During the summer of 2025, a team from the Cyprus Institute together with representatives from the School Board of Nicosia visited Agios Andreas Elementary School in Nicosia, one of the six pilot sites of the RE-ACT Schools project.
The school is located in a peri-urban neighbourhood close to the city centre and next to a busy street. This is one of the main challenges it faces, causing air pollution and traffic noise; other troublesome aspects include large areas with direct sunlight and no shading, leading to exposure to extreme heat, limited vegetation and cooling interventions, and dry soil conditions that further exacerbate air quality.
During the visit, project partners met with the school staff, explored the existing yard, and discussed local needs, current challenges, and opportunities for transformation.
The redesign of the schoolyard aims to:
- Reduce overheating
- Improve usability of the space for play, study, and recreation
- Increase greenery and natural shading
- Create spaces that support physical activity, exploration, and wellbeing
Stay tuned as we follow the journey of Agios Andreas Elementary school toward becoming a greener, cooler, and healthier space for the youngest generation!
