Malta lacking policy on high-rise buildings

Malta is planning to reach for the skies with 25 pending applications for the construction of towers, yet there is no policy or vision in place to see which direction such development should take.

A debate on whether tall buildings should be embraced or if these blurred the island's historic skyline was raised during a seminar yesterday, which brought together engineers, architects and non-governmental organisations.

The event was organised by the Chamber of Architects and touched upon all aspects, including the technical, philosophical, aesthetic, environmental and economic arguments behind high-rise buildings. It brought together a number of local and international architecture experts.

Some advocated tall buildings, arguing these would regenerate dilapidated towns and brand Malta with iconic landmarks that would enhance the skyline.

However, some argued Malta already had a distinctive historic skyline and this should not be dwarfed by modern high-rise buildings.

Lora Nicolaou, a Cypriot specialised in planning and design, called for a holistic policy that would include the regeneration of old, abandoned buildings.

The height of buildings should be gradually increased across the board, instead of having scattered towers without a framework.

It would make more sense for all two-storey buildings to stand three storeys high than to build inefficient, expensive towers that were limited in terms of clientele, she argued.

"Tall buildings are a quick and dirty way of contributing new space to the city. In Malta, the heritage is extraordinary and unique. It is tailored to the topography and very valuable in its own respect," she said.

Some argued that tall buildings jar with the cultural context and would therefore have a very negative visual impact.

Turin was given as an example, where people were protesting against five tall buildings that had ruined the Mediterranean character of the area. Also speaking at the event were tower developers, who spoke about their advantages and the innovations taking place around the world when it came to making such buildings eco-friendly and efficient.

The Portomaso tower, as the first of its kind in Malta, was a hot topic of discussion. Some described it as a successful project that gave new prestige to the Paceville area and others felt it was an unsightly, oversized tower without character.