Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1542236
5 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 24 DECEMBER 2025 OPINION Less cars, more Gozo: A vision rooted in balance AS one descends from the Gozo Chan- nel and approaches the island of three hills, a distinct shift is immediately felt — a slower rhythm, a different atmos- phere, a culture that values belonging. Gozo's charm lies not only in its land- scapes but in the resilience of its peo- ple, shaped by years of insularity. This isolation, once viewed as a disadvan- tage, has also preserved a way of life that the rest of Malta is beginning to rediscover — one that values commu- nity, simplicity, and serenity. Today, as Malta undergoes rap- id transformation, Gozo stands at a crossroads. The question is not wheth- er we should grow — we must — but how we choose to grow. Our challenge is to safeguard the island's essence while ensuring that progress does not come at the expense of what makes Gozo unique. A turning point for Gozo's development As Malta looks ahead with a 25-year national vision, Gozo must not be an afterthought — it must be a corner- stone. The work of the Gozo Region- al Development Authority (GRDA) is precisely to ensure that our devel- opment is strategic, data-driven, and aligned with the values of sustainabili- ty and inclusiveness. Real estate has long been Malta's goldilocks investment, but in Gozo, this surge in demand — especially for second homes — risks transforming our tranquil villages into urban repli- cas. The GRDA's role is to champion balanced growth, one that embrac- es new opportunities while retaining Gozo's authenticity. The island cannot be reduced to a commodity; it must re- main a community. Towards a sustainable mobility culture Let us be bold and reimagine Gozo as Malta's first car-light region. Achiev- ing this will not be simple, especially given that Gozo has the highest vehi- cle-to-passenger ratio in the country at 1.1. Yet the GRDA remains com- mitted to promoting sustainable mo- bility — advocating for smaller buses, village-focused routes, and more fre- quent connections that make public transport not a last resort, but a genu- ine lifestyle choice. Why not go further? Removing pedes- trian fees on the Gozo Channel cross- ing would encourage greener travel. Residential parking schemes in our vil- lage cores should be seriously consid- ered. With weekend visitor peaks, our residents deserve this balance. Such measures, complemented by investment in modern, efficient pub- lic transport, would relieve pressure on our roads, our village cores, align with our climate-action commitments, and protect Gozo's peaceful rhythm of life — the very reason people choose to live and visit here. an island of villages and values Gozo is more than a destination; it is a living mosaic of villages, stories, and traditions. The GRDA's strategic direction encourages policies that ele- vate our agricultural and cultural her- itage — from agritourism to artisanal production. Imagine a Gozo where lo- cal "ġbejniet" represent not just a taste of the past but a model for innovative, sustainable rural enterprise. This vision requires courage. The choices ahead may not be popular, nor yield instant results. But they will define whether our children inherit a Gozo that remains special — or one that blends indistinguishably into the urban sprawl across the channel. The promise of Gozo Gozo is not just a place; it is a prom- ise. A promise that growth can coex- ist with grace, that innovation can strengthen rather than erode commu- nity, and that progress can serve peo- ple without compromising peace. At the Gozo Regional Development Authority, our commitment is to shape policies that reflect that promise — to make Gozo an island that leads, not follows; that preserves, not just adapts. The time to act is now — not merely to stay afloat, but to sail forward with vision, sustainability, and purpose. It's not always easy, but it's always worth it. Ivan Falzon is CEO of Gozo Regional Development Authority Gozo is not just a place; it is a promise. A promise that growth can coexist with grace, that innovation can strengthen rather than erode community, and that progress can serve people without compromising peace Photo by: Daniel Cilia