The Valletta plans (1)

Galea. L, yes I agree and Malta is a prehistoric place dating back 7000AD and its shocking that people don't live in Caves anymore. Disgraceful.

r.sammut: Because it's called the information age, not the spoon-feeding age.

Corinne Vella
That is exactly the point, why should every Tom, Dick and Harry have to fetch such info to satisfy one's curiosity? Such essential documentation should have been as prominently displayed at the same exhibit! As similarly as the copy of the work permit displayed on all construction sites.

I did not make any judgements in my letter but simply stated the fact that yes UNESCO has to be informed. This is something that the Government of Malta has to do and nothing to do with Renzo Piano. The fact that he is a Goodwill Ambassador does not change our obligation to keep the World Heritage Centre of UNESCO informed of the proposals.

R.sammut: I am expecting no such thing. What I said was that if you wish the World Heritage Advisory Committee to hear what you have to say, it would be more appropriate to contact that committee directly rather than expecting them to chance upon your comments here.

Renzo Piano is a UNESCO goodwill ambassador and has been involved in major projects all over the world, including historical cities. Does anyone really think that he is not familiar with the guidelines of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention? (I think I could put about 25 question marks here but am going to use just one)

No we can just try to welcome tourists into a city which has moved into the 21st century!. As for the Unesco Operationa Guidelines, we must make sure that we do not lose the World Heritage status. It is not up to us laypeople to see to the matter. I think the people at the top do know what they are doing.

Galea L.
I am truly shocked by the arrogance displayed by some posters. And stop plugging this "by gentlemen for gentlemen" mantra. What gentlemen? Certain insults are definitely not the mark of a gentleman.

In case you hadn't noticed, Valletta is a contemporary city. People who live or work in Valletta lead 21st century lives and do 21st century work so it is a modern city containing some old buildings. One of the problems which is often mentioned regards traffic and parking which are typically modern issues.

Another thing: Valletta is not a fortified city in a modern sense. It used to be fortified, centuries ago but the walls and bastions have no military usefulness now and are valued only as monuments. Therefore, when designing the entrance (it's an entrance not a gate) Piano wisely ignored the toy-soldier arguments of those who think that Valletta should be prepared to withstand a siege.

@ Galea L

Why does Valletta need a 'gate'?

Are we trying to keep the herds in their pens behind the 'gate'?

I can suggest a better location for a 'gate' but I am afraid the Moderator will bleep it out!

When I look at the wall over the monitor of my computer, I have, precisely, two framed photos of the Royal Opera House, of course as it was before it was destroyed, and that of the city gate as it was before the present one. I, surely, will never replace them with the photos of the Renzo Piano's version of those masterpieces, if ever his proposals will come into effect.
I will not even bother to obtain such photos.

Corrinne Vella
You are wrong Madam in saying there are no plans yet! The same models are made up on detailed plans which show a 3D view to scale of what to be expected. Why are you expecting individuals to ‘report’ this work to the WHC? Any scrutinising by bodies such as World Heritage Council and MEPA is a matter of procedure, and is part and parcel for such undertakings.

Victor Zammit: The evaluation document of the advisory body of UNESCO had this to say "The city has undergone no important modifications since 1798, the date when it was abandoned by theKnights of St John."

If the bombing of the opera house in the 1940s, the dynamiting of the gate in the 1960s and the creation of freedom square were not considered important modifications, why would Renzo Piano's design be considered a threat when it offers coherence where none currently exists?

R Sammut: There are no plans. What exists so far is a schematic design. If you're seriously worried, you could try writing to the World Heritage Committee. Don't assume I'm being sarcastic. If you want to draw their attention to Renzo Piano's plans, don't rely on anyone on that committee reading your comments here.

Corinne Vella BECAUSE IT IS AN IDIOTIC PROJECT WHICH IS A BLASPHEMY. Valletta is an old city built by gentlemen for gentlemen and not a modern city. Piano's project is good for a modern city, but not an old FORTIFIED city like Valletta. What shall we say? Welcome to City Gate without a Gate. Welcome to a theatre without a roof. Welcome to a Parliament on stilts because our MPs want to be seen taller.

Article 172 verbatim reads: The World Heritage Committee invites the States Parties to the Convention to inform the Committee, through the Secretariat, of their intention to undertake or to authorize in an area protected under the Convention major restorations or new constructions which may affect the outstanding universal value of the property. Notice should be given as soon as possible (for instance, before drafting basic documents for specific projects) and before making any decisions that would be difficult to reverse, so that the Committee may assist in seeking appropriate solutions to ensure that the outstanding universal value of the property is fully preserved.

Corrinne Vella Have the proposed plans been submitted to the WHC already in good time, even before this display was thought of? It is good to have a person like Piano with a fair amount of experience under his belt, but still one might be foolish to take all his output with blind thrust! There is always a first for everything and everyone! Is there any harm in being safe than sorry?

and we do not give a hoot what this world body states. This world body should put its money where its loud mouth is!! And Mr Bondin should follow suit. enough said and let's get Malta working.

Renzo Piano for Pope, he is infallible in the eyes of some. Nay, divine even!

Francis Attard: Renzo Piano is one of UNESCO's goodwill ambassadors. Valletta is on the World Heritage List despite - and not because of - the current state of the city gate area. Why would UNESCO remove Valletta from its World Heritage list because of its own ambassador's design?

http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=8324&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

Let's hope that the Maltese Government informs the World Heritage Committee!
I'm afraid that the new constructions will surely effect the outstanding universal value of the property.