Letters | Sunday, 02 August 2009

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A holistic vision for Valletta, not a speedy decision

In last Sunday’s MaltaToday (26 July 2009), Saviour Balzan seems to have inadvertently echoed the Bidnija blogger in thinking that Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar is an ecological group. Since its inception FAA has been concerned with urban and rural heritage and planning issues and the way they affect quality of life. Thus, contrary to what Mr Balzan claimed, the regeneration of Valletta falls very much within our remit.
The fact that we are a rural and urban heritage conservation group does not mean that we want to see a fossilised Valletta; in fact we have not lobbied for the rebuilding of the old opera house.
We also agree with Mr Balzan that Parliament should be in a prestigious location, which is why we proposed St George’s Square rather than a site located immediately as one comes through City Gate, a few metres away from an unsightly shopping arcade and housing estate (which is not likely to be demolished as many of the flats have been sold off). Did Mr Balzan ever see a Parliament in Europe opposite a housing estate? Surely the Main Guard block, Auberge de Baviere or the Sacra Infermeria would be more dignified and politically significant while Parliament’s relocation to these buildings would cost significantly less than €40 million.
While a national theatre would promote culture, create employment and boost tourism, a new parliament achieves none of these. At a time when Malta is running a record deficit, Government is struggling to cope with pensions and many families are experiencing serious problems due to the current economic crisis, the building of a new parliament when other options are available does seem like a an insensitive luxury, much like Marie Antoinette’s “Let them eat cake”.
Mr Balzan questions FAA’s right to comment on the Opera House or the Parliament; surely every civil society group in this field should contribute to this discussion, supporting all that is good about the project, and proposing some alternatives that might be worth considering? Does Mr Balzan not agree that debate is healthy in a democracy? And before he repeats the myth that we’ve been debating this issue for sixty years, it is pertinent to note that the theatre issue has not been seriously discussed since the last Piano plans were dropped 20 years ago, while a new Parliament has never been proposed or discussed publicly.
Mr Balzan may have a personal preference for speedy decisions, however had that been the case 20 years ago we would be landed with a project that even Piano now admits was seriously flawed. FAA is not against Piano’s designs, in fact we keep on stressing that this is a golden opportunity to rectify past mistakes, but the rush to get this project off the ground in time for the next election should not lead us to repeat those mistakes. The Valletta Management Plan is entering its final phase; surely lack of coordination between the two would be hugely detrimental to Valletta?
FAA maintains that Valletta’s regeneration needs a courageous, holistic, long-term vision that encompasses all of Valletta’s heritage, commercial and social regeneration needs.

Astrid Vella
Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar

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