Architects and designers have fiercely criticised Valletta’s newly designed monti stalls, which will be erected between Renzo Piano’s new Parliament building and Teatru Rjal.

The market’s move from Merchants Street will see hawkers’ stalls also placed all along Ordnance Street, on either side of Republic Street, according to project architect William Lewis – with some sitting right in the middle of the City Gate redevelopment.

Among those speaking out against the decision, architect Edward Said described the “hopeless” placement of the stalls as running completely counter to the spirit of the City Gate project.

Designer Carlo Schembri, who prepared a conceptual design and prototype for the monti stalls two years ago, said the new design represented a missed opportunity and a “huge mistake” that opened the government up to criticism.

Project architect William Lewis said hawkers will have a licence to operate on all days of the week.

Although the stalls would initially be dismantled every day at close of business, discussions are in progress with the Economy and Culture ministers over the stalls becoming a permanent fixture, with the possibility of an artisans’ market occupying them in afternoons and evenings.

Read more on Times of Malta and Herman Grech's blog here.

 

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