Can You Guess What These 9 Projects In Malta Have In Common?
It’s easy to take things for granted. Sometimes we’re not at all conscious of the changes taking place around us or the pace at which these changes have been unfolding. Here in Malta, the rate of transformation over the past 15 years has been incredible. Yet it’s only when someone visits the island after a long time and starts pointing out new things that we actually start to realise how much has been done.
The following projects are all part of the ongoing evolution of Malta. And besides having a massive impact on the community, they have one other thing in common. Keep reading to find out what that is!
1. Unlocking Marsa’s gridlock
Did you know Marsa sees more than 100,000 cars every single day? That’s because it’s one of Malta’s vital road connections, linking the sea ports of Valletta and Marsaxlokk with high-traffic destinations like the airport.
That’s why Infrastructure Malta is currently spending €56 million on removing the bottlenecks around this area while improving everything from connectivity, safety and sustainability. This is being done through better lane planning, dedicated bus lanes, the integration of a park & ride facility, safe pedestrian footpaths and bridge crossings, as well as cycle lanes. The project is also being integrated with Malta’s Intelligent Traffic Management System, which allows for centralised traffic control and real-time information systems.
When the project is done, we might finally be able to say goodbye to gridlocked traffic in this core part of our island.
2. A health hub in the south of Malta
Although Malta has a lauded state-of-the-art hospital in Mater Dei, one of the pain points throughout the years has been the sheer volume of people crowding the hospital with minor ailments that should be treatable elsewhere. That’s why a big effort is being made to provide one-stop-shop primary healthcare closer to the communities, to alleviate some of the pressure on Mater Dei and provide a better service for citizens.
One major aspect of this plan is the health hub in Paola. It’s being built for citizens living in the south of Malta who will soon be able to access all primary healthcare needs under one roof. More than €33 million are being spent to demolish the existing site, construct the building and purchase all the necessary equipment. Better for those who live around Paola, and better for whoever needs a faster service at Mater Dei.
3. Major new facilities at the MCAST Campus
MCAST is having a huge impact in Malta when it comes to vocational training and hands-on education. But good schools need great campuses, and that’s why more than €30 million are being spent on developing Phase 2 of the MCAST Masterplan. The project includes the construction of three new buildings: the Institute of Information, Communication and Technology, the MCAST Resource Centre and the Building and Construction Facilities within the Institute of Engineering and Transport.
But that’s not all. MCAST is also investing in a College Management Information System, that’s intended to complement the physical structures being built but optimising the efficiency of the school’s operational procedures and processes. This will make it easier for MCAST to provide state-of-the-art education together with a broader spectrum of courses to equip the workforce with all the skills necessary for such a growing economy.
4. Conserving, protecting and promoting the Church’s cultural heritage
The Maltese islands may boast more than 365 churches, one for every day of the year, but many of these historical gems require regular restoration to retain their dignity. That’s why the Cultural Heritage Foundation of the Archdiocese of Malta’s cultural conservation project, together with the Gozo Diocese, has invested more than €4.4 million across Malta and Gozo in two separate projects that will touch communities all over Malta. The parish churches in Malta are those in Attard, Balzan, Naxxar, Paola, Tarxien and Mgarr, as well as the Bidnija chapel, that of Santa Marija ta’ Bernarda and of Santa Marija taz-Zellieqa in Hal-Għargħur, while in Gozo there are the parish churches in Sannat, Fontana, Għasri, Marsalforn, Xagħra, Qala and the chapel of St. Lucija. These are all in the process of being restored, restoring facades to their former glory and ensuring that the structures can be enjoyed for years to come. The project also includes the restoration of various artefacts found in various churches and chapels, the setting up of a museum in Mellieha, a new heritage trail and the restoration of the archives of the Archdiocese of Malta, which includes records from the 15th Century.
Photo by David Oare
5. An oncology centre to fight cancer with dignity
Around 2,000 people in Malta are diagnosed with cancer every year, wreaking havoc in the lives of thousands of families. In the past, these families sought treatment at Sir Paul Boffa Hospital in Floriana, an old building that was fast becoming inadequate and situated quite a long way away from Mater Dei Hospital.
That’s why an Oncology Centre has now been built on the grounds of the state hospital, through an investment of more than €48 million. The new Oncology Centre offers advanced cancer treatment facilities within a comprehensive care setting. And much more dignity for patients and their families.
6. A centre for the exploration of science: Esplora
Until a few years ago, Malta did not really have any fun and interactive way to learn about science. Today, Esplora, Malta’s Interactive Science Centre, has become a family favourite. Built within a former Royal Navy hospital in Kalkara, the centre is full of exciting ways to engage with science in an easy and entertaining way.
Besides a planetarium and an outdoor adventure element, Esplora offers visitors an opportunity to discover and understand science at their own pace through a series of hands-on experiences and phenomena-related exhibits. Numerous installations highlight the importance of scientific processes through questioning, predicting, experimenting, analysing and drawing conclusions. More than €26 million were spent on creating this wonderful environment for children and adults alike. And the response has been phenomenal.
7. The upgrading of the Manoel Theatre
It is one of the oldest working theatres in the world and it’s also Malta’s national theatre, but Teatru Manoel has been in desperate need of some TLC in recent years. That’s why almost €1.2 million is being spent to bring Malta’s premier opera venue into the 21st Century. One of the major aspects of its transformation is replacing the ventilation system installed in 1811 with a modern acclimatisation system that can create a comfortable ambiance in terms of air temperature control, humidity levels and air purification. The roof, seating and floor of the theatre will also be revamped, together with the acoustics which are so important for a venue of this sort.
8. Regeneration of lower Valletta
In 15 years, Valletta has gone from ghost town to relevant, culminating in last year’s massive celebrations for the European Capital of Culture. Now, attention has turned to lower Valletta, with a comprehensive project covering the improvement of its cultural heritage, social housing, and business environment. More than €24 million is being spent on polishing this beautiful historic gem in the heart of the Mediterranean.
9. One tablet per child
This project may not be enclosed within a building, but it will still certainly leave a big impact on the next generation and the ones that follow. Taking our children’s education into the 21st Century, the One Tablet Per Child project is intended to foster a better, more modern, learning environment, and help Malta reach its EU 2020 education goals.
But it’s not just about giving students tablets. It’s about rethinking the way we teach, training educators to become more relevant and making better use of the many learning opportunities at our fingertips. Almost €10 million will be spent on this project, which includes tablets, classroom management software, educational applications and teacher training.
So what do these projects all have in common?
European funds!
Next time you’re driving around Malta and you come across a new and exciting development, you might be looking at a concrete example of how far EU funding goes on a tiny Mediterranean island like Malta!
And to top it all off, Maltese families under the programming period 2014-2020 will be benefitting from a total investment of €850 million, which is managed by the Parliamentary Secretariat for European Funds and Social Dialogue.