Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1481619
10 COMMERCIAL 13.10.2022 THE Planning Authority hosted the fi- nal Project Conference of the ThreeT Project, which is part-financed by the European Union under the Inter- reg Europe programme. The project aimed to identify cultural and natural thematic trails, improve their accessi- bility and visibility through innovative and eco-friendly mobility solutions and adopting a holistic approach to sustainable tourism. The PA participated in this project together with a number of local stake- holders, in particular the Malta Tour- ism Authority. The Minister for Public Works and Planning, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said "We are working on and encour- aging the adoption of new practices on green mobility, as well as channelling increased investments in the compe- tence and skills of key stakeholders and personnel involved in planning and development. The Minister con- cluded " We want to encourage Mal- tese and Gozitan families to spend more time in the countryside, relax, and be physically active. We promoted the creation of green networks close to and linked to our urban centres." This project included various part- ners and stakeholders from 8 different countries ranging from the northern most part of Europe – Finland - to the westernmost part. – Tenerife. Ms Su- zanne Gauci, EU Affairs Unit Manag- er within the Planning Authority said; "Working with such a varied network has provided an extremely refreshing perspective to link heritage assets with green transport modes. It was also an opportunity to disseminate information on our case studies, all of which were positively received by the other partners. It is believed that having further exposure to similar EU Funded Projects would add value to both the Planning Authority's work and that of related stakeholders. This enables us to show case our successes and learn from other European Coun- tries to enhance our work." Each of the partners has identified a number Good Practices (GPs) con- sisting of existing heritage or natural trails and transport initiatives within their territory which are valid exam- ples of improved access to the sites through sustainable modes of trans- port and increase tourism in the area. Lead Partner, Irene Nicotra, from the Province of Livorno stated, 'ThreeT represents one of the best examples of a pan-European project with a strong multiplier effect on the resources as- signed, thanks to the development of the 8 Action Plans drawn up by the project partners. This project is stra- tegic not only in terms of replicability of good practices experienced through site visits in each territory during the first phase of the project, but also for having concretely practiced a true co- hesion policy between partner areas, from which benefits will be reaped in the near future. This is a prime exam- ple of the valorisation of the European Green Economy. Malta opted for Good Practices cov- ering both its urban and rural envi- ronment, to showcase its approaches in different domains with their chal- lenges. The first action consisted of the restoration intervention of the historic 'Red Tower' as the main node of the pilot national trail, located in the North-West of the Island. This was followed by the formulation of the online Pilot National Trail is set with- in a NATURA 2000 Site, whereby the Planning Authority cooperated with Din l-Art Helwa, the Bicycle Advisory Group and Sistemi Territoriali SRL, linking the Red Tower to Majjistral Park. Finally, the actions will provide a le- gal framework for this work through the Initialisation of the Policy for- mulation process for National Trails together with the Malta Tourism Au- thority. Taking forward the outcomes of the ThreeT project and all the knowledge gained from other best practises, the Authority will continue its work to en- hance the accessibility of Malta's her- itage through green modes of trans- port. Dr David Mallia, the Malta's project leader said, "This Project has been very useful for the Planning Author- ity, particularly the ample transfer of knowledge. We have been exposed to various good practices in other Euro- pean Counties, in how to make her- itage sites accessible for the public using green modes of transport – in- formation which will be used by the PA in its related work. He continued that, "this project also enabled the PA to work with various stakeholders and trigger the formulation of an online Pilot National Trail which would defi- nitely be positive for access to locals and tourists alike." THEMATIC TRAIL TRIGGER INTERREG EUROPE PROJECT Enhancing the accessibility of Malta's heritage through green modes of transport