Planners and politicians

Contrary to popular belief that politicians only dictate what happens in banana republics, any planning graduate will tell you that politics is an integral part of the planning process in developed countries, albeit not to the same extent.

Politics is regarded as one of the fundamentals of planning, together with the social, economic and environmental aspects. This is because like planning, politics embraces them all. In fact, planning theory in any good university will include modules which deal with politics. Unfortunately, there have not been so many planning graduates in Malta, and those who have graduated recently would have studied at foreign universities.

Planning is about the long-term future effects of our actions and the better utilisation of resources, of most importance being the use of land. But aren't these aspects also of concern in politics? Although traditionally politics in Malta has had a maximum view of five years - from one election to the next, recently we have been hearing politicians talk about a longer term 'vision' for Malta.

Politics and planning are intertwined, as they share the same realities. One cannot separate politics from planning. What we need to ensure is that politicians are not involved in planning throughout the entire decision-making process, which seems to have been the case throughout recent Maltese history.

If they should not be separated, then we have to make them work together. Planners and politicians have been in intellectual conflict because planners see politicians as short-term thinkers, whereas politicians see planners as rigid long-term dreamers.

Hence they both frustrate each other. The truth is that both long-term strategies and short-term actions are needed - with one difference. Politicians need to decide on long-term goals, while planners need to propose long-term strategies that complement those goals and formulate technical policies, giving politicians the practical space to work.

This involves a shift in mindset from planners and politicians. As long as politicians keep dictating technical policy, and planners keep recommending long-term goals to a 'non-planner' Mepa board heavily influenced by politics, planning in Malta will never reach the desired professional heights.

The Development Planning Act requires that today's Mepa board be composed of 15 members appointed by the Prime Minister as follows: five public officers representing the government, eight independent members (one knowledgeable on environmental matters), and two MPs representing the government and the opposition.

Today we face a situation where Mepa, which is meant to be independent, is heavily biased with government appointees. In addition, planning knowledge lacks heavily at board level. Ideally, it should emphasise planning and have a portfolio limited to the development of technical policies to reach those long-term strategic objectives set by the government.

Politicians need to limit themselves to goal formulation and strategic decision-making; technical delivery of goals and objectives should be left to real planning professionals. Strategic decisions need to be taken by the government, not by Mepa, while ministries need to liaise with government departments for long-term plans, part of which will then be transposed into land use.

Mr Magri, who forms part of the team at Mangion, Mangion and Partners, is specialised in land use planning. He has worked in planning since 1988, both as part of the Planning Directorate in the early days of planning in Malta and in the private sector.

vmagri@mmp.com.mt