More is needed for urban regeneration

I would like to join my fellow MPs on the first electoral district, which includes the capital city, in congratulating the Prime Minister for finding the courage to bolster an economic slowdown by planning along with Renzo Piano this three-in-one proposal.

But may I second Francis Zammit Dimech MP who stated: "Let us not underestimate the possible need of roofing, at least in part, even in the warmer months." (June 30). A simple Google search will describe the traditional Salzburg Festival opera performances in the former summer riding school: "Though it is now an opera venue, it remains roofless, though a collapsible and retractable partial roof can be set up and the audience seating is surrounded by walls (Nagata Acoustics)."

In my view there is, however, one main concern. Without the main artery above City Gate open for traffic, there is going to be severe congestion in upper Valletta even if the pedestrianisation of most streets, Merchants Street included, is reversed.

Moreover, recent editions of The Times carried interesting features about Valletta and the Grand Harbour region. On June 26 it was reported that "In complete contrast, the southern harbour district, which comprises Valletta, Cottonera, Paola and Żabbar among others, was the only area to register a drop in household disposable income. In 2007, households in the area recorded an average of €16,348, a drop of almost six per cent over the previous year." Earlier in the week, regarding unemployment, it was stated: "The three cities of Cottonera, Kalkara, Xgħajra, Valletta, Floriana and the Gozitan villages of Munxar and Nadur rounded up the top 10 localities with the highest unemployment figures." (June 24).

I am on record to have stated several times that the social development brought about by the economic boom in recent years was not being felt in localities like Valletta and Floriana. I think serious urban regeneration is overdue if the PN government truly believes in sustainable development.

The EU project Large Urban Distressed Areas Project (LUDA) is loud and clear: "Urban regeneration must be viewed holistically and be linked with general quality of life issues." In the city and its suburb substandard housing, school absenteeism, unemployment and crime, all inter-related, are all acute. Needless to say, "When poverty comes in at the door, love flies out of the window". Hence, revamping the entrance, though extraordinary after seven decades, is not enough!