RUINED AND ABANDONED TRADITIONAL SETTLEMENTS. THE CASE OF CYPRUS

A large number of traditional settlements are being abandoned today mainly due to the social changes as well as other factors political, physical, etc. The abandonment of traditional settlements which affects their social and use values is not a recent phenomenon in Cyprus. The essence of these settlements depends not only on the fabric of buildings (architectural, historical, environmental values), but also on the ways in which they were used and the traditions and intangible associations attached to them, hi this paper three case studies of abandoned villages on the island are presented with a close investigation of the common as well as the different reasons for their abandoment. The great challenge that governments, planners, communities, architects and restorers have to face is the way in which these settlements will regain their previous life and prosperity.