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PR 16/25 | Union of Mediterranean Architects’ General Assembly held in Malta approves KTP motion calling for culturally sensitive and humane reconstruction of Gaza

Over the past two days, the Kamra tal-Periti hosted delegates from Mediterranean architectural associations for a conference on Cultural Resilience and the Union of Mediterranean Architects’ General Assembly. 

On Friday, the UMAR General Assembly adopted the declaration moved by the KTP calling for a culturally, socially, and humanely sensitive reconstruction of Gaza, denouncing any attempts to undertake speculative development unrelated to the endemic population’s needs. 

The motion, presented by KTP President Perit André Pizzuto, calls on the international community to set up an independent international assessment, with the participation of UNHABITAT, UNESCO, and UIA, of the destruction inflicted on Gaza’s built environment, heritage, and civilian infrastructure. 

The motion also calls on “all architects, planners, and built-environment professionals worldwide to uphold their ethical obligation to refrain from participating in projects that contribute to forced displacement, settlement expansion, speculative development unrelated to the endemic population’s needs, or violations of international humanitarian law.” 

On Thursday, KTP organised a conference which investigated the impact of climate change, tourism, and armed conflicts on cultural heritage within the Mediterranean region. European Commissioner for Culture Glenn Micallef and other distinguished international and local speakers delivered inspiring presentations which are expected to form the basis for future international collaboration on regional cultural projects over the months ahead. 

 

In the pictures, scenes from Gaza and its port, courtesy of Mr Mahmoud Alamour; Palestinian Architect and UMAR Council Member.

 

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Read the UMAR Declaration
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PR 15/25 | Court confirms legality of KTP disciplinary procedures

In a landmark ruling delivered this morning, the First Hall of the Civil Court (Constitutional Jurisdiction), presided over by Justice Henri Mizzi, confirmed that the laws and regulations governing the Kamra tal-Periti’s disciplinary procedures, when taken as a whole, do not infringe the right to a fair hearing.

The judgment followed a request for a constitutional reference filed earlier this year by periti Roderick Camilleri and Anthony Mangion as part of their appeal against the KTP Council’s decision to suspend their warrant due to professional shortcomings related to the tragedy that led to Miriam Pace’s death in 2020.

The appeal centred on  several constitutional matters, including an alleged lack of impartiality arising from the Council’s dual role in conducting preliminary investigations and making disciplinary determinations. The Court found that while this arrangement, taken in isolation, could appear to breach Article 39 of the Constitution and Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the disciplinary process as a whole – particularly the unrestricted right of appeal to the Court of Appeal – provides full safeguards to periti and satisfies the requirements of a fair hearing.

The Kamra tal-Periti welcomes this judgment and looks forward to further strengthening its disciplinary and regulatory functions in the months ahead, supported by the resources allocated in the recent budget and through partnerships with various public and private entities.

The Kamra underscores the importance of effective and well-resourced professional bodies tasked with self-regulation which is free from political interference is essential to safeguard the public interest and the standing of the profession.

The Kamra was represented in these proceedings by Dr Joseph Mizzi and Dr Ylenia Busuttil of Muscat Mizzi Advocates. This decision is still subject to appeal.

 

 

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Read also: PR 04/25

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PR 14/25 | Kamra tal-Periti calls for preservation of modernist military heritage at White Rocks

 

The Kamra tal-Periti welcomes the Government’s recent announcement to designate the White Rocks site as a National Park, a landmark decision that will safeguard this coastal area from future development. This initiative represents a significant step toward environmental stewardship and sustainable land use.

In this regard, the Kamra strongly urges that this vision be extended to include the protection and restoration of the historic White Rocks Barracks, originally known as the Officers’ Married Quarters. Constructed in the 1960s under the War Office Works Directorate. These buildings are a rare example of modernist military and residential architecture in Malta. Designed by leading Maltese and British architects, the complex was celebrated internationally, featuring twice in international magazine The Architectural Review (1965 and 1969) for its “simple dignity” and harmonious integration with the landscape.

The ‘tower-in-park’ design adopted at the White Rocks is a modernist concept, championed by Le Corbusier. Across the European continent, in cities like Berlin, Amsterdam, London, modernist housing estates embraced this concept which placed multi-unit blocks within landscaped areas. This urban design principle of the last century is a direct product of the experimentation and advances of the architecture and technological industries at the time, and it should be protected both as built heritage, as well as cultural landscape

The Kamra tal-Periti supports the Government’s designation of White Rocks as a National Park but insists that the conservation of this complex cannot be a success if either the built or the natural fabric is excluded. Therefore, the Kamra advocates for a wholistic approach towards the area, inclusive of full protection and restoration of the original 1960s barracks. White Rocks is an opportunity for a unique cultural landscape on the islands, and the Kamra trusts that adaptive reuse strategies, serving a cultural and educational purposes, are employed.

The Kamra recommends that:

  • The White Rocks complex is afforded statutory protection under both the Development Planning Act and the Cultural Heritage Act, and
  • That the regeneration project of the area is undertaken through an architectural design competition.

 

 

 

A Brief Historical Timeline

1960s – Built as Officers’ Married Quarters for British military personnel, showcasing modernist design principles.

1979 – British forces withdraw; site handed over to Maltese authorities.

1980s–1995 – Converted into a holiday complex serving language students.

1995 onwards – Site abandoned; multiple redevelopment proposals fail.

2025 – Government announces designation as a National Park.

 

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Images from wikimedia.org

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