Labour’s Urban Park Promises: Where Do We Stand?

As you walk along the bustling Republic Street in Valletta, the capital’s main thoroughfare, you can’t help but notice the stark contrast between the lush, green park at the end of the street and the promises made by the Labour Party in their 2022 manifesto. The park, a recent addition, is a breath of fresh air in the otherwise bustling city centre. But it’s just one of many promised green spaces that have yet to materialise.

In their 2022 manifesto, Labour promised to create ‘new urban parks’ in various localities across Malta. These included plans for a ‘Central Park’ in Birkirkara, a ‘People’s Garden’ in Ħamrun, and a ‘Community Park’ in Żabbar. But two years on, residents are still waiting for these green spaces to become a reality.

According to the manifesto, these parks were to be ‘designed to provide recreational spaces for families, sports facilities, and areas for cultural events’. They were also meant to ‘contribute to the greening of our urban areas’, a much-needed initiative in a country where concrete often outnumbers greenery.

When asked about the delay, a spokesperson for the Ministry responsible for these projects told Hot Malta, “The process of creating urban parks is complex and involves various stages, including planning, tendering, and construction. We are committed to delivering these projects, but we must ensure that they are done right, not rushed.”

However, some critics argue that the pace of progress is too slow. “We’ve been hearing promises of green spaces for years now,” says Mark Mallia, a Żabbar resident. “It’s high time we see some action.”

According to the Ministry, the Birkirkara Central Park project is currently in the planning phase, with tenders expected to be issued later this year. The Ħamrun People’s Garden and Żabbar Community Park projects are still in the early stages of planning.

This isn’t the first time promises of urban parks have been made. In the late 2000s, the then-government promised to create a ‘Central Park’ in Ħal Qormi. Despite initial plans and even a public consultation, the project never materialised, leaving residents disappointed.

Lessons learned from this and other similar projects seem to be guiding the current administration’s approach. “We are taking our time to ensure that these projects are sustainable and beneficial to the community in the long run,” the Ministry spokesperson said.

While the wait for these urban parks continues, some local councils are taking matters into their own hands. The Birkirkara Local Council, for instance, has started work on a small pocket park in the heart of the town, a sign of things to come, perhaps.

As for the Labour Party’s promises, if they will bear fruit. In the meantime, Malta’s urban dwellers can only hope that the next time they look out their window, they’ll see more than just concrete and cars.