The government is actively exploring the possibility of locating the American University of Malta campus in Cottonera, in a move which has garnered the approval of environment NGOs and other stakeholders.

Audit firm Nexia BT, commissioned by the government to conduct a social impact assessment on the site, asked stakeholders for the positive implications as well as the drawbacks and concerns of situating the campus in Cottonera.

It also solicited feedback on the conditions which should be implemented to make the project acceptable and what monitoring could be done to ensure the campus did not impact the daily lives of residents.

Monitoring to ensure the campus does not impact the daily lives of residents

Front Ħarsien ODZ, which was one of the stakeholders involved, yesterday said it was willing to discuss the option of a university in Cottonera, provided that development at Żonqor Point and any other ODZ site was dropped.

Front spokesman Michael Briguglio stressed the importance of carrying out comprehensive impact assessment studies, honing in on social factors, the environment and traffic.

“The information given to us was sparse so we don’t know what sites within Cottonera are being considered,” Dr Briguglio told the Times of Malta.

“We also don’t know whether Żonqor has been dropped. We strongly urge that development in Żonqor or any other ODZ site is dropped.”

The Front insisted that once the possible sites were made available for public consultation, a comprehensive consultation process should be rolled out involving local councils, residents, NGOs, experts and other stakeholders.

This should not be a rushed procedure, but should involve meetings for feedback as well as adequately timed processes for written feedback.

Labour MP and Parliament’s environment committee chairwoman Marlene Farrugia, who had vehemently opposed the Żonqor proposal, welcomed the government’s decision to not only acknowledge the environment protest but to act upon people’s feedback.

The Cottonera region, which comprised Vittoriosa, Senglea, Cospicua, Kalkara and a part of Żabbar, was bursting with possible alternatives, Dr Farrugia said. She cited the Cottonera Lines, Caraffa Stores, the Armoury, Fort San Salvatore, Bighi and the sail-makers’ loft in Cospicua’s Dock 1 as possible alternatives.

“Restoring and breathing new life into such historical buildings could be one of the largest successes of this government. It is important that Cottonera’s lungs are not smothered by new infrastructure which would only serve to increase the region’s high density,” she said.

Astrid Vella from Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar pointed out that the NGO had lobbied hard to have Cottonera included as a win-win solution since many structures that could accommodate the students – especially forts San Salvatore and Ricasoli – were deteriorating fast and were in dire need of restoration if they were not to be lost for good.

We don’t know what sites within Cottonera are being considered

Situating the campus in the area would place the students within a community with good transportation links to the rest of the island, thus spreading the economic benefits to the rest of the island, and not just to Marsascala. Offices or university buildings such as libraries and archives could be located in the numerous old buildings in the area, many of which were falling into ruin.

Traffic impact could be minimised through increasing facilities and incentives for cycling around the area, a move which would not only benefit students and residents to adopt a healthier lifestyle but would also be an example of sustainable development in the area, Ms Vella said.

Din l-Art Ħelwa president Maria Grazia Cassar commended the government’s step in conducting a social impact assessment study carried out by competent professionals and also stressed the need for it to be accompanied by other studies evaluating the traffic impact and socio-economic benefits.

She called on the government to consider utilising existing fortifications and old buildings which were falling into disrepair by restoring them in a sensitive manner.

Cospicua mayor Alison Zerafa welcomed the new proposal, adding it would provide a much-needed economic boost to a region which was often forgotten. The project should be conducted in a holistic manner, she added, referring to the restoration of dilapidated historical buildings and to road upgrades.

Senglea mayor Joe Casha also welcomed the proposal, adding that the Maċina would be an ideal place to host the campus.