Shape your space – Iż-żgħażagħ fuq quddiem tal-konsultazzjoni pubblika dwar parks nazzjonali
Żgħażagħ mill-Kunsill Nazzjonali taż-Żgħażagħ(KNZ), l-organizzazzjoni studenteska SACES u l-Youth Advisory Forum (YAF) iltaqgħu mal-Ministru għall-Ambjent Miriam Dalli u ċ-Chief Operations Officer ta’ Project Green, il-Perit Beverley Costa sabiex flimkien jiddiskutu proposti ta’ kif il-White Rocks jista’ jinbidel f’park nazzjonali, minn nies għan-nies.
Din il-laqgħa hija waħda minn sensiela ta’ laqgħat li qed jiġu organizzati bit-tema ‘Shape your space’ bħala parti mill-konsultazzjoni pubblika dwar il-ħolqien ta’ parks nazzjonali fil-White Rocks, Fort Campbell u Manoel Island. Bħalissa l-konsultazzjoni qed tiffoka fuq il-White Rocks f’Pembroke, fejn diġà ġew involuti studenti minn tlett skejjel u r-Reġjun Lvant flimkien ma’ wħud mil-lokalitajiet tal-madwar.
Il-White Rocks huwa maqsum fi tlett żoni: (i) il-bini (ii) il-kosta u mixed garigue (iii) u art agrikola. F’taħdita miftuħa, iż-żgħażagħ tkellmu u ddiskutew ideat differenti ta’ kif il-dawn iż-żoni jistgħu jinbidlu f’park li jgħaqqad flimkien l-arti, l-isports, kunċetti ta’ farm-to-fork, kulturi u sub-kulturi differenti man-natura. B’daqs ta’ 369,000 metru kwadru, u strutturi li jokkupaw 38% tal-art, iż-żgħażagħ spjegaw kif jeżisti potenzjal li s-sit iservi bħala spazju ta’ rilassament, b’żoni li jindirizzaw l-edukazzjoni ambjentali u fejn l-aspett kummerċjali jiġi adattat għall-ispazju naturali. Hawnhekk ġie ssuġġerit li l-użu tal-enerġija jkun sostenibbli.
Issemma wkoll kif governanza tajba tas-sit hija importanti sabiex il-park jibqa’ spazju sigur għal kulħadd u joffri opportunità ta’ użu lil kulħadd. Iż-żgħażagħ enfasizzaw l-importanza ta’ mezzi ta’ trasport differenti li jwassluk lejn il-White Rocks, b’użu kemm tal-art kif ukoll il-baħar. Hawnhekk issemma kif soluzzjoni ta’ park and ride, servizzi ta’ shuttle u konnessjonijiet diretti minn postijiet bħall-Università ta’ Malta jagħmlu l-ispazju aktar aċċessibbli.
“Iż-żgħażagħ tagħna mhumiex biss stakeholder importanti, imma imsieħba ewlenin f’dawn il-proġetti. L-ideat, l-enerġija u l-impenn tagħhom huma essenzjali biex niffurmaw il-proposti biex ikunu tassew minn nies għan-nies. F’din il-laqgħa smajt ħafna ideat tajbin u proposti differenti u nħares ‘il quddiem biex inkomplu nibnu fuqhom,” qalet il-Ministru Miriam Dalli f’reazzjoni wara l-laqgħa.
Il-Perit Beverley Costa saħqet li “L-ideat innovattiva taż-żgħażagħ jgħinuna nfasslu spazju olistiku għan-nies ta’ kull età, b’din il-konsultazzjoni dan il-proġett jistgħu jieħu forma ta’ spazju b’diversi użu, waqt li jibqa’ jservi nies illum u fil-ġejjini.”
Shape Your Space – Youths at the forefront of the public consultation on national parks
Youths from the National Youth Council (KNZ), the student organisation SACES, and the Youth Advisory Forum (YAF) met with the Minister for the Environment, Miriam Dalli, and Project Green’s Chief Operations Officer, Perit Beverley Costa, to jointly discuss proposals on how White Rocks can be transformed into a national park—by the people, for the people.
This meeting is one of a series being organised under the theme “Shape Your Space” as part of the public consultation on the creation of national parks at White Rocks, Fort Campbell, and Manoel Island. The consultation is currently focusing on White Rocks in Pembroke, where students from three schools and the Eastern Region, together with residents from nearby localities, have already been involved.
White Rocks is divided into three zones: (i) built-up areas, (ii) the coast and mixed garrigue, and (iii) agricultural land. During an open discussion, the youths shared and debated different ideas on how these zones could be transformed into a park that brings together art, sport, farm-to-fork concepts, diverse cultures and subcultures, and nature. With an area of 369,000 square metres and structures occupying 38% of the land, they explained that there is strong potential for the site to serve as a space for relaxation, with areas dedicated to environmental education and where commercial activity is adapted to the natural setting. It was also suggested that energy use should be sustainable.
The importance of good governance of the site was also highlighted to ensure the park remains a safe space for everyone and offers opportunities for all users. The youths stressed the need for diverse transport options to reach White Rocks, by both land and sea. Solutions such as park-and-ride facilities, shuttle services, and direct connections from places like the University of Malta were mentioned as ways to improve accessibility.
“Our youths are not just important stakeholders, but key partners in these projects. Their ideas, energy, and commitment are essential to shaping proposals that are truly by the people, for the people. At this meeting I heard many good ideas and different proposals, and I look forward to continuing to build on them,” said Minister Miriam Dalli in her reaction after the meeting.
Perit Beverley Costa emphasised that “the innovative ideas of youths help us design a holistic space for people of all ages. Through this consultation, the project can take shape as a multi-use space, while continuing to serve people today and in the future.”