Outward versus inward orientation of island capitals: the case of Valletta

Abstract

Many cities, but particularly capitals, are torn between emphasising their international relevance, and their local significance. This issue is explored in this paper via an in-depth analysis of Valletta, the Maltese capital. The issue of inward versus outward orientation is particularly interesting with reference to island capitals as they are often seen as more insular or introverted. In Malta, there is pressure to maintain Valletta as a symbol to represent an emerging Maltese national identity and/or to commemorate past regimes. But Valletta has always been a city that has looked outwards and there are strong incentives to maintain levels of tourism and present a more sophisticated national image. This paper explores these issues by focusing on a controversial development project: Renzo Piano's reconfiguration of Valletta's City Gate. The paper analyses the debates surrounding this project by analysing viewpoints submitted to Maltese newspapers by expert commentators and by members of the public. The findings suggest that different attitudes towards the project can be partly understood by acknowledging competing outward/inward-looking perspectives. But divergent attitudes also reflect differences between those who want Valletta to reflect the past, and those who want Valletta to confront its present/future.

Keywords:

• World Heritage Sites
• place identity
• islands
• cities
• architecture
• Malta

Notes

See the special edition of Built Environment, 36(2), 2010.

For example St Pauls' Cathedral, Victoria Gate, Garrison Chapel – now Malta Stock Exchange – and the Queen Victoria monument in Republic Square.

There is a traditional schism between those who think Malta should be aligned with Britain and those who favour closer links to Italy and Europe (Smith, 2009a).

Maxhill Publishing (2010).

It is also worth noting that, unlike many other colonies, Malta did not have to fight wars to rid itself of the colonial power: the transition from a British colony to an independent state took place in a peaceful manner (Baldacchino 2009). This allowed for continued good relations between Malta and Britain and a generally positive attitude of Maltese to Britain. The George Cross awarded by King George to Malta in 1942 is still featured prominently on the Maltese flag. There are, however, some Maltese who believe that the George Cross should be removed because as one commentator put it: ‘We are proud of our Maltese flag and wish to remove all taints, marks or signs which bear the name of a foreign past oppressor’ (Online comment posted at Times of Malta website, September 2010).

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110111/local/cruise-passenger-visitors-up-12-last-year.

Online comment posted at Times of Malta website, October 2010.

This corresponds with Mitchell's (2002) view that Valletta is a site of nostalgia, not only for old buildings, and past glories, but for when the city was ‘lively’.

Briguglio (2010).

Online comment posted at Times of Malta website, January 2009.

Ebejer (2009).

Aquilina (2010).

Zammit Lupi (2009).

According to Bernard Plattner, an architect from the Renzo Piano architects, ‘The Opera House space cannot be a closed theatre as it would need a lot of ancillary space. It is completely impossible to house a complete opera house there, in such a small footprint of 1800 square metres’ (Grima, 2009).

Grima (no date).

Grima (2009, March 25).

Valletta Projects (undated).

Zammit Tabona (2010).

Felice (2006).

The Government's original thinking was to have parliament house on the opera house site. It was Renzo Piano's proposal to have the Parliament building on the adjoining Freedom square and have an open-air performance space within the ruins of the opera house.

Online comment posted at Times of Malta website, December 2008.

Times of Malta. (2010b).

This is all set to change in 2011 when the new public transport system will include several termini across Malta, with Valletta being one of them. This change reflects the increased relevance of commercial centres in the urban conurbation around the harbours.

Online comment posted at Times of Malta website, December 2008.

Refalo (2010).

Online comment posted at Times of Malta website, December 2008.

Online comment posted at Times of Malta website, December 2008.

The Malta Independent (date unknown).

Online comment posted at Times of Malta website, December 2008.

Online comment posted at Times of Malta website, October 2009.

Online comment posted at Times of Malta website, January 2009.

Online comment posted at DCG Notebook, December 2008.

Buhagiar (2008).

Online comment posted at Times of Malta, December 2008.

The Malta Independent (date unknown).

Gonzi (2010).

Times of Malta (2010a).

Times of Malta (2008).

Once the debate got underway, the same associations chose not to actively engage in the discussion on the project. Given the importance of tourism to the Maltese economy, one would have expected suggestions being made on the project's potential in relation to tourism. This did not materialize primarily because the parliament versus theatre issue and the national strategic importance of the site overshadowed all other considerations.

Vassallo (2009).

For example, the architects of Oslo's new Opera house wanted the waterside venue to provide a ‘meeting between land and sea, Norway and the world, art and everyday life’ (Smith & Strand, 2011).