The Planning Authority (PA) has announced that it is “deepening its collaboration” with the Kamra tal- Periti (KTP).
This partnership, marked by the PA becoming a National Partner of the Malta National Architecture Awards – Premju Emanuele Luigi Galizia – and a joint effort to develop a National Architecture Policy, was spotlighted by Mr Johann Buttigieg, Executive Chairman of the PA, at the awards ceremony organised by KTP, this evening.
Speaking at the event, Mr Buttigieg praised KTP’s leadership in “fostering architectural advancement and sustainability.” He underscored the PA’s belief in the profession and its integral link to their own core values.
The National Partnership is a key element of this alliance, which, in Buttigieg’s words, “we see as a consolidation of all that has been achieved so far through the Malta Architecture and Spatial Planning Awards, while also elevating the status of the Galizia Awards, making them the sole awards of their kind on the Islands.”
It was explained that beyond this National Partnership, the centrepiece of the collaboration is the development of a “National Architecture Policy,” which they said will be “a forward-thinking framework designed to guide future development and ensure adherence to the highest standards of sustainable and contextually appropriate design across Malta.”
This comprehensive policy will encompass a detailed review of architectural practices and education in Malta, a comparative analysis of assessment processes against international benchmarks, and an exploration of public procurement of architectural services.
Furthermore, Buttigieg said it will “integrate relevant European policies, including the New European Bauhaus initiative, and develop an architectural framework aligned with globally recognised principles. The process will be firmly rooted in evidence-based research, with input from both the public and private sectors, aiming to identify the resources necessary for successful implementation.”
Buttigieg also expressed his enthusiasm for further collaboration with KTP, including on matters relating to the National Building Council, highlighting the importance of a joined-up approach to all aspects of the built environment.
“This collaborative effort underscores a shared vision for Malta’s future,” as Buttigieg concluded by celebrating the positive impact of thoughtful design and responsible construction on society.
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