Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1514782
as possible, the entire European People's Party - which, as NET News never omits to mention, is the 'largest single political bloc, in the European Parliament' (for now, anyway) – is even propos- ing that the European Union simply ditches its entire environ- mental agenda, altogether! (and even the EU's supposedly 'com- mon' Asylum and Immigration Pact, no less!) Presumably under pressure from the German Democratic Party – currently facing a verita- ble 'peasant's revolt', as German farmers swing towards the Far Right in droves – the EPP is now proposing (inter alia) to: "mas- sively bulk up the EU's external guard force, and drop plans to phase out the combustion engine across the bloc by 2035"; and also 'to tighten border control', in ex- actly the same way as any hard- boiled neo-Nazi would expect. As Politico put it this week: "With its heavy emphasis on mi- gration control and call to "pre- serve our Christian values," the manifesto reflects the growing strength of right-wing parties across the bloc. […] In addition to tripling the number of EU border guards, from 10,000 to 30,000, the EPP also wants to process more asylum applications out- side the EU, and to strike more deals with non-EU countries to KEEP MIGRANTS AT BAY." [My emphasis]. And that's not all, of course. Elsewhere, both the Socialists and Liberals are equally keen to ap- pease Far-Right sympathisers in other, arguably less 'contentious' ways: for instance, by supporting calls – again, coming mainly from farmers – to reintroduce hunting licences, for protected predators such as wolves and bears. But surely, by now you can see where all this is headed for your- selves. It seems that – in their panicked efforts to somehow 'stem', or 'prevent', a whole- sale resurgence of the Far Right, sweeping across the European continent next June… Europe's mainstream parties have (almost) all chosen to do, precisely the one thing that will only ever make that prediction come TRUE. One by one, they are all lurch- ing towards the Far Right themselves, at record-breaking speeds… and in the same breath, they are all also insisting that the only way to keep the Far Right out of the European mainstream, in the forthcoming EP elections, is - yup, you guessed it! - to just 'vote for them, instead'… … even if, by June, there will be no difference left whatsoever, between 'Far Right' and 'Main- stream', to even choose between anymore. But hey! Let's not end this ar- ticle on such a glum note, shall we? Because don't forget, folks… we are all still perfectly 'free', to make those entirely pointless choices for ourselves. And what, at the end of the day, could possi- bly be more than valuable than… [Cue to Mel Gibson struggling to cry out, while being brutal- ly disembowelled on the Big Screen] … 'FREEEE-DOOOOOM!!!!' maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 JANUARY 2024 OPINION 11 From words to action STEPPING into a new year, the Malta Development Association (MDA) has embarked on a journey to address the most critical challenges in the property sector. The main aim is to promote and lobby for strategies to elevate affordabil- ity, sustainability, quality, and to address the thorny issue of vacant properties. Taking into account today's distinctive circumstances, we will be onboarding the current and future needs of the Maltese population and inviting their involvement in shaping our initiatives. For starters, we acknowledge the vari- ous contributors to housing affordability challenges - inflation, bureaucratic bot- tlenecks, external factors like wars, and increased taxation on imports, amongst others. Consequently, the gateway to a fair and prosperous way forward is in recognising the need for more efficiency, transparency and the housing sector's deep relevance to the national interest. Clearly and inevitably, affordability is intricately linked to supply and demand. Given that a higher supply strongly contributes to more accessible prices, forward planning becomes imperative, particularly given the tiny size of our country. The focus should therefore be on building more housing on land which is already committed, ensuring optimal utilization of existing infrastructure and resources. By the same token, it would be sensible to leave Outside Development Zones and Urban Conservation Areas intact. With this two-pronged approach, we can strike a balance between the de- mand for affordable housing and the preservation of the unique character and environmental significance of pristine historically relevant areas. To get there it is crucial to enhance the planning process. More effort is needed to minimize waiting times and reduce administrative costs. The swift issuance of building permits for residential and urban projects not only counters housing shortages but also promotes the creation of sustainable, energy-efficient homes at reduced costs. Administrative challenges often stem from misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the law, along with the unnecessary complexity brought about by the over-implementation of EU rules by the national government. At present, the process is riddled with excessive red tape. To bolster efficien- cy, Malta needs to simplify and clarify regulations, creating a level playing field for all. To meet the challenges posed, administrative processes should remain in place if they add tangible value to the overall system. Widening MDA's vision, elevating the quality of buildings, with a particular focus on promoting greener structures, will be one of the MDA's top priorities in 2024. Recently, the government em- barked on this road by introducing li- censing for contractors. Further steps are required to ensure that every worker on a construction site possesses the req- uisite skills and licensing. In addition, incentives to developers, homeowners and retro-fitting projects would drive eco-friendly practices more forcefully still. Lowering taxes, particularly on capital duty transfer of properties by matching them with specific energy efficiency cri- teria, can also act as a compelling incen- tive. The same principle could be applied to rental properties, thereby promoting energy-efficient apartments. Taking it a notch higher, to excel in the standard of green buildings and retrofitting, gov- ernment should prioritize quality over the cheapest bid in its call for tenders. By amalgamating upskilling measures, fi- nancial incentives, and a commitment to environmental sustainability, Malta can pave the way to high-quality, eco-friend- ly buildings that contribute to a sustaina- ble and resilient future. Linking the planning process with the quality of buildings requires attention to a third dimension - the aesthetics in design. This would be pivotal to create a more visually appealing environment, indeed a more attractive country. Vacant properties pose a distinct chal- lenge. While numbers bandied about in the media may not necessarily align with reality, the MDA recognizes that Malta is plagued by a substantial number of der- elict vacant properties. Apart from being an eyesore, these spaces remain unused in a country in which space comes at a great premium. The MDA attributes a significant portion of such properties to prolonged legal battles. Accordingly, we propose immediate judicial reform to expedite legal processes and reduce the timeframe properties remain entangled in disputes. This year and beyond, the Malta De- velopment Association is determined to stand at the forefront of genuinely trans- formative initiatives in the property sec- tor. By proposing and promoting these initiatives we aim to create a more inclu- sive, eco-friendly, and accessible housing market. Beyond words, only such actions will improve the quality of life for residents. Michael Stivala is president of the Malta Development Association Michael Stivala