Using permaculture principles to design a public garden in Iklin, Malta

Abstract

We live in an increasingly urbanized world, and the need for green spaces is evermore present. With 95% of the population living in urban areas, the Maltese islands must consider this requirement, rethinking and redesigning the green space available for its citizens, while also incorporating the need for sustainable planting schemes. Permaculture, a relatively new philosophy based on mutual relationships, which strives to maximise the value of space, human and natural resources, promises to be an advantageous and practical way to increase the environmental and communitarian value of town/city parks and gardens. This research reflects on the possibility to implement permaculture in an underused green area in a Maltese village, with the intentions of harnessing its potentials to meet the needs of the community, while also considering environmental factors, limitations, and opportunities. While not all the principles can be applied, it was found that some aspects of permaculture can be incorporated into this type of urban garden setting.