Is Construction King?
KSU
22 January 2022
As part of the closing initiative of KSU’s Sustainable Development Campaign, Conserve to Serve, yesterday’s panel discussion Is Construction King? discussed the present state of the construction industry in Malta and how we can strive to make it a more sustainable one.
The Panel, moderated by SACES President David Debattista consisted of Dr Amber Wismayer Vice President of Il-Kamra tal-Periti, Perit Alberto Miceli Farrugia, Vassallo Group CEO Pio Vassallo, Joseph Gauci Deputy Director at Planning Authority and Prof. Alex Torpiano.
Dr Wismayer, throughout the discussion emphasised the need for a National Plan in light of sustainable development, noting that sustainable development without a national plan or set targets is a misnomer.
The focus must be shifted from one of what we need to understanding whether or not the take up of land is sustainable. This was a sentiment shared by Planning Authority’s Deputy Director in that Malta must look at what its economic priorities are, see our space and then understand what space is needed. Malta has a substantial amount of housing space, whilst simultaneously having a high number of people living in derelict housing with poor conditions and hygiene. We must finally take stock of what we have, and re-use and improve as much as possible.
Over-regulation might not be the answer to all the issues at hand, with Perit Miceli Farrugia opting for strong monitoring and enforcement instead. The political debate in Malta is poor, with no proper political vision of construction in place. A vision is needed, with our ambitions tailored to our small size.
Mr Gauci concluded that we must stop perceiving everything to be either ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ and missing the shades of grey in-between. Malta lacks a forum where we can have these debates and discussions.
The key question of the event was Is Construction King? Dr Wismayer noted that it is, if we allow it to be and unless there is no collective push for change, then change will not happen. Construction is important, concluded Pio Vassallo, we need to make sure that our buildings are sustainable and we should come together for a more sustainable future.
The Panel, moderated by SACES President David Debattista consisted of Dr Amber Wismayer Vice President of Il-Kamra tal-Periti, Perit Alberto Miceli Farrugia, Vassallo Group CEO Pio Vassallo, Joseph Gauci Deputy Director at Planning Authority and Prof. Alex Torpiano.
Dr Wismayer, throughout the discussion emphasised the need for a National Plan in light of sustainable development, noting that sustainable development without a national plan or set targets is a misnomer.
The focus must be shifted from one of what we need to understanding whether or not the take up of land is sustainable. This was a sentiment shared by Planning Authority’s Deputy Director in that Malta must look at what its economic priorities are, see our space and then understand what space is needed. Malta has a substantial amount of housing space, whilst simultaneously having a high number of people living in derelict housing with poor conditions and hygiene. We must finally take stock of what we have, and re-use and improve as much as possible.
Over-regulation might not be the answer to all the issues at hand, with Perit Miceli Farrugia opting for strong monitoring and enforcement instead. The political debate in Malta is poor, with no proper political vision of construction in place. A vision is needed, with our ambitions tailored to our small size.
Mr Gauci concluded that we must stop perceiving everything to be either ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ and missing the shades of grey in-between. Malta lacks a forum where we can have these debates and discussions.
The key question of the event was Is Construction King? Dr Wismayer noted that it is, if we allow it to be and unless there is no collective push for change, then change will not happen. Construction is important, concluded Pio Vassallo, we need to make sure that our buildings are sustainable and we should come together for a more sustainable future.
