Your ideas to slow down in Malta
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Hello again everyone.
In session 1 we did some reading about the Slow movement in three different cities. We were going to finish off by sharing some ideas about how we could apply some of the criteria from the Cittaslow movement in Malta.
As we are a rather big group, giving everyone and opportunity to speak and share their ideas would take a lot of time. So, I’ve decided to do this as a Forum discussion.
What ideas do you have to slow down life in Malta? Choose one criteria from the Cittaslow list and briefly write a short text (110 – 250 words) explaining your idea. You might want to include a little bit of background information, then add your idea, say why you think this will be good and what kind of impact or change you think it will have.
I’ll post my idea as an example.
‘Reply’ to this thread in the forum and add your idea.
Read, comment, like or add to the ideas of other people.
This will be some good brainstorming and will be a really useful start to thinking about your assessments.
Andy.Trees for Malta.
I have been very lucky to have had the opportunity to live and work in the tropics. Countries like Brunei have beautiful rain forests, Sri-Lanka is full of fruit trees, mango, papaya and banana, to name a few. Even Almaty in Kazakhstan although not tropical, has beautiful tree lined streets, boulevards and lovely parks. I love nature and open spaces.
I was surprised when I arrived in Malta, to see so few trees and was even more surprised to discover Malta has one of the least amount of green infrastructure, urban green space, and urban tree cover (European Environmental Agency, 2022). This is especially noticeable in cities like Valetta. However, the Maltese people are very aware of climate change and the environment, with 98% believing that environmental problems directly impact their daily lives (Lovin Malta, 2014).
I would love to start a programme, with volunteers who could donate indigenous trees, others who would be willing to plant them and to ensure they are watered and looked after. ‘Trees help prevent flooding, release oxygen, reduce pollution, and boost both health and mood. Trees enhance life in a multitude of ways’ (Harvard Health, 2024). I believe planting more trees in Valletta and Malta, would create more open spaces for families and people to slow down, relax and just stop for a while and enjoy nature. Additionally, it would help keep our island cool and cut down on air pollution.
Pollution Vs Greener pastures
Being in the Construction industry, I see a lot of things that we need to improve for the environment, It might sound ironic being a construction Contractor speaking about the environment. However, yes we need to improve the pollution issue, this is the most fundamental one that we need to work on I believe, so we enjoy our lives better.
At present we have a lot of vehicles, we cannot do nothing about this, we cannot order the population when they can use they vehicles, but we can incentivize Euro 6 for trucks, low emission cars and battery powered. Also we can do Grants for energy efficiency in new buildings to reduce heating and power usage by keeping our homes and properties hotter in winter and colder in Summer. These grants are already established and active, I believe that the authorities they need to make this accessible all year round and not in seasonable fashion.
Our country has its own resources that might other countries strive to have them, we have the sea that is everywhere around the island, we have the wind that is always at some point windy and finally we have the Sun. If we harness these in an efficient way, I believe that we will be more an environmentally friendly country.
Further, we need more green parks to enjoy, relax and spend time with our loved ones, also we need to whined down form our hectic lives and spend more time outdoors and enjoy our beautiful country.
Slow Streets in Village Cores
I am one of the guilty persons to use my car to run small errands in my home village. More than often it is because I am in a hurry! But considering that parking spaces are limited and or getting stuck behind the garbage truck or the bus, it actually turns out to be more time consuming.
Streets in Malta are mostly designed for vehicles, especially in the villages. Implementing Slow Streets will raise awareness in the community not to use their vehicle at certain times of the days or weekends. Apart from reducing the traffic and the emissions in the village core, it will make it safer and encourage people exercise. It will also help the local businesses with more passing trade.
Having safer and more accessible infrastructure for walking and cycling can instigate people to change their mentality not to use their vehicle as their first option to travel. This can also help people stay more fit and healthy. People will be more willing to shop from local businesses due to extended open public spaces. It will also enhance social interaction between the locals in the community; speaking to the elderly that are sitting on their doorstep, children playing safely in the ‘pjazza’ or street.
We need safer and slower spaces for all to enjoy and to wind down from our busy lives!
Promoting Haz-Zebbug for Citta Slow
Zebbug is a village in Malta’s southern region and is one of the oldest. It is one of the oldest villages in Malta, with a population of 11,074 as of June 2021.Ħaż-Żebbuġ was made up of several communities that were formed during Malta’s Arab occupation. These include Ħal-Dwin, Ħal-Muxi, and Ħal-Mula. (Wikipedia)
Whilst these communities do not exist anymore one may find that some locals still refer to certain areas of Ħaż-Żebbuġ by these names as they are still attached to their rural roots. Given this strong bond applying for Citta Slow is a great idea as it would have a holistic approach that improves the well-being of residents and adopts a sense of belonging within the community. Addressing the issue of air and noise pollution and trying to minimize its effects, shall make a difference in the quality of life for the village residents.
The goal of this initiative is to have a positive participation in this programme. The programme shall focus on lowering emissions and decreasing pollution with more trees to be planted, also in creating quiet spaces where one can relax and escape from the hustle and bustle and proposing more public spaces into pedestrian-friendly streets.
Meetings need to be scheduled with the local council and government entities for permit application and other bureaucratic documentation. To facilitate, workshops can be organised so that residents can participate in the upcoming changes, be aware of the numerous benefits of this programme and have everyone on board- residents and the local council.
This project will ensure that Zebbug remains a village where one can taste a bit of fresh air even when pollution is more common in other areas.
Hi Charles, thanks for sharing some great ideas from a construction perspective. I have really enjoyed my first full summer here, especially swimming in the sea. It is always so clear and cool. Everywhere, I’ve been swimming also seems to be very clean and not be as polluted as other places I’ve been to.
Andy.Hi Chris. I love the idea of pedestrian zones and streets for walking on instead of just very narrow or no pavements. This has been done in a few other European countries. Interesting though, when they tried it in Mosta just on a Sunday around the Dome, business people complained. Now it’s been cancelled.
Andy.Hello Michelle. Don’t think I’ve ventured that far south on the island yet! Maybe sometime soon.
I really like the fact you mention‘community’. I think this is so important and something that so many places have lost. Over the last year in Mosta, I’ve got to know my neighbours, locals who I see often at my ‘Costa in Mosta’ greet me and say hello. I can’t name many other places I’ve lived where that has happened.
I think getting communities involved in any kind of project like this is great. It’s an important part of citizenship and civic responsibility.
Love it!
Andy.A Maltese Cultural Centre.
As a Maltese person I am very proud of where I come from and I love my culture. Although Malta is a small country we have a very rich culture that not many know about in fact our culture that dates back centuries. As Maltese people it is our duty to keep our culture alive by showcasing it to the world every chance we get.
Two of the Cittaslow criteria speak about tradition, I would love it if we could open up a small cultural centre in my hometown of Naxxar or in another Maltese locality. In this cultural centre there could be classes and events can be planned on everything that has to do with the Maltese culture such as music, food, clothing, language, history, art, traditions, religion etc.
The Maltese cultural centre could make more opportunities for Maltese people to showcase their culture in order to keep it alive and in the same time learn more about their culture and where they came from while so they can feel more proud of our beautiful culture. On the other people who are not Maltese but live in Malta or are just visting our island can interact with Maltese people and learn about our colourful culture and get an idea what Malta and it’s people are all about.
Zabbar being a slow city from a local’s perspective
Being part of the local council of zabbar gave me a better perspective of what i can do to help my community , especially being appointed the environmental role . I can definitely say that when I meet with people I do listen to different stories and opinions particularly the elder generation. In my opinion comparing my life to theirs it shows a contrast how life came fast paced.
Ideas which stood out for me where that our village square will be off limits to cars being parked and utilise this area we can do an outdoor cafe overlooking the parish church , where people can wind down after a day from work or school . Another idea is to use the newly done park and plan events to gather the community and socialise were families can enjoy and children can play without their parents worrying for the cars .
From my perspective as a local council should encourage using a car free space, getting together as a community and invest more in adding more trees and plants while ensuring they will be well maintained .
The Three Cities
These three localities are ones of the few places that kept their identity and character due to their rich history and to this day they still promote the Cittaslow movement. Although Malta is becoming more modernised and developed and influenced by Modern globalisation ,some towns and cities are still fighting to keep their identity.
The first thing you will notice in the 3 cities is that its hard to find new apartments and buildings , and instead old terraced and town houses are being refurbished but not demolished as unfortunately the trend is in places like St Julians Birkirkara Sliema etc.
You still find very few family owned Restaurants and cafeterias from the early 1950s still running to this day.
Im happy and proud to say that the part of Cospicua that touches with the Limits of Vittoriosa has plenty of green area where you can take a long walk if you are feeling restless.
In my opinion a large green area in every town and city should be a must.
Although not everything is good and dandy , here where I live we have a huge problem with parking space due to the exaggerated inflation of cars and since these three cities are not build to accommodate modernisation due to narrow streets and very few Garages compared to other neighbouring cities.
In my opinion which might sound bit extreme and crazy , the government should implement a law which states that if you don’t suffer from any medical or physical condition , before you acquire the car driving license it is mandatory that you learn how to drive a motorcycle first. I am 100% confident that we would see the rise in 2 compact wheelers that are super fun and practical to drive and flow well in traffic, rather than being stuck in traffic in 8AM behind Mrs Pace Axiaq Doublett that decided to purchase an SUV the Size of a Tiger Tank to escort her kid at pre-school.
Slow Progress is Better Than No Progress
Located in Malta’s central, Attard forms part of the ‘three villages’ along with Lija and Balzan. Attard has a population of around 11,000 people and is mostly famous for the San Anton Palace as the main residence of the president of Malta which is surrounded with a massive garden which contains trees, monuments, fountains, pathways and even animals amongst others things.
Attard’s motto is “florigera rosis halo” which translates to “I perfume the air with my blossoms”. Although this motto is true for the San Anton Palace area, it does not remain that much valid for the rest of the of village particularly the road leading to the farmer’s market in Ta’ Qali, which becomes a mayhem of cars on the days when the market is open.
The idea is to create a shuttle service with frequent intervals to and from the Attard’s village square to the market and completely restrict the access for cars in the farmer’s market area and the adjacent roads. The village square is at walking distance from all the village hence, residents do not need a car to travel thus reducing the air pollution caused by cars on the farmer’s market days.
Some benefits of this service would be that residents would not need a car to go to the farmer’s market hence, reducing air pollution while still supporting local farmers and Maltese food producers. This service may also increase social interaction amongst Attard residents and may have a positive impact on the whole community in general.
Hi Nichole.
Happy to say I know where Naxxar is and have been there often. It’s got one of my favourite roads too. The big one that runs from the big church down towards PAMA. I love the big trees on either side, shady and so cool to stroll down.In today’s interconnected globalized world and with broad terms like European we do tend to just merge into one and often lose a sense of cultural identity. So preserving, maintaining and treasuring culture, language and traditions is something I appreciate. I’ve certainly enjoyed some amazing Maltese food and love reading up on the history of Malta and its incredible mix of people who have called the island home.
Preserving Żabbar’s cultural heritage with the Slow City Movement
Ħaż-Żabbar is the largest locality in the Southern Harbour District, and the last to be granted city status. It was used as a base by Maltese insurgents during the Maltese uprising against the French invasion. (Wikipedia) It is also the proud birthplace of Malta’s first female president, Agatha Barbara.
One of the most important things to preserve Żabbar’s local culture is to make sure to preserve the traditional buildings, such as those on Triq is-Santwarju, which has had quite a few deteriorating buildings that are in desperate need of restoration. Implementing incentives to the houseowners to renovate their properties is a good step towards maintaining the charm of the street which was named “Most Beautiful Street in Malta 2020”. (Times of Malta) Another good idea towards Cittaslow status is to make sure new buildings are planned with traditional design in mind, such as incorporating the “Gallarija” balcony in all new household buildings.
With the aging population, Żabbar has also lost a big part of its population that specializes in traditional handcrafts and jobs, such as carpentry and shoe fixing. By promoting and encouraging these trades among younger generations through incentives, we can help sustain the local culture and economy.
I think it’s also important to plant as much greenery as possible as I believe Żabbar already is doing a good enough job when it comes to walkable areas and community places such as the city square (il-misraħ), but I think more work can be done to incorporate more greenery in these areas, which in return can also improve air quality.
I believe it is crucial that young Żabbarin are educated about their city’s rich heritage, so that the stories would not be lost among the older generations, and the sense of identity would be preserved.
Hello Martina.
I spent two months in Barcelona doing my diploma and lived in Gracia. It used to be a small village but is now just a suburb of the city. However, it has managed to maintain its own charm. It has a beautiful village square with a church, small shops, local small restaurants and lots of outdoor tables. I spent amazing evenings there after school, sipping coffee, having a snack and going over everything we learned that day. Kids were out playing, couples were out walking and the older crowd were playing dominoes, cards or just loudly discussing life. I feel a little of that sitting around the Rotunda in Mosta. Your idea sounds amazing. Having somewhere to sit, relax and slow down and enjoy life is for me an important part of wellbeing and work / life balance.
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