It was announced early June, that the Building Regulations Office (BRO) was to inspect all construction sites around Malta in a period of six weeks, in order to clamp down on developers who are not following even the most basic rules.
While this announcement was welcome, one questions why such intense checks were not taking place beforehand. If there was need to make this announcement, then it is evident that it was not occurring beforehand.
In addition, such an announcement clearly warned developers that an inspection was coming, and as such some who did not follow regulations might try and stick to the book just until the inspection occurs. What the BRO should have done, is intensified surprise inspections, and indeed could and should do that.
This newsroom recently reported that reports of construction irregularities have steadily increased between 2013 and 2017, while they have so far remained stable in the first six months of 2018. This shows the need for strong supervision and more adequate enforcement.
The Planning Authority had announced in May that demolition and excavation works will not be permitted within tourism areas during the three months of summer.
While this is most certainly a welcome move, one questions whether such works should be halted altogether across the island for the summer months, given that every locality works to try and attract tourists.
One must also keep in mind that construction works, which are still permitted in touristic areas, can also be a source of noise, dust and other forms of inconvenience and pollution.
While it would be impossible to stop construction altogether, perhaps more stringent mitigation measures are required, and the introduction of even further regulation and more modern construction machinery and techniques could possibly be used to reduce noise, dust and mitigate inconvenience.
Malta is slowly becoming one big construction site. Tourists do not travel to see construction. They want serenity. Malta is attracting more and more tourists, thus creating a heavier burden on roads. Malta is building more apartments, more hotels, thus increasing the population, without addressing the core congestion problem. The widening of roads, and the construction of flyovers is only a temporary fix.
The intensification of development in the Sliema – Gzira – St Julian’s area means that it is extremely difficult to solve the dense traffic issues. Some form of solution is needed, and a massive push for public and alternative transport is a must. If development continues to occur at this rate in these areas without the necessary long-term infrastructure and traffic planning, government is going to face stronger backlash from residents and angry tourists alike.