Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1260749
18.06.2020 11 TOWNSCAPES mit a planning application. We are a public entity, not a private company and there- fore we are expected to ensure that the outcome of planning decisions benefits the wider community. "With Covid-19, we left it to the health experts, without any excessive debate because our lives were at stake. When it comes to planning, profes- sionals with the right educa- tion and experience should also take the lead. However, because planning is strong- ly linked with high economic stakes, various stakeholder interests transform it into a highly divisive process, not just in Malta." In Malta, the loudest and most influential sectorial voic- es have long trumped exper- tise and effectively risked the dismantling of the planning profession. And yet, at the same time the effects of the Authority's evolution provided Malta with markers of truly effective town planning. e vision for Valletta and the ree Cities that was en- capsulated in the 1990 Struc- ture Plan and taken forward by the Grand Harbour Local Plan of 2002 is being achieved. Skip ahead a few years and the area has been completely trans- formed from its previously rundown state. "e vision of the rehabilita- tion and regeneration of Val- letta was translated into the area's local plan, which then triggered private investment," Ms Borg explains. From a time when Valletta was only alive during office hours, the planning strategy brought life back into the capital." Borg is acutely conscious of the Authority having broken the public's trust in the past. Rebuilding that trust is a long journey, which starts with ful- ly understanding the role of the Authority. "It's the Authority that start- ed public consultations in Malta," she said. "With time, the public re- sponded and demands grew. We need to grasp the oppor- tunity and see how public engagement in the planning process of today can be max- imised. Of course, every deci- sion taken will not be pleasing to everyone. But not taking de- cisions will lead to stagnation. at is why we have improved our processes to ensure that the Planning Authority imple- ments the requirements of the Strategic Environmental As- sessment (SEA) Regulations in policy making. In recent years, we've worked to systematical- ly screen planning policies in terms of their potential signif- icant effects on the environ- ment to determine whether or not a SEA would be required. e results are published on- line, a measure that increases transparency and accountabil- ity." Translating sustainability into its work is ultimately the Authority's legal mandate un- der the Development Planning Act. But, Borg said, "it is easier said than done. at said, we must remember that we don't operate in a vacuum. ere's a historical context, and each generation builds on the his- torical strata it inherits. "We can't simply eradicate what was previously done to impose utopia. But what we are seeing is democratic, open debate and some progressive steps being taken to meet the challenge of sustainable use of land resources. is is positive and gives me hope." "There are always many factors at play, but hopefully we're now on a journey – albeit a slow one – of increased awareness to the benefits of effective spatial planning"