
Sunday, 28th June 2009 - 17:03CET
Valletta projects: The people have their say
Video: Mark Zammit Cordina
Hundreds of people visited the exhibition of the proposed projects for the entrance to Valletta, being held at the Archaeology Museum. Close to 400 visited in the morning.
The plans, by world renowned architect Renzo Piano, were launched in Republic Street yesterday evening.
This morning they were visited by 125 architects and architecture students in the presence of Mr Piano. Their reaction was that the projects would take Malta to the 21st century.
Mr Piano is proposing the replacement of City Gate with a breach in the bastions, an environmentally friendly Parliament House on Freedom Square, and a roofless theatre incorporating the ruins of the former Opera House.
While the general reaction of people interviewed by Claudia Calleja in the vox pop above has been positive, concern was expressed iover the fact that the proposed theatre is roofless and that Freedom Square would no longer be an open space.
See also:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090627/local/revealed-the-new-face-of-valletta
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090627/local/the-new-city-gate-and-parliament
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090622/local/renzo-piano-interviewed
The designs are available at:







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Comments
Sir, you have missed my point which was that we do not need another open air theatre. Valletta's (and our other cities'/towns') squares can serve for the purpose. It is the formal theatre we need.
Otherwise, I have no objection about the restructuring / regeneration of the city entrance. As it is, it is more akin to a shanty town and an abandoned oil drilling bore-hole than the majestic city is leads us into. Its lending to cultural activities is however questionable, as most activities on the islands are if limited size and can easily be accomodated in the piazzas in our cities and villages. Lest we forget that a few metres away are the Floriana granaries. In my view, the current terminus should be restored to be included in the adjacent gardens and left as a leisure area for the Valletta residents to enjoy (they hardly have any !).
when i was talking about a pjazza i havent mentioned that i want to stay it like it is but to regenerate it and do something that instead of hiding our fortifications and the church behind the theater make them much more visible than pianos newly constructed project....
@ A.Borg
i' m sure laparelli would applaude him for a newly modern stucture to be put as the centre of attention rather then the other structures that we have... and if we havent got land power why we have to use all the piazzas .... i dont know where you live but do you prefer high and massive concrete structures rather than piazzas! ( personally i like modern buildings but now even in valletta! we'll start with this one and i'm sure someone else will come with something new and original in another part of valletta!)
the following considerations could be taken into account :
will the area beneath the parliament be closed for security reasons every time there is a session?
who will organise events in the new theatre when he would have to reimburse the tickets in case of bad weather?
why not spend the money on a less ambitious project and focus only on the opera house +roof and build the rest at a later stage? everyhting could be given a general clean up and we could still have parking and a road above the gate
Parliament - 7/10 - I agree with the site but the glass should be kept at a minimum. My idea would be to old feature lines integrated into something modern.
Gate - 8/10 - Preferably the two sides should be connected by a lightweight bridge
Bridge - 9/10 - Agreed with narrowing the bridge but structure should look lighter.
I understand your interest in piazzias but you are mixing cities that have a land power larger then whole Malta and can expand and create any 'open' space as possible. Valletta was not designed on that terms, watch it from the sky it is a grid and all squares are strategically placed. Valletta as it is the largest area that can acomodate a piazza is so small that does not make sense ... and Piano was wise enough to embelish Laperelli's strategy!
The only area that a piazzia may be comftable and make sense IMO remain that 'gorbocc' and eye soar of a shabby bus turminus we have ... looks like a city under siege!
My comments were posted on the other blog 'CITY BY A GENTLEMAN'. And anybody who really loves our capital city must share by idea. And as I said, I bet that Renzo gave a thought about it !!!!
* I think Mr Piano has overlooked our numerous squares which are themselves open air theatres, some even with excellent acoustics (e.g. St George's Square, Valletta, Cathedral Square, Mdina, etc.), spectacular backdrop and adaptability for seating. No further open air theatres please. I'm all for the (roofed) opera house.
* Excellent one on the carnival all year round. Why not do the parliament underground with a glass roof for us to stamp and drive our floats on, but keep Freedom Square free ? How will the project go around the current parking charade ?
* With such a massive project, I would love to see better use of the wealth of (railway) tunnels leading right up from Pieta to City Gate dating back from the late 1800s.
* I still opine that the place of parliament is at St Elmo which is crying for restoration and rehabilitation while the area is always a battle cry during election time. Time to put money where the mouth is, if there is any.
@ Kathy Elliot
Seems you need a good tour of Valletta bastions, the whole curtain have been breached from many other parts and it was 'our' interventions including the magestic garage opening we have nowadays.
Personally I think that Piano ideas continue on the evolution of our city. The city is not a medieval fortress but a mix of architecture reflecting our heritage from all the Hospitaller's Order period [including a diversity of style], the colonial British period and postwar to the early days of our Republic ... so there you go for diversity of architecture in Valletta!
Opera House Site.... With all due rispect, to me, Mr. Piano`s idea of an open theatre, looks more of a Tennis Court than a rispectable and dignified Opera House as as it is planned, it surely does not go with the old City history.. I think that before we take a final decission on this site, we ought to know what certain theatrical experts, like world renowned Opera Tenor Mr. Joseph Calleja etc..have to say, and then take their professional advice, and decide..
Parlament in Freedom Square... This square should not be ridden off. It should remain an open space and embellished in a certain way, that it could esilly be converted into a place suitable for holding local traditional activities, etc.. On the other hand, i am sure that we can find an already existant place/s were to have our new parlament..
Astrid Vella fights to conserve what is heritage not the present city gate built by the government led by the same party as today.
Probably if we employ Piano to refurbish our city he would pull down the bastions, we don't need them and it would Valletta more modern, open and so more friendly. Walled city with no gate?
Just another thought; anyone knows of a small shop, for sale or rent, in the vicinity of the theater? I would like to open up with umbrellas and parasols
1) Should the project be completed... don't you think that the bus terminus would be a BIGGER eye sore than what it is today?
2) Are there any plans for the lost parking spaces?
Regarding the parliament house, many are saying that building such a modern building surrounded by baroque style buildings might not make sense at all. this plan reminds me of the parliament house in Edinburgh. it was built recently in a very modern way, and guess what is right in front of the Scottish Parliament? The Palace of Holyroodhouse!! so also in this case, it wouldn't be the first one in the world.
Regarding the City gate, i'm not satisfied with the plan, i expected something a lot better. perhaps the gate might be flanked by two small towers, just like the city of Tallinn in Estonia. this way, the bastions' identity is preserved, or perhaps enhanced! you would really have a sense of entering a fortified city.
In my opinion this area should be refurbished to a bus sheltered terminal area where each bus number has its own bus waiting area to protect passengers from the weather elements and where the kiosk can be transferred to a better hygenic premises.
Buses not in use should be parked in another area may be an underground terminus and not left in front of our Capital's Gate leaking oil!
Did we need renzo piano to design it? even an amateur designer would have come up with something better! for me FJAKKA
and the theatre? a joke. House of parliament? do we really need that? I dont think so. Valletta need more space not more buildings. Why not rebuild the old opera house? thats what the maltese people wanted after all. But it would'nt be ready in time for the next general election i guess??? ... and Gonzipn would have nothing to show.
As regards the plan itself on the whole I like it. What I would include would be a majestic monument commemorating La Vallette himself the Knights and the Maltese people of that era somewhere near the Parliament, after all the city was founded by him and we could do with a touch of pegeantry and the idea of having entered a city with a sublime history that is also balanced with new buildings. I would include more entertainment areas and trees especially in the Fossa and even near the Parliament (or at least beautiful pots with flowers and shrubs, I also think that the flats will be an eyesore. The idea should be that on entering Valletta a tourist is caught up in something which is special awe inspiring and not normally encountered.
a. 10/10 for the bridge
b. 9/10 for the Gate
c. 8/10 for the theater. Good one about incorporating the ruins but why No roof!!
d. 1/10 for the Parliament. Maybe we could have Parliament in an open air arena elsewhere..
e. 0/10 for doing nothing about the block of flats. A big space between the two cavaliers with a modern opera house would have worked wonders.. but then poor Gonzi would not have gotten his Parliament ... I can imagine him in Piano's office repeating ad nauseum .." I want my Parliament and I want it now ........"
We must make sure that all the building being developed are of the same style of the city, however the interior can be created into a semi modern style.
If this is REALLY for the citizens of our beloved country, I would seriously sujest the very best for us all.
Please take heed and spend and use our money well !
What a waste of money!
Regarding parking, although I don't think it is right to use Freedom Square and tht ditch as car parks, at the moment they are being used so. So what is going to happen? Where are people going to park? I would have also included the revamp of the ugly terminus in the project too, and maybe an underground car park over there.
Another thing that I haven't heard anything about.... The road on top of city gate will no longer be there. Any idea of the new traffic arrangements?
Maybe you can allow us to use yours!
How many garages do you think are available in Valletta? Or shouldn't Valletta residents own cars?
But maybe you live in a new suburb, in a nice semi-detached with a driveway and garage.
I happen to be one of the 'msieken' who live in our Capital City, and proud of it. Its the place where people like yourself come to work, belch out car exhaust, shop, eat, use toilets and then go back to your sweet families in nice cozy homes. If there's anyone to comment, it should first be us residents. But no-one had even mentioned us in yesterday's magical speeches which shows you how much they care for us. Except on the eve of any election.
Hope VALLETTA LOCAL COUNCIL will give due consideration to the RESIDENTS who have to find their way through the new maze . Will they remember residents when election will be close????
Only residents'cars (truly living in Valletta) should enter Valletta,,as it is in Mdina..I very often get the bus to go work for fear of not finding parking space when I return, let alone now when parking spaces will be reduced further..However I still do not agree with the ugly parking spaces in open squares, they are an eye sore.
May be it is high time Valletta residents get together in an association to fight for their common good.
As for the project, I simply relish Piano's idea. Delightful.
COMING SOON!!!!!!
"The Phantom Gate near the Opera".
what do you mean with "The people have their say"... in the voxpop? is that what Renzo Piano will refer to for consultation with the public?
Where and how can anyone share ideas that Mr Piano will listen to?
il-karnival kien isir pjazza San Gorg. jitlaq minn hdejn kastilja, jinzal strada rjali ghal quddiem il-palazz fejn kien isir id-defile jitla minn triq l-arcisqof , ghal strada merkanti ghal hdejn kastilja.
Nistghu nesploraw li d-defile isir madwar il-funtana tat-tritoni. Hemm bzonn inhallu Pjazza Helsien bhala parking is-sena kollha biex nuzawha darba f'sena... u ejja !!!
Dalghodu il'fuq minn 120 perit inghataw prezentazzjoni minn Renzo Piano innifsu dwar il-progett. Dawn zgur li jifmhu aktar minnha. Dawn ukoll baqghu impressjonati u rringrazzjaw lil Renzo Piano ta' l-opportunita li pajjizna ser ikollu progetti ta' Paino.
To convert what remains from the bombed theatre into an open air theatre, I would have cleared the site and constructed something new for the benefit of the people and Valletta. The setting up and dismantling of the props that goes in setting up of a theatre would make all events unsustainable or otherwise, after footing the bill for the construction, the people would also have to foot the bill for each and every show; and then for what: to come out in sweat and sunburn if not with a sun stroke. With our weather, it is not worthed. Forget it.
Make a new start and build something beneficial for all that goes with the Valletta Knights architecture. Then I suggest that the Government should collect all the remains and use it in the Ta' Qali Park or a new park in the South.
An open air theatre is money down the drain passing through Piano's pocket that retains a handsome portion.
As for the House of Parliament, provided it is a closed box with some finishings it does not matter.Call it Freedom House and every one will be happy except Dr. A Gatt who did not once pronounced the word freedom in his speech.
How many Maltese architects that visited the exhibition would have done the same or better if given the opportunity. But they are Maltese not foreigners. A foreign name was required to enhance the present administration.
Dalghodu kulhadd jitkellem b'mod posittiv dwar il-proposti ta' Paino. Din l-art Helwa, il-periti, l-atmosfera ta dawk li zaru l-esebizzjoni.
Kulhadd jaqbel li l-Gvern kemm jista jkun malajr jibda. Jien ukoll ninghaqad ma dawk kollha li l-Gvern qed jghidulu, ddiskutejna hafna, il-Gvern semgha bizzejjed. Ejja ha nibdew !!
1. Why in Malta we work on 5 years basis only? This project is to concide with the next general election!! and then you have Gonzi saying that this is a project "for all the people!!
2. I am not sure I like the plans. Freedom square is taken over and becomes an acquarium on a stand. The opera house is left as it is, with some temporary "walls" which are to make it an "open air theatre"!! It looks to me a cheap option!! The Valletta door is changed from a "garage" door to a "hole" in teh bastions... not sure which one is best!!
To me, if we are coming out with "cheapish" ideas for the best spot on the island, might as well leave it as it is!!
sahhiet
Good one .... hahahaha
@ Government
Please, consider again the expense. Make Malta proud of having a functional theatre all year round that doesn't depend on the weather conditions.
What bothers me is that no one seems to be giving a thought to the need for parking, mainly for the residents who are already so stressed about the situation. First the removal of parking from Pjazza S. Gorg, now Freedom Square, following we will have the parking removed from the Ditch and the Bridge/Street over the present City Gate. We on Old Bakery Street, and I presume the other main thoroughfares are already feeling the ' pinch' for parking. The future is a nightmare! Please give us residents a thought!
What Square are you talking about? I thought a square was meant to be a place for people to meet, and not a place for pile of steel to park.
ps mr piano said that we consider the opera house as a monument. and he too... does in italy put a huge structure infront of a monument or try to expose it to the maximum! ( would you consider putting that structure infront of the coluseum)
thanks for trying to preserve the opera house at least, not so bad idea!
Who nows how much it will cost us and who is behind thissssssssssssssss ??????
Keep a watch
jin kont hemm ukoll dalghodu u nahseb li mmur kuljum peres li noqoghod il-Belt...ikolli nghid li huwa progett li jaghti lura d-dinjita lil belt u j'Alla jtini l-ghomor li narah lest ghax il-belt ha terga tkun gojjel kif kienet
The general feedback was more than positive. I am very happy with what is being proposed.
At the exhibition there is also an example of the technology which will be used at the Theatre. Impressive.
Well done a very professional exhibition that a project like this merits. Prosit to all involved, keep it up