The Prime Minister last Sunday announced that an international firm has been contracted to draft a plan that will lead to the regeneration of the Grand Harbour.

This will lead to the government having a masterplan for the area by the end of the year, he said. He highlighted Marsa as one area that has potential "to become one of the most beautiful zones in this country."

What this masterplan would look like is as yet, of course, unknown. It must not be a repeat of the failed Paceville masterplan that we saw many years ago. The Prime Minister indicated that this would be different, saying that "as we did with Cottonera, now I want to see the best regeneration ever made in the rest of the Grand Harbour. It is a dream we will implement. We have been speaking about it since 2009, now the time for action has come. Regeneration where the people will be the priority, to enjoy the best spaces, and to give value and quality to zones and sites which, today, might be experiencing some abandonment."

Such a masterplan must put people at its heart. This means ensuring that there are more beautiful open spaces, more greenery and parks. This masterplan would deal with areas which form part of some of the most picturesque views on the island, such as from the Upper Barrakka in Valletta, a city which is a World Heritage Site. Those views must be protected. If the masterplan deals with any building heights or building intensity, it should not exceed what is present, keeping in mind that the area has beautiful walled cities and forts that should also remain the focal points.

Let's hope it will be the kind of masterplan we all hope for.

But looking beyond the Grand Harbour, Malta needs to better plan other zones in the country also, and in some cases with urgency.

When it comes to the need for regeneration, Selmun comes to mind. Selmun Palace for instance and Fort Campbel should be restored.

But when we are talking about better planning, it is not just about regeneration, but the need to alleviate the pressures on certain areas and ensure better overall planning for the future.

The PN had proposed that carrying capacity studies be carried out for all localities. This would be an opportunity to identify which zones have reached or surpassed breaking point. Some areas are so densely built that infrastructure is struggling, and not much could be done to solve it because there simply isn't the space. But those areas need more green spaces, and also require far better planning from the authorities. Those in charge must do better.

The St Julian's, Sliema, Msida, San Gwann, Gzira, Swieqi area comes to mind. Works have been made in some of these areas to try and change roads, true, but the area is still overly congested, and is just too built up. There just isn't enough space. These are just examples of some areas that urgently need a carrying capacity study, followed by a plan to tackle infrastructure and transport, to tackle construction and development and to improve urban greening.

The ever-increasing population numbers also needs to be addressed through a serious plan to shift Malta's economy away from human resource heavy sectors. It is the only way to slow down construction intensification in the country. Malta is too small to continue being built up the way it has been.