“Green Shelter can be a blueprint for all bus shelters on the island; other local councils should adopt such.” – Steve Ellul CEO Project Green

The Research Innovation Unit, on behalf of the Gzira Local Council, successfully applied for the Project Green – Community Greening Grant with an innovative concept named Green Shelter. Green Shelter (GS) is an ambitious greening pilot project that converts a busy bus-stop shelter in the ultra-dense setting of Triq D’Argens, Gzira, that otherwise is an eyesore. Aesthetics apart, the area features heavy pollution, namely of Particulate Matter (Pm), Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂), soaring threefold the maximum yearly allowed amount by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Environment Agency (EEA). Through the introduction of Nature Based Solutions (NBS) of Green Shelter, we aim to reduce pollution and cool the area with tree shade and the natural tree process of transpiration.

Street canyons, air and noise pollution, and lack of trees and vegetation all give rise to the exponential Urban Heat Island phenomenon that sees an upward temperature increase of 5.82 °C on average within the core of the locality of Gzira when compared to the temperature of Wied Ghollieqa situated circa 300 meters away.

Green Shelter meets the criteria of Project Green’s Community Greening Grant in its entire, namely:

• The creation of a new green open space for the residents to enjoy
• The new green open space is within 10 minutes of walking distance for all the residents.

A well-thought project – the benefits of Green Shelter:

• The project will convert Triq tal-Kubrit from Triq D’Argens to Triq Sir William Reid into a green pedestrian zone.
• Permeable paving, planters and tree pits act as a bioswale/soak away to prevent stormwater run-off. The solution will reduce the need for irrigation except during the arid summer months.
• The vegetation proposed will provide numerous ecosystem services. Apart from the aesthetics, native-origin plants attract beneficial insects such as pollinators. The plants’ colour and aromatic leaves aim to trigger nature-based therapy. The proposed trees are deciduous and provide summer shade but allow sunshine through winter. The creepers and the structure at the bus stop will also provide shelter for the commuters.
• A new innovative tree pit system will allow trees to grow healthy and prevent pavement upheaval.
• Dioecious deciduous vines (male) supported by a vertical wire trellis up to 3 meters in height will create a green canopy in Triq Tal-Kubrit throughout the summer months. The male vines don’t produce fruit, eliminating littering issues with the ripe fruit of female vines.

The overall scope of this project is to give back the street to the public while increasing ecosystem services through nature-based solutions. Through the introduction of a number of trees, shrubs and climbing plants, the area will not only be visually enhanced but will also contribute towards ameliorating the quality of life of those living or passing through the area. This will provide for a more sustainable urban environment.