URBAN GREENING

Ġnien Victor Calvagna, ‘a green oasis in Mosta’s dense urban environment’, is how the jury of the Malta Architecture and Spatial Planning (MASP) Awards described this project before crowning it as the winner of the Public Open Spaces Award. This new garden project which opened its gates last July was managed by GreenServ, a branch of WasteServ. It was the very first project to be inaugurated amongst a number of other greening projects planned in urban areas to act as green lungs, writes the projects team at GreenServ.

With its functional and stunning design, Ġnien Victor Calvagna embodies a fresh perspective with sustainability, creativity, and innovation at the forefront. Whilst ensuring that the design carefully preserved the existing olive trees, the garden has become a strong community space owing to the addition of a playground, gym equipment, a gardening plot, and a canopy area. The materials used in this project were also chosen with sustainability in mind. Recycled rubber chips and decking, and sustainably sourced timber feature in this garden with an area of around 4,000m2. The result was that over 40% of the materials used prioritised sustainability, circular economy, and waste reduction. Solar panels and underground water tanks were also installed.

Romeo Romano Gardens

Another project that got the MASP jury praise was the restoration of Romeo Romano Gardens. This project received a special commendation for its high-quality design and workmanship. It was touted as a blueprint for other historical gardens in need of a more contemporary edge. Here, GreenServ has successfully married the old with the new while also combining recreation, education, and conservation. In the first phase of this project, which was inaugurated last December, the original pathways, fountains, and boundary walls were restored to a high standard, while still respecting the garden’s historical value. Features such as the ‘sienja’, an old water reservoir, and stone irrigation channels were also restored and made functional again. A new playground was included with wood as the main material used in order to respect the historical context of this garden while bark chippings were used instead of rubber flooring. With the installation of wooden decking equipped with sensory equipment, the garden now has a multipurpose area that could accommodate different activities, including hands-on activities for children. In the second phase of this project, an old groundsman’s house within this garden is being transformed into an environmental educational centre giving students a hands-on opportunity to learn about nature protection and sustainability.

GreenServ's approach to sustainability and creativity sets an excellent example for other urban greening projects. In another project in Ħamrun, a car park was reinvented for dual use, a shaded parking area at ground level, and a recreational area in the form of a roof garden on top of a 40-tonne steel structure. More than 1,800 trees, shrubs, and plants were planted in an otherwise grey area.

ŻABBAR, QORMI AND VITTORIOSA

Recently GreenServ completed three projects at Żabbar where green pockets were introduced at three different sites that were previously used as parking areas. The inclusion of green roofs, water walls, and vertical landscaping will also allow residents to enjoy lovely views from their homes. Work is still ongoing in another project, this time in Qormi where part of the stormwater culvert is being transformed into a garden with a 200-metre running track. Works will soon start in Vittoriosa which will see the transformation of a green belt on the outskirts of this city to include a picnic area, a recreation area, an informal children’s play area, and a dog park.

By combining thoughtful design and sustainability, GreenServ, supported by dedicated contractors, is delivering spaces that people want to come to and where the building blocks of such projects are innovation, sustainability, green landscaping, and meaningful community spaces. These are the projects that are shaping the future of public open spaces and making Malta greener.