The Privatisation Unit’s proposal to build three hotels on virgin land stretching from Smart City to Onfroi Point presented to the Consultative Council for the South last November took many by surprise.

Over the past 50 years, the leisure industry developed in the north while the so-called ‘dirty’ industries – power stations, dockyards, gas plants, recycling plant etc – continued to expand in the south. While this was historically and geographically dictated by the harbour infrastructure, it does not excuse the authorities for their lack of planning and lack of effort to mitigate the social and environmental impact of this infrastructure.

Malta’s entry into the European Union caused another wave of development due to the availability of structural funds and a boom in new roads, residential and commercial development.

With the North saturated by overdevelopment, all eyes now turn to the South, looking for virgin land at the last remaining rocky, easily-accessible stretch of coast, suffering from decades of neglect.

While all are in agreement that the South needs a leisure industry, many forget that the skeleton of the Jerma Hotel still sits on a prime promontory and three hotels planned for Smart City remain unbuilt as many neglected heritage buildings in the South are in need of sensitive conversion and reuse.

With intelligent holistic planning and great sensitivity to the social environment, one can realistically regenerate areas.

With this scenario in mind, Flimkien għal Ambient Aħjar and the Ramblers’ Association are organising a forum to ask seriously and for the first time: what do we need to improve the quality of life in the South?

Are more roads essential to the regeneration of the area and, if so, what type of road would avoid the destruction of agricultural land and the natural coast that attracts Maltese and tourists alike?

Do we need to continue quarrying to supply stone for new development or can we use other materials or existing buildings to avoid destroying our rural and cultural landscape?

Do we need tall buildings to attract new investment or can we achieve that without casting shadows on neighbouring buildings?

Does development necessitate abandoning our heritage, both historical and natural, to ruin and abuse?

What prospects are there of safeguarding our open spaces and creating natural and heritage parks at Wied Fulija and Wied Moqbol and the first agriculture and ecology park between Xgħajra and Żonqor?

The South is at a crossroads and has this one-off opportunity to get things right rather than repeating the mistakes of the past.

The South needs a new, fresh, planning approach. It is imperative that the well-being of local communities becomes a priority through holistic planning that includes residents’ health and the local economy as well as respect for the existing natural and built heritage.

All these issues will be discussed at the forum that will be addressed by President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca. Speakers will offer their ideas on how we can improve the quality of life for the people of the South. And with each presentation, they are invited to reflect deeply on who gains and who loses from different proposed projects.

The public is urged to participate in this debate, which offers a unique opportunity to have a say and shape the future of their surroundings in matters that affect their livelihood, health and environment.

The ‘New vision for the South’ forum will be held at Global College, Smart City, tomorrow between 8.30am and 1pm.

Participation is free and places can be booked via www.faa.org.mt.

Anna Spiteri is a professional environmental researcher and Astrid Vella is spokeswoman of Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar.