A proposed policy to facilitate and encourage the rehabilitation and revitalisation of Strait Street and the Old Civil Abattoir in Valletta into a creativity and multi-cultural hub has been published for public consultation.
The policy was published by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the Infrastructure Ministry. The aim is for the area to be transformed through new activities and physical interventions.
The proposed policy takes into account the government’s Vision for Valletta 2018, seeks to promote a diverse range of uses and activities connected to, or in support of, the promotion, teaching and practice of culture and local crafts.
High intensity activities such as bars and music venues shall be directed towards the core of the hub between St Lucy Street and St Christopher Street whereas lower intensity uses such as teaching studios, independent retail outlets, exhibition spaces and tourism accommodation shall be directed to the upper floors of the core area or towards the periphery of the hub.
The policy will endorse interventions on the physical fabric of the street and its buildings, which enhance their conservation value, where specific attention will be given to the restoration and integration in the design schemes of particularly important signs or mural inscriptions/painted adverts which evoke memory links with the history of the street.
The policy, which is accompanied by an appendix document entitled “Design Guidelines for street furniture on Strait Street” promotes the full pedestrianisation of the core of the hub area with the stepped section suitable for the introduction of greenery.
The design guidance appendix seeks to encourage high quality outdoor seating and standing areas for restaurants and cafes to enhance the safety, amenity and ambience of Strait Street, while also ensure the safe and reasonable movement of pedestrians and vehicular traffic.
The draft policy may be viewed on the authority's website.
Submissions in writing should be sent to theChief Executive Officer
(2014 Revisions to the Grand Harbour Local Plan), Malta Environment and Planning Authority, St Francis Ravelin, Floriana CMR 01, e-mail address: ghlp@mepa.org.mt bu January 23.
Strait Street
Strait Street is one of the narrowest streets in Valletta barely reaching four metres in width for most of its 660 metres and runs along the longer side of the grid of Valletta (north to south), parallel to Republic Street.
Due to various socio-economic factors and historic events, the area fell in decline and most of the floor space within properties fronting on Strait Street is now vacant.
The old abattoir
The old abattoir is one of Valletta’s earliest buildings, but has undergone many changes since its first use as an abattoir in 1636.
During the early 18th century, the building was used as soldier’s barracks and following that, light industrial uses were introduced.
The old abattoir is within an area experiencing a dichotomy between the slow rehabilitation of the housing stock within an environment of sundry commercial and light industrial units. It is this socio-economic mix that makes the building ideal for a ‘hub’ of activity bridging commercial, industrial and residential uses.