Monday, 27th October 2008

City Gate kiosks must form part of a plan

Monica Muscat, Valletta

Being a Valletta resident I buy goods which I happen to need from City Gate kiosks most Sunday mornings. I must admit it is a nightmare, walking round those kiosks, but more so because of the broken-down pavements and tree roots rising out of the ground.

The overflow from the kiosks of course contributes its share to the danger. When it rains everything is a threat to life and limb. Do we have to wait till Doomsday to have decent pavements? Why not re-organise the kiosks? I would have them all re-built as lean-to(s) against the bastion walls.

Another idea, if quite a daring one, would be to build these kiosks/shops along the present bridge, on both sides, one beside the other, with doors on the street side and windows overlooking the ditch.

In a few words, we would have the same pattern as Ponte Vecchio in Florence, where there are shops overlooking the river on both sides of the bridge. All must agree that Ponte Vecchio is a marvel... so I must be dreaming!

But dreams apart, why does someone competent not take up this idea and incorporate it in a plan for our "new" city entrance? I am sure we would have less of an eyesore than the present one.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Sunday, November 8, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

monica muscat (on 27/10/08)

Sorry. Everyone seems to have got me wrong. I would not want kiosks built on both side of the present city gate. I would like to see REAL shop,s, in Maltese stone or Wood, and incorporated in a NEW CITY GATE plan. These shops could be rented to the present kiosk holders and those who will eventually have to move out of the ruins of the old Opera House.
Thankfully we are all in agreement on one things. The present Kiosks need to go!

Charles Micallef (on 27/10/08)

There are far too many kiosks at the entrance of City Gate which makes the area looks like a third world market, city gate itself is also cryng out for some decent plant pots .......................

l Galea (on 27/10/08)

This is absolute rubbish.
The city built by gentlemen for gentlemen does not need the kiosks.
They make the area appear as a slum.

What has been a bus terminus should remain only a bus terminus and preferable be taken somewhere else to leave the area clear.

How about demolishing the Mussolini fascist-style present Valletta City Gate and rebuild it with architecture that harmonizes with the rest of Valletta and its bastions?

Sergio Galea Vincenti (on 27/10/08)

I apologise from the outset if I am misunderstanding Ms. Muscat but she writes 'Being a Valletta resident I buy goods which I happen to need from City Gate kiosks most Sunday mornings.'

Are we then to continue to allow the shambles which is now Valletta and create a further mockery which would be to either clutter the bastions or create a monstrosity along the already ugly entrance to Valletta for the fickle reason she mentions?

If the problem is to get the things she needs, she can always buy from elsewhere like most of us do when the shops in our localities are closed.

mary Pace (on 27/10/08)

@monica muscat
A very bad idea!! City Gate deserves better than that! ''JIXIRQILA ahjar,''