A PLANNING AUTHORITY PUBLICATION
A PLANNING AUTHORITY PUBLICATION OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2020
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FOREWORD Protecting Malta’s architectural heritage high on PA agenda A National plan worth paying attention to Make a difference to Malta’s environmental sustainability How can we plan for climate change in Malta? The road to an integrated transport network Spatial planning to make Malta more resilient Urban and rural development: ‘one-size-fits-all’ doesn’t cut it Coastal and marine sustainability – turning hope into certainty The time to plan for Gozo’s future is now
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lthough we are not yet out of the woods with the Covid pandemic, the heralding in of a new year always brings with it new hope and optimism. 2020 has been a tough and challenging year for many on different fronts. From it though we still can draw some positives. Probably one of the biggest pluses has been that we have increased our use of remote facility — changing the way we shop, work, dine and so much more. With less of a need to commute we have seen a significant drop in traffic and air pollution. The pandemic has also proved to us that our healthcare system is resilient and that we most of all care for one another. Here at the PA, life has remained very busy. In this last quarter of the year, we have commenced the laborious process of reviewing one of Malta’s most important strategic documents — The Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED). In the coming months, we will re-assess what the main spatial issues are to ensure that Malta continues to have an integrated and holistic plan that takes into account the size, economic and social dimensions of urban development. Work has also started on reviewing the building height limitations for the Industrial Parks of Mrieħel and Marsa. This complements Government’s ‘Industrial Infrastructure Enhancement Programme’ and the need to address the shortage of space for further economic growth. During the year we launched several other policy documents for consultation, most importantly the revised rural policy. Besides policymaking, we also kept our focus on protecting, through scheduling, a number of heritage buildings across the Maltese Islands, most notable were six medieval chapels. We also issued two grant schemes, one to assist residents living in the area of Marsamxett to restore their timber balconies, apertures and doors on the façade of their homes and we committed a further €3 million for those applicants who in the last edition of the Irrestawra Darek scheme were placed on a waiting list due to the overwhelming response. May I take the opportunity to wish you and your family a Christmas full of blessings and a hopeful start to 2021.
Martin Saliba Executive Chairperson of the Planning Authority
Bringing back the beauty to Malta’s old homes
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Protecting Malta’s architectural heritage high on PA agenda THE NEED TO ENSURE WE SAFEGUARD MALTA’S CULTURAL HERITAGE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME IS NOT AN OPTIONAL CHOICE, BUT A DUTY WE ALL HAVE TO BE VIGILANT AND PRO-ACTIVE TO PURSUE. OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, THE PLANNING AUTHORITY IN CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE CONTINUED SCHEDULING VARIOUS BUILDINGS ACROSS THE ISLANDS NOT ONLY FOR THEIR ARCHITECTURAL IMPORTANCE ALONE BUT ALSO THEIR HISTORICAL AND SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE.
Neoclassical gardens The surviving gardens of Villa Ciantar in Pietà were also given a Grade 1 protection status. The late 18th-century villa and its gardens, known back then as Villa Zammit occupied practically all of the western flank of Pietà creek. The formally laid out terraced gardens were furnished with a variety of garden architecture such as raised walkways, a nymphaeum, triumphal gateways and a tower of four winds which was built on the higher reaches of the garden.
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Pietà
Santa Domenica Chapel, Dingli. Photo by Ruben Abela
Bir Miftuh, Gudja. Photo by quddies.com
Comino Chapel. Photo by quddies.com
Santa Marija, Siggiewi. Photo by quddies.com
San Mikiel, Rabat. Photo by quddies.com
Six medieval chapels The most notable scheduling relates to the six medieval chapels which were given a Grade 1 protection status. The chapels are that dedicated to St Domenica in Dingli, the Bir Miftuħ chapel in Gudja, the one found on the Island of Comino which is dedicated to the Return of the Holy Family from Egypt, the medieval chapel of St Michael more popularly
known as Il-Kappella tas-San Ċir or Il-Kappella ta’ San Mikiel is-Sanċir located in the limits of Rabat, the chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin under the title of Ħal Xluq in Siġġiewi and the unique chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin under the title of ‘tas-Sokkors’. This last one differs from the other in that it is rockcut and located underground.
The most popular of the chapels, the Bir Miftuħ chapel in Gudja is one of the more refined medieval buildings roofed with pointed arches and built in finely dressed ashlars. Its doorways are all furnished with beautiful hoodmoulds and Melitan mouldings, testament to the chapel’s construction during the height of the Medieval period.
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San Lawrenz
Għarb
Gozitan residences The former Gozitan residence of renowned British author Nicholas Monsarrat in San Lawrenz and of Frangisk Portelli in Għarb were both granted a Grade 2 scheduled building status. Monserrat, best known for his work, The Cruel Sea, purchased the property in
1968 on the last day of a week-long holiday in Gozo. In 1973, Monsarrat wrote the book “The Kappillan of Malta” in this property, a book he is well known for in Malta. He died in August 1979. Franġisk Portelli was a righteous Gozitan man who in 1883, together
with Karmni Grima, gave testimony to having heard the voice of the Blessed Virgin Mary coming from a painting calling them to intecede for others. A monument in memory of Franġisk Portelli stands in the square outside the Ta’ Pinu sanctuary.
Palazzos in Żejtun An 18th-century property owned by the Testaferrata Bonici family, in an area known as Ta’ Tavlin and a palazzino in Triq Luqa Briffa originally owned by the Testaferrata and Zamitello families, both in Żejtun were given a Grade 2 protection status. Although the main doorway of the 18th-century property is devoid of any decorations apart from a relatively large family coat-of-arms, the estate has some unique characteristics especially in the formal garden which is unattached to the residence. On the otherhand, the Palazzino’s facade is characterised by a central projecting balustraded parapet wall supported by two columns. The main doorway
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lies between the two columns and is flanked by traditional louvered timber windows above which is decorative masonry work. Most of the rooms are built around a courtyard that leads onto an extensive formal garden having an elaborate and
decorated gate. The property also has a small ‘barumbara’ on the roof as well as access through the basement to private chambers of an air-raid shelter. For more information visit www.pa.org.mt
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National plan worth paying attention to IMAGINE A REALITY WHERE PEOPLE THRIVE WITH A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE – ONE WHERE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF A COUNTRY’S CITIZENS AND ITS NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ARE IN SYNC. THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT IS MALTA’S ROADMAP FOR GETTING THERE, AND PERIT JOSEPH SCALPELLO FROM THE PLANNING AUTHORITY EXPLAINS WHY.
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ustainability must be the word of the decade – or even the last half-century. Time and again we are made aware that we are the generation that will make or break the planet, and advice and guidelines in this regard are abundant. Move over digital age, we are living in the age of planning for sustainable development. But along with prominence comes fuzziness. What exactly is ‘sustainable development’ and how is it achieved? Malta’s Planning Authority (PA) sought to establish this much-needed clarity through its Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED) back in 2015. As the blueprint enters its first revision five years on, Perit Joseph Scalpello, Assistant Director in the PA’s Planning
Perit Joseph Scalpello
Policy Directorate, breaks down the Strategic Plan’s critical role. “You’d be hard-pressed to find people who know about the SPED despite its influence on our lives,” begins Perit Scalpello. “The SPED is Malta’s overarching development vision which all national policies and local plans are answerable to and work towards achieving. It is an aspirational direction
Overview
for Malta’s development that sits above and steers detailed policies on the ground. “When you say ‘development’ or ‘żvilupp’, most people think about Malta’s development zoning plan, building heights or some other detailed level of planning. But the SPED comes before all of that. It is a vision that spans 2015 to 2035, and by its very nature, it’s a statement of intent. It rationalises what we want the country to look like in 2035 and puts forward a series of actions to get us there.” Before the SPED, other iterations of structure plans for Malta laid out paths for the country’s urban and rural evolution to follow. The SPED, however, was the first to delineate Malta’s coastal zone as well as include the country’s vast 25-nautical-mile marine area in development planning, making it an unabridged and all-encompassing strategic national document. “The SPED identifies our country’s spatial structure,” continues Perit Scalpello, explaining that the plan organises the country into four territories – urban, rural, coastal and marine. What’s more, Gozo is regarded as a separate region to recognise the particular realities and challenges the island faces that require a customised approach to its development. “The SPED clearly defines each of the islands’ spatial
areas to avoid a one-size-fits-all approach. It therefore translates the country’s vision of having a more efficient economy, more sustainable use of space and improved health and well-being into a spatial vision for each area.”
It is a vision that spans 2015 to 2035, and by its very nature, it’s a statement of intent. The PA’s Strategic Plan defines Malta’s urban areas as pollutionfree, safe places to live and work, while its rural parts are green lungs that shall sustain farming and provide an escape from urban life. Malta’s coastal and marine zones shall support fishing communities, nurture biodiversity and maximise sustainable socioeconomic growth through initiatives like ports, power stations, reverse osmosis plants and connectivity cables to Europe. “Untangling development into a long-term vision with clear goals has been indispensable,” the Assistant Director remarks, “but long-term planning is an uncertain
activity because circumstances change. That said, the law prohibits reviews before five years, so now that the SPED is five years old, we can take stock. Where are we on our journey to 2035?” Reflecting on the road ahead, Perit Scalpello explains that as the SPED review kicks into gear over the next few months, the general public is being urged to get involved through public consultations. “The SPED is written with the public in mind, so despite its depth, it’s a very straightforward and easy-toread booklet, and its review will affect Malta’s future in terms of development. Public interest and awareness are vital. Everyone should speak up at this policydrafting stage because, ultimately, the outcome will affect us all. “What do you think has or hasn’t worked and where is our strategic plan lacking? Now is the time to participate because the policy decisions of today will impact the PA’s judgements of planning applications tomorrow. And once the controlling framework is established, applications that are fully compliant will likely be approved. So while you might not be interested in development at the minute, your neighbour is sure to be – but when their planning notice is pinned to the wall outside, it’s already too late.”
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How can we plan for
Climate Change in Malta?
MOST OF THE WORLD IS SHOCKINGLY UNPREPARED — AND UNWILLING — TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE. BUT THAT IS NOT TO SAY A PATH AHEAD CANNOT BE FORGED. MICHELLE BORG FROM MALTA’S PLANNING AUTHORITY SHARES SOME INSIGHT INTO HOW THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (SPED) PROPOSES MEASURES TO SUPPORT MALTA’S ACTIONS TO MITIGATE AND PREPARE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH EFFECTIVE SPATIAL PLANNING.
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or most of 2020, climate change has been eclipsed by the coronavirus pandemic in news coverage worldwide. Vulnerability to its impacts, however, is still very much a reality because the science remains unchanged: the entire world is warming at an alarmingly dangerous rate. As terrible as the pandemic is, the effects of climate change will be worse – sooner rather than later. “It’s difficult to think about climate change as a pressing issue because, especially in Malta, we can’t say that we feel its impact on a daily basis,” explains Michelle Borg, Green and Blue Development Unit Manager at the Planning Authority (PA). Having worked at the PA since its early days, Ms Borg drives the integration of sustainable development within Malta’s spatial planning. “When we do eventually feel the need to act, it may already be too late, which is why we need to plan. Effective planning is crucial because it provides a strategic direction to follow. Spatial planning originally emerged as a tool to help
people efficiently plan their towns and cities. It has since also been embraced as a powerful instrument to support sustainability. Often, though, this is forgotten and other priorities overshadow the planning process. When dealing with climate change, this is problematic.” The PA made significant headway towards establishing a strategic vision for how Malta can reduce its impact on climate change, as well as adapt to it, five years ago. The 2015 Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED) is a holistic blueprint for balancing the country’s socio-economic development with the protection of its natural surroundings. “With the SPED, we wanted to offer a strategic vision for Malta’s sustainable development. We built on previous planning policies and documents – including the 1992 Structure Plan, Local Plans of 2006, the National Environment Policy and State of the Environment Report – with new emerging policies linked to low carbon economies to craft a philosophy that could be adopted in a more detailed manner by
Climate Change
development processes and subsidiary, more specific policies and legislation,” continues Ms Borg. “We identified climate change as one of the SPED’s main topics because, due to our small size and location, the Maltese Islands are vulnerable to the predicted impact of climate change and it will shape our future. Our vulnerability relates to our location in southern Europe and the fact that we are a highly urbanised small archipelago with very little space to manoeuvre. “We’re facing decreased annual rainfall that may lead to drought and yet more intensive storms and downpours that could trigger flash floods. So, we need to protect our freshwater resources, which includes recharging our aquifers. Changes in sea level, though, will affect our coastal areas and groundwater, which will impact the ecological and agricultural processes that our daily socio-economic activities rely on, not to mention economic activities located on the shore.” Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is vital in the fight against climate change, so the SPED’s primary objective in this regard is to
Michelle Borg
With the SPED, we wanted to offer a strategic vision for Malta’s sustainable development. support Malta’s actions to reduce emissions. “In Malta, energy generation is key. Our switch from heavy fuel oil to natural gas has helped, but we’re still lagging in targets linked to land use, transport and waste. Importantly, if we made a concerted effort to support energy-efficient development, we’d be helping Malta reduce emissions.” The SPED also identifies the integration of renewable energy infrastructure and materials into the design, construction and operation
of buildings, particularly in Malta’s public, industrial and commercial sectors. It also refers to the need to improve public transit and promote renewable fuel sources and zerocarbon modes of transport. “Now that the plan reaches its five-year mark its review will start to ensure that it remains a strategic plan ahead of its time. It is also a time for the public to get involved in solidifying our strategic direction by actively participating in the various public consultation phases which will be rolled out in the months ahead.” “All of us – collectively – can act to reduce and mitigate our effects on the environment, as well as enhance Malta’s capacity to adapt to climate change,” explains Ms Borg in her final remarks. “Climate change will impact our health, environment and economy. More than ever, we need to plan strategically. And that’s where a document like the SPED can serve its purpose as a kicking-off point for Malta’s authorities and its residents. A comprehensive response, however, relies on this strategic vision being tangibly applied in daily life.”
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The road to an integrated transport network WITH A RELIANCE ON CARS, A RISING POPULATION AND WIDESCALE DEVELOPMENT, CREATING A TRANSPORT SOLUTION FOR MALTA IS A COLOSSAL ENDEAVOUR. HERE, THE PLANNING AUTHORITY’S IVAN FAVA EXPLAINS WHY COMMITMENT TO MALTA’S STRATEGIC SPATIAL VISION COULD HELP REFINE THE COUNTRY’S TRANSPORT SYSTEM AND STEM TRAFFIC GROWTH.
Ivan Fava
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ithout comfortable access to employment and social and community facilities, a person’s quality of life takes a nosedive. An efficient national transport network is vital because our day-to-day activities depend on our ease of mobility. Whoever we are, whatever we do, our experience of getting from A to B creates a knock-on effect throughout our daily lives. “Traffic in Malta is a hot topic,” says Ivan Fava, Strategic Unit Manager at the Planning Authority (PA). “In this regard, part of the PA’s role is to put forward a high-level strategic vision that facilitates a modal shift. In other words, to encourage a move away from Malta’s saturated means of transport – the private car – to new modes that will reduce traffic congestion.” In 2015, the PA established key issues and objectives for Malta’s travel patterns in its Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED), a holistic blueprint for Malta’s sustainability. The motivation was to craft an
overview of objectives that, if appropriately fed into subsidiary legislation and local policies, would nurture Malta’s socio-economic growth while safeguarding its environment and quality of life. “Malta’s high car dependency directly impacts our health and environment,” continues Mr Fava. “Besides deteriorating air quality through congestion and vehicle emissions, growth in travel has led to land being occupied by roads and parking – thereby affecting our cultural and natural heritage, including agricultural areas.” As a tool to support sustainable development, the SPED offers a strategic direction for alleviating Malta’s travel difficulties, and it is available for every stakeholder – including members of the public – to use. Its objectives form a vision intended to be fleshed out in detail at the national, local and private level. Three of the SPED’s thematic objectives target Malta’s travel patterns: firstly, to encourage a modal shift towards an integrated transport network while minimising adverse environmental effects;
Travel Patterns
secondly, to facilitate public transport services and other green modes of travel; and, finally, to ensure the efficient operation of Malta’s harbours and airport while reducing negative environmental impacts. “An integrated transport network refers to the availability of different modes of transport,” explains Mr Fava, “meaning that one might cycle or take a bus to a ferry terminal and then hop on the ferry to Sliema or Valletta to avoid using a private car. This is already feasible in some areas. However, to adequately diminish car dependency, such a system should be present throughout the country. “We’ve already seen improvements via the introduction of dedicated bus and bicycle lanes, and park and ride facilities, but we need better traffic management and enhanced road safety. We also face the issue of connectivity because even if a project accommodates innovative travel solutions, how will they then link up with the rest of the country?” Due to its small size, Malta will always face the problem
of low economies of scale, especially in terms of alternative mass transport. “Other modes of travel may be desirable, but Government needs to ensure they’re viable,” continues Mr Fava. “We can’t forget that every action affects our natural surroundings. So, when talking about an underground system like a metro, how will that impact our environment and geology, and what will we do with the construction waste generated? We have to weigh the pros and cons to identify the route that will be the least damaging and most beneficial to society.” As Mr Fava reflects on how a more integrated transport network can be realised, he asserts that developers and the private sector can already help with easing traffic congestion and improving air quality. “Development projects that create spaces for employment should introduce green travel plans, such as providing bicycle racks, on-site electric car chargers and collective transport for employees. “In the SPED, we encourage this modal shift, and as a strategic vision for the entire country, the
document is there for everyone to use and implement. Importantly, through our public consultations, every stakeholder can also participate in the SPED’s revision now that the 5 year period has elapsed and the process has started. Action and engagement at all levels of society are crucial to ensure all voices are heard, so I encourage people to get involved and take initiative.”
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Spatial planning to make Malta more resilient THE FUTURE OF MALTA’S SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT HANGS IN THE BALANCE. IVAN FAVA FROM THE PLANNING AUTHORITY EXPLAINS WHY EFFECTIVE PLANNING CAN REPLACE FRAGILITY WITH ROBUSTNESS IN MALTA’S SOCIOECONOMIC ROADMAP.
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ustainable development does not happen by accident. Amid rapid urbanisation, climate change and ageing populations, sustainable development relies on innovative and meaningful spatial planning for towns and cities. And while smart planning may be led by local authorities, it is crucially a participatory process that empowers stakeholders at all levels – the public included – to add their voices to a strategic vision for the future. Ivan Fava, Strategic Planning Unit Manager at Malta’s Planning Authority (PA) firmly believes in bottom-up contributions when planning for Malta’s sustainability. “The responsibility of releasing a strategic spatial vision for the
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country lies on the PA’s shoulders,” Mr Fava explains, “but its implementation involves every part of Maltese society.” Back in 2015, the PA unveiled Malta’s Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED), thereby imparting a holistic direction for Malta’s growth. “Unlike detailed local plans, the SPED is intentionally general to encompass broad objectives that affect Malta’s development, including the economy, environment and society,” continues Mr Fava. We identified eight key topics: socioeconomic, environmental, climate change, travel patterns, and urban, rural, coastal and marine spatial zones. There is no one-sizefits-all approach that can be applied to all areas, which is why the SPED
gathers each one’s unique issues and objectives. The targets outlined in the SPED were put forward in a geographical, spatial manner with the intention of them feeding into subsidiary legislation and policies nationally, locally and privately, including land-use plans.” Malta’s socioeconomic development features prominently in the SPED. Over the last 20 years, the country’s economy has shifted from being industry-driven to services-led. The island has attracted international companies, foreign workers and large investments, triggering a high level of development pressure. Property prices have increased significantly, which has caused affordability issues among low-income earners and vulnerable groups. “Malta has certainly felt the strain,” Mr Fava continues. “Our health and transport infrastructure have been squeezed, and there’s a burden placed on the environment. Land in Malta is scarce. Every choice we make, at every level of society, has a spatial impact, meaning it’s felt on the ground. In this regard, the SPED is a tool to guide Malta’s decisions towards sustainability.” The PA monitors the evolution of Malta’s socioeconomic needs
Socio-Economic
and keeps track of development permissions to determine whether the SPED’s aims are being achieved when seen through a holistic lens. The PA’s responsibility is also to assess and revise the SPED, a process set to start in 2020, five years after its release. “Planning isn’t only about providing land for the economy,” Mr Fava asserts. “People require space to live and entertain themselves. The SPED highlights our basic need for outdoor recreation, and social and community facilities, including schools, care centres for children, the elderly and disabled, as well as animal welfare. Lifting vulnerable groups out of the risk of poverty and social exclusion is critical for Malta’s wellbeing.” All the while, the country’s strategic infrastructure, including water, electricity, sewage, fuel and telecommunications, must be safeguarded. And
the improvement of transport networks is an ever-present debate. Therein lies the issue of current users competing for Malta’s land and resources. “Future generations must also be protected,” Mr Fava highlights when thinking ahead to where the SPED goes from here. “A community’s need for space,
Over the last 20 years, the country’s economy has shifted from being industrydriven to services-led.
and consequently for robust spatial strategy, remains present. Buildings resulting from today’s plans must be flexible enough to accommodate future changes, and our available resources must be managed sustainably to protect our rural areas and quality of life. “At the PA, we’re conducting exercises to deepen our understanding of Malta’s socioeconomic issues, including studies of our development capacity and issued permits, distribution of spatial uses such as residential and industrial, and demographic studies into housing and employment. We need input from the public, though, to hear from eyes on the ground. So we’re encouraging citizens to make their voices heard in our public consultations. This is everyone’s chance to ensure that Malta’s strategic vision is one that you’re on board with.”
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Make a Difference to Malta’s Environmental Sustainability QUITE OFTEN, SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES FAIL TO GARNER PUBLIC INTEREST OR INVOLVEMENT UNTIL THEY BECOME FODDER FOR CRITIQUE. TO EMPOWER THE PUBLIC TO GET INVOLVED IN MALTA’S STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (SPED), MICHELLE BORG FROM THE PLANNING AUTHORITY DISCUSSES WHY THIS IS CRUCIAL TO SAFEGUARDING MALTA’S ENVIRONMENT.
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hatever the project or goal, successful implementation relies on a critical ingredient: strategic vision. Then comes detailed planning, and evaluation of submitted planning proposals, but everything must begin with robust direction. Malta’s Strategic Plan
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for Environment and Development (SPED) was enacted in 2015 to serve this purpose. It is the country’s jumping-off point for long-term sustainable development and environmental protection when zoning land and marine space for future use. Michelle Borg, Green and Blue Development Unit Manager at Malta’s Planning Authority (PA), believes that renewed commitment to the SPED’s strategic objectives is crucial, particularly in terms of Malta’s physical capacity. “Bigpicture planning can be tricky to get one’s head around particularly when multiple players are pushing their respective ambitions, but it certainly matters,” says Ms Borg. “Effective spatial planning seeks to balance future socio-economic needs based on population projections and sectoral policies
with the need to maintain good environmental quality including protection of natural resources and biodiversity. It is key to specific, incremental and sustainable success. The Structure Plan of 1992 provided a turnaround in strategic policy making for land use. Over the years other detailed plans and policies were approved to guide diversified economic growth, social well being and stronger environmental safeguards by different entities. The challenges of the Maltese Islands, twenty years later were very different from the early 1990s and this demanded a new strategic direction to guide Malta’s use of its space.” The SPED therefore identifies links between Malta’s urban development and environmental issues. It recognises that the fact that national ambitions for
Environment
economic growth do not always consider the resulting implications on the environment and asserts that “sustainable development necessitates a shift whereby development gradually works with and safeguards the environment and the natural resources it requires.” “The pressing environmental issues pinpointed in the SPED largely relate to having a dense population within a small land territory,” continues Ms Borg. “Unsustainable consumption and a lack of awareness of the connections between our socio-economic activities and environmental processes threaten the quality of our lives and natural surroundings. “In 2015, we linked the issue of waste management to the lack of uptake in waste separation and resulting increased demand for landfills, which places a strain on physical space. Malta’s air quality was – and remains – of concern. Besides traffic and energy generation, planners acknowledged that streetscapes with tall buildings could lead to localised canyon effect where emissions can remain trapped, so the idea of increasing urban open spaces as green lungs was pursued. We also pushed for the rural area to be primarily used for agriculture and informal recreation.” “What’s more, the first Water Catchment Management Plan at the time illustrated that Malta’s freshwater resources are limited and threatened by over-abstraction and nitrate pollution. We advocated for increased rainwater harvesting, stormwater capture and reduced soil sealing, which
would support natural recharge of our aquifers. This is how SPED incorporated sectoral issues within an overarching national spatial framework.” Targeting Malta’s environmental issues, the SPED outlines three environmental objectives to guide spatial planning policies and decisions. Firstly, safeguarding Malta’s environment from pollution and the use of chemicals is paramount. Secondly, the efficient use of resources is associated specifically with stone, water and soil, as well as waste management that protects environmental processes and minimises impact on cultural heritage, landscape and human health. And, finally, it also gives direction for preserving and enhancing our biodiversity and geology. “The SPED, however, is just the beginning. These concepts must then be explicitly included in subsidiary plans, policies, and taken up when assessing development proposals,” explains Ms Borg. “There remains a gap between the SPED’s philosophy and the reality on the
ground in many respects. Whether it’s the use of green infrastructure, pushing for more efficient use of the same space by different users to reduce demand for more land take or questioning the need for further excavations that generate tons of construction and demolition waste, consolidated action towards implementing our national spatial strategy for environmental protection can be improved – but only with commitment from many different parties.” Mindful that the issues of 2015 are just as relevant today, Ms Borg believes that each Maltese resident holds the power to trigger collective effort. “The SPED is a tool that’s open for the public to read and use,” Ms Borg stresses. “As the plan reaches its five-year revision, this is the time for the public to get involved in solidifying our strategic direction through the PA’s public consultation process. The revised SPED will influence other planning policies and eventual PA application assessments, so the time for the public to sway its direction is now.”
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Urban and Rural Development: ‘One-Size-Fits-All’ Doesn’t Cut It IN 2015, MALTA’S STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (SPED) ESTABLISHED A VISION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MALTA’S URBAN AND RURAL AREAS. FIVE YEARS ON, PERIT JOSEPH SCALPELLO FROM THE PLANNING AUTHORITY (PA) REFLECTS ON THE SPED AND WHERE MALTA’S DEVELOPMENT GOES FROM HERE.
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patial planning for Malta is a task of unfolding complexities. Providing strategic direction to this ever-evolving journey, the SPED is Malta’s blueprint for sustainable development and environmental protection. “With the SPED, stakeholders came together to create an overarching vision for Malta’s development that would
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curb urban sprawl. The idea was that all national policies and local plans would then work towards achieving the framework’s longterm targets,” remarks Perit Joseph Scalpello, Assistant Director in the PA’s Policy Directorate. Urban and rural areas, as well as their interlinkages and protection, feature strongly in the SPED. Malta’s urban zones are the country’s
hub of economic activity, where people work, live and play. They accommodate our economic, infrastructural, health, transport, housing and social needs – but not all urban areas are the same. “Distinct characteristics between settlements prompt development limitations to protect the character of each settlement, which is why the SPED designates a hierarchy of urban areas. Malta’s principal urban area – its economic motor – is an arc of built-up areas leading from St Julian’s towards Qormi and around the ports, where most jobs and housing are located,” Perit Scalpello explains. “Regional settlements are large built-up areas detached from the main urban agglomeration. Think of Żurrieq, Rabat, Mellieħa and St Paul’s Bay. Then, our small urban areas are villages around each regional settlement. This approach helps us understand that each area
Urban & Rural Areas
To improve quality of life, development cannot exceed the carrying capacity of our urban areas, but interpreting this is contentious,
has an individuality that deserves preservation, which is enveloped in the need to protect and regenerate Malta’s heritage as a whole – the heart of our identity.” Beyond this, the aesthetics of architectural interventions are important because innovative design and construction can reduce eyesores and emissions, while also generating renewable energy from our rooftops, explains the Assistant Director. The stragtegy begins by concentrating growth in developed areas away from rural land. Yet if urban sprawl is curtailed horizontally, development will reach upwards. So the question is, how much development do we actually need? “To improve quality of life, development cannot exceed the carrying capacity of our urban areas, but interpreting this is contentious,” says Perit Scalpello. “Infrastructurally, population growth beyond that which our water, transport or health systems can support would signify overdevelopment. But visually, even if we could accommodate growth, our streetscapes’ aesthetics can’t be forgotten. And then there’s Malta’s reliance on cars. Ultimately, Malta’s development issues are always rooted in population growth and car dependency.” Preventing overdevelopment from spilling into rural areas underpins Malta’s development zone boundaries. Our rural land sustains the population and must be protected for its agricultural and recreational purposes. “We escape to the countryside for clean air, less traffic and more biodiversity,” stresses Perit Scalpello. “But it also sustains agriculture, which is an economic activity that can be environmentally danaging, resulting from large animal farms, greenhouses, pesticides and land reclamation that covers garigue in
soil. To defend our natural habitats, we must control agricultural development because the value of land is not only economic.” The SPED advocates for diversification to keep agriculture viable without overdevelopment. The idea is that farmers can branch into activities that are not necessarily food production but are still related to it. But, again, definitions of what constitutes deversification of the rural economy can become murky. “Let’s talk about agrotourism – is it simply a hotel located in the countryside, or does it imply participation in agricultural activities?” questions Perit Scalpello. “The two are often conflated, leading to the relocation of conventional tourism from urban to rural areas. This is harmful and a trigger for urban sprawl and overdevelopment. “Similarly, the SPED stipulates that rural areas are for ‘informal recreation’, such as walking, cycling and enjoying nature , and not construction under the guise of recreation, such as country retreats or sports facilities. We emphasise the need for untarmacked, country trails to make our environment more publicly accessible. But we’re battling a double whammy: as farmers opt for other economic activities and abandon agricultural land, overdevelopment is also occurring as buildings appear where they shouldn’t.” Looking ahead to the SPED’s first revision, Perit Scalpello maintains that the issues and objectives raised five years ago are even more relevant now. “We must continue prioritising our island’s landscape in our spatial vision, local policies and everyday actions because any damage, once inflicted, is practically irreversible – and the responsibility lies on all our shoulders,” he concludes.
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COASTAL AND MARINE SUSTAINABILITY
Turning hope into certainty MALTA’S STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (SPED) ADVOCATES FOR THE PRESERVATION OF MALTA’S COASTAL AND MARINE ZONES. MICHELLE BORG FROM MALTA’S PLANNING AUTHORITY (PA) EXPLAINS WHY.
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he evolution of coastal and marine spatial planning has been a crucial step in making use-management of these areas a reality. In Malta, the discipline is still relatively young, particularly when speaking about the island’s marine territory. Before the introduction of the SPED in 2015, a policy framework that specifically guided development of Malta’s coastal and marine areas was missing.The SPED was created as a holistic guide for Malta’s socio-economic development and the protection of its natural surroundings. “We translated our country’s objectives for sustainable development into a spatial vision for Malta’s urban, rural, coastal and marine zones,” explains Michelle Borg, head of the PA’s Green and
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Blue Development Unit, which promotes sustainability within Malta’s development trajectory. The coast is Malta’s most sought-after area with the greatest diversity of uses, including residential, recreational, industrial, infrastructural, touristic and aquacultural. Above all, it is home to the country’s richest biodiversity. Back in 2015, however, Malta’s coastal zone and marine area was not covered by an adequate planning policy, leading to conflicts because coastal space was being consumed by existing and new types of uses which at times threatened the displacement of others and led to environmental impacts. “Coastal and marine spatial distinctions form the Urban and Rural areas aren’t always clear-
cut, and managing their multiple uses is challenging,” continues Ms Borg. “Parts of the coast have to accommodate uses that service the Urban Area, particularly Malta’s strategic infrastructure like energy generation, desalination plants and sewage treatment centres. Other coastal uses such as ports have defined the quality of the spatial context in which they are found. Yet, this shouldn’t be to the detriment of natural features, especially in rural coastal areas where agriculture and the open landscape dominate.” The protection of recreational activities and biodiversity in Malta’s coastal and marine zones is dominant in the SPED. “The plan provides a direction to ensure that coastal and marine development must be in line with the relevant
Coastal & Marine
environmental objectives and shields the public’s use of the coast and sea,” explains Ms Borg. “The SPED stipulates that swimming zones, dive sites or other coastal recreational areas cannot be displaced. But, it remains a highlevel document. The intention was for its objectives to feed into subsidiary plans to guide both the submission of as well as decisions on development proposals. ” The SPED is Malta’s first marine spatial plan, which is a significant step towards supporting sustainable growth in the country’s marine environment — or ‘blue growth’. The sea is a big driver of the European economy where new sectors are evolving, and while the SPED was being prepared, the EU was also crafting a Directive for the implementation of marine spatial planning. Adopted in 2014, the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive urges Member States to organise their use of space at sea to promote blue growth, for both traditional and emerging maritime economic activities. “As the SPED covers a marine area extending up to 25 nautical
miles the PA has been working with other authorities to coordinate actions linked to maritime spatial planning,” says Ms Borg. “A spatial plan for the coast and sea is vital,” asserts Ms Borg, “because it takes lots of factors into account, including land development, sea ecosystems and the implications of climate change. As an island, we depend on the
The SPED is Malta’s first marine spatial plan, which is a significant step towards supporting sustainable growth in the country’s marine environment
sea, so it must be given the same level of planning consideration that we provide to the land. “In fact, in supporting blue growth, the SPED identified the marine area as having great potential for renewable energy technology. While as yet we do not have large scale installations servicing our ever increasing energy demands, there is still the opportunity to help carve a new niche in research and development in this field, thanks to the marine space. ” In her final comments, Ms Borg stresses that effective planning and consolidated action go hand in hand, and sustainability relies on both. “Besides supporting social wellbeing and economic growth, strong planning is a tool that protects our natural surroundings. Our present actions shouldn’t impede our lives in the future. The question, though, is how willing are people to overlook personal goals, or pressure from lobbies, and focus a bit more on the common good? Ultimately, this is what the future of Malta’s environment, climate, coast and sea hinges on.”
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The time to plan for Gozo’s future is now AS INTEGRAL BOTH ISLANDS MAY BE TO THE COUNTRY, GOZO IS DISTINCT FROM MALTA. IVAN FAVA FROM MALTA’S PLANNING AUTHORITY SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ON WHY A TAILOR-MADE APPROACH FOR GOZO’S DEVELOPMENT IS FUNDAMENTAL.
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uch of Gozo’s rural and coastal beauty has been preserved. Life on the island still evokes a sense of calm steeped in local culture and tradition. Yet, urbanisation is noticeable, and debate surrounding its negative impact on the small island is becoming ever more heated. “Gozo’s environment and heritage are major pull factors
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for both residents and visitors,” says Ivan Fava, Unit Manager at the Planning Authority (PA). Back in 2015, the PA shone a spotlight on Gozo’s unique development opportunities, as well as challenges, when it created its holistic spatial vision for Malta’s growth: the Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED). “Successful spatial planning is a fine balancing act and requires
substantial forethought,” explains Mr Fava. “In the SPED, we set out to promote Malta’s socioeconomic growth and safeguard quality of life and natural surroundings through long-term objectives for our urban, rural, coastal and marine areas. We approached Gozo separately because, despite sharing the same spatial zones as Malta, it also presents a different dynamic.”
Gozo
As an island within an island, Gozo faces several realities that result from its double insularity. Malta is cut off from Europe, but Gozo is yet again cut off from Malta. While this means that Gozo’s population is less dense than Malta’s, which has helped it retain its tranquillity, its residents face several comparative disadvantages. “Gozo suffers the drawbacks of low economies of scale,” Mr Fava continues, “and job opportunities are hard to come by. Outward migration of working-age residents is common, and issues caused by an ageing population are emerging faster than in Malta.” To reduce its dependency on Malta, the SPED stresses that Gozo’s economic development must provide adequate employment by designating business hubs in Rabat, Marsalforn, Xlendi and Xewkija, targeting the retail, tourism, culture and industrial sectors. “The idea is to generate work in parts of Gozo that have already been urbanised. Boosting employment should not be to the detriment of Gozo’s environment, natural resources, culture and identity, as these are the qualities that attract visitors and investors. For this reason, the objective is for Gozo to become an ecological island, and to do so its environment and heritage must be managed sustainably.”
Even though tourism to Gozo doesn’t reach the same numbers as in Malta, the average tourist seems to have a bigger spending capacity. The island is especially favoured by those enticed by its abundance of scuba diving sites, which often rank among some of the best in the Mediterranean.
Gozo’s environment and heritage are major pull factors for both residents and visitors. “Capitalising on tourism is a logical development avenue to pursue,” remarks Mr Fava, “but we’re advocating for a measured approach that protects rather than harms the very characteristics that draw people to the island. It’s futile to pull in more tourists to boost the economy if other decisions end up reducing the qualities that attracted them in the first place. “Gozo’s status of ‘eco-island’ is vital because it sets a goal. But the SPED is a strategic plan for the
entire country to follow. What’s needed is concrete action to make the eco-island intention a reality. The PA facilitates action through financial incentives and designating areas for development and protection, but on-the-ground implementation mostly relies on local councils and other stakeholders. The PA’s role is to conduct development application assessments following the SPED’s targets for Gozo and to ensure that projects don’t impede these targets.” The SPED is now reaching its first five-year revision. While it will continue providing direction for Malta and Gozo’s sustainable development, Mr Fava stresses that future success relies on concerted action across all levels, including public participation. “As we strengthen what’s already in the SPED and add new considerations, the document’s revision is an opportune moment for people to make their voices heard at this strategic level. Development and planning decisions and subsidiary policies will be based on the SPED’s high-level objectives, so now is the time to contribute ideas and address issues one feels strongly about. I invite the Maltese community to participate in our public consultations because if not now, then when? Tomorrow will be too late.”
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P L A N N I N G AU T H O R I T Y
NEWS RESTORATION OF HISTORIC GREAT SIEGE PAINTINGS RECEIVE MAJOR FUNDING BOOST
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estoration works on the unique wall paintings that illustrate in detail the 1565 Great Siege battle received a major boost of support with the Planning Authority committing €75,000 towards the completion of the project. Perit Vincent Cassar Planning Board Chairperson said “The Planning Authority wholeheartedly chose to support this project because of its two-fold approach. Not only will the project ensure that these prestigious wall paintings are restored to their former glory but it will serve to provide our future generation of conservation scientists with the training and practical experience they require. It is only by exposing
our students to such high-level professional projects within a closelysupervised setting that they can
excel in this discipline and gain firsthand experience in the conservation of decorative architectural surfaces.”
ENTRIES FOR MASP AWARDS 2020 OPEN
T PA SPONSORS ARCHITECTURE STUDENT EXPO
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he Planning Authority continued to offer its full support to SACES events, the student organization of the Faculty for the Built Environment. In November, SACES organized the Student Expo – a platform that gives students from Diploma to Masters and Doctorate levels, the opportunity to showcase their work and research. Craig Bonello, SACES’ current President said, “Our vision for
this event goes beyond a simple exposition of student works. Our goal is to create a relationship between the public, professionals, stakeholders, decision makers and the student community. For this reason we’ve teamed up with numerous organisations and individuals who collaborated with us to help us make this event a success.” View the works through this weblink https://sacesexpo.online/
he President of Malta Dr George Abela launched the 2nd edition of the Malta Architecture and Spatial Planning (MASP) Awards 2020. These awards serve to give due recognition to architects, interior designers, students reading a diploma, degree, masters or Ph.D within the Faculty of the Built Environment at the University of Malta. The awards also have a special category for any person who would have made an outstanding contribution over the years through research, education, theory or practice of architecture and the built environment. Full details may be viewed on website www.maspawards.com
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Bringing back the beauty to Malta’s old homes
PICTURESQUE. THERE’S A WORD MANY OF US WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO USE MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN DESCRIBING STREETS IN MALTA. BUT, SOMETIMES, AS WE WALK THROUGH VILLAGE CORES, WE ARE INSTEAD GREETED WITH SCENES OF SPECTACULAR BUILDINGS IN NEED OF DIRE MAINTENANCE. THIS IS WHY THE PLANNING AUTHORITY CONTINUES TO EMBARK ON PROJECTS AIMED AT RESTORING THAT WELL DESERVED DESCRIPTION TO VARIOUS AREAS ACROSS OUR BELOVED ISLAND.
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imber closed balconies and wooden doors and windows – painted in a range of colours, ranging from traditional reds and greens to fresh greys and dusty blues – this is what many of us picture to be a traditional Maltese village scene. And we would not want these to just be pretty, empty buildings — these are the homes of people who
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love and care for their property. But who may not afford the cost of restoring it. For this purpose, the Planning Authority has relaunched the Valletta Marsamxett Grant Scheme and allocated a further €3 million towards the Irrestawra Darek (Restore your home) Scheme — to support homeowners who wish to restore part the façades of their homes to their former glory.
Reviving parts of Valletta For the second edition of the Valletta Marsamxett Grant Scheme, the Authority in collaboration with the Parliamentary Secretary for European Funds has widened the eligible works to include the restoration and maintenance on all timber balconies, apertures, doors
and wrought iron open balconies on the façade of the building. To encourage residents to take up this ‘one-time’ opportunity and help improve the quality of life within this zone, the scheme will fully fund the works associated with the restoration or replacement of the open or timber balcony, including architects’ professional fees and the costs for hiring scaffolding during the works. “Today, when walking through the most parts of Valletta, you can feel that there is a renewed sense of pride, an expectation that the city is fast becoming a place where to live again and where culture, gastronomy, art, entertainment and hospitality converge turning Valletta into a destination. Of course, Valletta is not just somewhere people go for work, culture, shopping, or entertainment. The city is home to thousands and bettering their lives remains a top priority,” said Martin Saliba, chairperson of the PA’s executive council. He added: “Some zones, such as the area of Marsamxett, which holds a unique historical value within the capital, are still in the process of being regenerated and so need more assistance to breathe new life into them. We are re-opening this scheme to give residents within the Marsamxett area the opportunity to contribute towards the regeneration of their area. The scheme is equally about architectural preservation, as it is to improve the social dimension of families living in this area.” The scheme is limited to those properties which are used as residences. This excludes offices, commercial buildings, non-government organisations or religious buildings. 80% of the grant scheme will be paid for by EU funds, while the remaining 20% are covered by the Planning Authority’s Irrestawra Darek initiative. The scheme closes on February 19, 2021, or earlier if funds are exhausted. Works related to the restoration or replacement of the balconies must be completed by August 30, 2022.
Saving our village cores Over the past weeks the PA also launched an extended version of the 2019 edition of the Irrestawra Darek Scheme – that has been supporting the regeneration of Malta’s village core areas. This year, the authority is committing a further €3 million to those property owners who, due to the overwhelming response, missed out on receiving financial assistance in the last edition and were placed on a waiting list. Through this scheme the authority seeks to promote investment in the restoration, conservation and maintenance of the façade of privately owned residential properties located within Urban Conservation Areas and Grade 1 and Grade 2 scheduled buildings. Private owners of such residences are being granted up to 70% of the works, up to a maximum of €10,000. For Grade 1 and Grade 2 scheduled buildings, the grant scheme provides for a rebate of
up to a maximum of €100,000. The funds for this scheme are made available by the authority from the fees it generates from the regularisation process application, which provides property owners the opportunity to regularise existing nonconformant developments located entirely within the development boundaries. For more information visit www.pa.org.mt.
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