Marsamxett waterfront in Valletta is being proposed for transformation into a recreational area with pedestrian walkways and open spaces, according to a government strategy document.
The proposal includes upgrading the abandoned water polo pitch, the provision of trails along the fortifications and vertical access between the coast and Valletta centre to make life easier for ferry passengers from Sliema.
This forms part of a consultation document, A Strategy for Valletta, released by the government, which aims to regenerate the peripheral areas of the capital city.
The strategy says work on some of the peripheral areas, like Marsamxett, can start immediately because it will not interfere with events taking place next year when Malta assumes the EU presidency and in 2018 when Valletta is European capital of culture.
The plan argues that most of the regeneration projects undertaken over the past decade were focused along Valletta’s main street running down the middle of the peninsula.
The objective is to make Valletta a vibrant living city
The proposals seek to extend regeneration to the mostly residential areas on the western and eastern peripheries of the city. The objective is to make Valletta a “vibrant living city”.
The introduction of “people movers” between upper and lower Valletta should also be explored, the strategy said.
Among the proposals is the development of strategic nodes around the city for commercial and tourism purposes through public-private partnerships.
These include the area outside Fort St Elmo that incorporates the examinations centre, the primary school and Evans Building. Another node is the old fish market and Pinto stores.
However, the strategy says it is crucial that regeneration of these zones should also include social and communal facilities such as child care and elderly centres, a new primary school and affordable housing.
The plan also foresees regeneration of the residential areas by making them attractive to current and potential residents. It proposes that open spaces like Independence Square be pedestrianised.
But the document also highlights Valletta’s declining population and the problems associated with unaffordable housing. It notes that tenants in rented apartments could not become home owners because of the exorbitant house prices being requested.
The document quotes “unofficial” real estate figures indicating the average price for purchasing commercial property in Valletta being in the region of €1,350 per square metre. The higher values are along the central commercial hub.
But it also notes that this premium has exerted pressure to convert cheaper property, located outside the commercial hub, to commercial use rather than into residential development.
“Reflecting this trend, prices of existing residential buildings have been inflated, making it difficult for individuals to purchase affordable residential property within Valletta’s confines,” the strategy document says.
It also notes that there were instances when residential property prices were as high as €1,825 per square metre.
To this end, the strategy proposes the creation of an electronic property inventory to have a complete picture of the status and ownership of all buildings in Valletta. This was identified as an immediate priority.
It also proposes a pilot project for the regeneration of the neighbourhood on Valletta’s west side, covering an area of 50,000 square metres. This area is in a derelict state and had been earmarked for housing improvement in the past.
According to the Government Property Division, some 58 per cent of the properties within this zone are government-owned.
The document is open for public consultation and feedback will be received until July 22. The document can be found online at gov.mt.