Nicosia Braces for Sweltering Summer
Residents of Nicosia have been advised by Erdogan Bekiroglu, a technical advisor for the Nicosia Turkish Municipality (LTB), to arrange their summer activities away from the capital if possible. In a recent social media post, Bekiroglu drew attention to the city’s severe shortage of natural shade due to an inadequate number of trees. He cautioned that “very difficult days await Nicosia this summer,” painting a stark picture for the upcoming season.
The scarcity of tree coverage in Nicosia is a pressing issue that affects both sides of the divided capital, with the European Environment Agency reporting that a mere four percent of the city is shaded by trees. This statistic positions Nicosia as the European capital with the lowest tree coverage, a fact that becomes particularly concerning as temperatures rise during the summer months.
In light of these challenges, Bekiroglu hinted at forthcoming initiatives by the LTB aimed at improving living conditions in Nicosia. He expressed optimism about future projects, suggesting that “of course, living in Nicosia will be more comfortable after our work is done.” This statement implies that plans are underway to enhance the city’s resilience against the heat, although specific details of these projects were not disclosed.
The call to seek respite from the city’s heat underscores the broader environmental concerns facing urban centers across Europe, where green spaces are increasingly recognized for their role in mitigating high temperatures and improving quality of life. As Nicosia looks ahead to a challenging summer, the LTB’s commitment to addressing the lack of tree coverage may offer a glimmer of hope for cooler, more sustainable urban living in the future.
