Four parcels of government land to be transformed into urban open spaces by Project Green
8,000 square metres of developable government land, spread across four localities, has been passed to Project Green for transformation into urban open spaces for the public to enjoy.
This was announced in a press conference in Ta’ Giorni in St Julian’s, where 2,300 square metres of that land is located.
Speaking at the announcement, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the government is taking the initiative to fulfil its main electoral promise: the creation of more open urban spaces for the public to enjoy.
He said that this is the start of a process for 20,000 square metres of government land within the development zone to be transferred by the Lands Authority to Project Green for the purpose of the creation of such open spaces.
The four parcels of land, which the Prime Minister announced on Friday, would be transferred to Project Green and make up 8,000 square metres of this target. The land is located in St Julian’s, Luqa, Kirkop and Lija.
Abela said that current Planning Authority policies stipulate that some 30 blocks of apartments can be cumulatively built on these parcels of land, and that the market value of it, if it were to be developed, would be of around €20m.
Instead, he continued, the government will be investing in the transformation of these zones to become open spaces with hundreds of trees and masses of greenery for the public to be able to relax in and enjoy.
“I am known as saying that development can never stop. I’m not populist and I never will be, as I know that as prime minister my responsibility is to create a balance between economic development and social development together with the principles of sustainability. However, we promised that we would have the biggest push to create open spaces this country has seen, and we are keeping that promise,” he said.
“We want to transition towards a country which is wiser in its approach on planning, with more sustainable and balanced development where one can find a garden within walking distance,” Abela continued.
He said that there was positivity and scepticism when this intention was announced, and it was the scepticism which showed that the country needs a change of mentality.
“Some questioned whether I knew the value of this land – these four plots being removed from the development zones have a value of €20m. Others said that the land can be used to build homes for the elderly, clinics or housing projects. My answer to all of this is simple: Every project that the country needs will be done, but we need to change our mentality and understand that a garden is just as needed as a clinic or a housing project,” Abela said.
He said that announcements like this show that the government is leading by example and that its heart is beating in the right place.
Lands Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said that rather than the economic value, the value of this land will be considered in how much it will improve the quality of life of the communities around it.
He said that there is a clear political direction on how the government’s land and assets can be used in such a manner to give the best output for the country.
Zrinzo Azzopardi said that the process to identify more government land, which is within the development zone and can be transferred to Project Green for the creation of urban open spaces, will continue in the coming months.
Environment Minister Miriam Dalli said that moments like this show that the government is working for better localities and a more sustainable future.
She said that Project Green will be discussing with communities about how it can carry out these projects.
Some of the sites earmarked already include trees and flora which Dalli said will be protected and integrated into the project, and the new gardens, she said, will not include many structures but will be characterised by open spaces so that people can relax.
The projects will include innovative ideas such as sustainable systems for water storage, renewable energy, recycled materials and efficient water and energy use such as has been implemented in ecogardens in Kalkara and Mosta, and soon in Xewkija as well. Smart technology will also be used to help with the maintenance of the gardens, she added.
“Progress must be reflected in the quality of life around us,” she concluded.
In comments to journalists after the announcement, Prime Minister Abela said that there are discussions ongoing as to whether the government should look into purchasing land from private owners so that they too can be turned into green open spaces.
He said however that he does not believe that the government should take land from private owners to further its ends, describing it as an injustice if it were to be done. Likewise, he said that reducing the development zones stipulated in the local plans would be an injustice to landowners – although legally speaking it is possible.
Asked about progress on Project Green’s plans in San Gwann and St Anne’s Street in Floriana, Abela said about the former that a Traffic Management Study is currently ongoing but it will certainly be implemented and as for the latter he said that a legislature is five years long and that the projects cannot be done all at once – but it remains in the pipeline.