Let it be a smart move

In urban planning jargon, "Smart City" would be referred to as an "Instant City". An instant city, in contrast to most historic cities that have evolved over centuries, is conceived within a very short period of time in accordance with a predetermined physical blueprint. Some of the most famous instant cities would include the likes of Palmanova, St Petersburg, New Delhi and Brasilia, all urban microcosms planned by skilled architects and city planners and empowered by enlightened patrons, rulers or even despots.

Smart City would not be the first "Instant City" in our local urban history. Obviously, Valletta was the first and finest city to be built locally in accordance to the Ideal Renaissance city planning principles. Francesco Laparelli set out to plan and impart a physical form to what then constituted the fortified "City of the Order".

During the late 19th and early 20th century, the British colonial authorities planned the garrison towns of Mtarfa and Pembroke, whose raison d'être was the accommodation of the British military troops in separate urban enclaves. Both towns were planned and built in accordance with a strict blueprint and their architectural imagery reflected their purpose. Unfortunately, following the closure of the military base we managed to make a total architectural mess of both these towns.

This brief historic introduction is intended to highlight the fact that all "instant cities" came into being as a result of a well-defined vision and rationale. It is highly unfortunate that the current media debate on the local Smart City project has degenerated into a senseless contest of throwing up percentage figures of footprints in order to justify or criticise the venture. A meaningful critique of the project should focus on the underlying vision that is the starting point of the project. The central motivation is the creation of a high-tech digital city with the urban nerve centre being the IT business park and supported by a mix of residential units, hotels and open recreational spaces. This would certainly represent a quantum leap in quality than the currently derelict environment of an abandoned industrial estate.

As an architect and urban planner, my preoccupation would not be so much in terms of rigidly adhering to percentage footprints. It would be more relevant to question the type of urban environment that would be created. One key factor would be that of ensuring high quality residential units with sustainable densities and to be complemented by extensive landscaped open spaces that would serve as the green lungs of the new city.

Architectural imagery is another aspect that is of fundamental importance. For all its financial and economic benefits, it would be inappropriate to import lock, stock and barrel the Smart City project in Dubai and transplant it to Ricasoli. The architectural vision for the local Smart City should hopefully be expressed in a modern architectural language that acknowledges the historic legacy of its surroundings. The gleaming glass towers and palm trees of Smart City @ Dubai would be anathema to the surroundings of the Grand Harbour environs. Aspects of architectural and urban design have to be carefully studied so as to ensure that the new development grafts well within the local landscape.

Smart City, if well planned, could also serve as an urban catalyst for the restoration and rehabilitation of Fort Ricasoli. The restoration and maintenance of the fort would entail a substantial capital outlay that no local government or private sector entrepreneur can handle as a stand-alone project without any real estate component. A fruitful synergy would be that of incorporating the fort within the framework of the Smart City project to be used jointly as a training academy and as a cultural attraction. Any new city needs to have urban magnets or poles that would serve as points of reference and in this respect Fort Ricasoli would be ideal.

Ten years ago, while studying in the US, I had the opportunity of visiting the new city centre of San Josè, California, then one of the fastest-growing cities in close proximity to Silicon Valley. Various new public buildings and cultural facilities were being built from the substantial tax revenues derived from the IT businesses in the high tech parks. The IT businesses were the cash cows for financing the cultural centre of the city. Maybe the local negotiators and planners involved in the process can take a cue from this and ensure that they incorporate a cultural component within Smart City.

Malta is the only country in the European Union which still does not have a gallery for 20th century art. Would it not be a major cultural plus to have an art gallery where both locals and visitors can enjoy viewing the works of some of Malta's most eminent artists (Willie Apap, Esprit Barthet, Antoine Camilleri, Emvin Cremona, Anton Inglott, etc.)? By having such cultural facilities, Smart City would stand for the best in terms of urbanism, combining the best of information technology and the visual arts in one venue.

Although one can appreciate that ongoing negotiations with the entrepreneurs entail a certain degree of confidentiality, it is an undeniable fact that this project has a high profile in the public domain. It is of critical importance that all Maltese partake and share in the making of this new city. The political battle of percentage footprints has no winners. The success of Smart City Malta would ultimately depend on the ability to implement with steadfast perseverance an all-encompassing and enlightened vision. That is no easy task. Ask Peter the Great or La Valette for that matter.

Dr Thake is co-author with the late Quentin Hughes of the book Malta - War & Peace, An Architectural Chronicle 1800-2000.

cthake@waldonet.net.mt