Unesco’s World Heritage Sites agency is about to send a commission to assess the present City Gate project devised by architect Renzo Piano’s Paris office in order to check whether the city of Valletta still qualifies as a World Heritage site, or otherwise.

In my honest opinion, the new Parliament building jars bombastically with the ambience of Valletta rather than blending in unobtrusively with its entrance. Its style is ultra modern and not in keeping with the style of Mannerist Valletta. It is in the wrong place and in the wrong style.

I feel that an informed amateur designer could come up with something that is much better. So why do we Maltese have to put up passively with such a monstrosity?

The unrestored opera house, a theatre open to all weathers, is another sore thumb. Why this half-baked project, resembling the remains of a Greek or a Roman temple? It is high time we put World War II behind us and restore the opera house to its pristine glory, care of architect Edward Middleton Barry. Every self-respecting European and Mediterranean important city possesses a fully functioning opera house.

Stylistically, this would enhance Valletta’s atmosphere and status both nationally and also internationally.