1. Relation with all involved

In order to create a comprehensive approach for any design proposal, a public participation and consultation process was carried out. This involved various meetings with:

• Ecclesiastic Authorities.
• Festa Organizing Committees.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Ministry of Tourism.
• Ministry of Health.
• Market Committee (tal-Monti).
• Private enterprise namely shop owners and attendants.
• Various Government Departments such as the Inland Revenue (Monte di Pieta’) and Public Registry (Municipal Palace) etc.
• Residents facing areas affected by Urban Design Proposal.
• Maltacom.
• Water Services Corporation.
• Drainage Department.
• Enemalta Corporation.
• Others.

2. Design Concept

Being a World Heritage City, Valletta boasts a rich architectural Baroque Character. Any intrusions should follow a comprehensive approach before actual implementation of design. The Urban Design Proposal relating to the pedestrian area of Merchants Street and St John Square is no exception.

The proposed designs relate to the recent paving works carried out over Republic Street. An interpolation of squarish shapes laid down diagonally and perimetered by white marble is similarly presented within this submission. Nevertheless, the designs have been modified from those existing over Republic Street, to fit within the spaces and functions provided.

Valletta is a lively city, with the Commercial, Administrative and Political center mainly located from City Gate up to The Grandmaster’s Palace. The residential quarters are mainly located over the lower part of the city down to St Elmo. The concept behind the design proposal for this submission bear in mind a demand for new Face Lifting compatible with the surrounding overall historical character.

3. Pedestrian against traffic flow

The enclosed submission is based over the following principles:

• One directional traffic flow restricted from Republic Street up to St John Street over to Merchants Street towards Castill Palace.
• The vehicular width over St John Street is limited to 4.26m. This does not allow stropping over or overtaking. The road is reserved strictly for non-stopping traffic.
• The pavement on both sides is designed to be the same level as existing over Republic Street, not to create any ramp over the pedestrian path. A vehicular ramp down, gradient 1:8 is designed from Republic to St John Street.
• The vehicular path width over Merchants Street is similarly 4.26m, with pavements on both sides, designed at 2.0m and 4.0m wide. The latter pavement is designed to include for three parking bays reserved for the three ministries present here, namely the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health and Tourism. A further fourth parking bay for three cars may be so designed if requested.
• The stretch of Merchants Street from St John Street up to Old Theatre Street is reserved for pedestrian use. Only temporary traffic for services may be allowed over specified hours. Bollards have been designed over the above junctions to control vehicular access.
• Pavement corners have been designed to allow for access for all. The junctions between the proposed pavement and adjacent street have been designed to allow for future extensions.
• The sketch of Merchants Street between St John Street and Archbishop Street has been designed level for pedestrian use. The existing road level is proposed to be made higher to be the same as the existing pavement.
• A ramp with gradient 1:8 for vehicular access is designed over Merchants Street at the junction with St John Street. This is to allow for restricted vehicular access for services.

4. The Open Market (Monti)

Although the proposed works relate to paving works, any Urban Design Proposal would be incomplete without a serious approach towards the Open Market. To date, the Market functions during all working days except Sundays, where they are located over St James Ditch. Eventual physical works will have to shift the market, temporarily, or permanently, if the Authorities may so decide. Although the Structure Plan envisages that the Market gives life to Valletta, the consequences show otherwise. Congestion has reached an extreme point such that it is very difficult to walk through the area, or attempt to reach a shop facing the Open Market!

Malta is nowadays visited by a large number of tourists. Revenue of market stalls depends upon these tourists, who visit the market on purpose and not strictly because they are passing by. In view of this, permanently shifting of the Market to St James Ditch will imply that it will have more area allocated for expansion and thus attract more buyers.

Nevertheless, the attached submission relates to a restricted pedestrian zone over the existing open market area, which can continue to be used as such.

5. Design over St John Square

Pedestrian and vehicular movements have been segregated as explained earlier, with pedestrian levels over St John Square to be the same as existing over Republic Street. The proposed paving design incorporates the following:

• Porfido slabs for pedestrian zone.
• Lava slabs for vehicular zone.
• Two existing gazebos/vending kiosks.
• Twenty four wooden/wrought iron benches.
• Two drinking water fountains.
• Six classical lighting poles.
• Planting of one Ficus Tree (presently missing).
• Design of paving junction with existing slabs over Republic Street.

The area in question is symmetrical about the façade of St Johns Co-Cathedral. The proposed paving complements the above through a symmetrical design around the Cathedral’s steps. Furthermore, the area acts as an interlocking zone between Republic Street and St John Street, which both bear a strong longitudinal axis through Valletta.

6. Materials Used : Porfido and Lava

Lava imported from Sicily originally covered the surface of the streets at Valletta. Some are still visible over particular areas. Porfido marble tiles were recently used over the Republic Street paving works. The material is imported mainly from Northern Italy, is dense, durable and with a hardwearing sawed (segato) surface. Color varies over different tones. The use of local Malta Hardstone for the white bordering areas has not proved optional. This is in view of the porous and abrasive properties of the material.

In view of the above, the proposed paving works relate to Porfido and Lava tiles over the pedestrian and vehicular zones respectively. These materials do not only already exist within Valletta but are also compatible within the city context. They are the materials used nowadays through historical centers all over Europe.

7. Foundation Works

A detailed survey of existing services will have to be carried out before actual excavation works. An intensive exercise has been carried out with all departments concerned to avoid any damages. Although the services in question are being upgraded, no detailed information was given on request.

Attached design relates to various wrought iron grills for surface run-off drainage points. A trench will be excavated to locate a canal which in turn will be connected to all proposed drainage points. Excavation works imply an opportune chance to insert all necessary services which can be hidden from view, such as electrical and telephone cables. A comprehensive survey covering all services together with a detailed elevation is a must before implementation of works. Such a relation will also involve all property owners facing works being carried out.

Reference is made to the detailed section of proposed foundation submitted drawing number 3. Four different levels are related namely:

• Compaction of existing sub-base.
• Compaction of 150mm- 3? aggregate.
• 150mm vibrated reinforced concrete G 20 slab with 1 mesh C 503.
• 60mm Porfido slabs, segato and grouted between joints.

The porfido slabs are load bearing non-slip tiles. Their thickness may be increased from 60mm to 80mm if so requested. The section for the proposed lava surface over the vehicular zone is similar to the above. The lava slab thickness is proposed to be 50mm.

It is assumed that over the years, both foundations below St John Street and Merchants Street have attained a level of compaction. The structural strength of the sub-base is assumed to satisfy the requirements for the envisaged future vehicular overlying loads.

8. Color Scheme vs. Computer Generation

All detailed plans for proposed paving works, namely drawing numbers 3, 4 and 5 include a legend relating to a color scheme. The following five colors have been chosen as follows:

• Porfido Bianco
• Porfido Brown
• Porfido Grey
• Profido Red
• Pordifo Violet

Apart from the Bianco, the remaining four colors are dark toned. Their integration within the proposed interlocking design creates a homogeneous plane.

The three-dimensional drawings, together with the proposed paving plan over Merchants Street, vide drawing number 3, create a joyful color scheme which brightens up the floor surface. Nevertheless, the color scheme legend relates to the five porfido colors mentioned earlier on. These may show different colors and tones due to the computer generation programme. The actual colors are strictly those indicated over the legend.

The actual floor surface will be dark toned, with various shades over brown, grey, red and violet. The bianco slabs permiters are inserted to define an area along the proposed diagonal patterns.

Paving Design incorporates slabs of various size and shades. Interlocked within each other, they form a hardwearing pleasant surface which livens up the area.

9. Market Square

Although this square was not included within the Urban Design Proposal, its inclusion was imperative in view of the following:

• The square facing the market is made up of colored concrete paving blocks which would contrast sharply with the proposed porfido slabs.
• Porfido slabs are a natural marble against prefabricated concrete blocks.
• The existing square is much higher than the proposed level of the pedestrian zone which is proposed to extend up to the area facing the market.
• The market is not accessible to persons with disability. Proposed design incorporates ramps at a gradient of 1 in 12 along the Access for All Guidelines.
• Proposed development includes of a ramp for vehicular access over Old Theatre Street Junction.
• The existing square incorporates eight parking spaces which create a visual impact over the surrounding character. Proposed design incorporates three loading/unloading bays which will specifically be used during restricted hours and solely in connection with the use of the Market.
• The stretch of St John Street between Archbishop Street and Old Theatre Street is reserved for pedestrian use with no pavements. Vehicular access is to be only for market purpose.
• A milk van is being parked daily over the market square. The proposed design incorporates a milk vending kiosk/gazebo, similar to the existing ones over St John Square.
• Six wooden/wrought iron benches are proposed over the area facing the market.
• Two lamp posts are designed to light up the piazza.
• Lowering of existing level up to proposed pedestrian level along Merchants Street.
• The proposed paving design over Merchants Street is extended up to Archbishop Street.
• The design brief relates to extension of the pavement in Merchants Street (between Archbishop and Old Theatre Street). Proposed slab design over Merchants Street extents over the above pavement. It is proposed that the existing lava tiles be dislodged and placed elsewhere. The proposed design shown over drawing number 4 demonstrate a complete homogenous approach towards paving works in Merchants Street.
• The Market Piazza deserves its importance where the pedestrian is the center of all activity.

10. Lighting System

Submitted designs incorporate classical lighting poles over St John Square and Market Square. Wall mounted (brazzi) lighting units are to be placed along Merchants Street. Their exact location will be designed after a detailed elevation survey is carried out over both sides of St John Street.

11. Festa Poles

The survey carried out over site has located a number of festa poles as shown over submitted drawing number 1. The relocation of these poles is to be carried out after an intensive meeting with the Festa Committee Members in the presence of V.R.P officials. A consensus does not seem a straightforward case. Nevertheless proposed design includes a fascia of small sized slabs located only 90cm away from the walls. The location of festa poles within this fascia will not disrupt any of the proposed design and also allows for wheeled pushers to pass over the inner area.