A former oil storage depot in Birgu has been transformed into a new public garden designed to serve the local community and enhance the quality of life of residents and visitors in the area.
The project delivers a modern and sustainable open space of approximately 1,500 square metres, featuring walkways set among Mediterranean planting, picnic tables, benches, and shaded areas beneath pine trees. At the heart of the garden is a 400-square-metre oval arena, created to host community events, educational activities, and public gatherings.
The proposal was developed in consultation with the Birgu Local Council to ensure that the space reflects the needs of residents and the wider community. The garden is intended not only as a place for relaxation and recreation, but also as a social and cultural hub.
The site itself has significant historical value. Originally part of the Knights’ fortifications, the area was later altered under British rule when the outer hornworks were removed to make way for an oil depot by the sea. Once the depot fell out of use, it was dismantled in 2010, leaving the site abandoned and subject to misuse for several years.
Sustainability was a key consideration throughout the project. The garden incorporates a system designed to retain moisture and reduce maintenance requirements, while also lowering water consumption. In addition, water from a spring discovered during an earlier project in Xewkija is being transferred to reservoirs within the garden for irrigation purposes.
This project forms part of a wider vision to regenerate neglected coastal spaces around Cottonera and create a continuous, high-quality waterfront experience for the public.
