 (protected area), Κα9 (residential area), Τ2β3 and Τ1γ (tourist region).  Note: the Local Plan will be modified / amended this year.

3.4 Development trends

Over the last few years a tremendous growth in tourism and construction of the city has been observed, which changed the character of the city into an unsustainable manner.

Currently in the city, are some major essential projects are underway. The design and redevelop of the beach front, the sewage system of the city, the pedestrian area from the castle to Faros, upgrading the Musalla region, the redeveloping of the shopping center and the Kennedy square, design and implementation of the famous Tombs of the Kings Avenue and the Republic Avenue (second phase), the northern routes to Yeroskipou and Pafos, and Griva Dighenis avenue are work in progress right now.

Future project planed include: a new road to the airport, the regeneration of the Palama and 28^th October Squares, construction of walkways, parking spaces, the redevelopment of the entrance of the city and St. Paul Avenue, the construction of sports center, a new cemetery etc.

The revision of Local Drawing that is being realized at the moment is expected to give a more sustainable way of growth.

4.1 Water management – consumption paterns

The supply of water in the Municipality comes from Municipal sources but also from sources of Department of Growth of Waters, and also from the dam / barrier of Asprokremmou. There are 12 municipal sources (8 adjacent to the dam and 4 inside the city). The consumption increases mainly during the summer time, while it is expected in the coming months to work and the desalination factory in the region of Kouklion which will supply the city with water.

An important issue for water management in Cyprus is that of private wells, many of which are illegal. Elements for legal perforations (26.890) show a consumption for 2008 of about 3.010.946 m³. On the other hand the consumption from the central systems amounted to 3544043 m³.

4.2 Waste water management

Next to the airport there is a water treatment plant where becomes wastewater tertiary treatment. The treated water is used to enrich the aquifer Ezousas River. The annual output reaches 2.7 million m³. In a low season production is estimated at 7000 m³ per day, while on a high season at 10.000 m³/ day.

4.3 Waste management

Waste management in Cyprus in mainly based on deposition in landfills. In 2007 started the recycling system (Greendot), which was extended in Pafos in June 2009. The collection frequency for glass is twice a week and for the paper collection three times per week.

According to elements from the Health Services of the municipality (measured by two weeks in low season and two weeks in high), the annual production from wastes (by residences, enterprises and municipal services) is estimated at 26220700 Kg. In a low season is estimated at 1897900 Kg, and in a high season at 2587080 Kg.

4.4 Energy management

Energy in Cyprus is based on electricity production from oil. Unfortunately there is no use of renewal energy in Pafos. This year, 20 kilometers outside the city, began the processes for the concretization on first Aeolian park in Cyprus in the region Kouklion.

4.5 Transport schemes

In Cyprus and in Pafos as well, public ways of transport are limited and unfortunately inconvenient most of the time. Due to this, transportation is based on the use of private vehicles. A private bus company (ALEPA LTD) which is situated in Pafos serves mostly the needs of tourists and elder people, not only within the district of the city but also within Pafos province.

There are 3 routes to the coastal area (bus no 10 from Agora (Market) to the Coral Bay, no 11 from Agora (Market) to Aphrodite Water park and no 15 from Aphrodite Water Park to the Coral Bay).

5.1 Archaeology

The city of Pafos has a history of 4000 years and this resulted in the presence of archaeological monuments of great importance. Thus, in 1980, UNESCO integrated the city in the list of world cultural heritage.

In the area are found some of the most important mosaics in the Mediterranean and are located in the archaeological site behind the Faros (Lighthouse) at: the House of Dionysus (2^nd century AD), the House of Orpheus (2^nd century AD), the House of Aion (Century) (4^th century AD) and the Villa of Theseus (2^nd century AD).

Additional archaeological sites are found to:

• The Agora (Market) (2^nd century AD)
• The ancient Theatre (3^rd century AD)
• The Basilica of Chrysopolitissa (4^th century AD)
• The castle of Saranta Colones (7^th century AD)
• The Tombs of the Kings (2^nd century AD)
• The Castle of Pafos (13^th century AD)

In the modern era of communication and briefing, justified demands and increased requirements, the Municipality made an effort to be near its Citizen by seeking new ways of social intervention, new fields of collaboration and channels of communication with its citizen.

Thus the Office of Service Citizen was created in the year 2000. Core competence of the Center is to promote direct complaints, problems and requests by the public to the relevant services of the municipality for consideration and resolution. The Center through specialized computer programs, monitors their development from the early stage of their submission to the outcome of the final result. Within the framework of this duty the Center provides the following Services:

• Enables the citizens of Pafos to address and express their complaints or claims and to demand the right of service.
• Accepts the public and provides guidance for issues of interest and advice on procedures.
• Coordinates and monitors the progress of problem solving or complaints and informs the Head Office accordingly for any delays.

Also, the Municipal Council has created and developed the website of the Municipality of Paphos, so except for promotion reasons can be exploited as a mean of a practical communication with the public. The aim and the objective of the  is constantly being enriched and the constant improvement of this website to become a useful tool for direct and interactive communication with citizens and an essential tool for accurate and valid information for locals and foreign visitors. By the same spirit, the Municipality has decided the issue of its own magazine.

A key component of the effort of the Municipality of Pafos for the bidirectional communication with its residents, is the institution of the neighborhood gatherings. Through direct contact and direct dialogue, the Mayor and the members of the City Municipality have the opportunity to discuss with residents of the neighborhood the specific problems they face, to listen their needs and their concerns and then to roll out the appropriate solutions.

To achieve its objectives, particularly in development sector, the City Municipality follows transparent procedures and apply the appropriate laws and regulations, initiates studies and call for architectural competitions, so that with certainty and scientific documentation can build a new Pafos’ infrastructure for the following decades. In this attempt, the involvement of citizens is very important. And for this reason, the City Municipality continues and extends the successful institution of public presentations of major projects and projects of Pafos, in order the citizen to know the intentions of the local authority, to receive the knowledge early on time of what it intends to do and in order to has the possibility of free expression and direct intervention through a fruitful and constructive dialogue. At the same time, the City Municipality continues its communication with the individual stakeholders or the affected stakeholders to listen their views and concerns, as a result the most testing and consensual solutions.

The Pafos Municipality is an independent organization of local government autonomy. It is governed by an elected Municipal Council under the Communities Law of 1985. Under the Constitution, the basic state services must be within the limits of the Municipality of Paphos. By 1986 the activities of the municipality were conducted in accordance with the Communities Laws 1964-1984. Since 1986 the Paphos Municipality operates in accordance with the provisions of the Municipalities Law of 1985 having an overall responsibility for the local affairs.

The executive and the head of the Public Service is the Mayor. The Municipal Council now consists of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and 15 Municipal Councilors. In a structured arrangement, under the Municipal Council there are various municipal committees, in which chair members of the council. Then there are the various departments and agencies of the City Municipality.

The Municipal Council meets twice a month, except in cases where there is a need for additional meeting or for more frequent meetings. The suggestions and ideas on various issues concerning the responsibilities of the Pafos Municipality, are formulated by the municipal committee and then the Municipal Council after a meeting and discussion, takes the decisions and the appropriate actions.

Municipal committees

1.    Administrative Committee

Coordinates the work of the other Committees of the Municipal Council. Prepares the Budgets.  Other responsibilities deriving from Article 47 of the Municipalities Law. Plans and monitors the financial / development policy of the Municipality (programs, works, etc.). Controls spending – issues of internal auditing. Taxation and pricing (water supply, etc). Litigation. Information for the citizens, communication policy of the Municipality: promotion of the works, etc., Public Relations. Operation of the Center of Information and Service of Citizens (complaints – suggestions). Structure / organization and operation of Municipal Services. Exploitation/use of municipal property (rental premises, etc.)

2.    Executive Committee

Examination of applications for construction licenses and licenses for land and building divisions. Issuing of licenses and certificates.

3.    Committee on Employment of Workers

Recruitment of workers for seasonal or temporary employment.  Extension or termination of seasonal and temporary workers.  Advise for integration of workers into the regular hourly employee scheme.

4.    Staff Committee

Labor issues regarding employees and workers (claims, etc.).  Negotiations / contacts with the Unions (Collective Agreements, etc.).

5.    Tenders Committee

Reviews and awards tenders (following the public procurement procedures) for the supply of materials and equipment, services rendering and public works.

6. Committee on Urban Planning and Construction of Works

Urban Planning – planning policy of the Municipality. Examines the applications for the construction licenses. Local Plan,  Area Plans, etc. Urban and other public works, development projects and embellishment works of the Municipality. Construction – maintenance of roads, parks, sidewalks, etc. Municipal buildings (construction, improvement, maintenance). Traffic issues (technical aspects) Street Lighting. School Buildings. Archaeological sites and monuments.  Tourist infrastructure projects. Surveying and construction of playgrounds.

7. Cultural Development Committee
Policy on cultural development.  Planning, monitoring and review of cultural events.  Education Issues. Public Library. Relations with associations, foundations, etc. cultural organizations. Pafos Aphrodite Festival Cyprus Company. Cultural infrastructure works (in cooperation with the Administrative Committee and the Committee on Urban Planning and Construction of Works).

8. Youth, Sports and Social Welfare Committee

Policy on sports, social welfare and development. Development and promotion of sports (events, infrastructure, etc.). Youth. Social welfare (elderly, children, people with disabilities, etc.). Relations with sports and social welfare unions and organisations. Expatriates / foreigners residing in Pafos. Issues of the local community with a wider interest

9. Committee on Foreign Relations and Tourism

EU matters (Programmes, Cyprus / Pafos Municipality, EU). Relations with Greece and external relations in general. Relations with agencies / organizations / fora. Cypriots / Greeks abroad. All delegations of the Municipality that travel abroad. Hosting of delegations from abroad. Policy and action of the Municipality in tourism promotion and image of Pafos. Relations with the tourism sector in a local and international level. Any issues related to tourism apart from technical issues (urban planning, etc.).

10. Committee on Trade, Market and Industrial Area

Issues of the broader commercial sector. Municipal Wholesale Market. Market Issues. Issues for consumer protection. Regeneration of the shopping center. Industrial Area issues. Working hours of shops.

11. Committee on Public Health and Sanitation

Policy and action of the Municipality to the wider public health – sanitation. Planning / monitoring the work of the Public Health Service. Key issues: health monitoring of food and beverages, cleaning public areas and private open spaces, waste management and sewage (sites etc.). Issues related to possession of dogs and animal welfare

12. Green Committee

Expansion, improvement and maintenance of green. Planning and monitoring the work of the Green Service.

13. Committee on Water Supply and Sewerage

Expansion, improvement and maintenance of water supply system of the Municipality. Complaints about water bills. Technical matters related to the sewerage system (extension-improvement, connection to the buildings, etc.).

14. Beaches Committee

All matters related to the beaches within the municipal boundaries (organization, development, management, image, etc.) – for financial matters (such as licensing of rights), the Committee will submit recommendations to the Administrative Committee.

Municipal Services

Secretariat – Administration, Center of Information and service of Citizens, Tenders Office, Economics Department (Accounting and Taxes), Water Supply, Technical Services Department (Town Planning), Cultural Service, Civil Marriages, Green service, International Relations – European Programmes – Tourism, Traffic Ward Service, Town cleaning Service, Public Health Service, Youth – Sports – Social Welfare

Ιt is well known that the tourism has been for decades the largest and most important sector of the Cypriot economy, with beneficial effects on economic development of the province. Simultaneously, it is like a bridge of communication and interaction with many countries and especially the European ones.

With these data, the Pafos Municipality attaches to the tourism sector the relative importance and care. At the centre of its policy there are the identification and promotion of tourism, the preservation of cultural heritage, the protection and the enhancement of the natural environment and maintenance of the quality of life.
The main issues and major challenges facing the Municipality of Pafos are listed in the following list:

• Intensification of the efforts for the international promotion of the tourism product of the city by organizing events in various cities affiliated with Pafos and the participation in international tourism fairs.
• Further improve of the aesthetics of the city and especially within the tourist area.
• Mitigation of the traffic system by creating new parks.
• Continue and intensify the efforts towards effectively address the phenomena of violence and noise pollution.
• Enhance the image of the beaches and intensify the sanitary inspections.

• Participation in a number of European Projects in order the upgrade of the infrastructure and the promotion of tourist product of Pafos.
• Continuation of the activities within city centre and neighborhoods for the enrichment and the maintenance of the existing parks and green spaces.
• In terms of the cleanliness and tidiness of the city, the reorganization of the waste collection system to a daily service of citizens and entrepreneurs, particularly in the tourist area.
• More Frequent cleaning of land and public spaces (parks, trails, etc.).

It is important to mention that the city of Pafos, with the support and the solidarity of the whole District, confronts the greatest challenge in its modern history: To claim and to win the title European Capital of Culture for the year 2017. The aims of this participation are listed below:

1. The European Capital of Culture project aims to bring together citizens and people, to highlight the cultural heritage, the multiformity and the common characteristics of the European Cultures, and also to foster a feeling of belonging to the same “European” community for all European citizens.
2. The European Capital of Culture, as an emblematic project with a wide range, validity and aura, can bring together the citizens and the bodies of the city and of the region at large for a common cause and an ambitious target both before and after the year 2017,
3. The city and the district of Pafos will be exposed like never before on the European countries mainly, via a renowned project and they will gain significant cultural, environmental and economic benefits.
4. The city of Pafos will be given an opportunity to design and to develop projects and infrastructure which will determine its future as a modern and European city.
5. The feeling of volunteerism, solidarity, collaboration and friendship between the people will be reinforced, regardless of their nationality, race or religion and it will shape collaborations and collusions which will contribute to the European fulfillment.