Picture this: A sprawling construction site in the heart of Sliema, where the once-quiet street of Tower Road is now a cacophony of drills and cranes. This isn’t an isolated scene; it’s a snapshot of Malta’s rapid development, where ‘build now, ask later’ has become the unofficial motto. But is this approach sustainable? Local NGO Momentum thinks not, and they’re calling for a change.

The ‘Build Now, Ask Later’ Phenomenon

From Paceville to Marsaskala, Malta’s skyline is a forest of cranes, a testament to the island’s construction boom. But while development is necessary, the ‘build now, ask later’ approach has led to a string of issues. Environmental concerns, traffic congestion, and a lack of infrastructure to support new developments are just a few of the challenges Malta faces.

“We’re not against development,” says Dr. Marthese Portelli, CEO of Momentum. “But we need to ensure that it’s sustainable, that it respects our environment, and that it benefits the community. The ‘build now, ask later’ approach doesn’t do that.”

The Environmental Toll

Malta’s development spree is taking a heavy toll on the environment. Deforestation, soil erosion, and increased pollution are just some of the consequences. According to a recent study by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA), Malta’s urban areas have expanded by 25% in the last decade, with much of this development happening in environmentally sensitive areas.

“We’re losing our green spaces, our biodiversity, and our cultural heritage,” says Dr. Portelli. “And for what? To build yet another block of apartments that won’t even have a car park?”

A New Approach: Planning Before Building

Momentum is calling for a new approach to development, one that prioritizes planning before construction. This means conducting thorough environmental impact assessments, engaging with local communities, and ensuring that new developments have the infrastructure to support them.

“We need to start thinking about the long-term effects of our decisions,” says Dr. Portelli. “We need to plan for the future, not just for the present.”

Momentum is not alone in its call for change. Environmental groups like BirdLife Malta and Din l-Art Ħelwa, as well as political parties like Alternattiva Demokratika, have all expressed concerns about Malta’s development spree.

But change won’t happen overnight. It requires political will, public engagement, and a shift in mindset. It requires us to ask, not just ‘Can we build here?’, but ‘Should we build here?’, and ‘What will be the long-term impact?'”

As Dr. Portelli puts it, “We’re not saying we should stop development. We’re saying we should do it right. For our sake, and for the sake of future generations.”