Urban Rewilding: The Abandoned Airport of Nicosia, Cyprus
The latest in our series on international rewilding covers the abandoned airport of Nicosia.
In our last international exploration of rewilding, we discussed the abandoned city of Varosha in Northern Cyprus. This week we turn to a unique singular infrastructure in the green zone of Cyprus. The divided island has been separated by the UN through what is known as the green zone, an effective no-man’s land that has thus been largely entirely untouched since the conflicts in 1974.
Nicosia Airport was the major airport of the entire island prior to 1974. Constructed in the colonial era, it was a major focus of both side’s military campaigns throughout the ‘74 conflict. Now though it has become somehow ignored by human life, and thus an incredible example of our modern and urban world after we may be gone.
The Airport and surrounding buildings have become overrun by nature, wildlife and animals. It could prove a fascinating case study for rewilding corners of industrial sites and military bases.
