Over the last few weeks I participated in Mepa’s consultation process on the Urban Conservation Area Street Categorisation process. I also had the pleasure to attend two consultation meetings, which were dedicated to NGOs and local councils separately.
The aim of the street categorisation process is to establish a streetscape classification hierarchy within Urban Conservation Areas (UCAs) in the localities falling within the local plans of the Majjistral zone, Marsaxlokk Bay, Central Zone of Malta and the North West Zone.
The main aims of this classification are to channel the more onerous conservation requirements towards the higher quality streetscapes while continuing to enhance the lower quality ones through sensitive and compatible interventions.
Through this process Mepa also intends to rationalise the development interventions in areas within the Urban Conservation Areas. Both the government and Mepa see the promotion of the overall enhancement, vitality and viability of such Urban Conservation Areas as imperative to achieve the concept of sustainable localities.
The exercise involved a number of processes. Among these was a preliminary classification for each street within all the UCAs using the criteria established during a similar exercise undertaken for other local plans like Gozo and Comino as the main guidelines.
It is intended that streets will be categorised in four categories, ie A, B+, B and C. Without delving into a plethora of technical details, it is intended that in streets that fall under category A there shall be a strong opposition against any changes to the facades of the fabric and ancillary open spaces, street alignment and the addition of accretions in these areas.
Structural interventions should be limited to the replacement of deteriorated components and the revoking of incompatible additions alterations from the facades.
Besides this, no additional floors or significant structures will be allowed over existent Category A properties.
In Category B+ areas structural interventions shall be limited to repair, upkeep and minor compatible interventions unless these are envisaged to restore the original façade.
Additional floors may be considered by Mepa, provided that the design of such floors is of exceptionally high standards and does not detract from the architectural homogeneity of the existing building. It will also be necessary that such extension reflects the scale, floor height proportions, fenestration, architectural characteristics, materials, colours, textures and detailing of the existing building.
Category B will allow minor alterations to the facades over and above those allowable in Grade B+ while in grade C areas significant alterations or even demolition of the facades and the construction of additional floors may be allowed provided that the replacement building respects the surrounding context.
Mepa’s endeavours in this area is highly commendable, even more so because the process is being strengthened by consultation. The consultation process with the NGOs, local councils and the public is very important to achieve the desired results.
Local councils and NGOs are closest to the public and this implies that their input is central to the viability and success of the categorisation process. Local councils are closest to the localities and the residents and they are in a much better position to bring to the fore the particular needs and distinctive features of our towns and villages. The same goes for NGOs. These organisations are definitely better placed to be aware of the aspirations of the persons they represent and can contribute with valuable proposals.
I appeal to all local councils and NGOs to feel part of this process. Local councils and NGO’s have a mission to make their localities better and to increase the quality of life of their residents and Members. By contributing towards MEPA’s categorisation process they will be going a long way towards achieving their goal in the zones covered by the categorisation process.
Local councils and NGOs should be the main contributors towards this process. No entity should shirk its responsibility and fail to contribute. Doing so means failing to contribute towards achieving sustainable localities.
Local councils and NGOs have a duty to safeguard historic and architectural heritage in their localities while using the localities’ potential to boost local economy together with local and external tourism. Local Councils and NGOs should do their best to inform residents and members about this process, receive suggestions and present detailed and studied proposal to Mepa. Only in doing so will local councils and NGOs have a fair say in the planning and sustainable development of their locality
Chris Said is parliamentary secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister