Imagine Floriana’s main road paved for pedestrians, a bridge crossing the Grand Harbour and two tram lines connecting almost all of Malta’s urban area.
Those are just three of the “bold” proposals made yesterday by the Temi Zammit Foundation, a non-profit organisation set up by the government to boost innovation and regional development.
The foundation has 24 short- and long-term proposals to develop Malta’s harbour region into a more cohesive location for economic development, similar to Gozo.
It suggests promoting the area as the “urban, touristic and cultural hub” of the Maltese islands, while starting an education campaign within communities to instil pride about the region’s identity.
Perhaps the most daring proposal is a bridge cutting through the Grand Harbour, connecting Floriana’s park and ride area (Crownworks) with Kordin.
This would allow access between the Valletta peninsula and the Three Cities, while easing congestion in Marsa and Paola.
The foundation also says Floriana’s main road, and possibly Malta’s most polluted, St Anne’s Street, should be pedestrianised.
Two tramlines or a monorail system should be part of a comprehensive “multi-modal” transport strategy, while “water buses” working throughout the two harbours could be integrated with the bus system to help commuters, perhaps using one ticket for different modes of transportation.
The proposals were made thanks to Inflowence, an EU-funded project seeking to innovatively create better flows of economic development within cities.
Similar projects are also being conducted in Italy, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, France and the Netherlands. Malta’s project focuses on 13 towns, cities and villages around the Grand and Marsamxett harbours: Sliema, Valletta, Cospicua, Senglea, Vittoriosa, Poala, Kalkara, Marsa, Pieta, Ta’ Xbiex, Gzira, Floriana and Msida.
Using the concept of “polycentricity”, it suggests some of the wealth of the overly congested and developed Sliema could be spread into Cospicua, benefitting both localities in a sustainable manner.
One option is to continue developing boutique or “diffused” hotels – where the rooms of one hotel are spread across various buildings – in nearby areas, easing tourism pressure in Sliema.
Another proposal suggests creating and embellishing two unified waterfront walkways: one linking Pieta’ to Sliema – where pedestrians can already walk all the way to St Julian’s – passing through Gżira, Ta’ Xbiex and Msida; and a second connecting Senglea to Kalkara, via Cospicua and Vittoriosa.
Marsa’s main traffic artery, December 13 Road, could be turned into a partial tunnel with a pedestrian connection to unify the dissected community.
A similar strategy for Valletta suggests a “vertical connection” on the Marsamxett side to complement the Upper Barraka lift that is currently being built on the Grand Harbour side.
But the FTZ’s proposals do not stop at infrastructure.
Their more immediate ideas focus on “intangible heritage”, such as developing the traditional Maltese dgħajsa (boat) as a symbol of the region, “similar to the gondola in Venice”.
The foundation warns many endemic traditions, including the craftsmanship to build the dgħajsa, are at “very high risk” of being lost.
The FTZ proposes that local councils should be encouraged to collect a “compendium” of cultural heritage by recording the tales of society’s elders, before certain traditions are lost forever.
These could be used to establish a museum of intangible cultural heritage in Cospicua.
To counteract the development that Smart City is bringing to Kalkara, the FTZ proposes setting up a “traditional tales and games centre” as well.
Vincent Magri outlined the proposals during a launch yesterday where the public was invited to discuss ways to promote the Maltese dgħajsa.
Mr Magri called for better cooperation and coordination among governmental authorities, agencies and local councils.
He said a think-tank should investigate how to use technology promote heritage and touristic sites to tourists and citizens, such as developing a downloadable app that provides information in real time.
The EU, he pointed out, provided funding opportunities for big projects such as the proposed bridge or tramlines.
“We know these things cost money, but they are necessary.
“In a family you don’t say you won’t buy a car because it costs money, you find a way to buy it.
“The EU can’t fund everything but it will help you develop infrastructure like this,” he said.
After Mr Magri’s presentation, Transport Malta spokesman Chris Farrugia outlined projects currently underway around the Grand Harbour.
He added that the next step was to start scheduled ferry services to Valletta for speedier access from the Three Cities.