Achieving excellence

Last Thursday, it was my pleasure to preside over the official inauguration of the National Architecture Policy Group. The event was organised by Heritage Malta at the Museum of Fine Arts after I accepted an invitation from Malta's Chamber of Architects to act as minister responsible for the process of the introduction of a national policy for architecture in our country.

This places us in the mainstream along with most European Union countries. After accepting the invitation from Malta's Chamber, I delegated Heritage Malta to be the organisation to represent my ministry on this process. I know that this has led to various meetings between the national agency and officials from the Chamber, who are keen on this process.

Aware that today's architecture will form part of tomorrow's heritage, we have worked together on the principle that a national policy for architecture needs to be formulated. The whole concept was also discussed informally last October when leading European architects were in Malta for an international conference organised by the Chamber of Architects.

In a message from the European Forum for Architectural Policies to the Ministerial Meeting on Urban Policy held in The Netherlands on November 29, 2004, the European Forum for Architectural Policies Steering Committee called on the ministers in charge of urban policies to recognise that architectural policies are an integral part of any successful urban policy, in ensuring a holistic and integrated approach to the quality and sustainability of the built environment.

Moreover, in November 2000, under the French Presidency of the EU, the Ministers of Culture adopted a Resolution on Architectural Quality in the Urban and Rural Environments, which was formally adopted as a Council Resolution by the European Council on February 12, 2001. The Ministers of Culture who initially carried the resolution and the logical follow up was to carry on with an approach through which we recognise architecture as one of the more important cultural and art forms.

During a conference held in Berlin in November 2004 the EU ministers responsible for culture adopted a declaration calling for the elaboration of a Charter of Europe of Culture that would affirm the essential cultural dimension of European construction. It is positive that the Chamber of Architects, with Heritage Malta, are promoting the drafting of a National Policy for Architecture in line with the European Council's Resolution of February 12, 2001.

I have accepted to act as the key minister in the drafting of this policy, not only as this is the practice with other EU countries, but also because I sincerely felt that architecture must strive to improve the quality of life and to enrich the cultural heritage of our country.

Malta has an immense wealth of architectural heritage. Today's architecture is tomorrow's heritage, and on the basis of this fundamental principle, we should be able to formulate our architectural policies not only for the present but also for the future.

It is stated that order in architecture was born on these islands a long time ago with Skorba, one of our latest templar groups to be excavated. Tarxien Temples, Hagar Qim, Mnajdra and Ggantija in Gozo all form part of our architectural heritage. Did the builders of those temples think that their constructions would be part not only of our heritage but also of world heritage?

The truth is that the Romans, Normans, the Order of the Knights of St John, and the British all left their mark on our architectural heritage. Up to some years ago British architecture in Malta was not given its due importance. Today everybody realises that British architecture is part of our heritage and that we should do everything within our power to conserve its leading examples for future generations.

This wealth of architectural heritage calls for a national architectural policy so that we will all appreciate what we have as well as stipulate policies which protect past, present and future architecture.

It is worth adding that our architectural heritage has an economic impact as it forms part of our tourism cultural segment, which attracts about 180,000 visitors to our country every year. I believe that architectural quality improves the environment and contributes towards better living standards.

The National Policy for Architecture which was launched last Thursday aims to foster informed clients of their rights to enjoy a built environment that is socially, economically and environmentally sound; to work towards achieving a sustainable built environment for today's and tomorrow's beneficiaries; to become aware of and protect cultural aspects of the built environment; and to contribute to achieving good governance in architectural matters.

To encourage broad participation in the process of the drafting of the National Policy for Architecture, the Chamber of Architects invited ministries and built environment NGOs to nominate representatives on the Policy Drafting Committee and to the Consultative Committee for the consultative and drafting stages.

I am confident that a National Policy for Architecture will have a positive impact on the quality of our urban and rural environment.

Much has been said within EU circles in past years that the ultimate strength of Europe derives from its soul, and not merely its economic power and impact.

That is why more emphasis is being placed than ever on the Union's cultural dimensions. When one talks of unity through diversity, this is particularly applicable in the cultural sphere where no one would dream of some standardised community. Living the cultural diversity in Europe means acknowledging the different cultures of all the peoples and regions that make up Europe, as well as appreciating that that it is this diversity that provides Europe with its unique character.

Malta represents 7,000 years of history and the fact that we can talk of architectural symbols of the different layers that make up that history within the limited space that our country offers is a treasure that must not be underestimated.

When I am discussing Malta with tour operators and organisers of visitor groups to our country, this is one of the elements that I always seek to emphasise most. This is what constitutes our particular experience that can never be equated merely to visiting one other country.

When we talk of branding Malta, we talk of emphasising the three core values that have been identified with stakeholders as our country's strengths. Those core values are: our hospitality, our cultural heritage; and our diversity. Architecture certainly contributes very significantly both to our cultural heritage as well as to our diversity.

It is now our responsibility to become more conscious of our duty to produce new products of which future generations can be as proud as we are of the legacy that has been bequeathed to us by our forefathers.

The architect has the unique privilege of being able to create not only for present requirements but if the impact of his work is given the attention that it deserves, also for posterity. In this respect, I am encouraged by the mission statement of the Chamber that seeks "to support members of the profession in achieving excellence in their practice of architecture and engineering in the interest of the community".

Achieving excellence must be the one and only scale of measurement by which to assess our present output. Should the drafting of a National Policy for Architecture lead to more appreciation of this value, then this should become the major commitment and challenge to be adopted by each and every one of us, and that in particular drives any professional worthy of that designation.

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