Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/697149
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 26 JUNE 2016 10 MaltaToday Survey No high-rise before island gets master plan JAMES DEBONO MALTATODAY'S survey shows that more than two-thirds of the Maltese think that high-rise towers will make Malta uglier. Only 14% say they enhance Malta's beauty while 15% think that their visual impact depends on where these are located. The survey shows that the appre- ciation of high buildings is lowest among those with a tertiary level of education. Among those with a post-secondary level of education 76% think that such buildings make Malta uglier, a view shared also by 71% of those with a university de- gree. But among those with a second- ary level of education the percent- age that thinks so falls to 60%. The survey shows that opposition to high-rise buildings is strong in all age groups, but younger respond- ents were less categorical. In this category 26% replied that the visual impact of high-rise towers depends on where these are located. PN voters in 2013 were also more likely to have a negative opinion of high-rise developments. While 62% of PL voters think that high- rise towers make Malta uglier, the percentage rises to 77% among PN voters. Respondents also overwhelm- ingly reject the idea that Malta should become more like Dubai with regard to architectural design of new projects. Only 13% think Malta should become more like Dubai. The allure of Dubai, which was touted as a model by the Prime Minister in a speech in June 2014, is strongest among Labour voters, older respondents and those with a secondary level of education. Respondents were also asked to state which is their greatest concern about high-rise buildings. Only 29% did not express any concern about high-rise buildings. The greatest concern is the perception that these have a negative impact on the land- scape, that these are claustropho- bic and that these impinge on the Maltese identity. Other concerns were expressed on shading and the impact of such projects on parking, traffic and that these could add too much pressure on the country's in- frastructure. But while rejecting high-rise buildings, 56% could at least men- tion one advantage of high-rise de- velopments. The greatest advantage is that such buildings are perceived to occupy a smaller footprint of land than horizontal developments and thus help reduce pressure on the countryside. Other advantages include economic growth and cre- ating more liveable space. Curi- ously the views from high-rise tow- ers is seen as an advantage by 4% of respondents while 3% expect more Don't know 11.2% Yes 78.5% No 10.3% Should all high-rise projects be halted until a plan is approved, based on studies of the impact on infrastructure? Air Pollution 15.2% Too many buildings 14.9% Loss of ODZ, green areas 12.9% Traffic 10.6% Pollution from cars 9.9% Building heights 9.3% Rubbish, dirt in street 9.3% Dust from construction 5% Rubbish collection 4.6% Others 3.7% Don't know 4.6% Which is the greatest environmental problem facing the country? SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS • 79% think projects should be halted pending studies and the formulation of a national plan • 68% think high-rise towers make Malta uglier • 56% could mention an advantage for going high-rise when asked to mention one • 52% trust Green NGOs • Only 36% trust the PL and PN on environmental issues • 72% think property is becoming more expensive • 22% of Maltese think rise in property prices is positive for them • 51% of PL voters think increase in property acquisition by foreigners is positive for Malta Sliema, which includes Tigné, is seen by 20% of respondents as the locality most ideal for high- rise development Towers of power: Fort Cambridge's proposed 40-storey tower hotel and below, Seaport Franchising's tower and Hard Rock hotel proposal for St Geogr's Bay