The Way Forward - 4

Note the following:

¤ The Maltese population is the most obese in the EU

¤ The Maltese population exercises the least in the EU.

With 7,000 new cars per annum since 1990, this works out at 1.5 cars per household, while public transport patronage has fallen by 21% over the period 1989-1998. The running costs for the new hospital, three years ago were estimated at Lm1.8 million per week.

These facts indicate that although our health service compares well with that of other European states, as placing fifth in the WHO's overall health service, is it sustainable? Should we not be going for alternative solutions, which are of lesser strain on the health service?

The private motor car, however, is presently implicitly being given the greatest attention and priority, as planning permission is dependent on providing a number of car spaces for development.

While the modernist visions clearly saw transport as part of the urban solution, today sustainability justifies a turnaround in approaches to the planning of transport systems. Poor availability for residential car parking may discourage car ownership, with people making more trips on foot in order not to lose their parking space.

A good rule of thumb is that at a density of 100 per hectare, a good bus service may be maintained. Note that the population for Malta is on the low side, averaging 65 persons per hectare. Towns that reach the former density are Zabbar, Pietà, Birkirkara, Sta Lucija, Paola and Fgura. Senglea tops the range at 220 persons per hectare.

The maximum distance people are prepared to walk is taken at 2,000 m, with an optimum of 800 m, a comfortable 10-minute walk. Shopping developers use 400 m as the maximum with shopping.

Malta's national report on sustainable development, presented in Johannesburg in 2002, notes that the main transport issues affecting Malta are the impact of cars on society, health, and the environment. Congestion, noise pollution, air pollution, road accidents as well as economic costs point to a need to reduce the dependency on private cars.

Road traffic also leads to atmospheric pollution by lead particulates and volatile organic compounds such as benzene. A recent study by Professor A. Vella notes that, not only are our urban areas among the worst in Europe due to benzene air pollution, but the quality of air in the Maltese countryside is worse than that of the Swedish urban areas. This is due to wind action. Contrary to the popular view, this disperses the pollutants, rather than eliminating them.

It is clear from the above that Malta's transport system has to be more sustainable, by boosting green travel. This green approach is encapsulated by "feet first" and "two wheels good, four wheels bad" initiatives.

Typically, pedestrians and cyclists come first, followed by public transport and private transport comes last in priority. Unlike motorised travel, walking, cycling and public transport can offer the range and speed of motorised transport with the door-to-door penetration of individual transport.

During the Chamber of Architects & Civil Engin-eers National Conference entitled "The Culture of Sustainability - Sustainability as a Culture", hosted last November, the Hon. George Pullicino, referring to Transport Management, noted the following:

"The 1990s saw an alarming increase in the number of new vehicles. The public bus service lost one million passengers per annum, with increased congestion, noise and more pollution problems. To shift the balance of modes of transport, the following are to be provided, accessible buses, fiscal measures for low-energy cars, 16% customs duty, instead of 60%, limiting the number of car parking spaces together with better urban and land use planning."

Regarding enticing the one million annual passengers back to public transport, can this be run on a free basis, obtaining its part funding from increased advertising? For a sustainable public transport solution, the way forward is, unlike in the housing field, to have air- conditioning installed on buses.

But is the above, which has the ultimate goal to achieve the greatest quality of life for all, as measured by a range of health indicators really happening in Malta? Our road construction design is presently based on traffic-calming measures, which means restricting the width of roads, to cater for a lesser number cars.

However, are there any provisions for cyclists? Our caved in-roads make it difficult and dangerous for cyclists to manoeuvre. Although more sports facilities are being constructed, has sports been given the necessary importance in the academic curriculum for it to become part of our culture? Why is it that there are few local triathletes? Triathlon is ideal for Malta, with its closeness to the sea and warm climate.

The phasing out of leaded petrol, the reduction of the sulphur content in diesel, and the improved situation of particulate emissions from the power stations, together with the adoption of above sustainable measures should help in reducing the financial strain on our health services. Further measures will be discussed in the next issue on sustainable issues for construction development.

Denis Camilleri, Eur.Ing, A&CE, B.Sc. (Eng.), BA (Arch.), C.Eng., A.C.I.Arb., M.I.Struct.E., FICE, is an architect and civil engineer and structural and property investments consultants