Tall or Short – Public or Private Benefit

Tall or Short – Public or Private Benefit

By Astrid Vella FAA Co-ordinator For years we have been told that it is better for the community if we construct tall buildings, rather than in the traditional style. It is however becoming increasingly evident that this is nothing but politician/developer double-speak. MYTH 1: The mantra that our politicians love to repeat... [...]

High-rise or high-risk?

High-rise or high-risk?

By Robert Louis Fenech Several people this week have asked me why this whole hubaloo about high-rise buildings. Isn’t it better to build up than sideways? Won’t these have a positive effect on our economy? Don’t we want to be like Dubai or Singapore? Well now, wait a minute. It is true that space is at a premium in Malta,... [...]

Of Power and Toes

Of Power and Toes

By Robert Louis Fenech This week’s developments in the high rise saga have shown that when civil society comes together to prod the authorities in the right direction, we can achieve results. The Planning Authority was meant to decide on the TownSquare project, the first of these many proposed high rise developments to come... [...]

Visual Noise

Visual Noise

By Jorg Sicot The concept of visual noise is an abstract one, but when seeing the elements that surround us, it becomes clear that Malta faces not only strong elements of air and noise pollution, but sadly also disturbing visual pollution. Visual noise. Billboards line virtually every major road in Malta. Some of these were placed... [...]

Craftsmanship Is Our Heritage

Craftsmanship Is Our Heritage

A campaign is currently underway to save a house beside the Cittadella in Gozo, attributed to Guze DAmato, known as the architect responsible for the Xewkija and Ghajnsielem parish churches. This house boasts a treasure of interior details of the highest design, and craftsmanship which has led to such a splendid built example. We... [...]

City salad

City salad

Like many cities or urban settlements around the world there is always a common challenge; space. How we use the little space available is always our choice, whether it is seats on a balcony or a barbeque on the rooftop. However in comparison to many larger European cities, whenever I am in Malta I’ always delighted to see... [...]

Facing the Rising Tide

Facing the Rising Tide

Science fiction novels often show a bleak future of erratic climates, rising seas and drowning cities, due to greenhouse gas increases in our atmosphere. As the planet warms, most retained heat is absorbed by oceans, leading to thermal expansion of water – the same principle that makes mercury thermometers function. Polar... [...]

Two-Faced Environmental Corruption

Two-Faced Environmental Corruption

At a time when virtually every newspaper front page features an article related to corruption, let’s focus on the two hands of environmental corruption in Malta: the one hand that commits corruption, and the other hand which silently tolerates it. The Maltese environment – our landscapes, the sea surrounding us, the air... [...]

It’s just a tree

It’s just a tree

Throughout my professional career I have heard this said so many times, all over the world and I never cease to find it upsetting. Trees are present, in one form or another, almost everywhere in the world including hot deserts where these small islands of green offer hope of water, shade and food to animals and humans where it... [...]

Of Traffic Jams and Pollution………..

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Of Traffic Jams and Pollution………..

The latest controversy to hit this rock is the gridlock we are all experiencing daily.  A drop of rain and nothing moves.  Once school starts, so many parents drive their children to school that our roads cannot cope. The situation is untenable and a solution must be found. We Maltese always politicise a problem. The opposition... [...]