Project Green and University of Malta placemaking in the community
Żejtun primary school children met Project Green architects and students from the University of Malta’s Faculty of the Built Environment to share ideas on how they wish to shape the open spaces in their locality.
During this placemaking initiative at Ġnien iż-Żgħożija, the children played a pivotal role in the drafting of plans for future projects to regenerate this garden and the adjacent residential area, known as Ġebel San Martin. The street next to the garden, was temporarily closed to help children better understand the benefits of a car-free environment.
Project Green architects and the University students presented children with different case studies in the form of flashcards, to help them identify different uses for the playground, where the Agency is planning a regeneration project. They were also encouraged to sketch their ideal garden, providing valuable insights into the preferences and needs of the community.
The children also played a quiz-style game to learn about pollinating plants and sensory gardens, and participated in a hands-on planting session, also taking the potted herbs with them home, along with recipes on how they can be used by their families.
During a discussion with the children, Minister for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise Miriam Dalli explained that such placemaking initiatives exemplify the power of collaborative engagement and community involvement in reshaping urban spaces. “By prioritising the ideas of children and actively engaging our communities in this urban greening process, we are creating a more vibrant and sustainable environment while nurturing a generation of responsible, eco-conscious citizens,” Miriam Dalli stated.
The Chief Executive Officer of Project Green Steve Ellul noted that children bring fresh perspectives on games and safety in open spaces and overall liveability, leading to urban areas being more inclusive and child-friendly. “Placemaking activities help children contribute to the sustainable development of their cities, fostering resilience and vibrancy,” Ellul said.
More information about Project Green is available on the site: www.project.green.
It-tfal taż-Żejtun jgħinu jsawru proġetti ekoloġiċi futuri fil-lokalità tagħhom
Project Green u l-Università ta’ Malta jorganizzaw placemaking fil-komunità
It-tfal tal-iskola primarja taż-Żejtun iltaqgħu ma’ periti minn Project Green u ma’ studenti mill-Fakultà tal-Built Environment mill-Università ta’ Malta biex jaqsmu ideat dwar kif jixtiequ jsawru l-ispazji miftuħa fil-lokalità tagħhom.
Waqt din l-inizjattiva ta’ placemaking fi Ġnien iż-Żgħożija, it-tfal kellhom rwol ċentrali fit-tfassil ta’ pjanijiet għal proġetti futuri biex jiġi riġenerat dan il-ġnien u ż-żona residenzjali biswit, magħrufa bħala Ġebel San Martin. It-triq biswit il-ġnien, ingħalqet temporanjament biex tgħin lit-tfal jifhmu aħjar il-benefiċċji ta’ ambjent mingħajr l-użu tal-karozzi.
Periti minn Project Green u l-istudenti universitarji ppreżentaw lit-tfal flashcards b’diversi studji biex jgħinuhom jidentifikaw l-użanzi differenti għall-bandli, fejn l-Aġenzija qed tippjana proġett ta’ riġenerazzjoni. Ġew imħeġġa wkoll ifasslu l-ġnien ideali tagħhom, u jipprovdu għarfien siewi dwar il-preferenzi u l-bżonnijiet tal-komunità.
It-tfal lagħbu wkoll kwiżż biex jitgħallmu dwar il-pjanti li jdakkru u l-ġonna sensorji, u pparteċipaw ukoll f’sessjoni prattika ta’ tħawwil, filwaqt li ħadu l-ħxejjex aromatiċi mħawla magħhom id-dar, flimkien ma’ riċetti dwar kif jistgħu jintużaw mill-familji tagħhom.
Waqt diskussjoni mat-tfal, il-Ministru għall-Ambjent, l-Enerġija u l-Intrapriża Miriam Dalli spjegat li inizjattivi ta’ placemaking bħal dawn jagħtu eżempju ta’ involviment kollaborattiv fi ħdan il-komunità fil-ħolqien mill-ġdid tal-ispazji urbani. “Billi nipprijoritizzaw l-ideat tat-tfal u ninvolvu b’mod attiv lill-komunitajiet tagħna f’dan il-proċess ekoloġiku urban, inkunu qed noħolqu ambjent aktar sostenibbli u ta’ entużjażmu filwaqt li nrawmu ġenerazzjoni ta’ ċittadini responsabbli u konxji mill-ambjent,” qalet Miriam Dalli.
Il-Kap Eżekuttiv ta’ Project Green Steve Ellul innota li t-tfal iġibu perspettivi ġodda dwar il-logħob u s-sigurtà fi spazji miftuħa u l-ħajja inġenerali, li jwasslu għal żoni urbani aktar inklużivi u favur it-tfal. “L-attivitajiet ta’ placemaking jgħinu lit-tfal jikkontribwixxu għall-iżvilupp sostenibbli tal-ibliet tagħhom, billi jrawmu r-reżiljenza u l-entużjażmu,” qal Ellul.
Aktar informazzjoni dwar Project Green tistgħu ssibuha fuq is-sit: www.project.green.
