Guidelines on open spaces : parks and gardens

Abstract

Parks and gardens are essential elements within our urban and rural localities, as green oases and potential community hubs. They provide environmental, social and economic benefits, and research consistently illustrates their contribution to residents’ well-being. Commonly referred to as a city’s ‘lungs’, these green spaces mitigate urban heat, improve air quality and enhance biodiversity. In Malta, the increasing pace of urbanisation has created a pressing need to preserve and expand green spaces to ensure a sustainable and liveable environment for current and future generations. The history of green spaces in Malta reflects their cultural and social significance. From the gardens of historic residences to small functional pockets in urban centres, these areas have long provided spaces for recreation, relaxation and community gatherings. However, new and bolder approaches to green space planning are required to address Malta’s development pressures and climate change issues, which are more strategic and innovative. In particular, Malta’s geographic and climatic conditions and limited land availability amplify the need for resilient, adaptive and multifunctional green space. This document aims to assist local councils, policymakers, urban planners, NGOs and community leaders envision and implement sustainable parks and gardens tailored to Malta’s unique challenges and opportunities. Based on key pillars, including inclusivity, ecological balance and cultural relevance, this document seeks to inspire action to transform Malta’s green spaces into valuable assets within individual localities, supporting resident and environmental health and wellbeing. The eight guiding strategies discussed later provide a roadmap for successfully implementing parks and gardens in our localities.