Local
MEPA approves start of SmartCity Malta works
By MaltaMedia News
Aug 2, 2007 - 5:23:22 PM

The first step for the development of SmartCity Malta in Ricasoli was unanimously approved by the Board of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) on Thursday.  

The MEPA approved the demolition of all the factories and the clearance of the site in the current Ricasoli Industrial Estate. This demolition process, which is expected to generate over 600,000 m3 of waste, will be in line with the highly detailed Construction and Environment Management plan submitted by the developers.  

The planning process for the demolition of the existing factories was initiated last year by the Ministry for Investment, Industry and Information Technology submitted applications to the MEPA for this purpose. This ensured that minimal time elapsed from the signing of the agreement to the actual commencement of works.  

This approval gives way for the demolishing of all the existing factories, except one which is intended to serve as a temporary site office for the developers. The application includes the request for the construction of a temporary jetty to serve as a transfer station where waste will be transferred onto barges for eventual dumping at sea. Applicable rules and regulations will be followed. 

The costs of the works, as stipulated by the contract shall be borne by the company. 

In the meantime the MEPA has started the consultation process for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the full development permit, wherein the key stakeholders, including local councils and NGOs, were consulted on the draft terms of reference of this EIA. 

SmartCity Malta with an investment outlay equivalent to Lm 94 million (€219 million, US $300 million) will transform the Ricasoli Industrial Estate in Malta into a state-of-the-art Information and Commutations technology (ICT)  and Media business community based on the successful models of Dubai Internet City and Dubai Media City.  

SmartCity Malta is expected to generate at least 5,600 jobs and create a minimum of 103,000 square metres of office space of. SmartCity Malta will create a self-sustaining township comprising of office space, residential facilities, hotels and retail outlets.