Preserving the traces of conflict: The role and meaning of memory in the rehabilitation of buildings along walled Nicosia's buffer zone

Abstract

PurposeThis paper focuses on the topic of memory during and post conflict and considers how it is expressed materially, spatially, and symbolically within the urban context of walled Nicosia in Cyprus. This is done to establish and define the role of memory and how this is manifested alongside the buffer zone, following the permanent division of the city (and of the island of Cyprus) in 1974, between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities. Study design/methodologyThis academic piece employs the assessment of quantitative and qualitative data deriving from semi-structured interviews taken from relevant stakeholders living and working in Nicosia, as well as the author's qualitative empirical findings to unveil the role and the meaning of memory in the rehabilitation of buildings along walled Nicosia's buffer zone. FindingsThe empirical findings of this research demonstrate that despite the Nicosia Master Plan's efforts to safeguard the Cypriot capital's historic urban core, the ongoing division materialises as a tangible transmitter of intangible meanings, closely linked to the memories of conflict. These memories affect people's perceptions about the areas close to and across the boundary. More specifically, the interview responses point out that public interaction with the areas closer to the buffer zone is limited, selective and can often result in the decay of buildings alongside the boundary. This finding is paralleled by the empirical data, which illustrates the poor physical condition of building stock near the buffer zone. Originality/valueThis research contributes to the academic discussion about Nicosia's heritage by introducing new topics and novel empirical insights linked to the division of the city. These include issues such as the interruption spatial patterns through the existence of the buffer zone, heritage prioritisation and obsolescence. In doing so, the creation and dissemination of new knowledge on the specific characteristics of the walled city is achieved, aiming at encouraging a more informed heritage protection, and to support the efforts of the – originally bicommunal - Nicosia Master Plan on both sides of the Cypriot divide.