Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/627675
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 17 JANUARY 2016 39 SOME years ago, at an architectural con- ference organised by the Chamber of Ar- chitects, a string of foreign speakers ex- pressed dismay that Maltese architects had abandoned Malta's beautiful architectural idioms in favour of foreign styles which were not suited in either design or dimension. The recently-launched Develop- ment Control Design Policy, Guid- ance and Standards 2015, sets out to change this in one of the few positive developments to come out of MEPA in years. With its empha- sis on aesthetic design and energy- efficient buildings, this document is nothing short of revolutionary for Malta, laying particular emphasis on enriching the immediate street- scape – the 'cultural landscape ap- proach' that was discussed in our last article. This is to be achieved not by copy- ing existing houses, but by creative designs that build on and interpret existing street features, while in- jecting new life into streets that are bland and uninteresting. The policy provides for the reuse and adapta- tion of historical buildings and the provision of social and commu- nity facilities necessary to make our towns and villages liveable. MEPA will for the first time be de- manding photographic street surveys with its applications, as well as architectural plans of the buildings flanking new projects, to ensure that they harmonise in design and structure. Not only are the width of the street and propor- tions of façade and aper- tures to be considered but also back elevations in the case of ridges where distance must be kept from sensitive ridge edges. In the case of streetscapes, the pri- mary focus will be the creation of visual interest through varied cubic proportions that allow for plays of light and shadow as the sun moves across the skies – a return to the 'moving architecture' so beloved of our forefathers, along with respect for the landscape. For this reason, long and monotonous façades, large blank rear and party walls will not be acceptable. Building height limitations are al- ways the most difficult issue – this document stipulates that this will be regulated according to "exist- ing commitments" defined as "ex- isting legal developments that are physically present on site; and valid planning commitments even if such commitments are as yet unbuilt". However this is still worrying – given that MEPA has a track record of abusively granting permits that violate height regulations, these will no doubt be considered as legal commitments and benchmarks for future development. The DC 2015 regulations cover the whole gamut of urban devel- opment, from villa and bungalow zones, to terraced houses and com- mercial properties, while factoring in the more 'social' objectives of ac- cessibility and open space. For the first time, issues of overshadowing, privacy, security and safety, land- scaping design, parking, and even lighting are to be considered. Build- ings are to be kept cool in summer and warm in winter by combining direction, shade and wind-flow, size and type of windows, wall insulation and alternative energy sources. Of most relevance to these articles on urban heritage however, are the Urban Conservation Area (UCA) guidelines. Applications involving demolition of scheduled properties and properties within UCAs will not normally be considered due to legal grading protection, however the new concession to consider the state of repair of the existing build- ing – including dampness and stone deterioration – can only encourage developers to neglect and aggravate these problems, instead of using ex- isting remedies to solve them. Where development is sited alongside a UCA, it will not be higher than the predominant build- ings located on the outer UCA block so as not to visually domi- nate the streetscape or other spaces within the UCA. If a development zone project adjoins a garden in the UCA, it will be proportionate to the garden wall and set back from that wall by three metres in order to relate to the height of the wall, the size of the garden, and its overall effect on the garden. Similarly, de- velopments just outside a villa/bun- galow area will be allowed to reach the height limitation of that area, with each additional floor set back by three metres. MEPA will also consider the impact of the non-res- idential use on adjoining residential areas, to avoid commercial ventures which could have adverse or unsafe impacts on residents. The fact that these new regula- tions expect that every element of building layout, form, scale, style, plot size, density, setbacks and boundaries, profile, detailing and long-range views add a positive di- mension to a project is a major step forward for MEPA. It is hoped that MEPA maintains this overriding message is that every building is not just an architectural unit in isola- tion but an urban design project that goes by the maxim of 'beauty in harmony'. Astrid Vella is the coordinator of Flimkien Ghal Ambjent Ahjar Environment Canadian pipeline company TransCanada gave notice last week that it intends to sue the U.S. government for over $15 billion under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Chapter 11 in response to the U.S. Administration's decision to deny a permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline. TransCanada's Keystone XL permit was denied because construction of the pipeline was not in the United States national interest. Instead of honouring President Obama's reasoned decision, TransCanada wants to turn to secretive trade tribunals to force American taxpayers to compensate it for a project that should never have been proposed. We are again seeing a private company challenging a government's measures to protect public health and the environment. Friends of the Earth International opposes trade agreements like NAFTA, which allow corporations to shake down sovereign nations. Even NAFTA pales in comparison to newer deals such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership or the Trans- Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Current trade rules empower corporations like TransCanada to challenge legitimate environmental protections in secret tribunals. The TPP and NAFTA trade agreements are a ticking time bomb for climate action and must be stopped. We need trade policy to stop undermining a sustainable future. The hawthorn is a thorny shrub that grows wild on hill slopes and valley sides, especially in maquis, a habitat dominated by dense shrubs. Most of our trees and shrubs are evergreen but the hawthorn (M: żagħrun) is deciduous. It grows bright green parsley-like leaves in spring and throws out dense bunches of fragrant white flowers. As autumn and the cooler months advance (not that they did much advancing this year so far!) the foliage generally starts to yellow and fall, exposing the hawthorn's pale branches and clusters of eye-catching bright red fruits. And they catch the eye of its target audience alright: birds like starlings and thrushes, which feast on the fruit and unknowingly disperse its undigestible seeds with their droppings. The hawthorn is a scarce sight in the Malta countryside today, which renders this beautiful shrub all the more precious. GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 392: USE RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES Each year 15 billion batteries produced and sold and most of them are disposable alkaline batteries. Only a fraction of those are recycled. Buy a charger and a few sets of rechargeable batteries. Although it requires an upfront investment, it is one that should pay off in no time. Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate TransCanada's Keystone XL suit illustrates problem with TTIP, trade deals Text and photo Victor Falzon 489. HAWTHORN Aiming for beauty in harmony Astrid Vella