Echoes of Revitalization Projects in the Historic Walled City of Nicosia, Cyprus: Non-Residential Reputation on Previously Stigmatized, Revitalized Neighbourhoods and ‘back to the city’ movement

Abstract

One of the aspects of neighbourhood revitalizations is good neighbourhood reputation and this reputation can be determined through various neighbourhood characteristics. The present study examines the different perceptions of non-residential groups on previously stigmatized and revitalized/gentrified neighbourhood of Arabahmet, Nicosia, Cyprus. By using interviews with business owners/employees, national visitors of the area and tourists, three different characteristics of Arabahmet including functional, physical and social aspects, were assessed in order to establish the reputation of the neighbourhood. The results of the present study demonstrate that non-residents perceive the area differently in accordance with their frequency of visits. Business owners/employees were found to be more knowledgeable about the problems of the neighbourhood, since they spend more time in it. Additionally, among the three characteristics, social factors revealed as the most important one that impacts to neighbourhood reputation. These findings suggest that, a displacement of the working class inhabitants is required for a successful urban renewal in stigmatized neighbourhood of Arabahmet. This study provides crucial information that fills the gap in the current academic literature which is the reputation of a gentrified neighbourhood from a non-residential perspective.