At a press conference held at the Radisson Bay Point Hotel in St Julian’s last week, the Kamra tal-Periti (Chamber of Architects) announced the publication of its Position Paper on Quality in the Built Environment

Rapid change and economic development in Malta over the last few decades have led to a heightened and more widespread awareness of the need to review the way we intervene in our environment. There is a growing realisation that only through quality in the built environment will we succeed in further improving our quality of life.

The complex and sometimes conflicting demands placed on our land has dramatically altered our landscape. The substantial funds funnelled into the construction industry over this short period have led to voluminous and ubiquitous development, regrettably generally of poor quality, a result of economic expedience, but also of a faltering aesthetic appreciation and insufficient social responsibility. Despite attempts over the years to introduce elements of control to limit the damage, we have not had considerable success. The urgency now is to find alternative solutions.

Our urban environment reflects our social and economic aspirations. Our economic development will increasingly depend on our environmental standards. Only by defining an appropriate vision for Malta where social, economic and environmental objectives work together harmoniously can we achieve lasting sustainable development. This will require us to be courageous and visionary, working towards strategic long-term objectives and resisting the temptation to be derailed by short-term expediency or the concerns of specific interest groups.

The quality of our urban open and built spaces is lacking since we often fail to appreciate the value of quality in design and planning. Our educational system ought to promote more emphatically independent thinking and innovation. Creativity must be encouraged at all ages and in all spheres, but most notably in design, architecture and urban planning. Development proposals should be assessed qualitatively (rather than solely against quantitative criteria) and appraised from the point of view of their contribution to society and the built environment. An independent Design Review Commission would be more appropriate to take on this task. It would also consult Government on all its urban development strategies and policies. Above all, quality in architecture deserves greater attention through the adoption of a National Policy on Architecture, through improving the level of education in the built environment, and in particular, through strengthening the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering at the university.

The revised building height designations produced development frenzy in our towns and villages leading to the destruction of the very same qualities that made them attractive. Redevelopment ought to be redirected primarily towards those projects that seek to improve the condition of run-down or disadvantaged neighbourhoods. We need to continually study our condition and consider/reconsider strategic policy decisions. The Structure Plan Review presents an ideal opportunity for an updated strategy defining objectives for urban change, reconsidering the appropriateness of past decisions within the present day context. The means and structures at our disposal today to manage the change process are unlikely to be sufficient to address some of our ills. Public participation in the process should be better structured to promote and safeguard the common good.

Rising housing costs place great strain on our family structures. Often the product does not present value for money. As the financial burden grows and dwelling sizes shrink, quality outdoor recreational space takes on added significance. The Housing Authority’s initiatives deserve to be acknowledged, yet require added impetus to encourage innovative quality design solutions.

We often talk about the need to protect and upgrade our environment (both built and natural), even if – regrettably – frequently only for the benefit of a seemingly insatiable tourism industry. On the other hand, in our irrepressible drive to modernise, we fail to recognise the errors committed by not conserving what is truly representative of our culture, fruits of our forefathers’ achievements. We are often faced with a widespread lack of appreciation for what is worthy of preservation. We need to identify and protect our heritage, better manage our environment, and safeguard it from exploitation for the benefit of specific market sectors. What measures are required to increase the level of protection afforded to national heritage?

Environmentally, socially and economically the need to alter the trend in private vehicular use towards other, more sustainable modes of public and private transport is ever more fundamental. Our search for solutions to our transport needs must be holistic, uncompromising, forward looking and innovative, based on a long-term vision and on the potential benefits to commuters, rather than on short term economic expediency. We must consider an effective nation-wide integrated public transport strategy conceived to improve current transport patterns, basing our decisions on a detailed assessment of key movement routes. Within our urban centres (as well as elsewhere), the strategy should, through urban design and landscaping, provide an environment that encourages commuters to journey shorter distances on foot or by bicycle.

Quality of construction needs to be improved. New regulations are necessary and welcome but should be backed by adequate research and funding to ensure they truly provide value for money to society. The establishment of a ‘Construction Platform’ would provide a clearer reference point for developers, design professionals and the general public. Continual training and professional development, the certification of tradesmen and the licensing and classification of service providers will help ensure that construction practice improves. An adequate level of protection and cover for all stakeholders will ensure clients’ interests are better protected. Likewise improved site management and project administration, and a greater awareness of Health and Safety issues will help to ensure that safety risks and inconveniences to neighbours are reduced. While measures to improve the quality of construction will undoubtedly result in a higher cost which will eventually be passed on to the consumer, this will provide better quality buildings which last longer and cost less to run.

Periti (architects and civil engineers) owe a duty of care to their clients. Their work has a profound and long lasting effect on the community at large. As projects grow in scale and complexity, there is a growing awareness of the need for the profession to meet today’s challenges and demands and deliver its product at a level of quality commensurate with today’s expectations and standards of living. The Kamra tal-Periti is working to improve its structures and those of the profession to allow its members to better serve their clients and society through their work. A client with a commitment to quality is as important to the achievement of a good quality building or development as is a capable architect. Quality in design and construction is the only means to a sound investment and to derive lasting value from building development. A clearer understanding of construction procurement and of the value of a well-formulated client brief and budget is crucial to the smooth process of building design and construction. The selection of architectural and other consultants should be made on the basis of quality of service. In particular, the public sector has a special responsibility to society, and the government’s unique position makes it an ideal champion for good design. Design competitions can be used on projects of scale and importance to ensure that the public is provided with the best quality project possible.

The challenges raised by our built environment can be overcome through a commitment to the development of a vision to work for better quality places that bring dignity, pride and real delight to their users. The definition of a National Policy for Architecture, championed by the government, is a critical step in this regard, presenting a clear national commitment to quality in architecture and the built environment and raising the profile of the architectural debate so as to form more informed and discerning consumers. The role of the media in forming public opinion is critical to raise the overall level of awareness of good design and to the pursuit of a healthy urban debate. The Kamra tal-Periti is working to promote the establishment of a National Centre for the Built Environment which would support research, education, heritage promotion, advisory and design review services to assist in the delivery of places that respect society’s needs for an architecture and an urban and rural environment that truly uphold the maxim of firmness, commodity and delight.