Forty youths from Fgura shared and discussed their ideas for the new 52,000-square-metre open space that Project Green is creating in their locality.

 

Project Green, which forms part of the Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Enterprise, organised the placemaking session for representatives of different youth organisations in Fgura, with the support of the Fgura Scout Group. The agency’s architects worked alongside the teenagers as they discussed the features of the planned project and identified new proposals to ensure that this new green area truly reflects the aspirations of the community.

 

The participants were encouraged to think critically about the project, write down their ideas, and create 3D models using tools provided by Project Green. Simultaneously, another 70 scout children participated in scouting games designed to foster their love for the environment and adventure.

 

Steve Ellul, CEO of Project Green, emphasised the significant transformation awaiting Fgura through this new open space, a short distance away from another two existing parks. This EU-funded project will transform an inaccessible site within the Harbour Fortifications into a vibrant and ecologically rich green open space for the residents of Fgura and many other nearby localities.

 

The new park will include a children’s play area, teenage spaces with modern recreational and adventure structures and a tranquil picnic area. The project will incorporate sustainable landscaping practices, such as the introduction of indigenous plants, rain gardens and a biodiversity-friendly design, to preserve and enhance the ecological value of the area.

 

Steve Ellul explained that this project will raise the area’s overall aesthetic, recreational and ecological value, while promoting community engagement and connectivity. It will seamlessly integrate ecological

and heritage conservation with recreational amenities, while opening up a well-designed pedestrian link connecting Fgura and the Cottonera cities, to encourage alternative mobility and community connectivity.

 

Encouraging the young leaders, Ellul highlighted the placemaking session as an example of active societal involvement for the greater good of the community. He thanked Project Green architects and the Scout leaders for organising this initiative, highlighting the importance of involving children and young people in the design process for new open spaces.

 

The Fgura Scout Group conveyed their appreciation for this consultation exercise, which involved their 110 members, in shaping a project that will shape the immediate environment of the community for many generations to come. They thanked Project Green for aligning with the core purpose of Scouting in contributing to the holistic development of young people as responsible citizens within their local, national, and international communities.