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MALTATODAY 17 July 2019 Midweek

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6 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 17 JULY 2019 ANALYSIS JAMES DEBONO PRIME Minister Joseph Mus- cat recently claimed on La- bour's One Radio that "the quality of life of many Maltese has improved greatly", un- doubtedly a definition tied to economic well-being and con- sumer choice. "This is reflected in the way people behave and in what they can afford," Muscat added con- fidently, despite wages for Mal- tese workers remaining largely stagnant, but bolstered by popular measures such as free childcare, the abolition of exam fees, and free school transport that leaves more cash in peo- ple's pockets. Muscat may be more in synch with those concerns that pre- date his 2013 election; Malta- Today surveys suggest a shift away from concerns on cost of living, to growing worries about over-development, the envi- ronment, transport and immi- gration. And while he is right to under- line his government's achieve- ments, he is also now expected to address concerns as a result of his economic policies. Last Sunday's declaration suggests no change of heart on Labour's overall direction, extolling the birth of "the new middle class" despite the reality if "people who have fallen behind". So for Muscat, quality of life is tied to the prospect of great- er material wealth achieved through social mobility… rath- er than an automatic right to live in liveable environment. And it is in this last aspect that quality of life has actually con- tinued to deteriorate, thanks to a building boom propped by policies approved by past ad- ministrations but also by the Muscat government. 1. Endless construction has robbed people of their serenity The 29,339 permits for new dwellings issued between 2016 and 2018 have had an inevi- table social cost. Endless con- struction has disrupted the life of communities in different localities. It is no surprise that people living in regions spared from the building spree are not so keen on joining the party. A survey carried out by gov- ernment last year showed that 61% of Cottonera residents would not change anything in their area, and that what they appreciated the most about their locality was the histori- cal heritage and "the peace and quiet". It is towns like Gzira, Msida, Birkirkara, Pietà, St Julian's and Sliema which have an already ageing population which are taking the brunt. The elderly not only suffer because they have to cope with broken pave- ments but also because they are constantly pestered by specu- lators asking them to sell their own homes. They also suffer from a loss of collective memo- ries as the landscape around them is constantly disfigured. They spend the last years of their life in fear of a repetition of a third-party collapse as that which happened in Hamrun, Mellieha and Guardamangia. Following the third tragedy, the government reacted firmly by suspending excavation and issuing new regulations es- tablishing a clearer chain of responsibilities. But while the latest regulations oblige de- velopers to upload a 'method statement' on how excavations will be conducted and made available to third parties, con- cerned neighbours will still have to dig in their pockets to hire experts to assess these re- ports, thus leaving poorer resi- dents more vulnerable than richer ones. Moreover Muscat's govern- ment shows no willingness to address the root of the prob- lem; which is that too many permits are being issued. 2. The number of cars keeps increasing The closure of the Marsa and Delimara power stations has contributed to a general im- provement in air quality. But in 2018 Malta's roads had to cater for 28,000 new vehicles, the largest yearly increase in car registrations since 2000. Malta also registered the sec- ond highest increase in carbon dioxide emissions from 2017 to 2018. Apart from contributing to deterioration in air quality and in carbon emissions, cars also shape our urban environ- ment creating a demand for parking and traffic infrastruc- ture. Road widening works in Rabat, Attard, Paola, San Muscat's claim ever? Malta's quality of life has improved greatly Senior Technical Officer - ICT Jobplus Permit Number – 212/2019 A recognized Advanced Diploma in ICT studies equivalent to MQF Level 5 from a recognized institution and a good level of general education. Knowledge of ICT related applications and experience is a must. CAREER OPPORTUNITY Lands Authority is seeking applications from interested persons to fill the following position: WE ARE RECRUITING ESSENTIAL Qualifications Experience Interested persons are kindly requested to submit a letter of application and a detailed CV only by email, as one pdf document to: hr.la@landsauthority. org.mt by Monday 22nd July 2019. Emails are to indicate the position being applied for and the name of the applicant in the subject. Applications will be acknowledged and treated in strictest confidence. For more information visit the link below: https://landsauthority.org.mt/about-us/careers/ " " If only number of construction cranes were an indicator… Muscat might have been right in claiming Malta's quality of life has risen. But here are six reasons why he's wrong

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