The Pyla Master Plan Interview with Münevver Project Özgür and Socrates Stratis

Pyla has always been a mixed village our proposed methodology, we emphasized share. I remember when we were working on with the UN soldiers in their observation the gates affected the project in any way. sort of ‘To-Do-Tomorrow’ kind of list, which inhabited by Greek and Turkish Cypriots the fact that our study team would consist of the master plan, there was local tension booth, and they were all watching the But I can summarize the whole socio-politi- could persuade inhabitants that change is, (1973: 586 Greek Cypriots and 488 Turkish architects and planners from both communi- when Turkish Cypriot residents of Pyla parking lot in the square, without any cal situation in Pyla as artificial and/or indeed, possible, and thus preparing in the Cypriots). This small community, located in ties, in order to address questions of how to illegally accessed the community’s electrical contact to each other. You could feel the synthetic; much more than the one on the final projects to be implemented. the United Nations buffer zone in the share common space, rather than the network, and some employees went to immobility of things; you might even imagine island in general. The perception of reality is Larnaca District (Cyprus), remains one of prevailing practice of dividing space. Such resolve the issue. The whole thing ratcheted that they have been sitting like that for the a trick, as in The Truman Show. The villagers We began work knowing beforehand that the very few places on the island where mixed teams are not common in Cyprus. up with the help of the media, of course, and last 37 years. Not really . . . during the 1990s, are like the hero in The Truman Show—un- any attempt at a common project in Pyla space is still shared somehow on a daily Some of them exist under the auspices of community leaders from communities all if I remember correctly, the Greek Cypriot aware of what exactly is going on, living involving Turkish and Greek Cypriots would basis by inhabitants of the two communities. the United Nations. over the island went to visit Pyla in order to inhabitants of Pyla erected an oversized according to beliefs passed down from be rather difficult. We decided to make Today, around 1500 people live in the village; calm things down. Greek Cypriots refer to community house just south of the mosque. earlier generations, yet none of these maximum use of the process itself, turning of these, two-thirds are Greek Cypriots and Münevver Özgür: It was Socrates’s idea to Pyla quite often as an example of peaceful They used the size of the architecture to beliefs are related to absolute truths. Only that into a project—a project that could one-third Turkish Cypriots. The village’s create a bi- or multi-communal team. I think coexistence, as a model for possible show who is in control of the area. (In our the protagonists (governments on both mobilize people, could engage at least some contested identity is layered with many it’s been a very wise idea/vision, and I do coexistence for the whole island. In contrast, proposals, we thought of a tactical move to sides, embassies, the UN, the EU . . .) take of them, could bypass or divert existing controversial legends, while its inhabitants remember how natural it was to be a part of Turkish Cypriots refer to Pyla as a model of alter this kind of symbolic gesture: placing a part in the generation and modification of spatial practices. Together with Münevver avoid public spaces, as if they were the Pyla Master Plan Project. I guess we how Greek Cypriots suppress Turkish public observation platform and a cafeteria knowledge. They construct reality so slowly and Fevzi, we established a sort of a project obligated to continue maintaining e a started to collaborate at the beginning of Cypriots. Through our experience with the on the top of the building, with external that it can hardly move, in my opinion. within the project of Pyla Master Plan. I have balance that was established long ago, but spring in 2007. When we made the final Pyla Master Plan, we realized that none of access. It didn’t really go through as a faith in the notion of activating public space remainsfragile.Architects Münevver Özgür presentation to the villagers at the main this was really true. proposal . . .) It is known that, in recent years, the village through people’s engagement. Resistance and Socrates Stratis have been collaborat- square, it was already summer 2008. Therefore, it was a sort of a paradox to has undergone huge development and seen toward physical space, as some authors say, ing with others since 2007 on a common attempt to provide a master plan for such an Did the opening of the gates affect the its tourism units multiply. How did this affect could increase the level of engagement. I project: the Pyla Master Plan, with the aim of What are the particularities of Pyla, and what ambiguous territory. But such ambiguity was village in any way? the community? could add that resistance toward the engaging both parts of the community in a was the socio-political situation in Cyprus very intriguing for us, indeed. In fact, all of process itself could enrich such engage- participatory procedure, from which a series and specifically in Pyla when you started the the UN’s attempts to launch projects, S: Yes, decisively. Before 2003, when the Urban development has been occurring ment. It forces people to get out of their of urban development projects will arise in project? especially for the main square of the village, checkpoints between the north and south mainly outside of the village center, and private bubbles or normal practices and order to overcome stagnation and to foster a had failed, because of the unwillingness of opened, Pyla was economically prosperous, extending all the way to the seashore. This start creating a common denominator common future perspective for the citizens. S: The particularities of Pyla, as I started the inhabitants to adopt them. since it was a sort of informal gate between area is outside the UN buffer zone. We don’t through the physical and social space. It is (Esra Can Akbil, Demet Mutman, Giorgos mentioning before, are first, its location in Another particularity of Pyla is the ethnic the two sides, where the black market and have specific information on how such that common denominator that could allow Psaltis, Kai Vöckler) the United Nations’ demilitarized zone,2 and segregation of common space. Strangely smuggling could thrive. After 2003 a lot of development takes place, who buys the the slightest communication to start second, the coexistence of Greek and enough, the homes of Turkish and Greek shops closed and Pyla no longer had this land, etc. The land is mostly owned by between people. In order to realize a goal How and when was the Pyla Masterplan Turkish Cypriots, even if relations are very Cypriots are not segregated. There are no exclusive status. The actual situation in Pyla Greek Cypriot inhabitants of Pyla, who like this, a series of “friction genes,” as I project initiated and how did you become bad. The village’s location within the UN separate neighborhoods, even though there is that Turkish Cypriot inhabitants are quite either develop or sell it. What we do know is called them, were developed and inserted involved? demilitarized zone is rather unique for the are more Turkish Cypriots closer to the poor and some of them seek to move to the what is happening all over Cyprus: all land into different stages of the project develop- UN administration. When Münevver and I northern edge of the village. However, coffee north part of the island, as they told our close to the sea is being overbuilt, in order ment process. Some of them were very Socrates Stratis: The Pyla Master Plan is part asked them if they knew of any similar shops, schools, and athletic facilities are Turkish Cypriot colleagues. Some Greek to house large numbers of tourists for a few simple. The first of them was to include of a general policy of the Cyprus govern- situation anywhere else in the world, they separate, even if they are sometimes Cypriot inhabitants are rather rich, since weeks during the summer, or else it is sold Münevver and her collaborators in the study ment and encouraged by the European admitted that there were not really any— located next to each other. they own land of high value in the tourist to foreigners who are attracted by the team. Reactions of the Greek Cypriot local Union, aimed at establishing coherent meaning, a community living inside such a The village’s main square represents an areas on the seashore, which is also part of sunny Cyprus climate. Land owned by council gradually calmed, especially when community development plans. Such plans zone. The difficulty of this kind of condition example of this kind of segregated proximity. Pyla’s territory. Turkish Cypriots in southern Cyprus is they realized the usefulness of such a team. could become a roadmap for European is that it is usually rather unclear who is in The space is used as a parking lot. The managed by a state authority and usually The second one was to bypass local funding sources, avoiding any fragmented charge, who administrates the community. Turkish Cypriot coffee shop is located at the M: Ever since my childhood (I was born in remains underdeveloped and in an authorities and establish direct contact with approaches. We were assigned the Pyla The Republic of Cyprus and the UN attempt western side of the square, next to a 1967; I was 7 years old in 1974) Pyla has been uncertain state. Such parcels, close to the the inhabitants, developed through a Master Plan after winning a competition. The to operate in this territory through the mosque. The nationalists’ Greek Cypriot a special place in my perception. It was a sea, are usually under pressure. Because workshop we had organized, activating the winning team consisted of architects, Larnaca District Office. The local community coffee shop is located on the north edge of dreamland and a land of fear at the same land development is done in a super-private void of the main square, so far used only as a planners, and environmentalists.1 I personal- council is linked to the Larnaca District the square; it was built as a symbol after the time. It was a segregated village (Turkish way, no community authority profits directly parking lot. We established informal talks ly chose to get involved with the Pyla Master Office and unfortunately consists only of 1974 war, on the property of a church, which Cypriots could not get in without special from it, except for service taxes. Therefore, with the local Turkish Cypriot authorities and Plan because of the existing specific Greek Cypriots. The Turkish Cypriot local is situated a few meters further north. (In permission) and a village of togetherness the new foreign community is becoming EVKAF.3 Unfortunately, they were both conditions of the community: Pyla is located authority is assigned by the Turkish Republic fact, one of our proposals was to move that (Turkish and Greek Cypriots living side-by- part of this tourist development south of the excluded from the official references in the in the United Nations Buffer Zone, a result of of Northern Cyprus, which is recognized only coffee shop to a new, adjacent building in side). It was a hilly site and at the same time area we have studied. It will be interesting Pyla Master Plan due to the non-recognition the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974. It is by Turkey. This poses all sorts of problems order to open up the view of the very old was not so high. It was neither on a moun- to go back and see how they influence each of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. one of the very few communities with an that are impossible to resolve. There is no church, and provide easier access to it, as tain, nor on the shore. However it had close other. No effort was made, in fact, to develop any ethnically mixed population, where Turkish official contact between the representatives well .) The leftist Greek Cypriot coffee shop relationships to both. It was both forbidden alternative modes of planning, such as a and Greek Cypriots live together, ever since of the two ethnic groups. Pyla has become, is located further north, beyond the square. and accessible. Families secretly met there What was the main idea behind the “Nicosia Master Plan,” where professionals the bi-communal conflicts in the 1960s in fact, a macro-political arena. Residents of In fact, all Cypriot villages and towns at restaurants. The fear and joy of meeting proposal you developed, and what did you from both communities join in the project instigated ethnic segregation, which peaked the village from both ethnic groups know unfortunately maintain this kind of right- and together in this heaven on earth was there, try to achieve with it? without any form of representation. They during the 1974 war.Greek Cypriots were very well that any local conflict could ignite a left-wing political segregation. On the served with a traditional side of baked represent themselves and not any kind of forced to move to the southern part of the crisis on the island, and possibly even a eastern side of Pyla’s main square, you can potatoes. Who were friends? Who were S: The main ideas behind the proposal state body, and in this way, they bypass any island, while Turkish Cypriots went north. In regional one. And vice-versa. Whenever see the UN observatory, built on top of an Greek Cypriots? Who were Turkish Cypriots? unfold on three levels: first, that of the difficulties surrounding the recognition of there is an increase in the existing tension existing building. The UN manager’s office is Who was from another nation? Who were process of making the proposal, to which the state in the northern half of the island. 1 AA&U For Architecture, Art and Urbanism, S. Stratis, between Turkey and Cyprus, Pyla gets its at the southwestern edge. What struck us members of the secret police? What was so we gave great value; second, that of the M. Ozgur, R. Urbano, F. Ozersay, ALA Planning during our first visits was that people were criminal about eating potatoes and yogurt final projects of the master plan; and third, 3 The foundation in charge of managing the Muslim Partnership and Atlantis Environmental Advisors. 2 UN Buffer Zone. sitting in or just outside their coffee shops, with friends? I cannot tell if the opening of that of what we call “ignition projects,” a religious land on the island.

84 85 The Pyla Master Plan Project

come out of their houses and play. We named it the K.A.A. project (The Kids Are Alright). A negative reaction from a member of the local Greek Cypriot council was that people don’t allow their kids to play in the streets, because of safety issues. It sounded to me like a sort of middle-class, suburban logic of “all inclusive residences,” where people go from house to house, bypassing any public space.

For the main square we proposed an open-air market, since Pyla had been rather drawings: students of architecture from both notorious for all sorts of markets, plus it Another “friction gene” we developed was to sides, plus younger people like Jasmine, could become a real space of exchange make public presentations in both Turkish Münevver’s daughter, and her friend, were based on commerce, which could hopefully years, such a goal becomes rather impossi- into a violent zone. My interpretation of that forward. Maybe we will get the courage soon, and Greek, using a translator. It sounds, in involved. Being part of intense discussions add to productive transactions between the ble. For a team of architects and planners to reaction, which might be wrong, is that the hopefully. But, as Münevver mentioned some fact, like a very common-sense practice, but, with the president and secretary of the local two ethnic groups. A series of links were reassure the inhabitants that they could immediacy of such a project forced people time just after we had submitted the believe me, it is not. Our aim was to create Turkish Cypriot authority at the Turkish proposed to re-establish physical connec- make the difference sounds rather naïve, at to show their real position vis-à-vis this kind project—and she was right—we were not able the best conditions through which a practice Cypriot coffee shop, together with Münevver tions to the adjacent mosque, church, and least. For these reasons, we developed a of common project. It becomes much easier to create some allies within the community of active coexistence between Turkish and and Fevzi, was worth all the effort, indeed. A the Venetian tower. Such links were sort of an “engine” in each project, which to put long-term projects away in a drawer, who could encourage us to go on, who could Greek Cypriots could take place. Listening strong bond was created among the three of proposed with minimum means attempting could work as a catalyst for creating the using excuses such as budget issues, also push the things. Of course, it was to a public presentation in Turkish and Greek us during that discussion. In fact, Münevver to get maximum results: Discreetly right dynamics for the final project to be acceptance from the inhabitants, etc. In the evidently very difficult. Maybe that is how we is one of the rarest things one could do here and Fevzi mentioned after the discussion connecting the beautiful mosque garden implemented. We called it the “ignition case of the ignition project, all such excuses should start over. in Cyprus, even if it sounds obvious to that it was probably one of those rare times with the square, replacing a building of project,” even if the notion of ignition in Pyla were waived, leaving no other way to others. It was in fact, a sort of indirect that a creative discussion had taken place, rundown shops located at the edge of the has rather negative connotations; you never confront it, except with a sincere reaction, With whom did you work after the project critique of the given terms of reference, seeking the point of view of the Turkish same garden in front of the local Greek know when and what could be used as such as the one from the president of the was initiated; who supported it, and in what which did not address such issues. Well, you Cypriots. Just to provide a glimpse of the Cypriot council building. Plus, as I mentioned ignition for a new micro-conflict in the local Greek Cypriot council. way? can’t imagine the difficulties that confronted context of such discussion, I’ll mention an already, moving the Greek Cypriot national- community. In our case, we wanted to give a us. Even choosing a space for the presenta- ‘informal’ interrogation we had to go through ists’ coffee shop, allowing space for the very creative value to such a notion. The ignition What is interesting is that all our proposals M: As Socrates mentioned before, we tried tion was impossible. How to choose an at the coffee shop, conducted by an officer old Byzantine church. project is based, in fact, on a ‘To-Do-Tomor- have been approved by the central to cooperate with as many parties as equally inviting place for both Turkish and of the Turkish Cypriot secret police, who was row’ project with little means and budget, government and the local Greek Cypriot possible: e.g., the village community, local Greek Cypriots? That is why we chose the trying to understand what the hell we were Another project proposed was a Memory and a collective initiative. Each final project authority. Our proposals include the EVKAF authorities, EVKAF, the UN, etc. EVKAF was main square for the final presentation, about. Museum: the creation of a people’s archive had an ignition project imbedded in it, which ideas about developing their property close the most neutral of all the parties involved. thinking that it was neutral enough to give us of personal experiences, giving an alterna- could, in fact, determine the final form of the to the mosque. It remains to re-engage They, too, were technical people who the chance to get a message across. It Regarding the actual content of the final tive discourse to the official ones. This project to implement, depending on all of Pyla’s inhabitants of any origin in a different concentrated more on the qualities of life turned out to be a disaster . . . Not very many proposal of Pyla Master Plan: the aim was to museum will be located in the former police the issues one knows nothing about when manner, trying always to avoid the conse- and space, rather than on national, econom- people showed up. The atmosphere emphasize projects that might collectively station, which would symbolically show the one designs a project, especially of urban quences of the large-scale politics hovering ic, and power relations. The thorniest path of between the local authorities and the study engage Pyla inhabitants of any origin, both shift from police control to people’s scale. over the community. communication was the one leading to the team was not very nice, because I think we on a very small scale and a very big one. self-determination, which will hopefully be local authorities. Even though they were tried a little bit too hard to get our point Yiannis Papadakis, an anthropologist who possible sometime. Unfortunately the idea of the “ignition So how did the story with the asphalt lines polite, they were very suspicious of us, our across; maybe we became very defensive, worked on Pyla, suggested we emphasize project” and the main square was very badly end up? Did they accept it at the end? Or moves, motives, ideas, and, most of all, they seeing all our efforts come to nothing. aspects of everyday life, such as health care At the other extreme, a very large-scale received by the local authorities. But that better: has anything—even a small ignition were both surprised and scared by the Münevver and I were accused of not being and exercise, for example. We were aware of project was proposed, an “elephant project,” made us think of another kind of use for project—been implemented? human bonds we had among us as a team. patriotic enough for our ethnic groups, and the limits of architecture in such a context, as Münevver called it. This proposal was a such a project. I will explain what I mean. The We somehow did not fit into their percep- of not considering their ideas enough during and so we therefore aimed to encourage joint venture, involving the entire community, final presentation of the Pyla Master Plan, as M: No, not yet. After the project was tions of scenarios of life. the preparation of the master plan. things to happen, rather than to patronize for the development and protection of state I mentioned before, took place in the main submitted, we did not hear from them. I residents or force them. land located on a higher plateau north of the square. We presented most of the projects, vaguely remember that one day I read some A very critical incident was the telephone Going back to the importance of the process community center, where the Turkish army is without any significant reaction from the news in the newspaper that the local Turkish call I received from the Ministry of Foreign itself: a positive result of the project is that Ten projects were proposed, relating to the strategically located. Creating an environ- audience. When we arrived at the presenta- authorities in Pyla received some money Affairs in the north. I was cross-examined, the study team came out much stronger specific context of the community. Some of mental park with all sorts of uses and with tion of the ignition project involving the main from the Turkish Embassy in the north for with questions like: What are you doing than it was at the beginning. In fact, them were about activating voids in the trans-local importance could provide a square, which was to draw over existing some other projects. I was so upset that I did there? Why are you involved? How did you members of the team had met through the community: either strategically placed common vision for the inhabitants, shifting asphalt lines to create playing fields for not continue to read the article in full. get involved? Did you get any permission? project. All this experience created a nice empty plots, programmed for ephemeral their interest from emphasizing issues that different sports, so that young people could Who is supporting the project, economical- bond between the team members, hopefully uses, such as open-air cinema, for example. divide to dealing with challenges that could play there, the president of the local Greek S: As I mentioned already, our proposals ly? Very annoying. Very unpleasant. I kept useful in the future. This is a quite important Other cases had to do with residual space unite them. Cypriot council reacted rather badly, were officially accepted both by the local cool and answered politely. They were aspect, since the study team could be gained by new traffic management of private rejecting this kind of idea, being scared, as Greek Cypriot authorities and the Planning satisfied. Misunderstandings were cleared considered as a sort of a temporary cars, which increased space for pedestrians. How to start change in such a context is he said, of quarrels between Turkish and Department. But . . . everything is on the up . . . Obviously there was no threat . . . Just community, with around fifteen to twenty For example, a network of playgrounds was usually a tough thing to deal with. When Greek Cypriot youngsters playing against shelf, labeled as old attempts. We didn’t a pointless suspicion. people involved, especially during the proposed, profiting from the ethnic mix of almost nothing has happened in the village each other, and possibly turning the square have the courage to go back with Münevver workshop and the preparation of the neighborhoods, and encouraging kids to in this direction during the last thirty-seven and try to push any of the ignition projects

86 87 The Pyla Master Plan Project

partial success of a project, but maybe it is What kind of impact could the project have silence and invisibility in Pyla. If women from M: I definitely would try harder to get into the not clear to the other parties involved. Our on the village in a social, political, economic, two different nations get along very well, homes of local people and conduct team itself, with all of the people involved— and cultural sense? they experience their friendship behind interviews with women and children. I think architects, planners, students—has become doors, during coffee breaks, at home, we unconsciously left out these two very a creative space of exchange and of M: I could say that; socially, the project might informally. It could be a minor step from a important sources of knowledge and an creation of trust and respect. We sort of function as a “secure communication hidden, tense, and rigid culture toward a important sector of our participants during created our own micro-environment, which milieu”—in a metaphorical way—where open more transparent, dialectic, and transforma- the process. was then harshly tested in Pyla, but, on the space could be created to bring in villagers’ tive culture. other hand, it was thanks to the Pyla project voices and choices. For example, the S: Keep trying, even if you know you will fail. that such an experience was created at all. swimming pool project or the kindergarten Are you connected to other projects similar Failure has become a means of learning, project ideas were based on very basic to yours? If so, please specify the project, especially for us as a study team. I like Our proposals were approved and they human needs, such as getting refreshed in the partner, and the country/location. Münevver’s metaphor of The Truman Show, incorporate ideas from some parties that hot summer days or taking care of your with all the inhabitants being in The Truman S: Yes, I guess . . . that was confirmed by the were, unfortunately, not involved in the children. Different stages of the design M: Ever since its initiation, I have been a Show, while the diverse authorities survey UNDP team, even though they stood process like EVKAF. Our productive process for such projects mean that one has member of the team of consultants for a and control them, instead of representing somewhere in the middle. They liked us and cooperation, as Münevver mentioned, to discuss very human details. Or the project called Revitalizing the Dead Zone: them. Where were we situated throughout our ideas, but not the idea of being involved resulted in ideas worth remembering, worth environmental research center! Why not An Educational Center and Home for our project? We tried to step into the in any way with Pyla. Too hard a project; too using and in conjunction with another base focus on environmental global problems, Cooperation. Fevzi and I have been involved “Truman Show” city in several ways, but impossible to attain positive, constructive, of cooperation. rather than being stuck with local problems, in the Kontea Cultural Heritage Project and maybe it was too hard to sustain our efforts. creative, or applicable results . . . that was which cannot be solved momentarily. also took part in the preparation of anti-dis- People might not be used to being asked for the personal impression I had from their And the obstacles? crimination and anti-racism policy docu- their points of views about their environ- facial expressions. Too many parties were In a political sense . . . what a great political ments for the English School of Nicosia. ment. A lot of work needs to be done there. involved; it felt too crowded, but it still felt M: People. People themselves! Bureaucracy. stand, and what aluxury it is, being able to too alone. We did not mind! We kept our Mediocracy. “Too many cooks spoil the say, “Look, these are our projects. We, as the S: I have not been involved with similar optimism! broth”: the UN, the police, local authorities, people of Pyla, want to go forward with planning projects concerning bi-communal church, mosque, coffee shops . . . The them.” It is political strategy originating from issues. On the other hand, I have been What have been the results and the biggest villagers had almost no voice! Even if they the people on the inside toward those on the involved with projects that considered obstacles during the procedure? had any, it was hardly audible! And the local outside. Just the opposite of what has been Cyprus as a conflict zone and investigated authorities . . . the tension between them . . . happening to Pyla so far. possibilities of contributing to the activation M: Regarding the results . . . we definitely inequalities, both social and economic . . . of public space, of common references, learned a lot about Pyla, from the village The other political mission the master plan etc.—for example, the Anatomy of Coffee people, from nature, from each other. We S: At the moment you realize that you are in might have carried out could have been the Trips in Spaces of Borders,4 Leaps of Faith,5 enjoyed working together, doing interdisci- a “Truman Show,” and that everybody is formation of a pilot project, or proof that the Public Private Synergy Convoy,6 which plinary work. Anna was great. Her team was watching your every single move—which is things can be done together. In other words, was a mobile workshop and exhibition space very supportive. Socrates was a luxury to the case involving Pyla and the rest of instead of concentrating on the demograph- used later on for Pyla, and finally, the have around. So was Riccardo. Maria and her Cyprus—then bizarre things begin to happen. ic differences, the people of Pyla could be KillingFreeTime@Cyprus7 project, which was input with her short film, and the Siamese First of all, you continuously test to see if evidence of the fact that, by concentrating a critical stance on the coexistence of twins’ live demonstration was like a magical people are watching you, by creating small on our human similarities, a lot can be done. military and leisure infrastructures on the touch of art in our process. Fevzi was very crises that intensify and contaminate the Maybe it is a dream, but it’s a nice dream: island of Cyprus. helpful. During the interviews, his presence “people watching you.” As I mentioned Cypriots bringing their own projects into life. was irreplaceable. His wise and human before, a lot of such instances of micro-con- What a huge positive step toward the What can possible future initiatives learned approach calmed down even the most flicts start large-scale political crises and solution of the Cyprus problem! What a nice from your experience? What is your advice? aggressive party during our coffee shop vice-versa. That was one of the main and colorful source of hope! conversations. obstacles. In an economic sense? I do not know. I was 4 A research project looking common means of We brought a colorful discourse to the Then, the terms of reference of Pyla Master never very good with money issues!  In my representation in a divided city, such as Nicosia, people of Pyla. Against all odds, we were Plan did not take into account the particular opinion, most of the projects we have mapping the everyday trips taken by coffee-shop interesting role models, as a team. I am not condition of the community, and therefore proposed are like seeds: a new source of owners in both parts of Nicosia and generating new sure if they fully realized this, but, at least, I encouraged a lot of misunderstanding and life; richness; energy, and work opportuni- common maps. Contribution to the Venice Biennale of am sure we opened a decent crack in their mistrust. Of course, any other plans—like the ties. The happier the environments are, the Architecture 2004. firmly molded perceptions. Good ideas! If Jacob plan initiated by the UN, which was happier the people feel—and hence, they are 5 International exhibition of Art with the “Call # they will be used or not, I do not know. But sort of a joint venture with the community— gradually transformed into empowered 192”project, 2005 definitely, we as a team produced very good also failed. Or even a medieval tower, a very human resources for a more mature, 6 PPS Convoy: a joint project with Maria Loizidou, project ideas. important community landmark, which was independent, critical, and stronger country, under the auspices of the AAPLUSU platform and renovated through the UN initiative, is now island, world. created by its members: an architecture for escorting S: It will be interesting to go back, if we have completely abandoned. I think there are people back to their homes (Greek Cypriots and the courage, and ask the people involved various layers of obstacles related to the When the dimension of the cultural impact Turkish Cypriots) and documenting their experiences. what they remember of this expedition of presence of a long-term conflict and the of the Pyla Master Plan Project is consid- 7 Contribution to the Venice Biennale of Architecture ours. It has become clear to our team that absence of any sort of civil society. ered, the only thing that comes to my mind is 2006. one has to understand how the architecture the creation of a new culture. Two communi- Contribution to the Venice Biennale of Architecture of the procedure itself is crucial for the ties have so far developed a culture of 2008

88 89