The Pancypriot Environmental and Cultural Group (PPOCH) expresses its strong concern for the future of the Paphos Public Garden, stressing that the historic site should not be turned into another victim of cementation, but should be preserved and upgraded as a public park and a green lung for the city center.
PPOCH points out that, while the debate on building a temple on the site is ongoing, Paphos is currently in greater need of more free green spaces, especially under the weight of the climate crisis and the increasingly frequent extreme temperatures.
According to the WFP, modern cities around the world are investing in creating urban parks, planting trees and enhancing shade areas to combat the urban heat island phenomenon and improve citizens’ quality of life.
On the contrary, as he mentions, in Paphos in recent years hard surfaces made of cement, marble and asphalt have increased, limiting the greenery in the center of the city.
PPOH underlines that the Public Garden is not an unused space to be built on, but a valuable public space that can develop into a modern green oasis, offering a space for recreation, culture and social coexistence.
At the same time, he notes that respect for the religious tradition of Paphos is self-evident, but equally important is the protection of the environment and the preservation of public green spaces for future generations.
In conclusion, PPOH emphasizes that the real dilemma is not “temple or park”, but the kind of city that society wishes to deliver in the future, reiterating his position that the Paphos Public Garden should remain public, protected and enhanced with even more greenery.