On the 3rd of March, SACES hosted their annual architectural debate, titled; The Economy Vs The Environment: A Trade-Off or Prerequisites for each other?
The event took place at the Mdina Cathedral Museum and hosted 5 esteemed speakers including, Prof Alex Torpiano, Dr Konrad Xuereb, Mr Joseph Gauci, Steve Zammit Lupi and Dr Samuel Azzopardi. This was SACES’ 5th edition of STRIP and throughout this panel we got to listen to the discourse between the 5 panelists as they tackle the issue at hand, applying their different backgrounds in the field and sharing their knowledge with the audience.
Does enriching one means sacrificing the other?
Prof Alex Torpiano kicked off the debate by elaborating on the concept of the “Doughnut Economy”. He explained that the doughnut model is made up of an upper circle and a lower circle. The upper circle is the limit which is the use of resources whereas the lower circle is where the social injustice lies, where people are deprived. Ideally, as a society, we operate between these two limits and if we do, the conflict between economy and environment does not arise.
Mr Joseph Gauci continued by agreeing with Prof Torpiano and stated that as a country, we are heavily dependent on the construction industry because over the years we created this sort of perception that buildings will sustain themselves, that they will create growth in themselves. Our society moved from building to provide a shelter and building what is necessary, into an investment tool. It has become an endless vicious cycle that we are falling victims to.
“Before we used to build to provide accommodation, now we build to provide a business”
Prof Alex Torpiano
Steve Zammit Lupi added by saying that there should be cooperation and not conflict because at the end of the day; the environment can thrive without the economy but the economy cannot thrive without the environment. The economy depends on the world’s natural resources to thrive.
Infrastructure and the cars’ potential in Malta
The debate moved on to the topic of infrastructure and the usage of vehicles in Malta. Dr Samuel Azzopardi talked about how in Malta, one cannot simply walk on pavements without being interrupted. Our island has become so fixated on creating roads catered towards cars, that we have forgotten that pedestrians still need pavements to walk from one place to another.
He also believes that as a country, we have cars that we cannot use to their full potential and Dr Konrad Xuerab added by saying that we should shift away from a car-based society. The more you widen the road, the higher the demand will be and it is because of this that more cars are being registered in Malta. Dr Xuereb stated that no alternative is being offered for citizens and that is why we turn to cars for travelling. He believes that once an alternative is proposed and available, a shift will take place.
Roads are being made in order to accommodate us drivers. We remove the trees because we ruin the roads for the cars. Walks are no longer pleasant because there is no shade and the scorching sun or the heavy rain is directly on us. COVID-19 has made us realise how needed a walk in your village is but it is difficult to enjoy this when you have car noises ringing in your ears and emissions up your nose.
Steve Zammit Lupi suggested that politicians should be offered a crash course on urban planning. Zammit Lupi did not beat around the bush and said that the current education system on urban planning and infrastructure is lacking immensely.
“The amount of non-sense, no disrespect to them, that politicians state on urban planning, on parking, on mobility in general, we almost do not realise the consequences of what we say. If I am not competent in health, I wouldn’t dare share my opinion on COVID restrictions because it is not my field of understanding”
Steve Zammit Lupi
“I think this partial lockdown has changed the way we behave. It has made people appreciate more their surroundings and open spaces, more than before. We now have different priorities.”
Mr Joseph Gauci
To end the debate, Zammit Lupi stated how politicians are talking about going back to normality, however, he wishes we go to a new normal. Let us all look forward to a better and improved society!
Check out last year’s debate here!
