Minimum property size set to increase to halt slums

Proposal for urban policy changes launched by MEPA for public consultation. 

Michael Falzon - parliamentary secretary for planning. (Photo Ray Attard)
Michael Falzon - parliamentary secretary for planning. (Photo Ray Attard)

The minimum legal size of bedrooms could soon increase, following a proposed policy that was launched for public consultation by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

According to the proposal, the minimum area for single bedroom will increase to 55 square metres, the minimum area for double bedroomswill increase to 75 square metres, and the minimum size for triple bedroom will increase to 115 square metres.

“As it currently stands, a lot of rooms are far too small and this paves the way for slums,” the policy’s work group chairperson Victor Sladden said. “Expanding the minimum bedroom size will result in higher-quality rooms.”

While only 20% of residence space will be able to be composed of single bedrooms, exceptions will be made for residences around University, Junior college and town centres where single bedrooms are more in demand.

Also, through this proposal, building height will be measured according to the actual height of the building, rather than on the number of floors. However, the minimum height of a floor will be capped at 2.75 metres. According to Sladden, this will give architects a greater degree of flexibility.

The depth-of-the-built footprint will not be able to exceed 30 metres so as to protect garden pockets. MEPA will also “encourage” projects that use renewable sources of energy and energy conservation measures, such as shading, thermal roof and wall insulation, roof gardens, atria, light wells and courtyards.

Building areas will be identified as one of seven different “typologies”- urban conservation areas, town centres, residential areas, villa and bungalow areas, environmentally sensitive areas, and seafront areas. Potential new buildings will be analysed according to their typology so that their character reflects their surrounding environment,            

Planning and simplification parliamentary secretary Michael Falzon praised this proposal as “innovative, creative, and forward-thinking”.

“Moreover, this proposal will simplify urban development laws,” Falzon said. “There are currently four different documents composed of around 200 policies, which means that there is a lot of room for interpretation. Consolidating them all into one document with around 100 policies will allow for more clarity.” 
The public consultation process wil end on 16 January 2015.