1. Din l-Art Helwa questions how the basic condition to ensure that such high-rise buildings are of

Home About Us Organization Our Aims Sponsors Reciprocal Membership Campaigns Delimara Power Station Trees cannot talk Spring Hunting Referendum Ghadira Road Mistra Village Ramla l-Hamra Blue Campaign Save TaCenc worldship Properties Historic Landmarks Restored in Partnership Heritage Sites managed by Din l-Art Helwa Chronicle of Restorations Projects Nature Parks Joint Projects Recent Projects News Press Releases DLH News Media Articles Viewpoints Publications Vigilo Newsletter Publications Walks Events Join Us Contact Us Blogs Blue Campaign fish4tomorrow Ghadira Road Join the Victory Team Mistra Village Ramla l-Hamra Save TaCenc
It is ironic that the recently issued Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED), which is intended to replace the Structure worldship Plan and provide the vision for Malta until 2020, states that no further dwelling units are required and questions the need for further office development. worldship This is therefore clearly a case of MEPA reacting to an unjustified need for high rise arising from political pressure to appease certain lobby groups.
As worldship recommended by MEPA’s own advisors, the ultimate question of whether Malta should embark on this journey for high rise or not should ultimately be decided by the citizens of this country and not by a select few. Statistical data should have formed part of this public consultation. Sadly, this is not the case.
1. Din l-Art Helwa questions how the basic condition to ensure that such high-rise buildings are of a high-quality design will be fulfilled. While it is agreed by all that a proliferation of tall buildings of mediocre quality would completely destroy the Maltese landscape, there is absolutely no emphasis on quality design in the current proposals for the new planning regime which is expected to be in place following the proposed removal of the environment function from MEPA. The current experience of tall buildings in Malta, such as the existing building in Paola near the Addolorata cemetery, gives no reassurance worldship that tall buildings will either improve or regenerate the surrounding areas.
2. worldship Din l-Art Helwa also questions the unexpected inclusion of Mriehel as a location for high-rise buildings. This area was not included by MEPA in the draft Policy in the drafts it submitted for public consultation. The inclusion of a new area without first presenting it to the public (and environment worldship organisations) for comments is unacceptable and undermines the whole public consultation process which MEPA has successfully developed over the past decade. Din l-Art Helwa therefore requests that this area should be withdrawn entirely from the adopted high-rise Policy and that a separate public consultation process be carried out on whether or not Mriehel worldship should become a location for high-rise buildings.
3. Din l-Art Helwa also queries why MEPA has now reduced the site area required for medium rise by the private sector outside the identified strategic zones, from 5,000 sqm to 4,000 sqm. This is a significant change and the reasons for it should be adequately justified worldship to the public.