Last year, the capital city hosted more events and public activities than it had done in a very long time. This is indeed a very positive step towards the regeneration of Valletta, a city which, notwithstanding its cultural and architectural importance, had been neglected for much too long. Unlike all other capital cities in Europe, ours had ceased to be the heart of the country due to various factors, including the unavailability of living quarters, forcing a huge number of people born and bred in Valletta to go and live elsewhere. This and the fact that other towns and villages around the island were rapidly developing, left Valletta on the verge of becoming another silent city once the retail outlets closed at seven in the evening.

Luckily, we have come to realise that Valletta has the potential of becoming once again the centre of Malta. Never has Valletta seen so much work being done, both on the restoration of historical buildings and in street maintenance and rebuilding. With the project of the regeneration of City Gate and the opera house up and running, the capital will also finally have the entrance it deserves, an entrance that will mirror all there is in store for those who come and visit.

I had previously written about the upgrade of St George’s Square from a parking lot into an area that has nowadays become a meeting place for old and young alike. I am sure the same will happen to City Gate when the project is completed.

Having the city core accessible only to pedestrians was also a very smart initiative and the idea has been met with enthusiasm by both business owners and the public. The central government, in conjunction with the Valletta local council and the Valletta Rehabilitation Committee, are doing a great job in giving Valletta a much deserved upgrade and I hope minor problems like the delay of street furniture in some areas, such as Merchants Street, will be dealt with in the very near future.

All this will give Valletta a new lease of life but we must not forget that no city is made up of just buildings, monuments and streets. The residents of Valletta are not only to be taken into consideration but they should be considered top priority in every decision made regarding their home town. Accessibility is a must with most of the residents being over 60 years of age. Myself hailing from Valletta, I know how passionate the citizens are and it is only natural to do our utmost and offer Valletta people the opportunity to live as comfortably as possible in their city. Furthermore, I know of many who would like to keep on living in the city after they get married but cannot do so because no adequate housing is available, this when there are hundreds of houses and apartments that are closed down or are not being used for residential purposes.

I urge the authorities to take immediate action on this and to try and find an agreement with the owners of such premises to make these apartments and houses available for the Valletta people to live in. I am sure with some goodwill a solution can be found and Valletta will, once again, have a younger generation living within its walls.

Going back to the mass events, such as Notte Bianca and the New Year’s Eve celebrations held last year in Valletta, the huge participation in these events has given us a clear indication the Maltese of all ages and social status look forward to them. Besides giving businesses a boost, such events also help to promote the capital as a thriving place full of diverse activity.

Valletta has much to offer to everyone. It has been the meeting place of thousands of people throughout the centuries and has witnessed major historical events. It is therefore our duty to preserve it, to restore it to its former glory and to truly consider it as a national treasure.

The author is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.