Architecture & Design

16 | Architecture & Design F rom as early as 2003, the Planning Authority (PA) has had various ongoing funding schemes aimed at supporting projects which may improve the quality of life in a neighbourhood. However, in January 2017, the need was felt to consolidate and create a single fund which is more accessible and supportive of community improvement projects. Perit Cassar says, "Infact with the conception of the Development Planning Fund (DPF) the financing of urban embellishment initiatives have flourished. Keeping abreast with the needs of our localities over the past five years, the Authority has on numerous occasions updated the criteria and range of projects that may qualify for funding. Most notable were the amendments introduced at the end of last year whereby the PA provided more incentives for more quality green and blue infrastructure projects to be carried out in towns and villages." Over the past 5 years, the DPF has financed over 170 projects to the equivalent of €17.5 million. Although the nature of the projects are diverse, they all carry the same aim, that of improving the quality of life for residence. Thirty-four of the projects are being carried out by voluntary organisations. In recent months, some of the projects included: SPORTS Perit Cassar explains, "In the sports field, not only has the PA removed all development planning application fees on proposed sports infrastructural projects but it is fully funding a number of important projects." The new €2.2million Siren's state-of-the-art center in St. Paul's Bay which is in its final stages of completion is serving to cater for the growing demand that exists in the northern region for aquatic sports facilities. A new electric heat pump for the pool of the Neptunes Waterpolo Club is being installed. With this investment of €450,000, the club will now be able to significantly reduce its carbon footprint when having to heat the pool for 8 months of the year. The PA is also funding a two-storey extension to the clubhouse of a tennis court in the locality of Swieqi. The extension will provide INSTILLING PRIDE FOR THE PLACES WE LIVE IN W e a l l l o v e t o s e e m o r e g r e e n s p a c e s , m o d e r n i s e d p l a y i n g f i e l d s , u p g r a d e d s p o r t s f a c i l i t i e s a n d b e t t e r p a v e d a l l e y s i n o u r t o w n s a n d v i l l a g e s . H e r e , P e r i t V i n c e n t C a s s a r , C h a i r p e r s o n o f t h e P A 's D e v e l o p m e n t P l a n n i n g F u n d t a l k s a b o u t h o w t h e F u n d , h a s e v o l v e d o v e r t h e p a s t f i v e y e a r s a n d h i g h l i g h t s h o w i t s f u n d e d u r b a n i m p r o v e m e n t p r o j e c t s a r e l e a v i n g a s i g n i f i c a n t a n d p o s i t i v e d i f f e r e n c e w i t h i n o u r l o c a l i t i e s Sirens Aquatic Center Teatru Salezjani

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