In June 2013, government had gone on record saying that it intended to substitute the regional local plans with three generic plans – one for Gozo and Comino, one for the whole of urban Malta and another one for Outside Development Zones. Back then, close to 7,000 submissions were received from the general public in feedback.
In 2014 we were promised that the review of the local plans would be completed by June 2015. This was expressly stated in the Planning Authority’s Annual Report for 2014 where the Executive Chairman is on record saying, in black on white, that he expected the technical finalization of the draft local plans to be completed by June 2015.
Three years down the line and it seems that we are none the wiser and none the closer to this much vaunted review! Instead, we now hear about various master plans being proposed and studied.
But what is a master plan? And why is it important? In simple terms, a master plan is a long-term planning document that provides a conceptual layout to guide future growth and development for a specific area. Master planning is about connecting buildings, open spaces, social aspects, economic growth, nature, heritage, biodiversity, waste management and infrastructure (utilities, water management, transportation) ultimately with the sole aim of creating sustainable and high quality liveable environments for everyone.
A master plan should primarily address the needs of the entire community for the area, harmonizing them into one vision and also providing a positive effect on the rest of the country. Carrying capacity is key. Master plans should give detailed analysis, recommendations and proposals for site population, for community facilities, for housing, for economic growth, for transportation and for land use.
We have heard the term master plans being mentioned over and over during this legislature and the previous one. Maybe the most infamous one being the ‘Master Plan’ for Paceville – the now shelved ‘Master Plan’ that cost the tax payer €300,000 in consultancy services and an additional €60,000 in promotion.
People are asking when the promised plans will be forthcoming. People are asking what is keeping the Government back from pushing their completion high up on its agenda. Is it because of lack of resources? Is it because of incompetence? Or is it because the current situation of not having a clear vision is more advantageous for a selected few?
Irrespective of the reason, Malta and Gozo need these plans without any further delay and before any more irreparable damage is carried out to this beautiful country of ours. Malta and Gozo’s future success story depends on them. It is not an easy task to carry out, but with the right attitude, a sincere collaboration across the board by all stakeholders, with the public interest at heart and with absolute transparency - it can be done.
Kudos to the Kamra tal-Periti!
Recently the Kamra tal-Periti (KTP) announced that it was waiving membership fees for graduate members. The KTP also announced that it had reached an agreement with the Society of Architecture & Civil Engineering Students (SACES) whereby SACES members would automatically also be KTP members.
The objective of these two decisions is multi-faceted. First of all it aims at providing graduates and students with more exposure and experiences to the issues and challenges currently being faced by the profession. Secondly it aims at providing graduates and students access to resources to help them in their course of duties and studies.
KTP is investing in the architects and civil engineers of the future, in the architects and civil engineers in whose hands Malta’s future lies.
I see only positivity in such decisions. Way to go. Kudos.
Marthese Portelli is PN spokesperson for Capital Projects, Planning and Property Market