New Scheme Calls For Ideas To Make Maltese Streetscapes More Pedestrian And Cyclist Friendly
Cars are king in Malta, but a new government scheme is encouraging people to come up with ideas on how to make their streets greener and more accessible to pedestrians, cyclists and alternative transport.
Vjal Kullħadd is a new scheme launched by Infrastructure Malta that encourages local councils, NGOs and residents to submit proposals on transforming their towns.
They are looking for ideas to rethink road configurations to support public transport and cycling, create well-connected, walkable routes, and introduce green elements like permeable surfaces and mature trees to manage stormwater and reduce urban heat.
If the ideas are approved, they will receive the technical and financial backing of Infrastructure Malta, which has allocated €10 million to this scheme.
“It is our duty as a government to provide the best possible infrastructure so that future generations can inherit a better environment than the one we did,” Infrastructure Minister Chris Bonett said.
“This is the point of this initiative. We are seriously investing in ensuring our communities have the best possible environment that incentivises walking and cycling over car use. The time has come to start reducing car use but to do so, we need to provide the necessary infrastructure and that’s where Vjal Kullħadd comes in.”
Infrastructure Malta CEO Steve Ellul said proposals to improve public infrastructure and prioritise people will be welcomed, and encouraged local councils and NGOs to come up with ideas to promote walking and alternative modes of transport, particularly cycling.
Let’s make our localities more walkable! Head to vjalkulhadd.com and apply.
Proposals can be submitted online before 30th October.