Hondoq Ir-Rummien should not be turned into a Xlendi
Published on www.maltastar.com by Nestor Laiviera.
"Hondoq Ir-Rummien should not be turned into a Xlendi - its image identity should be retained and protected,” a third year architecture student emphasised.
The student was outlining a planning brief through which the abandoned desalinisation plant at Hondoq Ir-Rummien could be turned into a youth hostel, hosting both local and foreign students carrying out research in Gozo.
Students also expressed sentiments that the site is in danger of over-development, referring to a controversial project being currently considered to turn the Hondoq area into a heavily developed complex featuring as many as 225 apartments and a marina.
Government ministers, including the minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono, had expressed themselves in favour for the project, despite the majority (85%) of the Qala local community having voted against the project in a referendum held on the issue.
Additionally scientific studies carried out recently confirmed that Hondoq Ir-Rummien was found to be the beach with the cleanest water among all Maltese and Gozitan beaches .This study notably features also in the environmental impact statement which was part of the analysis of the proposed project
Six groups of third year architecture students outlined development briefs that sought to turn the dilapidated plant situation in Hondoq into a fully functional youth hostel.
The projects are part of an initiative between Flimkien Ghall-Ambjent Ahjar and the University Faculty of the Built Environment, which is launching two awards among students to promote sustainability and preservation of Malta’s heritage.
While all the plans approached the project from a different angle, all projects stressed the need to safeguard the area’s ecological significance and identity. The projects also heavily featured ideas of energy sustainability, and protection of the local biological integrity.
“The area is a very high density area for biological diversity,” one student said.
Another student expressed worries that the Hondoq site had become a “political issue”, emphasising the need for Gozo to become a green agricultural area, in line with its history and culture of agriculture.
“ The site unfortunately went downhill since the introduction of a quarry and a runoff plant. The area deserves a more fitting approach and culmination,” the student pointed out.
To view the whole article and comments, go to http://www.maltastar.com/pages/ms09dart.asp?a=1216
"Hondoq Ir-Rummien should not be turned into a Xlendi - its image identity should be retained and protected,” a third year architecture student emphasised.
The student was outlining a planning brief through which the abandoned desalinisation plant at Hondoq Ir-Rummien could be turned into a youth hostel, hosting both local and foreign students carrying out research in Gozo.
Students also expressed sentiments that the site is in danger of over-development, referring to a controversial project being currently considered to turn the Hondoq area into a heavily developed complex featuring as many as 225 apartments and a marina.
Government ministers, including the minister for Gozo Giovanna Debono, had expressed themselves in favour for the project, despite the majority (85%) of the Qala local community having voted against the project in a referendum held on the issue.
Additionally scientific studies carried out recently confirmed that Hondoq Ir-Rummien was found to be the beach with the cleanest water among all Maltese and Gozitan beaches .This study notably features also in the environmental impact statement which was part of the analysis of the proposed project
Six groups of third year architecture students outlined development briefs that sought to turn the dilapidated plant situation in Hondoq into a fully functional youth hostel.
The projects are part of an initiative between Flimkien Ghall-Ambjent Ahjar and the University Faculty of the Built Environment, which is launching two awards among students to promote sustainability and preservation of Malta’s heritage.
While all the plans approached the project from a different angle, all projects stressed the need to safeguard the area’s ecological significance and identity. The projects also heavily featured ideas of energy sustainability, and protection of the local biological integrity.
“The area is a very high density area for biological diversity,” one student said.
Another student expressed worries that the Hondoq site had become a “political issue”, emphasising the need for Gozo to become a green agricultural area, in line with its history and culture of agriculture.
“ The site unfortunately went downhill since the introduction of a quarry and a runoff plant. The area deserves a more fitting approach and culmination,” the student pointed out.
To view the whole article and comments, go to http://www.maltastar.com/pages/ms09dart.asp?a=1216
posted by Hondoq at
7:41 AM
