PRESS RELEASE BY THE MINISTRY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, PLANNING AND EMPLOYMENT Fifth Edition of the Emanuele Luigi Galizia Award announced

The Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Employment, Jonathan Attard, launched the fifth edition of the Emanuele Luigi Galizia Award, organised through a collaboration between the Planning Authority and the Kamra tal-Periti (Chamber of Architects). The aim of the award is to further strengthen the recognition of excellence in architecture, planning, and the built environment in Malta.

In his address, Minister Attard emphasised that good planning is one of the most important tools for ensuring the country continues to develop sustainably, while improving quality of life and safeguarding the interests of present and future generations.

Minister Attard stated that when discussing planning, the focus is not solely on permits or regulatory processes, but also on how we envision our towns and villages, the protection of our natural and cultural heritage, and the quality of the public spaces we use every day.

During the launch, it was explained how the Malta Architectural and Spatial Planning Awards, organised by the Planning Authority since 2019, have been merged with the Emanuele Luigi Galizia Award to create a single, stronger, more inclusive, and more representative national award for the entire sector.

“The Emanuele Luigi Galizia Award reflects the strong spirit of collaboration between the Planning Authority and the Kamra tal-Periti, which have come together for the first time to recognise excellence in this field of planning. As a government, this also reflects our vision of achieving higher standards. This is not simply the amalgamation of two awards. It is a national platform that brings together the best experiences, best practices, and highest aspirations of both the profession and public institutions," Minister Attard said.

To further strengthen this initiative, a joint committee was established between the Kamra tal-Periti and the Planning Authority. The committee has been working on this year's edition with the aim of elevating the award, expanding its scope, and further enhancing recognition of professional excellence in Malta.

The commitment of the Government and the Planning Authority remains focused on strengthening governance, transparency, quality in decision-making, and the modernisation of services.

In his closing remarks, Minister Attard encouraged professionals to participate in this edition of the Award and to continue playing a leading role in shaping a high-quality built environment for the benefit of the country.

The Executive Chairman of the Planning Authority, Johann Buttigieg, stated that the award serves as national recognition of the abilities and achievements of architects and students, particularly in relation to outstanding buildings and projects that respond to present and future needs while respecting the wider community.

The President of the Kamra tal-Periti, Perit Andre Pizzuto, highlighted the importance of collaboration between these two entities, both of which have significant influence on Malta's built environment. He also noted that the winner of this national award will have the opportunity to participate in a European-level architecture award.

Also present at the launch were last year's President's Award winners, Architects Peter and Sandro Valentino of Valentino Architects.

For more information about the fifth edition of the Emanuele Luigi Galizia Award 2026, including categories, eligibility criteria, regulations, and the application process, interested parties are invited to visit the award's official website at www.premjugalizia.org.