Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1414163
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 26 SEPTEMBER 2021 9 CULTURE FOLLOWING the success of Valletta's economic, social and cultural regeneration and the Valletta 2018 legacy, the Valletta Cultural Agency is now work- ing on a long-term vision for a cleaner and greener city which offers a better quality of life for the communities and for the vis- itors. The Valletta 2030 vision is based on green energy and en- vironmental improvements. The main aim of this vision is to have a greener city with less pollution and fewer cars. This vision for our Capital is achievable. One only needs to look at the Valletta Design Cluster which was a resound- ing success in terms of how to develop a sustainable building for the green cities of tomor- row. Green energy replaces the negative effects of fossil fuels with alternatives that are more environmentally friendly and sustainable. By shifting to clean and renewable energy, we continue to cut down on green- house gas emissions, allowing us to do our bit in the battle against climate change. Renewable energy can be very beneficial for cities since it re- sults in cleaner air, modern services, and more habitable spaces. Malta can further in- vest in solar energy, especially considering our islands have on average 300 sunny days per year. By creating more incen- tives and initiatives to dras- tically increase the number of solar panels in Valletta so that private residences, offic- es, shops and other buildings, we can capitalise on renewa- ble energy. The Valletta De- sign Cluster also makes use of solar energy, generated from a glass canopy installed atop the Cluster's central courtyard that has in-built photovoltaic (PV) cells, thus reducing Cluster's dependence on fossil fuel en- ergy. Officially inaugurated ear- lier this year, the Cluster can be considered a pilot project in how to scale up green in- frastructure. The community space for cultural and creative practice situated in the ren- ovated Old Abattoir building (il-Biċċerija) in Valletta, hous- es a roof garden which helps increase oxygen in our atmos- phere while also contributing a green public space in a fortified urban city. Furthermore, the greenery on the roof also helps to keep the temperature stable inside the rooms underneath, making the space less dependent on artificial cooling and heating throughout the year. The wa- tering of the garden is also sus- tainable as the irrigation sys- tem is connected to two large underground cisterns that are fed by a new rainwater catch- ment system installed in the building. Inspired by the ecological success of the Valletta Design Cluster we are making a series of proposals to the Govern- ment and concerned authori- ties. • In the forthcoming budget, the government should incentivise and encourage the Valletta communities, retail shops and other businesses but also government build- ings, to switch to solar energy. • As from 2030, new per- mits for hospitality in- cluding, but not only, for hotels, holiday appart- ments, restaurants and other entertainment ven- ues should be granted on- ly to those who are 100% eco-friendly. • By 2025, Valletta should have a number of roof- top gardens on historical buildings such as Spazju Kreattiv and Parliament Building among other Government buildings in- cluding Auberges, where most of the Ministries are situated. The Valletta Design Cluster rooftop is a prime example how this should be done. • By 2023, all vehicles pro- viding services in Vallet- ta, including waste col- lection, the servicing of the hospitality industry in Valletta, and others, must all be electrically powered and of one specific size, respecting the narrow streets of Valletta and its environment. • By 2023, all services com- ing to Valletta, including delivery trucks, must be provided on specific days and times of the week ac- cording to a schedule in agreement with the con- cerned owners. This is a great effort to reduce traffic in the centre of Valletta which is one of the main air polluters in the city constantly dam- aging restored buildings. • By 2030, only electric ve- hicles are to be permitted into Valletta. • By 2023, the transpora- tation of people using the Park and Ride in Blata l-Bajda should be oper- ated by 100% battery run vehicles. • More pedestrian areas and squares should be considered in the com- ing future namely, parts of St Christopher Street and Archbishop Street from the current Vallet- ta Police Station up to the Archbishop's Palace to Independence Square, including the Square it- self in front of St Paul's Pro-Cathedral. • The Valletta Police Sta- tion should be shifted to a much better and central- ised location namely the Freedom Square derelict arcade in front of Parlia- ment. The Government should regenerate this spacious building, which is government owned and in need of a facelift in Valletta's entrance. It is up to the Government to decide the best outcome for this mostly abon- doned building for many years. The Valletta Po- lice Station will be much more suited at this place. Towards a greener and more contemporary capital city