Networks Of Green Open Space In Dense Urban Areas - Summary Version

SU RY A M M

In reply to the Planning Authority’s public consultation paper: “Camping, Caravanning and Picnicking Sites on the Maltese Islands.”

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A Spatial Proposition for Green Open Space Networks using the North Harbour as a Case Study

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NETWORKS OF GREEN OPEN SPACE IN DENSE URBAN AREAS

Created by: Nina Hattingh, Sarah Scheiber, Faye Sciberras, Rachael Marie Scicluna Malta, March 2021

This is a brief summary of the original document. It has been created for ease of communication. For further information or the full version please don’t hesitate to contact us on: info@dawramadwarna.org

CONTENT Intro 04 The Maltese context

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The Value of Open Spaces

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The Proposal 18 Typological Interventions 28 Way Forward 36

INTRODUCTION

This discussion paper seeks to reimagine our existing urban environment with a focus on urban open spaces taking the North Harbour Area as a Case Study. It seeks to promote social inclusion, walkability, circular economy, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions.

The paper advocates that with the right planning and design, open spaces within urban areas have the potential to provide for recreation and solidify the concept of infrastructure as an enabler of social cohesion, integration, wellness, and safety, addressing issues such as physical and mental health matters while providing economic benefits.

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CIRCULAR ECONOMY

GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE & NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS

WALKABILITY

SOCIAL INCLUSION

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WHAT IS THE ISSUE? The paper argues that in Malta, high population densities together with a dense urban fabric and high volumes of vehicular traffic is resulting in traffic congestion and lack of recreational areas.

Densification per se can be seen as positive, however without the appropriate infrastructure and management this results in unsustainable development patterns. This can also impact our competitiveness as well as mental and physical health.

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HIGH POPULATION DENSITIES

DENSE URBAN FABRICS

TRAFFIC CONGESTION

POOR MENTAL & PHYSICAL HEALTH

HIGH AMOUNT OF VEHICULAR TRIPS

LACK OF RECREATIONAL AREAS

UNSUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

LACK OF COMPETITIVENESS

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HOW CAN WE ADDRESS THIS? We need to rethink the relationship between transportation and open space provision to achieve an integrated approach. 1

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TRANSPORT STRATEGY & OPEN SPACE STRATEGY Source: Adapted from Anastasi 2011

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HOW CAN WE ADDRESS THIS? A transport strategy which promotes quality of life through car reduction within our inner urban areas is definitely the way forward.

In 2016, the National Transport Strategy (NTS)11 and National Transport Masterplan (NTMP)12 already advocated for such an approach.

The strategy identifies a number of strategic goals and guiding principles which promote sustainable mobility.

While the masterplan moves on to identify a congested hub in our urban area. One of the objectives is in fact to “Reduce the role of the car in this busy, congested urban ‘hub’”.

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National Transport Strategy

Strategic goals and guiding principles of the NTS

National Transport Masterplan

Key congestion hub identified in the NTM

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HOW CAN WE ADDRESS THIS? This however, should be embedded within a larger system aimed at achieving a high-quality network of open spaces or urban green infrastructures.

In this way open spaces can play a crucial role in providing recreation for social activities and contribute towards addressing urban challenges, including climate change.

A state-led intervention in Public Space in the Maltese conurbation is therefore timely.

The aim is to provide a series of connected pockets of recreational areas and amenities.

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Green open space networks are advocated as an integral part of green infrastructure (GI) planning to tackle urban challenges such as: CONGESTION & EMISSIONS

FLOODING

UNSUSTAINABLE MOBILITY

SOCIAL EXCLUSION

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BENEFITS OF OPEN SPACES IN URBAN AREAS To do this, putting people at the centre of design is essential. We need to think in terms of creating inclusive and culturally-sensitive ‘places’. For this it is crucial that the approach considers not only the physical and environmental aspects but also the social and political economic dimensions of public space.

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POLITICAL ECONOMIC

“An inclusively designed built environment means planning, designing, building and managing places that work better for everybody.”

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTAL

SOCIAL

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BENEFITS OF OPEN SPACES IN URBAN AREAS If all dimensions are considered and inform the planning and design processes, then open public spaces have the potential to provide a number of social, environmental and economic benefits.

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WHY A STRATEGIC APPROACH? We advocate that a strategy for a network of green open spaces would be an important planning tool.

Such a strategy would be essential in prioritising and planning resources; understanding the objectives and benefits and creating awareness on the value of open space.

It would also enable the value of interventions to be understood as part of the wider context. If projects form part of a strategic vision, through a number of small operations, a larger target can be achieved.

It also envisages the potential for investment in a new form of public infrastructure.

Having a strategic vision advocates transparency which could be crucial to stimulating investment and generating activities which support a local economy.

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Spatial Strategy for a Green Space Network

Adressing urban challenges & Creation of recreational areas GI Planning

Contribute towards Sustainable development

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RETHINKING MOBILITY We acknowledge that there is a direct relation between the quality of open spaces and traffic infrastructure and the opportunity lies first and foremost in adopting an integrated approach to transport and open space.

Having said that, the paper adopts an approach which starts by focusing on and visualising what could be if we had to adopt a more balanced approach to providing for the car in our urban areas.

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RETHINKING MOBILITY This creates the opportunity to visualise the potential for recreational open spaces in our urban areas.

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WHAT IS THE VISION? The vision put forth therefore advocates a strategic approach to the planning of green open space networks within our urban areas.

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THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES OF THE APPROACH Based on research specific to the Maltese context 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 principles for guiding the development of green open space networks in Malta have been identified.

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#1 CREATING RECREATIONAL SPACE WITHIN URBAN AREAS

#2 THINKING IN TERMS OF A NETWORK AND ENSURING CONNECTIVITY

#3 MAXIMISING VEGETATION AND ITS POTENTIAL FOR MULTIFUNCTIONALITY

#4

#5

ENSURING SOCIALLY INCLUSIVE PROCESSES AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE PROPOSALS

THE NEED FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE

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DEFINING THE NETWORK: SPACE TYPOLOGIES In developing a network of open spaces, the different typologies need to be defined. The hierarchy in terms of size, character and functionality needs to be determined as part of a holistic approach.

A potential classification of these typologies is presented. 10

GARDEN

URBAN PARK Sa Maison Garden Pieta

Il Park Ta San Clemente Zabbar

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POCKET PARK

PROMENADE

Pocket Park Fgura

URBAN PJAZZA Promenade Gzira

GREEN LOOP

Pjazza Paola

PEDESTRIAN ZONE

URBAN STREET Triq Sciortino Zebbug

Triq M Caruana Floriana

Valletta

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DEFINING THE NETWORK: SPACE TYPOLOGIES And these come together to form what we call a hierarchy of spaces which makes up the network. This is just a schematic to illustrate the idea, however this would be the ultimate goal to create a series of connected recreational areas and green pockets.

The potential hierarchy of typologies Urban Park / Valley > 2ha Garden > 5,000sqm Pocket Park Civic Square / Pjazza Promenade Urban Street Green Street / Walking / Jogging Loop Pedestrian Zone Note: This is a schematic. No detailed studies (example ownership of land) have been carried out to determine selection of routes and spaces.

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WHO WILL BENEFIT? The identification of potential stakeholders and how each might benefit from such an approach is also discussed with the aim of facilitating a local and economic circular network that will benefit all stakeholders.

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COMMUNITY

BUSINESS

TOURISTS

NGOS

POLITICIANS

SCHOOLS

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TYPOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS Ultimately, the objectives are illustrated through conceptual typological interventions, which seek to trigger the imagination through the use of visuals.

They serve as a helping-hand in how an alternative or otherwise infrastructure could look like if we had to adopt a strategic approach to the planning of open spaces.

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POCKET PARK: GERRY ZAMMIT PJ - GZIRA

GARDEN: MSIDA

GREEN LOOP: NAZZJU ELLUL STR. - GZIRA

URBAN PARK: PINETUM FLORIANA

PJAZZA: BALLUTA - ST. JULIAN’S DAWRA MADWARNA 2021

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WAY FORWARD

The paper concludes by advocating a systems-based approach to infrastructure as a means to developing such a strategy for green open space networks. This would adopt: a culturally-sensitive approach; a strategic-integrated approach; a participatory governance approach; and a research- based approach.

Finally, we believe that if we are to transform our open spaces and improve the quality of our urban environment and quality of life, then with the right studies the solutions to do this and adopt such an approach can be found.

Ultimately, the paper serves to visualise what could be, if we took a step back and allowed ourselves space to think otherwise!

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CULTURALLY SENSITIVE

PARTICIPATORY GOVERNANCE

STRATEGIC INTEGRATED

RESEARCH BASED

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Acknowledgements The authors would like to acknowledge Professor Maria Attard from the University of Malta, for her invaluable suggestions.

The contributions of local researchers Maria Attard, Carlos Cañas, Suzanne Maas and Karyn Scerri through their valuable research is also acknowledged.

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References 1 Anastasi, S. 2011. “An Integrated Approach to Transportation and Open Space Infrastructure as a means to Sustainable Urban Development - The Harbour Region (Malta)” International Conference on Sustainable Development: Civil Engineering and the Built Environment 5th May 2011,Valletta, Malta European Council of Civil Engineers & Malta Chamber of Architects 2 Attard, M. 2019. “Mobility Justice in Urban Transport - The Case of Malta. Transportation Research Procedia”, 45: 352-359. DOI: https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2020.03.026 https:// www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/ S2352146520301885.

3 Cañas, C. 2020. “Walkability Report Preliminary Results”. July 2020. Walking Malta. Retrieved 27th March 2021 from http://www. walkingmalta.com/docs/WalkingMaltaReport-July2020.pdf.

4 Maas, S., Attard, M. & Caruana, M.A. (in press). “Motivators and Barriers for Shared Bicycle Use in ‘starter’ Cycling Cities: Evidence from BSS User Surveys in Three Southern European Island Cities.” Paper accepted at EWGT 2021, Aveiro, Portugal. Transportation Research Procedia.

5 Maas, S., Nikolaou, P., Attard, M. & Dimitriou, L. 2020. “Examining Spatio-temporal Trip Patterns of Bicycle Sharing Systems in Southern European Island Cities.” Research in Transportation Economics, 100992. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.retrec.2020.100992.

6 Scerri, K. & Attard, M. 2019. “Streets, Stress and Society: The Impacts of Transport and the Urban Environment on the Population’s Mental Well-being.” SBE 19 Malta International Conference of Sustainability and Resilience, 21-22. Malta: SBE. 7 Scheiber, S. 2019. “Investigating the Contribution to Sustainable Development of Public Open Spaces in the Maltese Conurbation.”

SBE 19 Malta International Conference of Sustainability and Resilience, November 21-22.

Malta: SBE. 8 Scheiber, S. 2020. “A Mixed Method Approach to Develop Proposals for Malta’s Urban Open Spaces to act as Green Infrastructure”, In K. Hannes, R. Falzon, A. Benozzo, M. Gemignani, P. Issari, C. Taylor, & J. Wyatt (Ed.), Qualitative Inquiry towards Sustainability. European Congress of Qualitative Inquiry Proceedings. Malta. Retrieved 19th June 19 2020 from https://www.researchgate.net/ publication/339999244_Qualitative_Inquiry_ towards_Sustainability_European_Congress_ of_Qualitative_Inquiry_Proceedings_2020#fullTextFileContent 9 Scheiber, S. 2020. “The Potential for Malta’s Urban Open Spaces to Act as Green Infrastructure: Considerations for Planning and Governance.” In: R. Lastman (ed.), AMPS Proceedings Series 19.2. The City and Complexity – Life, Design and Commerce in the Built Environment. City, University of London, UK. 17 – 19 June. pp.[24-35].

10 Scheiber, S. 2021. “Urban Open Spaces and their Potential as Green Infrastructure: Towards an Integrated Approach for a Sustainable Built Environment in Malta”. Phd Thesis.

University of Malta, Submitted for Review.

11 Transport Malta. 2016. National Transport Strategy 2050. Malta: Transport Malta. Retrieved 5th December 2020 from https:// www.transport.gov.mt/strategies/ strate-gies-policies-actions/nationaltransport-strate-gy-and-transport-masterplan-1343.

12 Transport Malta. 2016. National Transport Master Plan 2025. Malta: Transport Malta.

Retrieved 5th December 2020 from https:// www.transport.gov.mt/strategies/strategies-policies-actions/national-transport-strategy-and-transport-master-plan-1343.

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www.dawramadwarna.com https://www.facebook.com/DawraMadwarna Contact: info@dawramadwarna.org Nina Hattingh - Sarah Scheiber - Faye Sciberras