Three projects in Żabbar create green pockets without hindering the existing use of these spaces
Żabbar residents can now enjoy three green pockets in Triq is-Santwarju, Triq Biċċieni, and Triq Santa Duminka. The aim of these projects is to create a greener environment without hindering the current use of the space.
Minister for the Environment, Energy, and Enterprise, Miriam Dalli, together with WasteServ CEO Richard Bilocca and Żabbar mayor Jorge Grech, visited these projects.
In Triq is-Santwarju, an existing parking space was repaved, and an area where residents can spend their free time in a relaxing environment was created. The works consisted of water feature walls, green walls, the planting of mature trees and plants, and benches made from recycled materials. An existing water reservoir was integrated into the project so that it could be used for irrigation purposes. Umbrellas were also installed to offer shade and collect rainwater in special tanks.
In the other projects, two parking areas in Triq Biċċieni and Triq Santa Duminka were roofed over with green roofs. Although on a small scale, the introduction of green roofs planted with different plant species will be a source of biodiversity, especially for this urban area that lacks greenery.
In the project at Triq Biċċieni, a historic water reservoir was cleaned and integrated with the project, while in the project at Triq Santa Duminka, a new water reservoir was built.
Minister Miriam Dalli said that these projects are prime examples of how localities can be embellished within urban areas.
“This project is a clear example of how embellishment works can be done in urban areas that benefit residents and are accessible for everyone,” said Minister Dalli.
WasteServ CEO Richard Bilocca explained how these projects embrace sustainable concepts. “With these projects, we made sure that we not only used sustainable materials but also made sure of rainwater for irrigation purposes while at the same time respecting the existing uses of this area as a space that brings the community together,” said Mr Bilocca.
The three projects were financed through the National Development and Social Fund (NDSF).
Tliet żoni msebbħa f’Ħaż-Żabbar
Jitlestew tliet proġetti f’Ħaż-Żabbar li jintroduċu green pockets mingħajr ma jxekklu l-użu eżistenti ta’ dawn l-ispazji
Ir-residenti ta’ Ħaż-Żabbar jistgħu jgawdu minn tliet green pockets fi Triq is-Santwarju, Triq Biċċieni u Triq Santa Duminka. L-għan ta’ dawn il-proġetti hu li joħloq ambjent aħdar fl-urban mingħajr ma jinħoloq xkiel fl-użu eżistenti ta’ dawn l-ispazji.
Żaru dawn il-proġetti f’Ħaż-Żabbar il-Ministru għall-Ambjent, l-Enerġija u l-Intrapriża Miriam Dalli u l-Kap Eżekuttiv ta’ WasteServ, Richard Bilocca, flimkien mas-Sindku ta’ Ħaż-Żabbar Jorge Grech.
Fi Triq is-Santwarju ġie rranġat parkeġġ eżistenti, sar paviment ġdid u nħolqot żona fejn ir-residenti jistgħu jqattgħu l-ħin liberu tagħhom f’ambjent iktar rilassanti. Ix-xogħol jikkonsisti f’feature walls bl-ilma, green walls, tħawwil ta’ pjanti u siġar maturi u bankijiet magħmula minn materjal riċiklabbli. Ġie integrat ukoll ġibjun eżistenti biex l-ilma jkun jista’ jintuża għall-irrigazzjoni u ġew installati umbrelel li minbarra li joffru d-dell jiġbru anke l-ilma tax-xita f’tankijiet apposta.
Fil-proġetti l-oħra, żewġ parkeġġi fi Triq Biċċieni u Triq Santa Duminka ġew imsaqqfa biex setgħu jsiru green roofs u sar anke paviment ġdid. Għalkemm fuq skala pjuttost żgħira, l-introduzzjoni tal-green roof imħawwel bi speċi ta’ pjanti differenti se jkun sors ta’ bijodiversità speċjalment għal din iż-żona urbana.
Fil-proġett ta’ Triq Biċċieni, ġibjun tal-ilma storiku fl-istess żona tnaddaf u ġie integrat mill-ġdid fil-proġett filwaqt li fil-proġett ta’ Triq Santa Duminka nbena ġibjun ġdid. Permezz ta’ dawn il-proġetti, ir-residenti li joqogħdu fil-viċin se jgawdu min ambjent isbaħ u anke dell għall-karozzi tagħhom.
Il-Ministru Miriam Dalli qalet li dawn il-proġetti huma eżempju ċar ta’ kif nistgħu nsebbħu l-lokalitajiet tagħna b’mod prattiku fl-urban.
“Dan huwa proġett li qed juri kif jista’ jsir xogħol ta’ tisbiħ fl-urban, filwaqt li servizzi li jgawdu minnhom ir-residenti jibqgħu aċċessibbli għal kulħadd,” qalet il-Ministru Dalli.
Il-Kap Eżekuttiv Richard Bilocca spjega li dawn il-proġetti jħaddnu prinċipji ta’ sostenibbiltà. “Rajna li f’dawn il-proġetti mhux biss nużaw materjali sostenibbli imma anke li nagħmlu użu mill-ilma tax-xita għall-irrigazzjoni filwaqt li rrispettajna l-użu eżistenti ta’ din iż-żona kif ukoll bħala spazju li fih jgħaqqad il-komunità flimkien,” qal is-Sur Bilocca.
Dawn it-tliet proġetti ġew iffinanzjati mill-Fond Soċjali u għall-Iżvilupp Nazzjonali (NDSF).
