The Grand Harbour and its hinterland stretches from Kalkara to Sliema, where 73,000 people live in 12 towns and villages.
This region has played a central role in our political, economic, cultural, social and military history. There were times when this zone, apart from keeping Malta in touch with the rest of the world, was the most dynamic area in our islands and contributed most of its wealth and jobs. In the last 30 years with the departure of the British naval base, the emergence of more competitive shipyards in Asia and the opening of the Freeport, the Grand Harbour area suffered a decline in its traditional economic activities while new business opportunities like the cruise passenger terminal and yachting facilities in Pieta’ Msida and Vittoriosa appeared.
In the last 40 years, government and private sector initiatives in the area have often been haphazard and without any holistic approach. Having no strategic social and economic development plan for the Grand Harbour region has meant that such a valuable asset has not been used adequately and most of its potential is still going to waste. Enclaves around the Grand Harbour where thousands live have become associated with unemployment, crime, school failure, environmental degradation, dysfunctional famlies and broken communities. But it is not just gloom and doom: in the area there are also thriving businesses and vibrant companies, successful organizations and individuals
Malta’s social and economic destiny is so linked to the Grand Harbour region that a major national economic and social recovery of the island can only happen if the Grand Harbour area stretching from Kalkara to Sliema is regenerated and the conditions are created to make full use of the vast resources and potential of the area and the people living in it.
In drawing up the Plan for the Regional Development of the Grand Harbour Area the Malta Labour Party has risen to this challenge by presenting a holistic plan after consutling in an open and serious manner many people and organizations involved in the business, social and cultural activities in the communities living in this area. One of the main priorities of this plan to breathe fresh life into this area is to develop a comprehensive sea and land transport network binding together Cottonera, Marsamxett and Tigne` that will turn existing peripheral areas into new business and social communities.
The Labour plan is made up of 100 proposals aimed at regenerating the Grand Harbour area through commercial, leisure, touristic, industrial and cultural activities. The proposals include new initiatives for yachting and cruise liner facilities and a fresh start for the shipyards based on the new realities in this sector. The Labour plan lays out the steps that need to be taken to improve the environment and bring about new commercial activities in Marsa. Other initiatives are also proposed for Valletta, Floriana and Pieta` to turn this area into a hub of new economic life by rebuilding the City Gate, turnming the ruins of the Royal Opera House into a multi-putposes business and cultural centre and moving the main bus terminus underground to have one whole pedestrian zone from the Mall Gardens in Floriana through City Gate and down Republic Street.
Proposals for Imsida, Ta’ Xbiex, Gzira and Sliema in tourism and trade are meant to build on and reinvigorate existing successful business.
Labour’s plan for the regeneration of the Grand Harbour region include infrastructural and social projects to address existing problems like flooding, the lack of recreational and sports facilities, inadequate housing and problems caused by the ageing population predominant in this area. The economic recovery of the area is expected to stop and reverse the flow of young people leaving this area.
The plan for the regeneration of the Grand Harbour area will span over a period of 12 years, up till 2020. All the projects will be carried out according to set budgets and realistic time frames. Labour is proposing a one-stop shop authority which will eliminate bureaucracy and have a direct link to other authorities which will be involved in the plan. This is to ensure that the projects will be carried out without unnecessary delays and without over running expenditure. From a region in decline, the plan will turn the Grand Harbour And its hinterland into an area of social and economic regeneration to improve the quality of life of the thousands of people who live, work and look for their leisure in it.