A nationwide digital platform to record and classify unsafe buildings is being prepared by the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK), in a bid to bring clarity and consistency to building safety across the island.
The initiative follows the fatal collapse of a dangerous building in Limassol, which has intensified scrutiny of ageing housing stock and regulatory oversight. Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, ETEK president Constanti Constantinos outlined plans for a centralised system that will digitally catalogue buildings deemed hazardous, alongside key structural data.
A unified digital identity for all buildings
At the core of the proposal is the creation of an electronic “building identity register”, designed to standardise how information is recorded, assessed and shared. The platform will provide clear, evidence-based classifications on the safety of each property, addressing a long-standing gap in reliable national data.
Users will be able to determine whether a building is fully or partially habitable, as well as its level of risk. Categories will include structures requiring minor reinforcement, partial interventions, such as the removal of unsafe elements, or full demolition in severe cases.
According to Mr Constantinos, the goal is to establish “a common language” across the sector, supported by structured visual inspection templates already developed by ETEK.
Real-time mapping and risk transparency
A key feature will be geolocation functionality, enabling authorities and the public to identify at-risk buildings at the click of a button. The system will distinguish between risks affecting residents internally and those posing broader dangers to neighbouring properties or public spaces.
Further classifications will highlight:
- Buildings unsafe only for occupants
- Structures posing wider public risk
- Properties requiring balcony or façade support
- Fully derelict or imminently dangerous developments
This level of granularity is intended to improve both policy response and market transparency, particularly in urban areas with mixed-condition housing stock.
Funding, delivery and next steps
The platform is expected to be developed by ETEK with financial backing from the Ministry of Interior. Work is already under way to define technical specifications, data structures and evaluation methodologies.
Discussions are also ongoing with the Department of Lands and Surveys, which operates a related digital system that could provide a foundation for the new platform. Collaboration with Cyprus’s Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy remains under consideration.
Mr Constantinos emphasised speed as a priority, signalling that the Chamber intends to avoid delays associated with lengthy procurement or design processes. The objective is to deliver a functional platform as swiftly as possible, with continuous data updates forming a central requirement.
A stakeholder meeting with local authorities is scheduled in the coming week to determine how data will be uploaded, maintained and verified – an essential step in ensuring the system’s long-term credibility and usefulness.
(Translated and summarised from an article published by the Cyprus News Agency)
