Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/694236
MIRIAM DALLI CIVIL society activists have urged the government to put high-rise developments on hold, pending the development of a master plan. Architect Reuben Borg, repre- senting the Civil Society Net- work, said that such a master plan must assess the impacts of high-rise in matters such as traffic generation, duration of construction, shading of other areas, infrastructure, air pol- lution, wind effect, impact on skyline of world heritage sites, and its impact on the economic value of surrounding property and people's quality of life. Civil Society Network said it was not against high-rise but a thorough study was needed be- fore moving on. "Breakthrough technologies in civil engineering are ref lect- ed through infrastructure such as bridges and high-rise, and we don't want to come out against such developments because they are important to society," Borg told a press conference outside Parliament. "However, a master plan assessing the eco- nomic, social and environmen- tal impacts of high-rise must be drafted before such decisions are taken." Civil Society Network has e- mailed four political parties to request their support for a moratorium on high-rise. So far, Alternattiva Demokratika and Partit Demokratiku – the latter set up this month by in- dependent MP Marlene Far- rugia – have backed their call. However, Borg said that neither the Labour Party nor the Na- tionalist Party have responded to their e-mail yet. Moreover, Labour MP Franco Mercieca – as chairperson of Parliament's environment and planning committee – rejected the Civil Society Network 's call for a debate on high-rise be- tween MPs, NGOs, experts and civil society representatives. "I understand your concerns on the 'mega-development pro- posals' that were reported in the media, but I hasten to add that the parliamentary commit- tee for environment and plan- ning is bound to assess the pro- posed master plan at two stages according to the Development Planning Act," Mercieca wrote. "The committee will have two opportunities to discuss the proposals with the involvement of the eNGOs, that being the draft stage and before it is ap- proved. Therefore, I think it is only fair that presently we allow the authorities to finalize and publish the master plan before we start discussing, as other- wise it will be an utter waste of time." Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson Arnold Cassola said it would be "downright irresponsible if a holistic mas- terplan for the whole of Malta on the cumulative impact of high-rise buildings were not commissioned before any of the proposed projects are taken into consideration." AD has been asking for a mor- atorium on high-rise buildings since 2013. "It is irresponsible on their part that neither the PL nor the PN have signed this joint re- quest for a temporary cessation. We now appeal to individual MPs who declare themselves to be environmentalists to second Marlene Farrugia's motion in parliament: Parliamentarians, now is the time to put your ac- tions where your mouth is." The call for a moratorium has been backed by Din l-Art Hel- wa, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ah- jar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Ramblers Association Malta, Qui-si-Sana & Tigne' Residents Association, Sustainable Built Environment Malta, Youths for the Environment, Moviment Graffitti, and the Chamber of Planners. maltatoday, SUNDAY, 19 JUNE 2016 News Cisk Pilsner is a premium pilsner combining a tradition of brewing excellence and passion with the finest quality Pilsen malt and Noble hops of the Saaz variety. Cool, crisp and immensely satisfying, and with an alcohol content of 5.5%, Cisk Pilsner offers the discerning beer connoisseur a remarkably crisp and well-hopped flavour with a rich white head, a delicate bitterness and a superior aroma originating from the rich essential oils present in the Noble hops. A true Pilsner of exceptional quality. INTRODUCING CISK PILSNER. A LEGEND TO BE SAVOURED BY THOSE WHO SEEK THE BEST. THE EVOLUTION OF A LEGEND Civil society activists push for suspension of high-rise projects Architect Reuben Borg (centre) calls for a master plan which would regulate high-rise developments