Approval of Metropolis project goes against reviewal of tall buildings policy – FAA

MEPA’s approval of the Metropolis project goes against an announcement it had made earlier, whereby in the light of a study ‘‘MEPA was reviewing its tall building (FAR) policy and no more permits for tall buildings were issued’’. The study which had been conducted by Dr Ali explained that tall buildings replace dilapidated buildings and regenerate depressed neighbourhoods as well as creating a modern urban skyline which attracts foreign investment. However he remarked that in Malta “both commercial and residential high-rises are not justifiable from a strict economic point of view... Some developers are proposing speculative projects in locations of their choice to make quick money by selling to others despite the high degree of vacancy rates in existing dwelling units at present.” FAA said that the none of the MEPA directors adjudicating the Metropolise project, were aware of the said report or its recommendations. The MEPA Board dismissed Dr Ali’s warning that the average Maltese buyer is not aware of the high maintenance costs and relatively short life of tall buildings, so defaulting on maintenance costs leads to the gradual neglect of such blocks, to which FAA replied that demolition is also a major problem since abroad they are usually retained by one owner whereas in Malta apartments are sold off individually. .