Four plots of land located in development areas will be transformed into green open spaces for families. These lands, which could have been used to build 30 apartment blocks, will instead be converted into recreational spaces near where we live, work, or entertain ourselves.

 

Prime Minister Robert Abela announced this, explaining how these projects will contribute to a more beautiful Malta with a clear direction that these zones should be transformed not into areas filled with buildings and other structures but into zones dominated by open spaces full of trees. According to the Prime Minister, these projects are another sign of a government that keeps its promises.

 

Prime Minister Robert Abela spoke about how he had promised that in this legislature we would have the largest open space project across the country, and that this promise is being and will continue to be kept by this government. With these four plots of land, located in Ħal Luqa, Ħal Kirkop, Ħal Lija, and San Ġiljan, new green spaces will be offered within a short walk for around 7,000 families.

 

With projects of this type, we will see more of them this year, aiming to allocate 20,000 square meters for public enjoyment, with these first four plots including around 8,000 square meters of land.

 

The Prime Minister spoke about how when this exercise began, to allocate developable government lands for this purpose, there was a certain skepticism.  Such skepticisim reflects the change in mentality we need to have. He emphasized that the government will undertake any necessary project for the country because open spaces are as much a need as schools or health centers.

 

“Open space projects must become part of the social fabric of our country. Today’s news is another positive step, keeping the promise made to the Maltese and Gozitan people so that our children and parents, all of us, live in a more beautiful country.”

 

The Minister for Energy, Environment, and the Regeneration of the Grand Harbour, Miriam Dalli, expressed that the ambition of families in our country, that the progress in the quality of life they have experienced in recent years is reflected in the surrounding environment, is our ambition. Minister Miriam Dalli explained that several new gardens have already been completed while work is ongoing on many others. “At the same time, Project Green is working to introduce innovative ideas for sustainability, including efficiency in the use of energy and water, sustainability in the materials used, and the maintenance of these spaces,” said Minister Dalli, while noting the collaboration also with the private sector. Minister Dalli emphasized that the design of the projects will be done hand in hand with the respective Local Council, and Project Green will consult with the communities living in the areas to regenerate natural biodiversity and make these spaces more accessible and safer for the public.

 

On his part, the Lands Minister and the Implementation of the Electoral Program, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, explained that in this first part of this process, 8,000 square meters of land in four localities were identified. These lands on the market were worth close to twenty million euros, thus Project Green will now be able to convert these lands into green open spaces in the heart of Ħal Luqa, Ħal Kirkop, Ħal Lija, and San Ġiljan, all just minutes away from residential areas. The Lands Authority is committed to identifying more such lands to reach the goal of 20,000 square meters of such lands by this year.

 

Information about the four sites:

 

Ħal Luqa

• Triq Mikielanġ Sapiano
• Development zone for five-story buildings
• 3,400 square meters

 

Ħal Kirkop

• Triq Nerik Xerri
• Development zone for five-story buildings
• 1,100 square meters

 

Ħal Lija

• Triq Merino
• Development zone for four-story buildings
• 700 square meters

 

San Ġiljan

• Ta’ Ġiorni
• Development zone for different buildings
• 2,300 square meters