Panel: Rehabilitation: sustainable urban future based on urban regeneration
Panel discussion: Architecture/Planning
Description
According to the European Commission, buildings are one of the largest sources of energy consumption in Europe, and thus have the greatest energy saving potential. One of the key targets of the 2030 climate and energy framework is to increase energy efficiency by at least 32.5%. The updated directive Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) sets out, among other things, to increase the rate of building renovation,, to modernise the building stock, making it more resilient and accessible, to support better air quality, to digitalise energy systems for buildings and to facilitate more targeted financing to investments in the building sector, complementing other EU instruments supporting vulnerable consumers and fighting energy poverty.
Boosting their energy efficiency would not only cut emissions, but also tackle energy poverty, reduce people’s vulnerability to energy prices and support the economic recovery and job creation. These policy changes have given rise to a set of new requirements in architecture and to new standards of best practice, which will have to contend with growing consumer demands of reduced costs and waste. Limestone buildings are without a doubt the most particular aspect of Maltese architecture. Specifically adopted to deal with the local Mediterranean climate, traditional architecture has favoured thick walls, which grants passive cooling during the summer months and traps heat in winter. Moreover, ceilings are high to deal with humidity.
Do new methods of construction clash with traditional ones? Are energy-efficiency measures (such as green roofs), which have proven successful in other countries, applicable to the Mediterranean climate? What entails adapting an existing building to meet energy-efficiency criteria? How do these requirements intersect with the restoration of historical buildings?
Speakers
- Wendy Jo Mifsud – Lecturer at the University of Malta.
- Alex Torpiano – Faculty for the Built Environment and Professor – Executive President of Din l-Art Helwa.
- Andre Pizzuto – President at Kamre tal-Periti
- Chantal Stagno – MCCM Chamber Secretary and CIOB Member.
Moderator: David Xuereb – Enterprise Chairman, Director, Business Mentor, Decarbonisation Advisor, Ethical Change Management
Conference Insights
Getting definitions right
‘Sustainability’ means a lot of things to different people. It boils down to limiting some aspect, be it demography, traffic, resources, or the total number of tourists. In Malta, the term ‘urban’ is used as a synonym for areas that can be developed, whereas in other countries not all of the areas that are considered ‘urban’ are open for development (parks, open areas).
When it comes to achieving a zero-carbon economy, the order of preference should be as follows:
- Promote rehabilitation (make use of the embodied energy of existing buildings).
- Encourage green buildings made out of recyclable materials.
Urbanism and planning
Urbanism deals with the fabric of space by considering factors such as density, amenities in the local area, and the form and composition of communities. When it comes to ensuring quality, urbanism cannot be left to chance; it needs to be programmed in a systemic and professional manner to ensure that all resources, financial and human, private and public, are put to good use. This synthesis is achieved via urban planning.
Infrastructure is a fundamental aspect of development. High-quality buildings are of no use when the spaces and the infrastructure (roads, energy distribution, drainage systems) that connect and support these buildings are not adequate.
It is estimated that the population will grow by 100,000 within the next 30 years. Key infrastructure, such as waste and stormwater management systems, will become obsolete within that time period. Green infrastructure offers an opportunity to tackle this problem.
Organised and competent public governance is crucial for good urban planning. However, the construction sector in Malta is characterised by fragmentation:
- The Planning Authority sets general policies for development control, but the public entities tasked with their implementation (Infrastructure Malta, Public Works Department, Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation…) have no overarching coordination.
- There are at least 22 public authorities which are in some way involved in regulating the way buildings are manufactured.
To achieve quality, regulatory frameworks must be streamlined to efficiently support the private industry in achieving the targets set by governing bodies. The focus on quality has the added benefit of making Malta more attractive to foreign investors, as they expect a higher level of quality, both from the buildings themselves and from urban spaces in general.
Urban Mobility
Malta has a car-centric model of urban mobility. Getting cars off the street should become a top priority. This could be achieved by investing in multi-story car parks, park and ride facilities on the periphery of towns, and gravitating towards the concept of 15-minute cities. Mixed-use developments encourage people to walk by making the places where people live, work, and play more reachable. Moreover, streets should be designed with walkability in mind; unrepaired pavements, absence of shade, and heavy traffic dissuade people from walking to their destinations. Reduced cost and health benefits of walking should be emphasised
The way forward: slow down and take stock
When it comes to the construction industry and its practices, the Maltese context is that of layer upon layer of micro-mistakes that have added up over a period of 40 years. This has generated friction within the sector and contributed to the tarnishing of its image in the eyes of the general public.
The focus must shift away from purely financial indicators (such as GDP or total number of promises of sale) and take into consideration ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) concerns. The European Commission has recently taken up, and made a priority of, issues related to urban spaces, planning, and quality of design. As a result, the New European Bauhaus has been the main topic on the agenda at the recent General Assembly of the Architect’s Council of Europe. Malta must participate actively on the international frameworks that provide examples of best practice.
Heritage is intimately intertwined with the three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, economic. The intersection of these three pillars determines issues like livability, viability, and equity. Heritage must be looked at as a multi-layered resource, which includes tangible (embodied energy of buildings) as well as intangible aspects (culture, human resources)
Built environment professionals are encouraged to look at urban attractiveness from a first-person perspective, by putting themselves in environments that they want to experience. Professional bodies, developers, real estate agents, contractors, NGOs, and other stakeholders should come to an agreement about how they envision the future of the industry within the next 50 years.
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