Stroll down to Independence Garden in Sliema today, and you’ll find it much like it’s always been – a bustling hub of activity, but still far from the lush, green oasis Labour promised for 2022. So, what happened to those urban park pledges?

In 2017, Labour’s manifesto painted a vivid picture of Malta’s urban spaces transformed. By 2022, we were promised seven new parks, including a sprawling 12-hectare one in Marsa. But as the deadline loomed, the reality was far from green.

In 2021, the government announced a revised plan. The Marsa park was downsized to 6 hectares, and the timeline pushed back to 2025. Other projects, like the one in Żabbar, were scrapped altogether. The question on everyone’s mind: why the delay?

According to Planning Authority sources, the holdup isn’t due to lack of will, but rather a web of red tape. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) alone can take up to a year. Add in public consultations, funding allocations, and tender processes, and you’re looking at a timeline that stretches far beyond election cycles.

Take the Marsa park, for instance. The EIA was only approved in late 2021. Now, the project’s in the tendering phase. “It’s a slow process,” admits a PA official, “but we’re committed to getting it right.”

While the government insists it’s on track, communities are growing impatient. “We’ve been waiting for years,” says Maria, a Żabbar resident. “We just want a green space for our kids to play in.”

Some locals have taken matters into their own hands, organizing clean-ups and planting initiatives. The NGO Żibel has been pushing for more green spaces, too. “We need a collective effort,” says Żibel’s Alexia Pace. “Government, local councils, and communities all have a role to play.”

Despite the delays, the government insists it’s committed to its green vision. Minister for the Environment, Climate Change, and Planning Aaron Farrugia tells Hot Malta, “We’re working tirelessly to deliver these projects. We understand the importance of green spaces to our communities.”

But with the next election just around the corner, will these promises finally bear fruit? . In the meantime, keep an eye on the Planning Authority’s website for updates on these projects. And remember, every seed takes time to grow, but with a little nurturing, our urban spaces could one day bloom into the green oases we’ve been promised.