The Chamber of Architects yesterday released what it called a visionary document, setting out a road map for the built and rural environment and proposing the setting up of a national centre for the built environment.
The centre would include an independent design review commission aimed at creating a platform to achieve quality in architecture and the design of buildings and public spaces.
The chamber also wants to see the creation of a construction platform through which there would be a network of those organisations that are needed to support the process of building a project.
"Quality in design is an essential tool for the country's economic and social development," architect David Felice, the president of the Chamber, told the Times.
"The Kamra tal-Periti wanted to come up with a clear statement that quality in architecture is a priority in the national agenda.
"This is not an attack on anyone. We need to strive for excellence, bearing in mind what is happening in terms of construction.
"Several large projects and a multitude of small projects are being erected at the moment and we can turn this into a positive experience or allow it to degenerate.
"What is happening here has happened elsewhere. A lot of post-war reconstruction has taken place because there was a need to provide housing and work, but there was little concern for quality of life.
"Now we are looking at what has happened and what we are going through and people are realising there is an economic value too because there can be a negative impact on the property market.
"Change, however, cannot happen with architects alone," Mr Felice said. "Despite attempts over the years to introduce elements of control to limit the damage, we have not had considerable success. The urgency now is to find alternative solutions."
The document makes scathing remarks such as: "The quality of our urban open and built spaces is lacking since we often fail to appreciate the value of quality in design and planning.
"Our educational system ought to promote more emphatically independent thinking and innovation. Creativity must be encouraged at all ages and in all spheres, but most notably in design, architecture and urban planning."
Development proposals, the document says, "should be assessed qualitatively and appraised from the point of view of their contribution to society and the built environment.
"Above all, quality in architecture deserves greater attention through the adoption of a National Policy on Architecture, through improving the level of education in the built environment, and in particular, through strengthening the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering at the university."
The document also speaks about the revised building height designations, which "produced development frenzy in our towns and villages leading to the destruction of the very same qualities that made them attractive".
Redevelopment ought to be redirected primarily towards those projects which seek to improve the condition of run-down or disadvantaged neighbourhoods.
It also speaks about the need to change the trend in the use of private cars towards other, more sustainable modes of public and private transport.
"Our search for solutions to our transport needs must be holistic, uncompromising, forward looking and innovative, based on a long-term vision and on the potential benefits to commuters, rather than on short term economic expediency.
"We must consider an effective nation-wide integrated public transport strategy conceived to improve current transport patterns, basing our decisions on a detailed assessment of key movement routes.
"Within our urban centres, as well as elsewhere, the strategy should, through urban design and landscaping, provide an environment which encourages commuters to journey shorter distances on foot or by bicycle." The document also speaks about the need to improve the quality of construction.
"The challenges raised by our built environment can be overcome through a commitment to the development of a vision to work for better quality places that bring dignity, pride and real delight to their users.
"The definition of a National Policy for Architecture, championed by the government, is a critical step in this regard, presenting a clear national commitment to quality in architecture and the built environment and raising the profile of the architectural debate so as to form more informed and discerning consumers," the document concludes.
The document was launched yesterday in the presence of Environment Minister George Pullicino and representatives from environmental NGOs, the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa), the Building Industry Consultative Council (BICC), the Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering at the University of Malta and the General Retailers and Traders Union (GRTU).