SmartCity Malta Site-Wide Grading Permit Approved by MEPA

Malta, October 8, 2009

A public hearing at MEPA was held today to discuss SmartCity Malta’s site-wide grading application. The outcome was positive with a unanimous vote in favor of the application, hence allowing works to comence once the approval documents are processed.

Site-wide grading works include the entire SmartCity Malta site, encompassing all phases of the development including Phase One A.

The past months have seen SmartCity Malta investing in an extensive value-engineering exercise to maximise the efficiency of the design and implementation of the entire project. Its value engineering policy will further limit disruption to the site by incorporating a less invasive strategy. This exercise takes into consideration the existing topography to re-contour the site. The outcome of this exercise was the recycling of a majority of the cut and fill material throughout the development.

The ground floor slab of the first SmartCity Malta building, SCM01, was cast last week giving way for works to commence on the ground floor area and the rest of the office block. The first floor works are continuing to progress as planned, and the super structure is expected to accelerate over the coming months.

The grading works will be gradual and limited to specific locations at a particular time; cut materials will be filled and redistributed within close proximity. From a logistical point of view this method will also reduce the double handling of materials within the site. It provides various beneftis relating to time and energy consumption in the development. Reducing the volume of work will also optimise project delivery.

The site-wide grading is phased out in a way to comply with the development and occupancy of buildings, and also to ensure the comfort of future SmartCity Malta tenants. The plan succeeds in isolating construction work away from completed project phases. In this way noise and dust pollution is greatly reduced and health and safety measures are met.