The Chamber of Architects and Civil Engineers is calling for well-defined regulations on the siting of stalls as part of a holistic strategy for Valletta, to harmonise different uses with the needs of the public and the city’s architecture.
This, it said, should prevent random eyesores from unexpectedly blotting landmark locations such as the new entrance.
“Commissioning world-renowned architects to embellishing the capital and investing in its infrastructure would be useless if we stick to certain old habits after the projects are completed,” chamber president Chris Mintoff said.
His comments were sought by this newspaper in the wake of the ongoing debate on whether stalls, buskers and kiosks should be allowed in all parts of the capital.
“Trying to improve the situation through a piecemeal approach will not work because the situation warrants a holistic strategy by involving relevant stakeholders and technical knowhow” he said.
Mr Mintoff argued that such course of action would permit a careful review of the designated areas for stalls and better enforcement by removing existing grey areas in legislation, responsibilities and policies.
“The chamber would encourage such dialogue and is more than willing to contribute,” Mr Mintoff said.
A hot dog kiosk appeared directly next to the statue of Grand Master Jean De Valette in De Valette Square on Thursday. Following a public outcry, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici intervened and the structure was towed away later in the day.
This came hot on the heels of the controversial decision to relocate the monti stalls to next to Renzo Piano’s parliament building, a decision that is also being reconsidered.
Dr Bonnici welcomed the rise in public awareness about the beauty of the capital city.
“The cultural entities which fall under the ministry are always ready to engage with stakeholders and operators in an effort to fine-tune the aesthetics aspect in the regulation of stalls in the capital during cultural festivities and beyond,” he said.
He justified the setting up of temporary stalls on special occasions saying these provided an important stream of revenue for the culture operators. “This on condition that the stalls are set up in a manner that is pleasant and orderly, from an aesthetics point of view,” Dr Bonnici added.
A short tour around Valletta yesterday morning revealed a number of shoddy structures in strategic locations. The majority of them were more reminiscent of open markets in third-world countries than fit for a city that will become the European Capital of Culture in three years’ time.
Apart from carnival-related items, the products on sale did little to promote a positive image of the capital. These ranged from exotic smoothies to costume jewellery to mugs bearing the emblems of political parties and football clubs.
While a number of stalls will make way once carnival festivities are over, other structures in prominent areas have become a semi-permanent fixture – and arguably an eyesore.
A commercial mobile telephony stall equipped with a portable electricity generator at the foot of the steps in front of the new parliament buildings is a prime example. Further down Republic Street, makeshift structures equipped with beach umbrellas or plastic tents also feature prominently, ironically in front of the law courts.
GRTU demands crackdown on ‘occasional sellers’
The Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU) has called on the government to crack down on what it described as “occasional unlicensed sellers” who set up shop to make the most of Valentine’s Day.
The GRTU yesterday complained of unfair competition by individuals selling flowers, food and other items from makeshift structures in prominent areas in front of licensed shops.
“We cannot help but feel that the authorities are simply playing around with time and putting on a show, and not a very good one at that, to appear they are addressing the GRTU’s complaints,” it said.
The GRTU is calling for a simple clarification in the law to prevent such “bypassing” of trading regulations.
While thanking the Commerce Department for assisting it to report such cases to the police, the GRTU questioned the political will to address such abuse, while blaming local councils for issuing permits to allow such stalls to be mounted. It added that such permits issued under Legal Notice 119 of 2002 were inadequate for these occasions.
The GRTU urged Economy Minister Chris Cardona to intervene to stop what it described as this “yearly injustice”.