The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) has unveiled its newly, redeveloped website, www.mepa.org.mt, with special emphasis being given to offering customers and users alike a less complex structure for them to navigate through the extensive online content.

The revamped website, which has been given a new look includes significant improvements in both substance and style. A major architectural overhaul now highlights a new Malta Scheduled Property Register providing an updated searchable version of the List of Scheduled Property and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Data Viewer, providing data and graphs contained in the latest National Greenhouse Gases (GHG) Emissions Inventory for Malta.

Ing. Ray Piscopo, Director for Corporate Service remarks that “we recognize that reinvention is part of the very fabric of the internet and this new look to the site is another step in meeting the expectations of our customers”. He added that “we have redesigned the architecture of the site to better manage the information interface between ourselves and our customers.” The website also has started to feature all Outside Development Zone (ODZ) planning applications received by MEPA separate from those proposed within scheme. This addresses a key measure outlined in the Mepa reform namely that more publicity and awareness should start being given to proposed developments in Outside Development Zones.

Substantive additions include a Quick Links bar giving access to the most used searches and pages, an enhanced search facility and lists of the various permitting streams within MEPA,

The Legislation and Policy section has been vastly improved, providing better searches and more information, as well as grouping documents by topic. The website also features more prominently a section where the public can participate more prominently in planning and environment policies that are open to public consultation.

Mr. Antoine Zahra, Assistant Director Technical Services, who spearheaded this exercise said “although www.mepa.org.mt had been awarded Malta’s Best overall website some years back, we never stood on our laurels but have kept being innovative in developing our digital interface with the public at a fast pace. Locally, the Authority has always been a pioneer in the ICT field and is committed to remain a model of excellence in this area.”

Last year, the Authority, through its website had heralded in a new era in land use planning and environment through the introduction of its e-application system. Today this system which brings together different platforms and technologies into one homogeneous system, allows clients to view application details, submit and pay for applications online and send/receive correspondence digitally is an integral part of the new revamped website.