Shapes Magazine March 2021

A PLANNING AUTHORITY PUBLICATION

A PLANNING AUTHORITY PUBLICATION JANUARY-MARCH 2021

FOREWORD

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A year of firsts for the Planning Authority

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Malta’s top architectural firms and interior designers named in 2020

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PA to fund six new urban community projects in Mosta

PA News

Green your building

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ne of the key functions of the PA is the processing of development applications.

Though not necessarily directly linked with the pandemic, last year, we registered a 12% drop in the number of development applications submitted to the Authority. This decline started in 2019.

Any type of downturn always has a silver lining to it. For the PA, it gives us the right opportunity to take stock of where and how we want this country to keep heading in terms of spatial planning.

We all know and feel that the exponential way the economy kept growing over the past years, including the construction industry, left with it some casualties in certain areas of our environment, cultural heritage and mental health.

How are we to address these issues? In a number of ways. Last year, we kick started the laborious process of reviewing one of Malta’s most important strategic documents – The Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED). Over these past weeks, we have started the process of issuing tenders for the necessary baseline studies to be carried out. These studies, on a variety of topics, will enable us to discuss with all stakeholders what the real issues are and how best these may be addressed in the years ahead.

At the start of this year, we also launched an innovative ‘green’grant scheme with the aim of introducing the concept of green infrastructure. Here we are committing to 100% refund all costs incurred by residents who choose to introduce on the façade of their property a green wall or retrofit their front garden. We know that with this and other similar initiatives, we can substantially mitigate the adverse impacts that urbanisation and densely populated areas have on the environment. This concept, although relatively new to Malta, is one we will continue to invest in and develop in years to come.

We are also working on reviewing the old Rural Policy after receiving voluminous submissions following the publication of the draft version. We hope to complete this process and finalise this policy later this year.

We promise to continue working with all stakeholders to ensure a better future for all.

Martin Saliba Improving outdoor recreation

Executive Chairperson of the Planning Authority

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A Year of Firsts for the Planning Authority WITHOUT PAUSE, MALTA’S PLANNING AUTHORITY (PA) HAS CONTINUED DELIVERING ON ITS CORE FUNCTIONS AND BOOSTING ITS CAPACITY IN 2020. FOR EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN MARTIN SALIBA, THE PAST YEAR HAS PROVEN THAT THE PA HAS THE RIGHT PEOPLE, STRATEGIES AND TECH INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE TO EFFECTIVELY ADAPT AND SUCCEED.

M Martin Saliba

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alta is not the same country it was in 2019.

With new faces in Government, an almost year-old pandemic, a changing economy and a population whose lives and livelihoods have been transformed, 2020 has been a year of surprises. Throughout it all, Malta’s experience has underscored just how crucial effective planning is to a nation’s resilience and continuity.

Martin Saliba knows this all too well, for the end of 2020 marks his first anniversary as PA Executive

Chairperson. “It’s been a year of striking the right balance,” he begins. “I wear many hats as Chairperson. I oversee the PA’s processes and services, as well as our core function of processing development applications, enforcement, land surveying and mapping. I also preside over the Executive Council, where decisions are taken about specific applications and policies to ensure that the PA’s plans follow the Government’s national objectives.”

The role demands a significant investment of time and dedication,

and more so after the rattling shock that has been COVID-19.

“The Government took quick-yeteffective decisions, and we followed suit,” continues Mr Saliba. “Effective planning is an economic motor, so there’s been pressure on us not to stop, despite uncertainty about how the PA and our planning boards would work given the pandemic.

Fortunately, much of our work is paperless and the PA already had a robust IT infrastructure in place. We were able to reshuffle our operations to a working-fromhome structure within days.

“Making virtua l planning board sessions legally sound, however, was a major challenge. We often look to other countries for guidance in terms of systems and processes. In this case, there was no precedent, so we led the way in creating a new legal framework and innovative operational system.

Within a fortnight, the relevant legislation was passed, which was weeks before the UK made its own legal changes to hold planning committees online.”

While the learning curve has been steep, the PA has received immense positive feedback about its online public hearings, especially from architects. Pre-pandemic, architects would spend many working hours driving to the PA and waiting until their case was brought to the discussion table. This ‘wasted time’ has since been transformed into hours of productivity. Architects, same as any member of the public, can at a click of a button connect to the planning board’s meeting from their desk and then continue working until their case is called.

“We’ve witnessed a marked shift in mentality about how work can be conducted,” asserts Mr Saliba.

“This ‘new normal’ is here to stay because workers will continue wanting the flexibility of being able to work from home, and placing trust in our employees to do so has benefitted team morale and work has continued at the same pace. That said, we do miss

our face-to-face encounters.”

In many ways, though, online meetings have enabled the PA to deliver on demands for quick decisions. The economic slowdown and increased uncertainty about the future have motivated people to get all their ducks in a row on projects that can kickstart as soon as the pandemic is over. “People with projects in mind don’t want to lose any more time; they want to be ready for when tourists return and investments can be fulfilled,” shares the Chairperson.

“The result has been pressure on the PA to speed up its processes so that developers can start 2021 with an approved application in hand. But then, this has always been the day-to-day challenge at the PA: balancing development

We’ve witnessed a marked shift in mentality about how work can be conducted demands with the PA’s policies that support the direction towards sustainable growth being followed by the Government.”

Reflecting on his first year as Chairperson, Mr Saliba says that small daily wins always fill him with enthusiasm. “Any time we make a firm, impactful decision is a proud moment,” he smiles. “This year, we managed to close some long-discussed plans, including the fuel station policy and the revision of the rural policy. We also made headway towards some major plans, including the site of the former Jerma Palace Hotel and the Marsa Sports Hub. These will lead to comprehensive projects that make sense economically because they are locations where investment can be made.

“In Malta, we see too much

piecemeal development that negatively impacts the island.

The PA therefore tries to guide developers towards locations that could benefit from the positive economic and social impacts that comprehensive development could bring. With Jerma, for example, the venture could transform Marsascala into a destination once again – just like we saw with the waterfronts in Birgu and Valletta.”

Mr Saliba is prepared for his second year and eager to see the PA’s review of its Strategic Plan for the Environment and Development (SPED) gain momentum. “The SPED is our blueprint for urban growth and environmental protection in Malta, and this will be its first full review. We’ll be conducting studies on our islands’ urban capacity, society, environment and economy to understand what level of development we’ve reached as a country and where we can go from here. The question is, what is our spatial capacity for growth?” he probes.

“Malta’s overwhelming construction boom has resulted from a large demand for property.

This was triggered by the Government’s economic model and resultant population growth, and therefore a need for more space to live, work and play.

We’ve seen industrial, residential, commercial and touristic development, and of course the Government’s own infrastructural plans have created an atmosphere of ongoing construction. The impact on the environment is evident and has attracted somewhat justified criticism.

We also now fall under the Ministry for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning, and Minister Aaron Farrugia is keen to introduce more greening in development. So next year we’ll witness a concerted push towards green infrastructure, which is something we can all get excited about,” the Chairperson concludes.

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Malta’s Top Architectural Firms and Interior Designers named in 2020 THE MOST EXEMPLARY NEW CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURAL AND INTERIOR DESIGN PROJECTS IN MALTA WERE RECOGNISED AT A REMARKABLE ‘VIRTUAL’ MASP AWARD CEREMONY ORGANISED BY THE PLANNING AUTHORITY.

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he winners of this year’s 2020 MASP awards included some wellknown architectural firms as well as younger Periti and interior designers who are slowly making a name for themselves within the industry.

The Rehabilitation and Conservation Award was won

by Camilleri Paris Mode Design Studio for their work on Villa La Fiorentina in Attard. Here, the architectural firm transformed a dilapidated building to become a 21st century home. The jury noted that the restoration of the local limestone was sensitively carried out, retaining the original patina, while the building’s salient historical features were also conserved and integrated. Welldesigned extensions were made, in keeping with the character of this historic house. Overall, the

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design successfully showcases the inspired use of materials and colour that complete the transformation. Each space, both internally and externally, has

been sensitively detailed with the overall scheme in mind, leading to a holistic and coherent design.

The Catholic Teaching Centre in Nadur by Edward

CAMILLERI PARIS MODE DESIGN AND PROJECTS STUDIO Villa La Fiorentina, Attard

Scerri Architect Studio, Candle House by architectural firm MODEL and Admiralty House in Valletta by the Restoration Directorate received a special commendation in this category.

Casa Bottega in Valletta by Chris Briffa Architects was the winner of the Urban Design Award.

The jury found this project to be an excellent case-study on how contemporary vertical extensions can be successfully integrated within the historic urban fabric of Valletta. The original façade of the building has been retained and restored to maintain the cohesiveness of the streetscape, while additional floors were added at roof level. The extension features a prefabricated textured concrete screen interpreted in a simple style that echoes the austere architecture of several buildings in the vicinity.

Lighting, soft landscaping and colour all contribute to the highlevel execution, implementation and delivery of the project within its historic urban context.

The Public Open Spaces Award was won by Martin Xuereb & Associates for the Piazzetta in Sliema. The jury praised the way space allows for a sense of calm and tranquillity in a hectic area along the Sliema seafront, elevated from the hustle and bustle of the promenade. Seating is successfully incorporated into

MARTIN XUEREB & ASSOCIATES Piazzetta, Sliema

CHRIS BRIFFA ARCHITECTS Casa Bottega, Valletta

the scheme, which includes access from the lower levels through an elevator on one side and step-free access on the other.

The Pjazzetta l-Għammiedi in Xewkija by Perit Mariella Xuereb was given a special commendation within this category.

Architectural firm DeMicoli & Associates is the winner of the Commercial and Public Buildings Award for the Tipico Building in St. Julians. This iconic building adjacent to Portomaso Tower maximises the site of a formerly low-lying building and rises to thirteen storeys above the street level of the complex. The jury noted that this project managed to overcome several challenges

concerning the foundations and the construction of the building by providing a development which alludes to its context by using materials that can be found in the neighbouring tower but in a form that stands out on its merit.

Openworkstudio received a special commendation for the Simonds Farsons Cisk Chapel and Canteen project.

The Interior Architecture Award for Residential Projects was won by interior design firm Atmosphere Design for its makeover of a residential villa in Kappara. The jury found this project to be very well balanced overall, both in terms of its interior design as well as in the creation of a homely space, as befits a residence. There is clarity of concept resulting in a consistent design throughout the residence with the use of a varied but cohesive material palette which adds colour and texture to the scheme. A winning element of the design is that it gives priority to natural light permeating within each room of the building, accentuating the attractiveness of each space within the home.

Forward Architects and Archi+ received a special commendation for a Tigne Duplex Penthouse in Sliema and Concrete House in Madliena respectively.

In a tightly contested category, Studjurban won the Interior Architecture Award for Commercial

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ATMOSPHERE DESIGN Kappara Villa Makeover, Kappara

DEMICOLI & ASSOCIATES Tipico Building, St. Julians

STUDJURBAN Community and Nature, Child Care Centre, Mosta

3DM ARCHITECTURE and Perit Elena Borg Costanzi The King George & Berta, Għargħur

& Public Buildings. This interior design project sets the standard for childcare centres, in terms of both the overall concept and the attention to detail. It is exemplary in its child-friendliness and incorporates both aesthetic and functional elements successfully, such as a bespoke timber partition and rounded edges to the floors.

The project exhibits a particularly dynamic and playful use of a wide spectrum of colours which appeal to children’s sense of curiosity.

Special commendations in this category were given to architectural firms Archi+ and MJMDA for 230 works in Mosta and MAPFRE MSVLife Offices Interiors in Floriana respectively and interior design firm Aha Objects for the interactive retail store ‘Souvenirs That Don’t Suck’ & Té fit-Tazza in Valletta.

University Student Ms Daniela Spiteri Binett who is reading a Masters Degree at the Faculty of the Built Environment was the winner of the Urban Planning Concept Award. This award was given for her concept project ‘A village amidst the landscape’ which comprises a vision to

reconnect the settlement of Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq with the sea and promotes the use of collaborative design. It is an example of how to spatially integrate outlying urban settlements through underground links and showcases how civil engineering can have a positive social impact by promoting better links and a healthier lifestyle.

GHRC and Studjurban received a special commendation for the Integrated Transport Strategy

for Valletta and the Gzira Gardens Marina respectively.

The Hospitality, Tourism Accommodation & Leisure Award was given to 3DM Architecture and Perit Elena Borg Costanzi for The King George and Berta Hotel in Gharghur. The jury considered this project to be an excellent example of how the hospitality industry can sensitively permeate the traditional towns and villages of the Maltese Islands. It retains elements of

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MED DESIGN Gozo Innovation Hub, Xewikja

DANIELA SPITERI BINETT A village amidst the landscape, Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq

the vernacular character of the building and achieves a human sense of scale. The historic fabric is indeed respected and enhanced through the design of the hotel, which is of high quality as well as being cohesive in its use of natural materials throughout the scheme.

Special Commendations in this category were given to architectural firms EM Architects, QP and Mizzi Studios for BeefBar in St.Paul’s Bay, the Athenaeum Spa in Attard and Barbajean in Dingli respectively.

MED Design is the winner of the Sustainability Award for the Gozo Innovation Hub in Xewkija, Gozo. The new building features a louvre system that is solaroriented to avoid excessive heat gain. Also, the external areas have been landscaped using indigenous trees, requiring less irrigation, and mature trees on site were also retained. The retention of the original concrete structure is a good example of retaining a scarce and non-renewable natural resource — aggregate.

The historic part of the project celebrates the work of renowned local architect Joseph Huntingford and gives a clear message that

adaptive reuse of modernist buildings is important both in the cultural heritage sector as well as in the sustainability sector.

Infrastructure Malta and Doric Studio received a special commendation for their projects ‘Connecting Communities through Elevated Crossings in Urban Settings’ and Green Wall in Marsa respectively.

The Emerging Architect Award was given to Perit Maurizio Ascione.

The President’s Award for

Perit Joseph M. Spiteri.

outstanding achievement for services related to Architecture and Spatial Planning was given posthumously to Perit Joseph M. Spiteri. His son Dr Stephen Spiteri received the award on behalf of his late father.

Perit Spiteri is well known for the design of the Santa Luċija government housing estate which for its time was an innovative housing planning model, various government schools and the President John F. Kennedy memorial. He was instrumental in the formation of several generations of architects. He is representative of a generation of architects of the like of Joseph Huntingford, Joseph Borg Grech, Joseph Consiglio and John Gambina who made a major contribution to the evolution of Maltese modern architecture.

This year, the jury was composed of Planning Board Chairperson Perit Vincent Cassar, Milan based Architect Antonio Borghi, Dr Sandro Debono Culture Consultant at the Office of the President, Mr Anthony Ellul an Urban Planner and Secretary of the Chamber of Planners, Architect Dr Wendy Jo Mifsud Lecturer at the University of Malta specialising in Spatial Planning, Perit Professor Conrad Thake a local architect and wellknown historian, Architect Sumita Shinga a lecturer at the University of Westminster, London and who has served on several RIBA committees for the last 25 years and Mr Ian Pritchard CEO of the Architects Council of Europe.

The jury was assisted by a number of experts for the different categories, namely Mr Joseph Magro Conti, Mr Martin Camilleri, Dr Natalie Kenely, Mr Frank Salt, Mr Austin Camilleri, Dr Paul Gauci, Mr Josef Formosa Gauci, Dr Charles Yousif and Perit Joseph Ellul Vincenti in categorical order.

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PA TO FUND 6 NEW URBAN COMMUNITY PROJECTS IN MOSTA SINCE JANUARY 2017, THE PLANNING AUTHORITY HAS INVESTED IN MALTA’S QUALITY OF LIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH ITS PLANNING DEVELOPMENT FUND. THE FUND PROMOTES PROJECTS THAT EMBELLISH URBAN AREAS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE WIDER RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY.

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ver the past few weeks, the Planning Authority signed an agreement with the Mosta local council to fund six urban improvement projects within their locality.

The Authority has agreed to fund six projects – four of which cover the embellishment and paving of narrow roads in various areas of the locality, namely Triq Charles J Vassallo, Sqaq Xorxa, Triq Dun Mikiel Xerri, and Triq San Anton Abbati Sqaq Nru 3. The two other projects include the creation of a new outdoor gym in the Zokrija area adjacent to the Mosta Secondary School and the replacement of existing street lamps to ones that are more energy-efficient.

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The Chairperson of the DPF committee, Perit Vincent Cassar said that “the scope of the DPF is to ensure that ambitious community projects both small and large do not get delayed but are carried out to enhance the quality of life within our towns and villages. These projects, as is the case with many other similar projects we fund, enable the local council of the area to improve the tourism product within their locality. We are working side by side with all local councils to ensure that they can make a difference within their locality.”

Over the past months, within the village core of Mosta, the Authority also funded the restoration of four street shrines which had shown clear signs of deterioration.

Their restoration which was

fully funded by the DPF costed €15,000. The shrines, ‘Vergine del Monte Carmelo’, ‘St Joseph with child’, ‘The Holy Family’, and St Francis lie within the Mosta Heritage Trail. This trail is being created to guide tourists around the attractions of the village.

The Planning Development Fund receives financing from a few different sources, with onstreet parking fees being the most significant among them. Planning gains too, make up a portion of the fund, whereby, a developer of a sizeable new development is asked to make a financial contribution for the inconvenience caused in the locality where their development occurs. The submitted funds have primarily been used on a locality’s community projects aimed at mitigating the negative effects of urban development. The contribution, therefore, is kept within the locality to be used on projects that improve its community facilities and green areas.

Since its inception in January 2017, the Authority has signed 129 contracts with local councils and NGOs which cover a total of more than €12.7 million.

P L A N N I N G AU T H O R I T Y

NEWS PA GRANTED MORE EDUCATIONAL TOOLS FOR PA EMPLOYEES

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he Planning Authority (PA) has been awarded the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Accreditation valid for the Erasmus+ Programme 2021-2027. The Authority has been participating in job shadowing projects for a number of years through the Lifelong Learning

PA’S CULTURAL HERITAGE PROJECT AWARD FOR ITS ‘GOOD PRACTICE

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he PA’s project related to the Conservation and Restoration of Traditional Closed Timber Balconies was selected and included with another 29 projects in an EU catalogue promoting good practices of Cultural Heritage. 30 projects were selected out of 121 entries.

The EU project aims to empower cities and regions to strengthen their cultural heritage policies and initiatives and to develop innovative solutions to preserve cultural heritage asset. As a follow-up to this publication, the Authority organised an online technical dissemination workshop on EU solutions to preserve our cultural heritage assets. This workshop was attended to by over 75 participants.

Programme and more recently, the ERASMUS+ Programme, offering a total of forty-eight (48) transnational mobility placements across Europe in the United Kingdom, Denmark, France, Northern Ireland, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands.

PA PARTICIPATES IN SACES ARCHITECTURAL DEBATE

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he Planning Authority participated in the annual architectural debate which is organised by SACES, the architecture student body at University. Housed at the Mdina Cathedral Museum, under the theme name ‘The Economy vs The Environment: A Trade-Off or Prerequisites for each other?’ the discussion revolved around how our country can make use of the high amount of expenditure dedicated to building, and turn this into something fruitful.

The panelists for the debate included Prof. Alex Torpiano Dean within the Faculty of the Built Environment, Dr Konrad Xuereb — Founding Director Concept X, Mr Joseph Gauci — Assistant Director at the PA, Dr Samuel Azzopardi — President of the Gozo Regional Council and Mr Steve Zammit Lupi — Żebbuġ Local Council To view the debate visit www.facebook. com/sacesonline/ videos/521315625928506

Xlendi

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GREEN

YOUR BUILDING THE PLANNING AUTHORITY, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MINISTRY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE AND PLANNING, ROLLED OUT A NEW GREEN INITIATIVE GRANT SCHEME TO TURN GREY BUILT-UP RESIDENTIAL AREAS INTO HEALTHIER GREEN PLACES TO LIVE IN.

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tudies show that Green Infrastructure can substantially mitigate the adverse impacts that urbanisation and densely populated areas have on the environment, resulting in better air quality, water management and biodiversity protection.

Having greener streetscapes supports mental health and encourages people to walk more.

“At the heart of Green Infrastructure is the principle of co-existence, where we start to coexist with the natural environment instead of developing a conflict with it,” says Martin Saliba, chairperson of the PA’s executive council.

“This scheme is serving as a catalyst to promote and support the introduction of GI in our urban areas. We know that by encouraging and supporting private property owners to introduce green facades, walls and the green retrofitting of front gardens we are directly and positively addressing climate change, public health, biodiversity and community cohesion.”

What does the scheme cover?

With an allocated budget of €2 million, the scheme will finance the introduction of green facades, walls and the green retrofitting of front gardens carried out by private property owners living in residential areas. The scheme promises to refund 100% of the eligible works including all costs associated with labour works, material, hire of equipment, a five-year maintenance plan and professional and consultancy fees.

The overall funding will be capped up to a maximum of €10,000 per property.

The reimbursement of costs will occur over five years, with 60% on completion of works and the remaining after the first, third and fifth year after completion.

Who is eligible?

The scheme is aimed at private residences which have a front garden or apartment blocks including penthouses that have their balconies overlooking a public street or space. Shops and offices with existing front gardens within these areas may benefit from the scheme.

Residences which fall within the development zone but are scheduled or within Urban Conservation Areas or villa/ bungalow sites within Residential Priority Areas are not eligible.

What works are covered?

The scheme applies to the creation of green walls or facades and the retrofitting of existing front gardens.

A green wall is a wall covered with plants that are growing in modular containers or on special material attached to the wall.

For the introduction of a green wall — including panels, plants and irrigation system within the front garden, including hardware, timers, fertigation etc — there is a capping of €500/m2.

When it comes to green facades, created by cultivating climbing plants up and across a facade of a building from plants grown in garden beds at its base, this will be capped at €250/m2 for the groundwork and €35/m2 for the provision of a trellis.

Green retrofitting reduces the area of hard landscaping and increases the area of soil space

and planting. The retrofitting of front gardens will be capped at €500/m2. If the front garden is located above a basement, the capping will increase to €600/m2.

When does it close?

This scheme will be open until Friday 7th May 2021 and is available on a first-come-first-served basis. To facilitate the processing of the submissions, requests for funding are to be made by Periti through the Authority’s online e-Application system.

The Authority has also published a guidance document to assist interested parties on issues related to what considerations to keep in mind before deciding which green infrastructure to introduce, what choice of living plants can be used and their upkeeping.

The funds for this scheme are being made available by the Authority from the fees it generates from the regularisation process application. The regularisation process application provides property owners with the opportunity to regularise existing non-conformant developments located entirely within the development boundaries.

For more information about the Green Your Building grant scheme call 2290 1544 or email greenyourbuilding@pa.org. mt. Terms and conditions may be downloaded from the PA’s website www.pa.org.mt.

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Improving Outdoor Recreation THE TIME HAS COME TO REVAMP MALTA’S CAMPING, CARAVANNING AND PICNICKING LAND-USE POLICIES, AS THERE IS A GROWING DEMAND FOR MORE RECREATIONAL SPACES. THROUGH THE PUBLICATION OF A DISCUSSION PAPER, THE PLANNING AUTHORITY HAS INITIATED THE PROCESS FOR A WAY FORWARD FOR THE USE AND MANAGEMENT OF RECREATIONAL RURAL SITES.

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very Maltese resident has their preferred outdoor pastime and activity which they carry out in their favourite spot – a picnic with a view, a valley walk or camping and caravanning under the stars.

As varied as the choices may be, Malta’s countryside often features prominently. It is a place for people to escape urban life, where eyes can stretch to the horizon and absorb the beautiful vivid colours of the

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Mediterranean.

Being confined indoors during the pandemic has amplified the appreciation for the country’s rural side – natural land that is to be enjoyed, but also protected.

To do so, the Authority has released its “Camping, Caravanning and Picnicking Sites on the Maltese Islands” discussion paper to inform the public of Malta’s existing policy framework within the Local Plans related to recreational land use.

The document also raises issues to consider in the designation and implementation of rural sites for recreational use. One main issue remains that land in Malta is limited, implying that recreational land uses predominantly need to be planned for in a sustainable and shared manner. Calling on Malta’s Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED), the Authority outlines its vision to create a rural environment where urban dwellers

can reconnect with nature and find respite away from the hubbub of town life.

People’s right to enjoy Malta’s open, natural and undeveloped spaces is already supported in the SPED, which also protects Malta’s agriculture, environment and cultural heritage. The framework adopts a sustainability approach that tries to limit development within the island’s established rural areas to prevent sprawl and conflict with other rural activities.

By the same token, though, if not planned well, the recreational use of land may also lead to incompatible activities, particularly if, land is allocated on an ad hoc rather than planned basis.

Using the discussion paper, the Authority has set out the process for a way forward for the better use and management of rural sites for three types of recreation: camping, caravanning and picnicking.

While these activities are often grouped, their characteristics and implications on land use vary, so the discussion paper defines each one clearly.

Caravanning is an outdoor recreational, short-term activity using a structure, such as a campervan, designed for temporary human habitation and can be moved from one place to another.

Similarly, camping refers to overnight stays away from home in a tent, typically in the countryside.

And lastly, picnicking is a daytime excursion for people to enjoy a meal

in the open countryside air normally with family and friends.

These activities demand specific land use considerations. Caravans and camps take up substantial space and may impact the surrounding environment, particularly fauna and flora, if carried out in an unmanaged manner. They may also lead to visual intrusion, unwarranted waste and noise and other pollution if void of a management system. This is why it is better to have allocated and managed sites rather than uncontrolled roaming and stopping.

Designated areas can be better managed, monitored and improved, all of which would be difficult to do with a free-for-all approach.

The result would undoubtedly be an increasingly more enjoyable recreational experience for the user.

To date, a number of recreational sites have been earmarked in Malta’s Local Plans. For instance,

the Gozo and Comino Plan contain a campsite in Comino; the Central Malta Local Plan includes camping and caravan sites at Għallis and Baħar ic-Cagħaq; and, the North West Local Plan covers some 11 picnic areas.

While the government is aiming to make more open recreational spaces available for families, through the implementation of the sites approved in the Local Plans, the SPED highlights that the protection of open space for public recreation is crucial. These spots, particularly those on public land, are earmarked for temporary use only, to safeguard the option for future alternative uses, and the retention of the distinct open characteristics of the natural landscape. Camping, caravanning and picnicking should not occur within environmentally sensitive areas unless management plans are followed that identify specific sites where such land use may be considered without risks to the important environmental assets of the Island.

Besides detailing Malta’s current recreational land use framework and policies, the discussion paper also raises a lot of food for thought including the need to start thinking afresh on our cultural habit even where recreation is concerned and finding more sustainable ways for rest and recreation closer to the localities themselves.

The “Camping, Caravanning and Picknicking Sites on the Maltese Islands” discussion paper is available at www.pa.org.mt/ consultation.

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PRESERVING OUR HERITAGE IS NOT

EXPENSIVE

it’s

riceless

CONSERVE:

the art, tradition and culture of our closed timber balcony SAFEGUARD:

the skills, craftsmanship and methods of construction RESTORE:

the authentic design, material and finish