Four parcels of land located in development areas will be transformed into green spaces open to families. Lands on which 30 apartment blocks could be built but instead will be turned into recreational spaces close to where we live, work or relax.
This was announced by the Prime Minister Robert Abela who explained how these projects will translate into a brighter Malta with a clear direction that in these areas we want a transformation that is not full of buildings and other structures, but an area dominated by open spaces full of trees. In the words of the Prime Minister, these projects send another signal of a Government that keeps its word.
Prime Minister Robert Abela spoke as he had given a word that in this legislature we will have the biggest project of open spaces around the country and that this word this Government is and will continue to keep. With these four lands, located in Luqa, Kirkop, Lija and St Julians, they will be offering a new green space with a short walk to around 7,000 families.
With projects of this type we will see more of them this year, with the goal being that a threatened area of 20,000 square meters will be given for the enjoyment of the people, with these first four lands including about 8,000 square meters of land
The Prime Minister spoke about how when this exercise was started, for develop-able government lands to be allocated for this purpose, he met with a certain skepticism. Skepticism which in his words testifies to the change we must have in mentality. He reiterated that the government will do any project that is needed for the country because open spaces are needed as much as a school or a health center is needed.
“The projects of open spaces must become part of the social fabric of our country. Today’s is another good news. Where we are sticking to the word we gave to the Maltese and Gozitan people. So that our children and our parents, all of us, live in a more beautiful country.”
Minister for Energy, the Environment and the Regeneration of the Great Port Miriam Dalli expressed that the ambition of the families in our country, that the progress in the quality of life they experienced in these -recent years is reflected in the environment around us, 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 in favor of sustainability including efficiency in the use of energy and water, sustainability in the materials used and the maintenance of these spaces ,” said Minister Dalli, hinting at collaboration even with the private sector. Minister Dalli stressed that the design of the projects will be done hand in hand with the respective Local Councils and Project Green will consult with the communities that live in the area, to regenerate the natural biodiversity and so that these -spaces will be more accessible and safe for the public.
Minister for Lands and Implementation of the Electoral Program Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi explained that in this first part of this process 8,000 square meters of land were identified in four localities. These lands on the market were worth close to twenty million euros so now Project Green will be able to convert these lands into open green spaces in the heart of Luqa, Kirkop, Lija and St Julians , all just a few minutes away from residential locations. The Lands Authority is committed to identifying more lands of this type so that by this year we can reach the target of 20,000 square meters of such lands.
Information about the four sites:
Luqa
- Mikielanġ Sapiano Street
- Development area for five floors of a building
- 3,400 square meters
Kirkop
- Nerik Xerri Street
- Development area for five floors of a building
- 1,100 square meters
Lija
- Merino Street
- Development area for four floors of a building
- 700 square meters
St Julians
- Of Days
- Development area for different buildings
- 2,300 square meters
