Design
which was formerly merged with the PA
through the former MEPA.
The Planning Authority has introduced a number of incentives
for those of its employees who contribute towards reducing
Malta’s carbon footprint.
to relatives or friends and so forth.
Efficient use of space is even more
relevant in Malta where space is so
limited and where there are more
private cars than driving licences!”
Perit Frans Mallia explained.
“And the island has the second most
dense transportation network in the
world. Since the 1980s, the amount of
roads constructed has been phenom-
enal as we tried to keep up with the
increase in demand for cars. Whilst
it is true that there are practically no
options that replace the comfort and
flexibility offered by the private car –
this is only applicable as long as there
is no congestion and you find some-
where to park! - We also have to bear
in mind that it is practically the most
expensive means of transport.”
Transport Malta and other entities
have been taking a number of ini-
tiatives to ease the pressure. In view
of its remit of sustainably regulating
land use, the Planning Authority
8
Q1, 2017
has taken green travel possibilities
very seriously.“Our remit is to look
at land use but that includes under-
standing the impact of traffic and
roads as you cannot have one without
the other,” Perit Frans Malllia said.
Land transport features very prom-
inently in spatial planning and thus
the PA feels obliged to contribute to
research and where possible imple-
ment measures that promote green
travel. It also conducted a number
of related studies which are being
drafted to complement other doc-
uments on the same overall subject.
Exchanges with Transport Malta also
take place in the determination of
development applications and traffic
assessments of larger projects.
The PA has already established contacts
with other entities to share what it has
learnt so far from its green travel trials.
For example, contacts to explore com-
monalities and experience have already
been established with the Environ-
ment and Resource Authority, part of
Persuading people to give up their
cars will almost certainly only hap-
pen if there is some form of incentive
or viable alternative. The Incentives
include topping-up Tal-Linja cards
by up to €26 a month, and paying
those who use motorcycles, scooters
or bicycles, as well as those who walk,
€312 a year: “The concept is to allow
these employees to keep their options
open. So if, for example, it is too hot
to walk or it is raining and you do not
want to use a scooter, then the subsidy
will cover the cost of alternative green
transport (eg. the bus),” Perit Mallia
explains. The incentives have already
persuaded a significant amount of PA
employees to leave their cars at home.
Naturally these measures taken by the
PA alone will leave a small impact on
the traffic and parking loads but the
effect would be much more significant
if the example is emulated by other en-
tities in the public and private sector.
Advantages are envisaged if different
organisation can team up to take ad-
vantages from the economies of scale.
“The government is actively trying
to tackle this issue and actually an-
nounced measures for employers in
the Budget a few weeks ago. We want
to make sure that if companies want
to take up the idea of organising al-
ternatives for the employees, we are
in a position to help them based on
first-hand experience and share our
model with them.”
For further information contact: Robert
Galea on 2290 1048 or email address:
[email protected]
DESIGN&BUILD