While Valletta definitely requires a boost to convert it into a distinct capital City of Culture, I do not think the projects mentioned in the article A Deserved Boost For Valletta (September 18), by Minister Jason Azzopardi necessarily give the boost that is required.
Valletta requires a different type of public transport system, which is marine-based- Charles Buhagiar
I cannot understand how a roofless theatre and a Parliament building that nobody really wants can give such a boost.
On the other hand, I note with satisfaction that the present Administration has continued the pedestrianisation of the commercial centre of Valletta – a project started during the 1996-1998 Labour Administration. However, I must point out the poor workmanship evident in various streets such as the lower part of St John Street corner with Strait Street where all the paving, although laid less than two years ago, is already broken and coming apart.
On the other hand, the uncontrolled access for vehicles in the paved areas is causing big damage to the paving, including as a result of engine oil stains that are evident in all the streets.
In his article, Dr Azzopardi also mentioned the extension of the MCP car park by roofing of the central part and the conversion of its roof into a garden. May I remind Dr Azzopardi that this part of the project was a planning obligation imposed by (at that time) the Planning Authority and which was never implemented by the car park owner. I do not think that the implementation of a condition imposed more than 20 years ago is something one should brag about.
A serious government would have ensured that this planning obligation should have been implemented many years ago.
The regeneration of Valletta depends on accessibility. One notes with satisfaction that at last (many years too late) the Barrakka lift is nearing completion and should provide easy access from Valletta Waterfront to the city centre. However, much more needs to be done.
I strongly believe that Valletta (indeed, the harbour area) requires a different type of public transport system, one that is not land-based but is a marine-based system similar to the one in, say, Venice. Such a system would provide a very efficient mode of transport ensuring that persons arrive in Valletta within relatively short time periods (there are no traffic jams in the sea) while contributing in no small way to a decrease in vehicle emissions. Preferably, such a system would also link cities around the Grand Harbour to the ones in Marsamxett harbour, up to Sliema.
Such a system would need to be very well planned because there are few parking areas in the immediate vicinity of the coast and so it has to be combined with a park-and-ride system.
On the other hand, I am sure that such a marine-based transport system would provide a fast, efficient and comfortable mode of transport within an area that suffers from traffic congestion and lacks adequate car parking facilities.
To ensure that Valletta and the historic cities around Grand Harbour do not end up as ghost towns, especially during the night, we need to improve access to them because lack of adequate accessibility is a huge obstacle to their regeneration.
I strongly believe that the landmark project that Valletta and the harbour areas require is one that improves accessibility and not a roofless theatre or a new Parliament building, even if these projects are designed by Renzo Piano.
The author, an MP, is the Labour Party’s spokesperson on infrastructure, public works, capital projects and sustainable development of central Malta.