The Chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika (AD), Professor Arnold Cassola visited SmartCity Malta. SmartCity Malta CEO, Claudio Grech, briefed Professor Cassola and his party delegation including Communications and IT spokesperson Mr Henrik Piski and Executive Committee Member Christian Holland, about the different phases of the self-sustained township.

Last month, MEPA approved the full development application for SmartCity Malta and the detailed planning application for the construction of the first state-of-the-art office block – SCM01. Forming part of the project’s first phase providing over 12,000 sqm of office space primarily intended for ICT and media companies, SCM01 will begin construction in the coming weeks.

During the meeting, the SmartCity Malta team discussed multiple aspects of the self-sustained township with Alternattiva Demokratika including, amongst others, the aspect of sustainable development, the importance of a strong educational framework to provide the supply of talent to meet the demand to be created by SmartCity Malta and the impact which it will have on the outlook of the Southern part of Malta.

Prof Cassola pointed out that the Smart City project is a great opportunity for the creation of jobs in the IT and other related sectors, but expressed his party’s concerns that the jobs created might not be contributing to enhancing our country’s green credentials. “We sincerely hope that the Smart City project, which will consume a high amount of Malta’s electricity, will be planned in such a way as to make full use of the renewable energy technology available today”, concluded Arnold Cassola.

A SmartCity Malta statement said it is committed to set new standards, in the township’s design and construction, so far unachieved on this scale in Malta. Buildings are being designed according to the Conservation of Fuel, Energy and Natural Resources Technical Guidance F (Legal Notice LN 238/2006). The project is also designed in line with the new legislation issued in October 2008 by Legal Notice LN261/2008 – Malta Resources Authority Act (Cap 423) – ‘Energy Performance of Building Regulations, 2008’.

The target of achieving silver status on the US Green Building Council’s standard for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) was also set. This standard aims to create new buildings and develop land with urban infrastructure that will add ecological value and achieve the right balance between economic, environmental and social values.

There are various energy saving measures that are being adopted by SmartCity Malta to be more energy efficient and further reduce the energy demand. The measures include: rainwater re-harvesting, the control of heat loss, and gain, through the fabric of the building, the use of energy efficient fixtures and equipment, and where appropriate the equipment shall contain zero CFC-based refrigerants. These measures are over and above the generation of energy from renewable sources.

SmartCity, Malta CEO Claudio Grech thanked Alternattiva Demokratika for their visit. “We discussed various aspects of the project which will be transforming Ricasoli into a new and a self-sustained employment-driven township and the creation of at least 5,600 new jobs in and around the knowledge-based industry. The measures being taken by SmartCity Malta in the design of the new township are proof to our commitment to be at the forefront in introducing new green building standards to Malta.”