Posts

,

PR 08/24 | Kamra tal-Periti calls on Mosta Local Council to make pedestrianisation work rather than reverse it

With reference to media reports stating that the Mayor of Mosta presented a motion to reverse the pedestrianisation of the core of Mosta, the Kamra tal-Periti calls on the Councillors not to succumb to commercial pressures that disregard community wellbeing.

Rather, the Kamra tal-Periti calls on the Mosta Local Council to implement measures to ensure the success of the pedestrianisation project. It is inevitable that such a major change to the urban fabric of Mosta will bring about a transition period through which local businesses will need to adjust, as the type and behaviours of their patrons inevitably change. This should not, however, deter the Mosta community from seeing through this transitory phase, in part by also supporting their local businesses with their custom.

If, as reported, activity during the periods when the square is fully pedestrian is low causing a temporary business downturn, it is incumbent on local and national political leaders to intervene by incentivising greater social and commercial activity in the square. Indeed, the Local Council should partner with central government to develop cultural and fiscal incentives during this transition period.

The Council of the Kamra tal-Periti is willing to support and discuss with the Mosta Local Council initiatives and incentives that can be developed, in consultation with Studjurban and local civic groups, to meet the needs of the various community interests.

,

PR 01/22 | The 74th General Meeting of the European Council of Civil Engineers convenes in Malta to discuss the challenges of Climate Change

Verżjoni bil-Malti

The 74th General Meeting of the European Council of Civil Engineers convened in Malta this morning. This was the first time this prestigious European federation convened in person since the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020. The event was organised with the support of the Ministry for Public Works and Planning.

 

 

 

Opening the general meeting, the ECCE President Engineer Andreas Brandner stated that the COVID and the war in Ukraine have caused serious disruptions to the production and shipping of materials across Europe resulting in significant inflation.

 

Brandner also remarked that the effects of the failure to maintain and upgrade critical European infrastructure, including water, transport and sewage systems, to cut public expenditure is becoming increasingly apparent. The measures that many European governments are now adopting, driven mainly by lobby groups, are resulting in an exorbitant waste of public funds. The ECCE president called for a more holistic approach in this regard.

 

 

Andre Pizzuto, President of the Kamra tal-Periti and host of the four-day event, spoke of the critical role of built environment professionals, and in particular civil engineers in addressing the climate emergency. Pizzuto remarked that “during these past two years, as members of society became more sharply aware of the vulnerability of humanity on this earth, the impetus to address the impending climate emergency gained renewed urgency.”

 

Pizzuto referred to research publications pointing to the fact that “Malta’s energy demand over the next thirty years is projected to grow significantly, as its population continues to also grow at a fast pace. By the end of this decade, buildings will account for over 50% of the energy demand. A further 30% will be consumed for transportation.”

 

“The dominance of cars in Malta, with 6 cars for every 5 inhabitants, further exacerbates the unsustainable energy demand in our country,” he warned.

 

The KTP President called on the European Commission and national governments across Europe to strengthen the engineering profession by affording it the recognition it merits and providing the necessary legislative and regulatory infrastructure for engineers to meet the challenges posed by the climate emergency in a safe and sustainable manner.

 

“Nobody in their right mind would have considered liberalising and lowering standards in the regulation of health professionals during the peak of the health crisis we have just been through. Then why does the Commission think it is appropriate to continue advancing the notion that dropping standards in engineering is appropriate in the midst of this environmental emergency?” he asked.

 

 

In his opening address, Minister for Public Works and Planning, Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said that the Government, mindful of the challenges affecting the construction sector, mainly where human resource management is concerned, will be introducing new laws aimed at improving regulations in the field including those on the licensing of contractors and improving the skills of all workers in the sector. Once adopted, these laws will boost the quality and standards of the construction industry. The Minister added that it is also vital that a safe development process is also energy efficient and considers the needs of the public, particularly the end consumers. He stated that it is time for the Civil Engineers’ profession to take a more leading role in the planning and design processes. They need also to contribute towards helping the country to reach its net-zero target and climate action programmes. Minister Zrinzo Azzopardi stated that a healthy community in a resilient economy will look at these disruptions as an opportunity for change, a change for the better.

 

 

Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations revised

The Building Regulation Office, BRO, has announced that new regulations on Energy Performance of Buildings have now come into force. Published in L.N. 47 of 2018, they differ from the previous regulations as follows:

  1. EPB assessors shall be in possession of a warrant.
  2. A revision of the list of buildings exempted from the requirement to comply with the minimum energy performance requirements set out in Technical Document F (Part 1 and Part 2) and from the requirement of an EPC has been made.
  3. The requirement of a compliance certificate drawn up by the responsible architect or engineer declaring that a new building (or a building undergoing a major renovation) complies with the minimum energy performance requirements set out in Technical Document F (Part 1 and Part 2) has been introduced.
  4. When a building is sold or rented, the owner shall provide the buyer or the tenant with an EPC at the latest before the date of entering the promise of sale or rent agreement.
  5. For new buildings, a design-rating EPC shall be available just prior to obtaining a full development permit from the Planning Authority.
  6. Designers of new buildings shall ensure that various energy efficiency measures are taken into account (Alternative systems – Article 6).
  7. Setting of different deadlines for nZEB:
    – new public buildings by 31 December 2018
    – all other new buildings by 31 December 2020.
  8. Buildings having an EPC being advertised for sale or for rent shall include the energy performance rating in the advert in compliance with the ‘Advertising Requirements Guidelines’.
  9. A legal framework has been provided for the implementation of inspections of heating and air-conditioning systems.

 

 

Events

Nothing Found

Sorry, no posts matched your criteria