Since 1979, a remarkable effort has been made by the representatives of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities of Nicosia to regenerate the historic walled city and protect its architectural and urban heritage. This was the first and for some time the only joint project carried out at the local level by both communities and it has been a sustained effort, uninterrupted by the ebb and flow of politics. The programme was initiated under United Nations auspices, and has grown into a major project that enhances the wellbeing of all the inhabitants of the city.

The Nicosia Master Plan project treats the city as a united entity, implementing works in both parts of the city. It has maintained a high standard of workmanship and skills in urban restoration and renewal, and involved the close cooperation of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot members of the project team. The preservation of the cultural and architectural legacy of the historic centre has provided an impetus for private investment, attracted new residents, encouraged tourism and strengthened economic activity. In addition, the rehabilitated buildings are breathing life into the divided city, and new cafés, restaurants, cultural centres and public spaces abound.

A bold and forward-thinking project, the Nicosia Master Plan has brought together opposing communities by identifying what unites rather than divides them. It has used the shared space of a historic urban core as the motivating factor to develop a relationship of cooperation and positive coexistence that has continued to evolve over quarter of a century.