Residents and their quality of life should be the central aim of any strategy for the Cottonera area, Alternattiva Demokratika’s spokesman on urban environment, James Gabarretta said.

He said one wondered why the  government felt the need to set up another new entity (The Cottonera Foundation) led by a Labour MP.

Wouldn’t the Cottoners regional council have been the ideal institution for drawing up an action plan for the region, he asked, also noting that there was a local plan for the same area, the Grand Harbour local plan.

The strategy, Mr Gabarretta said, did not consider important current challenges such as sustainable mobility, climate change and sustainability. It could have been an impetus to transform the region to a zero-carbon region.

“Serious planning for a zero-carbon region encourages innovation, micro industries and social, environmental and cultural rejuvination."

 Mr Gabarretta said that, for AD, residents were the most important stakeholders. The strategy gave the impression that the aim was to commercialise the area, including wooded zones.

“The challenges of gentrification is not mentioned anywhere in the document. This is a big failure because bad planning can mean that Cottonera residents find themselves living in a Cottonera which they no longer recognise and feel part of.

Mr Gabarretta also noted shortcomings in the strategy when it came to mobility. “The amount of cars entering Cottonera should be limited and controlled. We need streets that are safe for residents. The area is perfectly suitable for public transport and for streets which are safe for bicycles and electric bicycles. Sea transport from and to Cottonera should be strengthened."

He noted that the concept of Fort Ricasoli as a business hub was not clear.

“While it is important that the fortress - which is abandoned and disappearing into the sea - is regenerated, there is need for an in-depth discussion on a sustainable vision and long-term use of this site.

“It should not end up full of office blocks and apartments for speculation purposes, as has happened in Smart City. We believe that it is possible to sensibly couple heritage with modern elements and sustainable, zero-carbon facilities, open spaces and community facilities."

Mr Gabarretta said AD believed that:

·         The intensive commercialisation of Cottonera was not in residents' interest.

·         The green corridor known as Santa Margerita should be managed according to principles of conservation as a natural area. It should not end up full of kiosks and more concrete. Cultural centres should be based in existing underutilised buildings.

·         The children of Cottonera should not end up a roundabout for more traffic. Traffic into Cottonera should be controlled and reduced.

·         The strategy should focus on sustainable mobility.

·         The need for affordable housing should not be used as an excuse for the floodgates to be opened for property speculation and savage development. The housing policy should focus on practical assistance to improve the conditions and level of existing housing.