More and more people wish to leave the major urban centers to settle in small towns where peace and quality of life are present. Or simply stay there for a while. On the western coast of the island, Paphos has become a model of urban life transformation, attracting many young professionals, investors, and tourists. By adapting to the needs of each, while investing in new technologies and innovative practices. These efforts have earned it the titles of "best small town in the world" and "European Capital of Smart Tourism".
By combining culture, high health indicators, and low crime rates, Paphos is now considered one of the safest cities to live in. It is also an example of what a city can achieve. Starting from afar with a former mayor imprisoned for corruption, this city of 70,000 inhabitants has become a beacon of sustainable urban life and exemplary governance.
Urban renovation has given a new life to the city
By securing funding from the European Investment Bank and the European Union, Paphos has managed, through a series of targeted public works, to become more accessible, user-friendly, and dynamic. Year after year, residents have seen their city gain spacious squares, green spaces, more trees and playgrounds, and a better public transportation network. "We are proud of what we have been able to accomplish in our city. Ongoing urban development projects and strategic tourism initiatives are vital," says the Mayor of Paphos, Phedon Phedonos. He also points out that the city allocates millions of euros from the Municipal Fund to invest specifically for the youth.
Smart Functions for a Smart City
Paphos aspires to become a fully digital city to make life easier for its citizens through "smart" projects. "Being designated the European Capital of Smart Tourism for 2023 makes us proud and at the same time gives us the feeling of being justified for the hard work we have done in recent years to transition our city to the smart and digital era", says Phedon Phedonos. The Municipality of Paphos has created and now owns its own private and autonomous LoRaWAN network, providing valuable and immediate information to citizens in real time and making daily life easier. Among the "smart" projects already implemented is "Smart Parking", a modern solution that addresses the optimal parking management issue in the city. There is also smart lighting, digitization of archaeological sites, smart water management, and green circular routes carried out by the municipality's first fully electric minibus. All of this contributes to sustainable urban development and environmental protection.
The great cultural change
Although Paphos has a rich history, the city has been almost non-existent culturally for many years. Two young women, Markella Neocleous and Marina Simeonidou, have addressed this: their music studies and love for all arts led them to create "Technopolis 20," a cultural center that is both artistic and educational.
"Looking back ten years ago, the art scene in Paphos was unattractive, almost non-existent. The opportunities for someone living in our city to attend a concert or a theater performance were nonexistent. We felt that Paphos needed to 'come to life' culturally, as it was very behind compared to other cities. The establishment of Technopolis 20 seemed like a very distant dream, however, our love for our city and the arts was our driving force," explains Markella to 22-med.
"We knew from the beginning that creating such a space in Paphos would be a risk and that the path would not be easy. When, in 2017, Paphos was declared the European Capital of Culture, it helped a lot because previously, few artistic events took place there. This event was an opportunity to create different cultural centers, bring young artists back to our city, and also to build and renovate municipal facilities. Slowly, people found more cultural offerings and became interested in the new proposals," Marina adds.
The revitalization has brought economic growth
With its new image, Paphos has become a more attractive destination for many tourists seeking a personal and safe holiday experience. The mythical birthplace of the goddess of love, Aphrodite, has become one of the most popular destinations in the country in recent years, not only for Cypriots but also for foreigners. Departing from the port, thousands of foreign visitors explore the beaches, streets, leisure centers, and open relaxation areas throughout the day. This influx boosts the economy and enhances the city's image. In the heart of Paphos' old town, the new pedestrian zone offers 25,000m2 of unique open space, specially designed for visually impaired or wheelchair users. It also incorporates the remains of two sculpted tombs dating back to the Hellenistic and Roman eras. This project, along with other works carried out throughout the historic center and the expanded area of the city, has also helped revitalize Paphos and stimulate economic growth, as it now attracts visitors all year round. All these new services, developed in administration, organizations, banks, legal, and tax matters, as well as the lower cost of living compared to other Cypriot cities and abroad, have made Paphos attractive to many international investors. Mainly Russians and Israelis, they describe Paphos as the "Mediterranean paradise."
LoRaWAN is a radio communication protocol that defines how end devices communicate wirelessly through gateways, thus forming a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN).
