Malta is particular in many ways, but it is definitely unique in Europe for the way it is systematically destroying our rich heritage with all the fervour of an ISIS gang.
The authorities have moved from ignoring our planning regulations when it suits them, to actively pursuing the options that wreak most damage on our health and economy.
Heritage areas provide economic benefits to regions as heritage conservation brings about economic development. Studies carried out by Europa Nostra, UNESCO and US heritage agencies all confirm that cultural tourism expenditure is a primary source of economic benefit as it not only generates profits and salaries, but indirectly provides tax revenue from non-touristism services.
Yet our authorities are incapable of realising that tourists are not just attracted to Malta for its museums, but love the unique atmosphere of its heritage areas. However, with even Valletta, our Cultural Capital under siege by developers, the rest are fast being destroyed or denatured.
Sliema and St Julian’s, being tourist magnets, are the most attractive to developers, and therefore the most threatened. Earlier, in 2006, the Local Plan had stipulated re Urban Conservation Areas: “The formation of additional units of accommodation is not allowed in order to avoid increasing the residential density in Sliema.” And yet the Planning Authority is considering granting a permit for a six-floor development in the middle of an unbroken row of some of Sliema’s oldest and grandest houses in Cathedral Street, not only ruining that house, but the whole streetscape.
Again, the application to build a high-rise tower on the site of The Palms, in the heart of St Julian’s most congested Urban Conservation Area, brings to mind the MEPA’s 1992 warning that “increased development in the area is undermining the very character that makes these towns attractive”.
In 2004, the OPM Single Programming report admitted that, “The main problems in the urban areas are related to infrastructure such as water, transport, noise and deterioration of the social and urban fabric of some districts.”
It is universally acknowledged that urban planning has an important influence on residents’ health; the World Health Organisation states that urbanisation is “a complex challenge, especially in places where urbanization is outpacing the development of infrastructure, services, and other resources required to sufficiently meet the needs of the residents.” In our country where some 80 per cent of the population live in an urban area, sound urban planning is essential to provide a decent environment.
We have no excuse for poor urban planning as all the knowledge is available, including studies that prove the health benefits of green areas in urban zones, as well as the health impact of noise, which is particularly underrated in Malta,
Yet the Planning Authority has granted a permit for the building of a food kiosk at the Birgu Belvedere, instead of turning one of the few open spaces in this congested area into a proper garden. Perched on the fortifications, this scheduled Area of High Landscape Value is so small that the kiosk, its table and chairs will take up half the garden, and will no doubt abusively occupy most of the garden before long.
Worse still, the kiosk will be just metres away from residents’ bedroom windows, generating noise until the early hours of the morning. Noise contributes to cardiovascular health problems, increasing the risk of heart attacks by chronically elevating cortisol production as annoyance from sound can increase adrenaline levels, triggering a narrowing of the blood vessels. Other effects of high noise levels are hypertension, headaches, fatigue, stomach ulcers and vertigo, or accidents caused by lack of sleep due to noise disturbance. Noise also causes psychological effects such as stress, psychiatric disorders, and psychosocial well-being.
How can a national agency inflict this on these Birgu residents, while claiming to be “acting on behalf of the community… making Malta a more pleasant and desirable place to live in”. It is hoped that this Monday the Appeals Tribunal will recognise the infringements inherent in this permit and vote to redress the environmental injustice to be inflicted on this community.