Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1455666
OPINION FOR the first time in Malta's history, the electorate is being presented with solid and ambi- tious proposals on greening the environment throughout Mal- ta and Gozo. After the island's infrastruc- ture was left in a dilapidated state, the Labour government moved in with a €700 million project to redo Malta's roads. Now, the priority is shifting to- wards more nature and green spaces in our towns and cities, as we transform urban areas into healthy places to live in and dedicating more energy to- wards family parks and affores- tation projects. During my tenure as minister responsible of Parks Malta, we sought to enhance open spaces within localities and kickstart- ed a number of projects, in- cluding the Bee Garden in San Gwann, the €500,000 exten- sion of the Chinese Garden in Santa Lucija and the first car- bon-neutral garden in Kalkara just to mention a few. Additionally, as part of the Budget 2022 measures, we an- nounced a major afforestation project in Inwadar as numer- ous tree-planting projects pro- ceeded across the island. The time has now come for much bigger, nationwide pro- jects. The Labour Party has come forward with a flagship proposal to invest €100 million every year for seven years in an ambitious environmental pro- ject that is set to truly change the face of Malta. €700 million that will give the islands the green infrastruc- ture they deserve to facilitate climate change adaptation and mitigation, improve health and quality of life and favour biodi- versity conservations. It is abundantly clear that our citizens seek green spaces, even more so in the aftermath of the pandemic months. Amidst the restrictions and restricted travel, the use of open spaces for recreational activities in- creased, and so did the demand for such spaces within walking distance. Creating green spac- es in urban areas is essential for the wellbeing of residents, not only because green spaces absorb greenhouse gases and improve air quality, but also because they have a positive impact on our mental health. Amongst the key proposals of the Labour Party are urban green reclamation projects that will see derelict buildings and private gardens converted into open spaces. The heavy urbanisation of our localities has long been coming: the 2006 Local Plan – which had been implemented without any pub- lic consultation – saw pockets of land, previously listed out- side development zones in- cluded in developable bound- aries through a rationalisation scheme. This, together with the economic development of the recent years, led to more built-up areas. The priorities are now shifting: if seven years ago the country's needs were more infrastructural, this is be- ing addressed and the focus has to shift. We are moving towards the 2050 decarbonisation target and we are set on meeting it through various initiatives be it in the economic, energy, envi- ronmental, and infrastructural sectors. There was a time when chil- dren could safely play in the vil- lage square. With the amount of cars and parking which has taken over much of the space, this is hardly possible, if at all. Hence why, the Labour Party is proposing that a number of underground parking spaces are developed, with gardens on top. Chief amongst them, the AUM site which was ear- marked for a dormitory, and which now will be returned to the Maltese citizens as a pub- lic garden, with ample under- ground parking space for resi- dents and whoever visits. In San Gwann, a densely pop- ulated locality with a deeply urbanised centre, the PL is proposing an extension to the Karin Grech Garden to give residents a wider square. In its totality, the open space ar- ea is expected to triple. Traf- fic would be diverted through a tunnel whilst parking spaces are expected to double with an underground car park. In Hamrun, the pledge is to reclaim the industrial space on which the milk factory cur- rently sits, to turn the piece of land, measuring 10 tumoli, into a public garden. The fac- tory will be relocated whilst an underground parking area will be developed to cater for the parking demand that plagues the locality. In Bengħajsa, Birzebbuga, we have announced a 60,000 square metre family park to complement the closure of the 31st March plant in a bid to de- crease pollution from the sea- side locality. The conversion of the notorious 'Pont tax-Shell' is also in the pipeline. Other major projects include the pedestrianisation of Triq Sant' Anna in Floriana, the regeneration of the Birkirka- ra valley, a seven-acre green space in Santa Venera and the extended park and football ground in Rabat, Gozo. These major projects will be comple- mented by other open spaces in localities like Imqabba, Mo- sta, Bormla, Birgu and Qormi. Our commitment is clear: we want to deliver on a better quality of life for our citizens and we will. This is just the beginning. We are determined, we have the energy and the credibility to act on our plans and make them happen. The green space next door Miriam Dalli Miriam Dalli is minister for energy, enterprise and sustainable development maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 FEBRUARY 2022 16 Creating green spaces in urban areas is essential for the wellbeing of residents, not only because green spaces absorb greenhouse gases and improve air quality, but also because they have a positive impact on our mental health