Labour’s Urban Park Promises: Where Do We Stand in 2023?

Standing at the heart of Malta’s capital, Republic Street, you can’t help but notice the stark contrast between the bustling, traffic-clogged thoroughfare and the serene, green spaces promised by the Labour Party in their 2022 manifesto. So, what happened to those urban park pledges?

In 2022, Labour promised to transform Malta’s urban scene, pledging to create new public green spaces in towns and cities. The plan was ambitious: 10 new urban parks, including one in each local council area. But as we step into 2023, the question on many Maltese minds is: where do we stand?

Hot Malta reached out to the Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change, and Planning for an update. A spokesperson confirmed that the project is still underway, with the first park in Żabbar set to open later this year. However, they acknowledged that the project has faced delays due to various factors, including site identification and procurement processes.

While Żabbar’s park is the first to see the light of day, other sites are also moving forward. In Birkirkara, the former St. Joseph High School site has been earmarked for a new park. In Qormi, plans are afoot to transform the old slaughterhouse site into a green space. But in other localities, progress seems slower.

Take Ħamrun, for instance. The Labour manifesto promised a park in the heart of the town. Yet, two years later, no site has been identified. Ħamrun Local Council told Hot Malta that they are still waiting for the government to propose a suitable location.

The journey from promise to park is never smooth. Sites need to be identified, acquired, and developed. Community consultations must take place. And, of course, there’s the small matter of funding. The Ministry confirmed that the project is budgeted at €10 million over five years, but some local councils worry that this might not be enough.

Despite the challenges, there’s hope among Maltese citizens. A recent survey by Hot Malta found that 65% of respondents still support the urban park project, highlighting the demand for more green spaces in our densely populated islands.

As we look ahead to 2023, the urban park project remains a work in progress. While some sites are moving forward, others seem stuck in limbo. But with the Żabbar park set to open later this year, there’s reason to hope that Labour’s 2022 promises will start to bear fruit.

So, keep an eye on this space, Hot Malta readers. We’ll be watching the progress of these urban parks, and we’ll keep you updated on the journey from promise to park.