ADPD – The Green Party has warned that Malta’s localities are increasingly being treated as financial assets rather than places for people to live, using the ongoing debate around the former Jerma Palace site in Marsaskala as a key example.Speaking during a press conference near St Thomas Tower, ADPD PRO and candidate Brian Decelis referenced a recent academic study examining tourism, real estate and urban pressures in Marsaskala.The study describes a process of “real estateisation”, where localities become increasingly driven by speculative development, investment apartments and short-let accommodation instead of the needs of residents.Decelis said Marsaskala has gradually transformed from a fishing village into a densely urbanised town facing infrastructure pressure, traffic congestion and a declining quality of life.According to ADPD, the proposed redevelopment of the former Jerma Palace site has become a symbol of wider national concerns around overdevelopment and speculative projects.The party argued that residential properties should primarily serve as homes rather than financial investments and proposed stronger local control over short-let rental permits, including giving local councils veto powers.Sandra Gauci said ADPD’s vision for Malta focuses more on quality of life, environmental protection, affordable housing and sustainable planning rather than continuous construction and expansion.The party also argued that Marsaskala needs more open spaces, safer mobility and stronger protection of its coastline instead of what it described as speculation disguised as progress.Do you think Malta’s localities are becoming overdeveloped?•