Myrianthi Astanioti, Cyprus University of Technology

1. Sustainable Development
Cyprus University of Technology
ISCN 2015 Expanding the Dialogue: Sustainability in a Connected World
WG1 Buildings and Their Sustainability Performance
University of Hong Kong

2. Cyprus University of Technology (CUT)
•one of three state universities in the Republic of Cyprus,
established in 2004 in the coastal city of Lemesos
•more than 80% of its budget is funded from the Government
•aspires to develop into a modern, pioneering and internationally recognized university
Cyprus University of Technology

3. LEMESOS
2nd
largest city in Cyprus, spreading out
between two ancient kingdoms, Amathunta
and Kourion.
Island’s main port, the center of the wine industry
and a cosmopolitan bustling holiday destination
resort.
A large number of hotels and hotel
apartments line a fifteen kilometer beautifully
landscaped coastline for strollers and bikers.
Old town radiating out from the old fishing
harbor filled with restaurants, bars and shops.
A short drive out into the surrounding
countryside will take you through vineyards,
the commandaria region (sweet wine) of
traditional wine producing villages.

4. University Location
Was it strategically planned?Was it strategically planned?
• political decision
• disperse uses
• rejuvenate the dying city center of Lemesos
• abundant in abandoned buildings
• host of unwanted uses ie adult night clubs
• deserted, unsafe and unpopular
enter city center by utilizing government owned buildings and by expropriating private
properties

5. Most of the first key position buildings to host CUT were owned by the Government
and have been renovated to accommodate the needs of CUT
Public Buildings

6. University Buildings
Common Teaching Facilities
Vasilis Michaelides Library
Laboratories for the Faculty of
Mechanical and Material Science
and Engineering
Research Arcade

7. University Buildings
Rector’s Mansion
Language Center
Administration Offices
Common Auditoriums

8. increase in space requirements increase in occupied area
expropriations … difficulties
legal framework
budget limitations
time restrains
ineffective
…… what was the plan?what was the plan?
Private Buildings

9. Under good strategic planning, renting is good
CUT management did not have options, it HAD to rent
•most academic activities had commenced
•students and staff numbers would increase every year
•academic needs would increase every year
•building facilities insufficient to meet academic needs renting was the fastest solution
however,
required annual budget increase
national economic crisis!!!
…… what are the options?what are the options?
Property Rentals

10. University Campus Development
Two main phases of development:
• 2007-2015
within the old city center, within old
historic renovated buildings
• 2015-2035
within an area of approximately
90.000sqm, about seven minutes
walking distance from the old city
center
The University Campus Master Plan envisages that until 2035 the number of
students will steadily grow to 7.000-8.000, with 21-28 departments

11. the second phase of expansion has postponed three times due to the economic crisis that hit the
country and due to legal issues with respect to the expropriation of private properties
currently, we have more students that we can accommodate
and the future of the University Campus is uncertain, however
the need to minimize the renting cost favors the implementation of the master plan
University Campus Development

12. Something Good Happened …
…was it
sustainable?
Overall

13. City Center Development
The establishment of CUT within Lemesos contributed to the development of the socioeconomic
and urban transformation of the city center through
•the reestablishment of the historic city center
•the rejuvenation of the business center
•the social gentrification
the reconstruction, upgrade and sustainable development of the city center

14. Before
•ruined abandoned buildings
•misused buildings
•garbage accumulation
•deconstruction
Then the University was launched
You have seen some of the results! 
City Center Infrastructure

15. Before
•shops, restaurants were striving to survive
•renting cost was unreasonably high
•businesses were moving elsewhere
Then the University was launched
•creation of new job positions – 3500 students and 600 staff are working daily in the city
center
•abundance in shops, bars, cafeterias and restaurants
•services and businesses are returning to the center
•property renting cost is now more ‘sustainable’
•increase of residential infrastructure
•strengthening and modernization of uses
City Center Economy

16. Before
•decrease in population
•increase in ageing population
•unsafe and abandoned despite the historic attractions
Then the University was launched
•population renewal
•increase in population 24h
•safe and interesting
•aesthetic development and revival of city center
•conservation of the meaning of the city center and its character
City Center Community

17. before
Lemesos Municipality, alone
then, the University was launched
University with Municipality (Recycling, Cleaning, Buildings etc)
University with Government (Buildings etc)
University with local NGO’s (GreenDot, Friends of the Earth, Friends of CUT etc)
University with local businesses
Municipal Library
•old historic private mansion built in 1934
•built based on a Monte Carlo Casino design
•sold in 1966 and then donated to the Lemesos Municipality
and became the Municipal Library
•currently, undergoes renovation to be converted into a
modern Library for the University and the Municipality
•Geothermal Energy Systems for cooling/heating
Collaborations

18. Before
•no recycling, no environmental consciousness
•abandoned old buildings
But, low emissions
Now
•recycling started in Lemesos by the University
•old buildings were renovated to show off our historic and architectural heritage
•traffic and pedestrian circulation have been reconfigured
•trees have been planted on sidewalks and squares
•the Lemesos Municipality is now investing in the collaboration with the University
But, high emissions
inadequate parking places at the historic center
inadequate public transportation
City Center Environment

19. SWOT ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
1.Very good infrastructure
2.Knowledgeable and Active Staff
3.Business rejuvenation
4.Collaborations
5.Unique expansion of University in the City Center
6.Community support
WEAKNESSES
1.Bad management practices
•those beyond the reach of University control, and
•those for which the responsibility rests directly with
the University
2. Government and University Bureaucracy – slows
down expansion
3. Members of the Board of Directors change often
4. Vision is not solid and unsupported
5. Personal Agendas
OPPORTUNITIES
1.CUT is the first choice for many students
2.Good examples and practices for the society and
more
3.Green University developed in the city center
4.Location: city center and sea front
THREATS
1.National Economic Crisis
2.Criticism for “unjustifiable” rent contract provisions
compared to today’s deep plunged prices.
3.Staff and Students have low expectations and
phycology
4.Congested city center
5.High CO2 emissions
6.Uncertainty for the implementation of the University
Master Plan

20. Environmental Policy Office
Under the Programming and Design Section of the Estate Management Services
responsible for managing the University’s Environmental Policy
promoter of Environmental Consciousness
GOAL to implement environmental aspects in all University’s procedures
green@cut.ac.cy
cut.ac.cy/green
facebook.com/greenatcut
twitter.com/greenatcut
instagram.com/greenatcut

21. Energy Management
Promotion using
•Meetings
•Green Office
•Social Media
•Emails
•Posters

22. Certification
requirements
office, building section or building to conform to basic environmental procedures
compliance to low budget environmental specifications

23. RECYCLING
Paper / Plastic-Μetal-Drink Cartons (PMD)
Glass
Mobile Phones
Batteries
Building materials
Clothes
Old, Unused items
Electronic and electric appliances
Hazardous Materials

24. GREEN Public Procurement
CUT has been using environmental parameters in Public Procurements since its establishment
The Environmental Policy Office is responsible for the university’s Green Public Procurement
Procedure and Action Plan (GPPPAP) based on the national action plan
at implementation the local market could not respond… now there is sufficient improvement
CUT enforcement tool Green Public Procurement Consulting Committee

25. Ευχαριστώ πολύ
green@cut.ac.cy
cut.ac.cy/green
myrianthi.astanioti@cut.ac.cy