AD, Valletta Foundation welcome regeneration of the capital

Alternattiva Demokratika has welcomed the government's decision to regenerate City Gate in Valletta but said it would wait for the plans by world-renowned architect Renzo Piano before commenting.

"The bombed opera house, together with the man-made disaster which started in 1965 with the building of the horrendous entrance, followed by other architectural monstrosities, should certainly be redressed," chairman Arnold Cassola said.

The Valletta Alive Foundation agreed that the former opera house should accommodate Parliament and welcomed the government's decision to proceed with the regeneration project.

The various activities organised throughout the year in Freedom Square, it said, indicated a strong demand for popular cultural and educational activities in this strategic location.

The foundation urged the government to consider including a multi-storey car park under a pedestrianised Freedom Square. It also appealed to society to debate the project in a constructive manner.