Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1293556
11 TOWNSCAPES of Ċentru Santu Rokku in Valletta. Development Planning Fund Com- mittee Chairperson, Vincent Cassar, said "this is another successful project which the Planning Authority is financ- ing. is prestigious building previously lay in a fairly dilapidated state. rough the PA's funding intervention we have supported a good example of thorough conservation, where not only are we renovating and safeguarding a building with many architectural features, but we are also giving the building a new lease of life as it will be providing a ser- vice to the community." How the Development Planning Fund helps Since January 2017, the Planning Au- thority has invested in Malta's quality of life and environmental sustainabil- ity through its Planning Development Fund. e Fund promotes projects that em- bellish urban areas for the benefit of the wider residential community. With financing available to local councils, NGOs and other entities, following re- cent revisions, the Fund is now Malta's most widescale injection of capital into projects that, in particular, promote ur- ban greening and support vulnerable sectors of society. In this respect, the Authority is pro- moting cross-organisational partner- ships to encourage the involvement of people with the right expertise, the nec- essary experience and the most innova- tive and informed vision. While most projects are eligible to re- ceive 70% of funds needed to carry out the project, to encourage joint projects between local councils, NGOs or an- other entities, the PA has made 100% of eligible funds available to projects that are carried out in partnership. Besides partnerships, projects that in- corporate facilities for the disabled will get 80%, and Green and Blue Infrastruc- ture (GBI) inteventions will receive 90%. Moreover, in some cases, green open spaces, such as gardens and green roofs in urban areas, will even be granted up to 100%. is not only includes the capital ex- pediture, but any required studies and a five year maintenance plan. Projects that incorporate vertical green walls overlooking public spaces, such a public garden with walls on ei- ther side, will receive a 5% bonus and if there is need of a development applica- tion it will have its fees waived. e intention is for the community to benefit from a more pleasant aesthetic experience by having 'living walls' of plants dominating vertical planes, rath- er than a garden overlooked by bare walls. With land becoming such a scarcity, this incentive encourages new methods of introducing greenery into Malta's urban environment to purify the air, re- duce ambient temperature and enhance the community's well-being. For more information visit https:// www.pa.org.mt/en/development_plan- ning_fund Centru Santu Rokku in Valletta 1.10.2020