Is high-rise the way forward?

There has been a plethora of touristic and high rise projects which have opted to go for high-rise. Many of them will exceed 35 storeys in height. It is obvious that St George’s Park will be home to a number of small skyscrapers, one at the ITS site, the Villa Rosa site and probably other localities around the bay. One can understand the business thinking from a number of Maltese entrepreneurs but what is also very clear is that their concern for our landscape is next to nil.

We also know that this country is facing a fait accomplit when it comes to  planning: of  going up to the detriment of Malta’s landscape.

There has been little or no discussion on the matter.

There does not seem to be any thought about the way the aesthetics of the country will be forever changed. It is also clear that the political class are insensitive to preserving our landscape and architectural identity.

This fine line between development and environment simply does not exist.

Janet Dimech
Iklin