SHAPES - July - Sept 2019

A PLANNING AUTHORITY PUBLICATION

Napprezzaw il-wirt kulturali ta' pajjizna

NAPPREZZAW IL-WIRT KULTURALI TA' PAJJIŻNA Il-Wirt Kulturali jinkludi wkoll binjiet li jagħmlu parti millistorja u kultura ta' pajjiżna.

Minn żmien għal żmien l-Awtorita’ tal-Ippjanar tuża lgħodda tal-iskedar biex tipproteġi u tħares diversi binjiet li għandhom valur arkitettoniku, arkeoloġiku jew ta' inġinerija. F'Malta hawn ‘il fuq minn 3000 propjetà li huma protetti permezz taliskedar.

Minn fuq is-sit www.pa.org.mt tista’ tara dawn il-propjetajiet kollha.

PLANNING AUTHORITY

Fl-2009, il-Funtana ta' De Vilhena l-Furjana, jew kif inhi magħrufa lFuntana tal-Iljun, ġiet skedata mill-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar bħala monument Grad 1. F'Malta u f'Għawdex hawn 24 funtani li ġew protetti għall-arkitettura tagħhom.

A PLANNING AUTHORITY PUBLICATION JULY-SEPTEMBER 2019

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FOREWORD Malta’s newly protected buildings

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Architecture Alive — ‘Big names’ in architecture to share their experience

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Disrupting reality — Creating a legacy for visualisation

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Architects that left their (land)mark on Malta

Walking tour around one of Malta’s oldest cities

‘UNSUNG’ Architectural Icons

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n a country, the size of Malta, open spaces are of utmost importance. While economic growth is essential for any country, it must happen in parallel with a progressive quality of life for its citizens. Successful public open spaces are one of the catalysts for this. Government too has acknowledged this. In fact, in the 2019 budget, one of the measures was the introduction of what was termed as ‘the Urban gardens project’. A project aimed at converting public spaces into green areas.

The PA too recognises that Malta needs, not only more public open spaces but, more importantly, quality open spaces. Throughout the past years, the Authority has worked towards this goal through different policies and initiatives.

From a planning policy aspect, the 2014 tall buildings policy introduced the principle that planning permission for a ‘tall building’ will only be considered if a minimum of 50 % of the site area is retained as an open space, amongst other requirements.

When it comes to brick and mortar, in January 2017, the Authority introduced the development planning fund. This fund provides amongst other possibilities, local councils, NGOs and other organisations with 75% of the necessary funds to either develop a new garden or improves the accessibility, facilities and landscaping of existing ones. In recent months, the Authority funded numerous projects associated with public open spaces.

Last April, the Authority cleared from a 50,000m2 site in Ta’ Qali tons of illegally dumped construction material and an abandoned factory, which now the Government has committed to give back to the public for recreational purposes as part of a much bigger project, namely, the establishment of the Malta National Park.

We promise that similar initiatives will continue in the months to come.

Johann Buttigieg Executive Chairperson of the Planning Authority

MASP Conference 2019 to focus on Innovation

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Lija

Malta’s newly protected buildings A NUMBER OF BUILDINGS CONSIDERED TO HAVE SPECIAL HERITAGE FEATURES HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED BY THE PLANNING AUTHORITY AS GRADE 1 OR 2 PROPERTIES. PHOTOS BY CHRIS SANT FOURNIER.

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he architectural and historical significance that these ten buildings carry vary in both their historical period as well as location. In consultation with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, the Authority gave special protection status to ensure that the architectural and historical value of these properties is retained and celebrated.

In the capital Valletta, the Authority gave the highest

protection status to the private residence of Dr Enrico Mizzi which is located in Triq San Ġwann. The residence is a typical 17th century Valletta townhouse and was lived in by Rev Fortunato Mizzi up until 2002. The building which is being converted into a house museum still contains the original furniture and archives. Dr Enrico Mizzi, better known as Nerik Mizzi, after the 1950 elections, was asked to form a minority government and in September 1950, he became Prime Minister,

Bormla

only to die three months later at his residence in Valletta.

In Qrendi, the Authority protected a property in Triq il-Kbira which is a typical 18th century single-storey palazzo having a main central entrance overlain by an open stone balcony. Internally, the property has a lavishly decorated entrance hall with frescoes and ornately sculpted garden door.

The central garden includes a number of structures generally datable to the modern period.

In Triq San Pawl, Bormla, a three-storey townhouse characterised by an exceptionally decorated Baroque doublefront was scheduled as a Grade

Balzan

2 property. In Birgu, two other residences have also been scheduled — the original Bishop’s palace and an imposing austere Baroque three-storey palazzo, possibly dating to the 16th century in Triq Hilda Tabone.

The Bishop’s palace which dates back to 1542, retains late medieval and mannerist architectural features and is similar to the architecture adopted by the knights when constructing their Auberges in Birgu. The building acted also as the Inquisitor’s palace and remained the official seat of the bishop up to the mid-17th century, playing an important role in the political development of the island during

The building acted also as the Inquisitor’s palace and remained the official seat of the bishop up to the mid-17th century

the rule of the Order of St.John.

An 18th century corner townhouse in Balzan was also given protection status. The property, in Triq il-Providenza corner with Triq it-Tliet Knejjes, is characterised by two high storeys having a very rare high baroque/ rococo ornate open stone corner balcony supported on seven finely sculpted scrolled triple corbels. The building was the residence of the Spanish knight Fra Giacomo Rodrigues, who is buried in St John’s Co-Cathedral.

In Triq d’Argens, Gżira, a double front dwelling built in the interwar period by architect Prof Joseph Colombo, as his private residence, was given Grade 2 protection status. The elevation of this building is exceptional in the way that the traditional townhouse is reinterpreted in a modernist style making use of strong geometric motifs. The townhouse was shortlisted for the first architectural awards held in 1936.

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Valletta

Birgu

In Lija and Naxxar, two other residential properties were declared scheduled at Grade 2 level. The one in Lija is a late 19thearly 20th-century villa while that of Naxxar is a rural building on the outskirts of the village. The villa, in Triq Annibale Preca, is constructed in an eclectic romantic style with Gothic revival elements. The villa is enclosed by a high garden wall furnished with crenelations and turrets. The main building and gardens have been divided up to form three separate residences.

The only non-residential building to be included in this list of new scheduled buildings is the Old Parish Church of Manikata, dedicated to St. Joseph. This church was constructed in 1920 in a purely traditional style.

Over the past years, the Planning Authority through the Irrestawra Darek scheme has provided generous financial incentives to assist property owners of Grade 1 & 2 residential scheduled buildings to upkeep their property’s unique architecture and heritage value.

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In Lija and Naxxar, two other residential properties were declared scheduled at Grade 2 level.

GĹźira

Architecture Alive

‘BIG NAMES’ IN ARCHITECTURE TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE

AWARD-WINNING ARCHITECT ALISON BROOKS AND ITALIAN ARCHITECT CLAUDIO SILVESTRIN ARE JUST TWO OF THE BIG-NAMES WHO WILL KICK OFF THE 2ND EDITION OF THE POPULAR ARCHITECTURE ALIVE AS OF THIS OCTOBER.

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rchitecture Alive is a stimulating project hosted by local architectural and urban design firm studjurban and the Planning Authority, through which world-renowned architects are invited to present and discuss their projects, highlighting their achievements and challenges and recounting personal narratives, using the projects as a visual basis.

The 2019/2020 season will start with award-winning architect Alison Brooks, Principal and Creative Director of Alison Brooks Architects and one of the leading architects of her generation. Alison Brooks will take to the stage on Saturday 19th October 2019 at the Malta National Community Art Museum (MUZA) in Valletta. Her firm has won numerous international awards

and has developed a reputation for delivering design excellence and innovation in projects ranging from urban regeneration, master planning, public buildings for the arts, higher education and housing.

In November, at the Italian Cultural Institute, in Valletta Italian architect and designer Claudio Silvestrin will be the second guest speaker to share his experiences.

Architect Silvestrin studied under the famous A.G. Fronzoni in Milan and at the Architectural Association in London. His interest in philosophy, his vision, his integrity, clarity of mind, inventiveness and concern for details are reflected in his distinctive architecture: austere but not extreme, contemporary yet timeless, calming but not ascetic, strong but not intimidating, elegant but not ostentatious, simple but not soulless.

The Architecture Alive series will continue in 2020 with a further 3 talks between January and May. The public can book their tickets from ticketline.com.mt .

For more information visit www.architecture-alive.com

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CREATING A LEGACY FOR VISUALISATION

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imes have changed.

Radically and rapidly. A decade or so ago, one had to physically visit, rely on photography, or read some descriptive literature, to get to know about a place other than that in which one resides. In today’s digital world, the availability of advanced technology has made it possible for us to get to know and experience other places outside our immediate world.

Most of us are familiar with the Google maps app. The app allows us to view most locations around the world through a 2D, 3D or interactive street map.

Closer to home, the Planning Authority and the University

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of Malta, together with a wide stakeholder involvement have embarked on a more ambitious and ground breaking project. The project is revolutionising data as we know it. Nicknamed SIntegraM, this EU project, financed by the European Regional Development Fund is enabling us to transform the way we ‘experience’ Malta.

Not only are we moving from 2D into Virtual Reality (VR) but we are taking it even further. New techonological advancements have been developed for us to introduce Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR).

With AR, we will bring elements of the virtual world, into our real world. Therefore, we will be

better positioned to enhance the things we see, hear, and feel.

This technology finds the middle ground between our real world and the virtual world. Through MR, we will be better placed to blend the physical world with the digital world, whereby we can start to visualize potential scenarios. All and much more is possible. Through SIntegraM, we have sought the past, understood the present and are projecting for the future.

Today, we are better placed to take a snapshot of our environment, travel within it and review the likely impact if a change is put into effect. We can better understand and visualise the threat of rising sea levels, the impact of major

development projects, the potential of underwater exploration, the better appreciation of our cultural heritage treasures and much more.

Over the past years, we have garnered experience and insight in data capturing and its conversion to information. Now, we are showing foresight and moving ahead with a project which will have a long lasting effect. This platform is empowering society to be more knowledgable, leading to a better understanding of the natural, physical and social environments that encompass us.

But how is this achieved: what is behind these deliverables? This is where technology comes in...

The SIntegraM project is a veritable integration of technology, processes and visuals which provide tools to policy makers, experts and the public alike to better understand the world around them. Through the project, large datasets are being gathered in order to understand the structure of buildings, fortifications, roads, reservoirs, tunnels, cliffs, the coast and a plethora of structures that make up our environmental and urban realities.

Today, we are better placed to take a snapshot of our environment, travel within it and review the likely impact if a change is put into effect.

At this stage, the Planning Authority (PA) as lead partner and the University of Malta as project consultants, are engaged in integrating different types of scanning technologies that capture data from the air, on the ground, underground and underwater.

The technologies are the most advanced in Europe and will enable Malta to have the capacity to carry out its own data capture rather than depending on other external entities. This will bring Malta at the forefront of data capture and analysis and will lead to better policy making and decision taking, on an ongoing basis.

The terrestrial (land-based) scanner employs high-end technology which is set in a special vehicle that captures a cloud of points and colour to deliver a 3D model of building facades, building

street furniture, road health, rubble walls, trees and any item that requires study and assessment. The technology will be available through a series of web-services, through the PA’s website and www.cloudisle.org The public will also be able to view the data and appreciate the national jewels, identify areas that require intervention and become owners of this national information.

Such can also be used for heritage and tourism, virtual experiences, gaming and futuristic studies that will allow citizens to interact in virtual worlds and be part of this evolution for a better society.

We are capturing reality, converting it into a digital world of simulations where the public can be informed and take action. This places the power of information in the citizens’s domain.

This is SIntegraM.

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SHORT TV SERIES PART THREE

Architects that left their (land)mark on Malta LIKE SONGWRITERS, FEW PEOPLE KNOW WHO THE ‘AUTHORS’ OF SOME OF MALTA’S LANDMARK BUILDINGS ARE. TO CREATE AN AWARENESS ABOUT SOME OF MALTA’S MOST REPUTABLE ARCHITECTS, THE PLANNING AUTHORITY WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE HAS PRODUCED A SERIES OF SHORT FEATURES HIGHLIGHTING THEIR WORKS.

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he architectural styles we find across the Maltese Islands have been influenced by different epics that have evolved and spread throughout mainland Europe and the Mediterranean cultures over the centuries.

Although Malta is a small Island, across the country we find a variety of architectural brands

largely dependent on which city, town or village a building is situated in. While most of Malta’s impressive architecture is Baroque, we find many outstanding architecture built in Romanesque, Gothic, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Post Modern Styles.

Over the decades, some Maltese architects were bold and brave to design buildings with a style which

Edwin England Sant Fournier (1908–1969) Architect Edwin England Sant Fournier worked on several landmark buildings that went beyond the architectural styles that Malta was accustomed to. He designed several cinemas and theatres which were very popular fifty to sixty years ago. England designed the Pandora Theater in Żejtun as well as the Rialto Theatre in Cospicua. He was also responsible for the building of a convent and school run by the Sisters of Charity in Gudja. In the 1950s, Edwin was contracted to build one of the largest factories in Malta — Joinwell.

He died at the age of 61 years.

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was ‘uncommon’ in Malta at the time. Many of these buildings are today considered to be ‘landmark’ buildings. Through the production of short audiovisual features, the Authority has decided to celebrate the works of twenty-one Maltese architects, who today are deceased, yet whose memory is still very much alive in their buildings — buildings that have shaped us.

Joseph M. Spiteri (1934–2013) Joseph M. Spiteri graduated as an architect from the University of Malta in 1958, after which he continued his studies at the University of Newcastle in England. Spiteri’s most outstanding work included the design and development of the locality of Santa Luċija. He was also involved in the planning of other residential areas, such as San Ġwann and Mtarfa.

Joseph Spiteri worked also on several private residences including that of Emvin Cremona, where he merged his skills with that of the famous Maltese artist. He will also be remembered for the design of several public parks, such as Kennedy Grove and the Ta’ Qali National Park.

Vittorio Cassar (1550–1609) Glormu Cassar (1520–1592) Glormu Cassar is one of Malta’s most famous architects. Glormu lived in the 16th century during the first period of the Order of St John and started his career as an assistant to Francis Lapparelli, the Italian architect who would outline the plans of the new capital city, Valletta. Above all his other works Glormu Cassar will always be remembered for the majestic buildings which still dominate Valletta such as St John’s Co-Cathedral, the Presidential Palace in St George Square and the churches of St. Dominic, St. Augustine, St. Paul, and Ta’ Ġieżu. Other buildings include several mills, palaces and the city’s fortifications. Outside Valletta, Cassar planned other significant buildings, such as the Verdala Palace in Buskett Gardens.

Glormu Cassar is buried in the Church of Porto Salvo in Valletta.

Like his father Glormo, Vittorio too, became a member of the Order of St John in 1587 and also an engineer of the Order at the beginning of the 17th century. Vittorio remains best known for several military buildings found around Malta and Gozo. Among these are the Comino Tower, the Wignacourt Tower in St Paul’s Bay, the St Lucian Tower in Marsaxlokk and that of St Thomas in Marsascala.

Vittorio Cassar was also responsible for the planning of several churches, including the parish church in Senglea, St George’s in Qormi, St Philip’s in Żebbuġ, St Mary’s in Attard, St Mary’s in Birkirkara and the parish church in Naxxar.

Giuseppe Bonnici (1707–1779) Giuseppe Bonnici served as chief Architect at the time of the Knights of St John. He drew up the plans of several churches, palaces and other buildings. Amongst his most outstanding works, one finds the Santa Barbara Church, Customs Building, and the fountains in St George’s Square, all found in Valletta. He has also contributed to the building of St Publius Church in Floriana, for which Bonnici became most famous. The Church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception in Cospicua, the church of St. Bartholomew Tarxien, as well as the Basilica in Nadur are all attributed to this same Maltese architect.

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Lorenzo Gafa (1639–1703) Lorenzo Gafa was a Maltese architect and sculptor of the Baroque period. He is mostly renowned for the large number of baroque churches built around Malta.

These include the parish church of Siġġiewi, the church of St Lawrence in Vittoriosa and the church of St. Catherine in Żejtun.

Undoubtedly Gafa’s most treasured heritage is the rebuilding of the Mdina Cathedral, built after its predecessor was destroyed by the earthquake that hit Malta in 1693 and the majestic Bishop’s Palace opposite the Cathedral. He also planned secular buildings such as Villa Bighi in Kalkara and the General’s Palace of the Order in Vittoriosa.

Roger De Giorgio (1922–2016) Roger De Giorgio graduated as an architect from the University of Malta in 1946 following which he conducted his research in several countries abroad.

De Giorgio was responsible for the restoration of some of the historical buildings in Valletta. It was he who oversaw the restoration work of the St John’s Co-Cathedral, the St Francis Church and the Bishop’s Palace.

Some of De Giorgio’s most well-known designs include the Ibraġġ Parish church, and the building of Mater Admirabilis Training College in Tal-Virtù, Rabat, which today serves as the Archbishop’s Seminary. Roger De Giorgio died at the age of 93 years.

Carmelo Falzon (1916–1999) Influenced by modernist architecture, Carmelo Falzon remains best known for the construction of Mount St Joseph, limits of Tarġa Gap in Mosta which was built in the 60s by the Jesuits. It is still one of the most important examples of modernist architecture in Malta.

Other important buildings designed

by Falzon include Rediffusion House in Gwardamangia, which is now the premises of the national television station TVM, the St. Aloysius Sixth Form building in Birkirkara and the former offices of the Times of Malta in Valletta.

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Walking tour around one of Malta’s oldest cities THE PLANNING AUTHORITY’S POPULAR MONTHLY ARCHITECTURE AND HERITAGE PLANNING TOUR WILL THIS YEAR TAKE VISITORS TO THE SOUTH OF MALTA TO THE CITY OF ŻEJTUN.

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hen a Grandmaster decides to elevate a village and give it the title of a city using the surname of his very own mother it sure has to be an important place.

Ferdinand von Hompesch, the last Grandmaster to reign in Malta, gave the title of Città Beland to the locality of Żejtun in 1797.

The origins of Żejtun goes back to the Phoenician and Roman times. Originally Żejtun, known as Terra Santa Catarina, covered the south east part of the Island extending to the outskirts of the walls protecting Cottonera. Up until 1680, Żejtun primarily had two separate residential communities — one known as Bisqallin still referred to today as Ir-Raħal t’Isfel and Ħal Ġwann and Ħal Bisbut, known as Ir-Raħal ta’ Fuq. Development during the eighteenth century and the construction of the new parish church in between

the two communities formed the present centre and linked the two to form one community.

During the walking tour, participants will gain a holistic appreciation of the urban fabric of Żejtun which is primarily immersed in traditional winding roads.

Participants will be taken to see the aesthetical richness of several buildings of architectural and historic significance including the summer residences of Grand Master Perellos and Archbishop Cagliares, the Aedis Danielis Palace and other important landmarks within the city. The tour will also give participants a better appreciation of the various initiatives that the Planning Authority has rolled out over the years from which Żejtun and its residents benefitted.

Free transport will be provided and will leave from Floriana (in front of the Planning Authority Offices) at 09:00hrs. The tour will conclude by 12:30hrs.

To book a place for these tours call us on 2290 2021 or send an email on tours@pa.org.mt. These tours will be organised once a month and bookings will be taken on a first-come-first-served basis.

A €3 fee will be charged per person. The fee will this year be donated to Marigold Foundation.

DATES OF EDUCATIONAL VISITS ßß ßß ßß ßß ßß

20th October 2019 17th November 2019 1st December 2019 12th January 2020 23rd February 2020

ßß 15th March 2020 ßß 26th April 2020 ßß 24th May 2020

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‘UNSUNG’

Architectural Icons MALTA’S ARCHITECTURAL GEMS DATING FROM THE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES TOOK CENTRE-STAGE IN A TRAVELLING PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION BY THE PLANNING AUTHORITY.

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ver the past 40 days, Sliema, St Paul’s Bay and Marsaxlokk became temporary homes to a landmark exhibition that enchanted passersby through its subject matter. Entitled ‘Unsung’ Architectural Icons, this photographic roadshow exhibition brought together some of the most beautiful buildings constructed in Malta between the late 19th and the mid-20th centuries in a series of 30 photos that celebrate local, modernist architecture.

Among the gems that can be admired in the photos taken by members of the Malta Institute of Professional Photography, you are sure to spot the Art Deco-style showroom of Muscat Motors in Gżira, the Rialto Cinema

designed in an Art Moderne style by Maltese architect Edwin England Sant Fournier, and Santa Venera’s Vincenzo Bugeja Institute, which was designed in a French classical style by well-known architect Emmanuel Luigi Galizia.

The majority of these 30 buildings were designed and built in the modernist style that was introduced to the Islands in the late 1920s and which remained popular until the 1960s. This architectural and design philosophy dictated an analytical approach to the function of buildings, the strict and rational use of (often new) materials, structural innovation, and the elimination of ornamentation.

“The objective of this initiative was to raise awareness and appreciation among the

public for some of our country’s architectural treasures, which, at times, go unnoticed because they are not the typical palazzo or auberge with grand facades,” says the PA’s Executive Chairman, Johann Buttiġieġ.

This sentiment is shared by the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage, Joe Magro Conti, who adds: “This is an exhibition that gives tribute to the creativity of Maltese architects that fostered the classical principles of Roman writer Vitruvius about architecture and design: proportion, rhythm, symmetry, balance, composition, and harmony.”

This exhibition was part of the PA’s commitment to preserve Malta and Gozo’s architectural heritage, which, over the past three years, has also seen the Authority financially assist property owners of scheduled buildings through the Irrestawra Darek Scheme. The PA has been funding 70 per cent of restoration works on the façade, interiors and garden architecture of Grade I and II listed residential properties, up to a maximum of €100,000 and €50,000, respectively.

These funds have been made available from the fees the PA

generates from the regularisation process applications, which gives property owners a ‘one-time opportunity’ to regularise existing, non-conformant developments located entirely within the development boundaries.

‘Unsung’ Architectural Icons Roadshow, which was partially funded by the European Union, started off in Sliema at the start of summer, then moved to Qawra at the end of July. In August it was displayed in the Main Square of Marsaxlokk, and ended in the first week of September outside the Parliament Building in Valletta.

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Maxwell Hutchinson

MASP Conference 2019 to focus on innovation ‘REINVENTING PLACES THROUGH INNOVATION’ WILL BE THE THEME BEHIND THIS YEAR’S MALTA ARCHITECTURE AND SPATIAL PLANNING CONFERENCE WHICH IS TO BE HELD AT THE HILTON MALTA ON THURSDAY 7TH NOVEMBER 2019.

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n its 3rd edition, the conference aims to bring together foreign and local experts together with key public and private stakeholders in the Maltese economy to discuss and explore new ways on how Malta can address the challenges in land use development that are a result of the dynamic nature of architecture and spatial planning.

This year once again the line-up of guest speakers will be of the highest calibre and will include Maxwell Hutchinson, Architect, writer, TV & Radio presenter and former President of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

He has presented a number

of distinguished architectural programmes for BBC, Channel 4 and The Discovery Channel.

Other guest speakers will include Architect Sam Turner who worked on ‘The Hoover Building’, one of London’s landmark buildings, Mr Toby Blunt from Foster+Partners, who will speak about ‘Bloomberg London’ one of the highest BREEAM-rated major office buildings, Professor Richard England, Matt Lally from Arup, Architect Jonathan Mizzi, David Moloney from PWC (UK), Lodewijk Abspoel, Stefan Webb from Future Cities Catapult, Arch. Matthew J. Mercieca, Lior Steinberg, co-founder of Humankind, Caldon Mercieca

from Valletta Cultural Agency, Petra Biberbach, from Planning Aid Scotland Dr Bernardine Satariano from The President’s Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society and Ministers and their shadow.

The workshops will be moderated by Perit Chris Briffa, KTP President Perit Simone Vella Lenicker and Prof. Saviour Formosa.

Johann Buttigieg, Chairperson of the PA’s Executive Council said

“This year’s MASP conference will offer a framework for discussion on how innovation can be used for the design of buildings to ensure a more pleasant, functional and sustainable environment.

We will explore what innovative technological tools are being used around the globe to find solutions to design and planning requirements and how social innovation can help us engage and empower people

for more citizen involvement to address community needs. Various experts from different countries and organisations will be brought together to share their experiences and creative ideas which in turn will foster into innovative ways Malta can meet its present challenges and future opportunities.”

Early online registration is highly recommended through www.maspconference.com The closing date for registration is Friday 1st November 2019.

MALTA ARCHITECTURE AND SPATIAL PLANNING

CONFERENCE 2019 Lior Steinberg

Matt Lally

Toby Blunt

Jonathan Mizzi

Richard England

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

NEWS PA sponsors architectural University students’ visit to London A group of 26 students from the Faculty of the Built Environment attended the second edition of Archivisit - a week long hands-on experience programme in London which exposes students to best practices in the international construction industry. This year’s edition was sponsored by the Planning Authority.

The brainchild of visiting university lecturer Perit Mark

Borg, Archivisit provides students reading a Bachelor and Masters degree in Architecture and Civil Engineering, with an intensive programme which combines experience-based knowledge with relevant, expert advice on architectural design,

PA SPONSORS SPECIALISED FIRE RESCUE EQUIPMENT FOR TALL BUILDINGS

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he Planning Authority has agreed to sponsor the purchase of specialised fire rescue equipment which will be used by the Civil Protection Department (CPD). The equipment consists of a turntable ladder which will facilitate access to high rise buildings for rescuers and those they are required to assist. This sponsorship, amounting to €600,000, is part of the Planning Authority’s corporate social responsibility programme, in response to higher rising buildings being developed in the Maltese Islands.

Speaking at the signing of the agreement Johann Buttigieg,

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chairperson of the Planning Authority’s Executive Council said ‘through this sponsorship we want to lead by example. We know that the PA’s planning policies and Board decisions are impacting the operations of other entities, such as the Civil Protection Department.

We do not want to wait for an accident to happen, after which we will start speaking about the rescue equipment that CPD should have at their disposal. We feel responsible that as we promote our tall building policy framework, we should also be at the forefront of speaking about the challenges that such buildings may pose in the future.’

structural engineering, green infrastructure, facade engineering and project management.

The Planning Authority will be working closely with Archivist to strengthen the collaboration and benefits of such a programme for the future.

Faster way to pay your PA Bills

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he Planning Authority has introduced a faster and cheaper way for its clients to settle bills related to planning application fees, fines and more. Through the internet banking bill payment services offered

by APS Bank, Bank of Valletta and HSBC Bank, customers can go on-line and settle any pending bill within minutes from the comfort of their home.

Details of all the available methods of payment and the procedure to follow to pay through internet banking are available at www.pa.org.mt

PA plus

PLANNING AUTHORITY

MALTA ARCHITECTURE AND SPATIAL PLANNING

CONFERENCE 2019

Reinventing Places through Innovation 7TH NOVEMBER 2019 HILTON MALTA

For more information and to get your online ticket for the conference visit www.maspconference.com

Opera onal Programme II – European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 “Inves ng in human capital to create more opportuni es and promote the wellbeing of society.”

Project part-financed by the European Social Fund Co-financing rate: 80% European Union Funds; 20% Na onal Funds