The Malta Independent 10 February 2025, Monday
View E-Paper

From Hompesch Road to Saqqajja Square and more: how ‘Vjal kulhadd’ will change public spaces

Sunday, 2 February 2025, 08:00 Last update: about 8 days ago

Fourteen public areas will be regenerated as part of what is known as Vjal Kulhadd, an initiative by the Transport and Infrastructure Ministry which is aimed at embellishing popular roads and open spaces while making them more pedestrian-friendly.

The projects, worth a total of €10 million, will be transformed to introduce pedestrian zones, cycling lanes and green space and, hopefully, also address issues such as flooding and enhance road safety.

"This initiative reflects the government's vision-an infrastructure that places people at its centre," Minister Chris Bonett said at the presentation last Thursday.

These projects, aimed to provide more open spaces for communities, are designed to encourage people to use alternative modes of transport, promoting both public health and more liveable urban centres.

"The concept behind Vjal Kulħadd brings together government entities, local councils, and NGOs with a clear objective-to create community-focused spaces in a short period," Minister Bonett stated.

The CEO of Infrastructure Malta, Steve Ellul, said that the agency aims to complete the projects by the end of 2026.

"This launch follows an overwhelmingly positive response to the initiative, with 40 applications submitted by various local councils and environmental NGOs. In addition to the 14 projects being implemented in the first phase, we are currently evaluating 10 additional projects for the second phase."

The projects selected as are follows:

Attard: Increase pedestrian zones including around the village square and the reintroduction of citrus trees for the community's wellbeing.

Naxxar: Renovate Triq John Ayde with a more pedestrian-friendly design with more indigenous trees.

Żebbuġ: Transformation of a zone in Ħal Mula to become a more sustainable space with a pedestrian zone giving priority to multi-purpose sports courts and ecological infrastructure.

Siġġiewi: Improvement of 3km of Triq Mons. Mikiel Azzopardi with cycle paths, pedestrian safety measures and green spaces.

Msida: Triq Oscar Zammit will become temporarily pedestrianised to promote community events and urban sustainable mobility.

Fgura: Reorganisation of Triq Hompesch into a slow street with wide passageways, indigenous trees, and rainwater management while also improve accessibility and aesthetics.

Rabat: The transformation of Saqqajja into a green public space with preserved biodiversity, rainwaiter management, and facilities to host community events.  

Mosta: Regeneration of a garden and roads with pedestrian-friendly design with improved infrastructure for rainwater management and more green zones in Mosta's core.

Mellieħa: Reconfirguration of Triq Selmun for better access for walking, green infrastructure, and rainwater gathering for sustainable plant watering.

Floriana: Increase of bike lanes and green corridors along Xatt iċ-Ċangatura to improve access for people walking, reduce noise polution, and create community space.

Safi: Re-design of Misraħ il-Knisja in order to give pedestrians priority, reduce traffic, and create a more secure and ecological square for social interaction.

Kirkop: Improve Triq il-Madonna tan-Niċċa with wider pavements, green zones, and a system for rainwater gathering in order to improve security and sustainability.

Tarxien: Transform Triq San Tumas by improving pedestrian and green infrastructure together with rainwater management and by adding relaxation areas.  

Żurrieq: Re-develop Misraħ Santa Marija with new paving, shrubs, and a fountain in order to give priority to pedestrians in the town square.

 


  • don't miss