The Controversial High-Rise Buildings in Malta.

The high-rise buildings topic in Malta has lately been into large controversies. At the moment some high-rise buildings are being proposed and some of them are being approved. The controversies has recently started after few buildings were being approved. They are known to be effecting some citizen’s quality life and such other negative aspects towards citizens (Times of Malta, 2016). The buildings can eventually cause an increase in traffic which currently the traffic situation is a bit disastrous(Times of Malta, 2016). There might also be an increase of parking problems, if the problem is not addressed well, as such building should have their own parking malls, which I assume they will as I don’t have enough knowledge about their regulations and permits.

The idea of high-rise building in Malta compared with other countries is very different, as Malta is a small island which in my opinion there isn’t the need of such buildings. I think that such large buildings, will cause lots of problems to the Maltese citizens as already mentioned. Malta has always had some sort of identity in buildings and large buildings doesn’t fall under that and I wouldn’t want them in our skyline as they’d ruin such unique skyline and views by these buildings which will look like a giant block of concrete emerging out of the ground. Well, I’m not totally against the idea behind their purpose because I’m aware that such investments would increase our economy, my concern is more about the buildings themselves as they are very long and will surely have negative impact on people’s lives (Debono, J. 2015). If there is no solution other than building such buildings, then I would accept them to be built away from central areas, so they won’t be visible from everywhere in Malta. For instance I don’t agree with the fact that they’d be built in Mriehel as they’re currently proposed. (Times of Malta, 2016). As for example the Portomaso tower is alongside the sea within the bulk of buildings in St. Julian’s, which makes it almost blend in that particular area, although it’s still very high and could be visible from long distances in Malta, but it’s not blocking most views.

Imagine if suddenly close to your neighbourhood, a long tower is approved to be built, and by this you know that the most of the sunlight is going to be covered and that maybe a view you used to enjoy is now blocked and all you can see is just building… I don’t think that I would agree with such building because it has such negative aspects including the decreasing property value of my property.  Such things are probably being ignored and people suffering such negative aspects are being in the minority and probably won’t be recognized by authorities. Other negative aspect that towers might have, is that when the winds are strong, pedestrians walking by, might get hurt as the wind forces will change their direction causing stronger and dangerous winds (Debono, J. 2015).

References:

Times of Malta, 2016. High-rise buildings go beyond reasonable limits - Church commission. Times of Malta. [online] Available at: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160812/local/high-rise-buildings-go-beyond-reasonable-limits-church-environment.621813 [Accessed 5 January 2016].

Debono, J., 2015. Malta’s giddy high-rise future. Malta Today [online] Available at: http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/54067/maltas_giddy_highrise_future#.WG0uaBsrKUk [Accessed 5 January 2016].

Zammit Cutajar, T., 2016. New high-rise city. Times of Malta. [online] Available at: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160718/letters/New-high-rise-city.619202 [Accessed 5 January 2016].