Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/697149
JAMES DEBONO A MaltaToday survey conducted over the past week shows that more than two thirds of the Maltese think that high-rise towers in general make the country uglier, irrespective of where these are located. The survey also shows that three-quarters of respondents would not like Malta to resemble Dubai with regard to its physical appearance. The greatest concern on high buildings is their impact on views and landscapes, fol- lowed by the perception that these are claus- trophobic or alien to the Maltese identity. While in their majority the Maltese dislike high-rise buildings, the survey shows 56% seeing some positive ad- vantages in high-rise devel- opment when asked to state one. The advan- tage which was most mentioned is that such buildings are perceived to occupy a smaller footprint of land than horizontal develop- ments and thus help reduce pres- sure on unspoilt land. When presented with a list of localities where according to present planning policies high- rise development can be allowed, 44% insisted that such development is unac- ceptable anywhere. An overwhelming 79% agree with a moratorium on high-rise projects until a master plan for such develop- ments is formulated. The survey also shows that environmental NGOs enjoy the trust of 52% of the Maltese. On the other hand the two major parties en- joy the same level of trust on environmental issues – just 36%. 13% opted for Alternattiva Demokratika (10%) and the new Democratic Party (3%). Newspaper post SUNDAY • 26 JUNE 2016 • ISSUE 868� • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY SUNDAY • SUNDAY • 26 JUNE 2016 • ISSUE 868� 26 JUNE 2016 • ISSUE 868� • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY maltatoday YOUR FIRST READ AND FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT FULL SURVEY PGS 10-12 Malta's letterbox millionaires Malta's €650,000 citizenship sale has netted Asian billionaires and the Russian elite seeking a hassle-free passport to travel across the Schengen zone. But requirements to buy a €350,000 property appear to be wilfully ignored, as photos of their 'hovels' clearly show – by MATTHEW VELLA and JURGEN BALZAN PAGES 6-7 This two-storey Naxxar maisonette on Triq il-Forga is listed as the address of Chinese billionaire Liu Zhongtian, chairman of China Zhongwang Holdings, one of the country's biggest aluminum makers. He is worth $2.8 billion, but is this property worth €350K? Gender studies expert Dr Brenda Murphy INTERVIEWED 14 15 €1.40 trophobic or alien to the While in their majority the Maltese dislike high-rise buildings, the survey shows 56% seeing some positive ad- vantages in high-rise devel- footprint of land than horizontal develop- ments and thus help reduce pres- sure on unspoilt land. When presented with a list of localities where according to present planning policies high- Towers will make Malta uglier, 68% say LEFT: The second floor of this office building on St Paul's Street in Naxxar should be housing the Khalaf family of three and Majdolin Al-Dawood. Is this a €350,000 property? RIGHT: Nobody answered apartment 5 of this cheap-looking Qawra holiday flat. But 'high net worth individual' Victoria Shopina is registered on this address NAXXAR NAXXAR QAWRA G & T PLAYING IT COOL SUMMER'S ICY REFRESHMENTS SIZZLING BBQ www.gourmettoday.recipes DINING OUT OUR FAVOURITE RESTOS FRITTERS ISSUE 40 • June 2016 WIN a meal for two at palazzo preca SUNDOWNERS BEER- BATTERED SCALLOPS BBQ WITH RAMON MUSCAT SIZZLING BB FREE WITH MALTATODAY 'Symbolically men are told they should take up space in the world… women are told not to' BREXIT: WHAT NEXT? 2 3