Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1527558
8 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 6 OCTOBER 2024 NEWS MATTHEW VELLA mvella@mediatoday.com.mt The Climate Action Authority (CAA) will be responsible for critical climate reporting and action. It will need dynamic, experienced, and motivated individuals to build a high-performing team. We are hiring! More information: mra.org.mt Jobsplus Permit Numbers 894/2024, 959/2024 K E Y P O S I T I O N S TEAM LEADER (Graduate with 3 years experience in climate change)* OFFICER (Graduate or nal year rst-degree student)* * See job description for full details on mra.org.mt Victoria hopes green space and underground parking can solve its bottlenecks NEW open green spaces are being planned for Victoria, the Gozitan capital aiming for the crown of European Capital of Culture. Main interventions planned will be the regeneration of the parking area nestled adjacent to the Villa Rundle Gardens into a new green open space, to create a continuous green space bordering the bus termi- nus. Also included in the project is the regeneration of the Leli Farrugia ground, with the con- struction of an underground multi-storey carpark having a maximum holding capacity of around 280 vehicles. The overall objectives of the project are aimed at develop- ing facilities that can encour- age a modal shift to further pedestrianise the area. Victoria is the social and eco- nomic nexus of Gozo, a cen- tre-point in the island's road network that has exposed it to considerable traffic and trans- port-related issues. Transport-related issues and traffic congestion problems have been exacerbated by the reliance of Gozitan residents and tourists on private vehi- cles, and the town being a a major passage-through for most industries. Currently, transport in Gozo is mainly based on private ve- hicles. In fact, the number of vehicles registered in Gozo shot up from 21,311 to 40,599 between 2001 and 2020. Coupled with the additional vehicles used by tourists and visitors, the use of vehicles, is putting a strain on existing in- frastructure, in particular road network and parking spaces. Locality vulnerable to population growth In view of the projected pop- ulation growth of this locality and Gozo in general as well considering that in 2030 Victo- ria will assume the title of the European Capital for Culture for that year, the Gozo Region- al Development Authority has called for further investments that can alleviate the streets- cape and urban areas of this town, and for the creation of open green spaces and ways of reducing the present traffic congestion. "As delineated in the Gozo Regional Development Strate- gy 2022-2032 the key to Gozo's future is the sustainment of a formula that safeguards sus- tainable development through optimal use of space," the GR- DA said, "This requires a reconcilia- tion of the social and economic claims for spatial development with Gozo's ecological and cultural functions to ensure a sustainable and balanced ter- ritorial development. This is especially valid for Victoria, which represents the heart and soul of the island." Traffic congestion, especially during peak hours and seasons, is one of the biggest challenges currently experienced in Vic- toria. "Increased traffic congestion has led to a deterioration to the quality of life of this town's residents as well as impinging on its attraction as an invest- ment location, especially for the economic niches being targeted for Gozo," the GRDA said. "Increased traffic congestion has led to a deterioration to the quality of life of this town's residents as well as impinging on its attraction as an investment location, especially for the economic niches being targeted for Gozo"