The further opening up of public space and the additional pedestrianisation of Valletta as provided for in the plans for the revamp of Castille Square as announced on Monday are entirely welcome. 

Wherever and whenever possible, Valletta needs to create as many open spaces as it can and the more cumbersome modern-day additions to the city built by gentlemen for gentlemen should be struck from the cityscape as the occasions arise so that the residents and visitors of the capital city cam breathe, and walk, a little easier.

The upcoming pedestrianisation of Castille Square will also add to the seamless car-free area encompassing Republic Street, Merchants Street, Zachary Street and the newly-created de Valette Square.  These new and somewhat older spaces, coupled with the soon-to-be-completed City Gate project, will undoubtedly work wonders for rejuvenating the capital city.

The opening up of the historic square, its pedestrianisation, better exposure of its marvellous surrounding architecture – that of the Auberge de Castille, St James Cavalier, Valletta’s first church - Our Lady of Victory - St Catherine’s Church, amongst others - are all excellent initiatives.

This does not, however, mean that the project is not fraught with controversy. 

Aesthetically speaking, for example, opinions have differed, as they will.  From the lampposts to the street furniture chosen, armchair and qualified critics alike have been weighing in with their two cents’ worth – some congratulatory and some scathing. 

But truth be told, no project of such significance, especially one located right at the country’s heart in front of the country’s seat of power, would not be riddled with debate, and this one is certainly no exception. 

As for the aesthetics, we will leave that to the experts to debate.  But one outstanding piece of criticism cannot go without comment: The lack of public feedback and the lack of a public call for design proposals.

The designs presented by the government on Monday were presented as a fait accompli, a done deal.  There was no debate about the somewhat drastic facelift to one of the country’s most historic squares and there was no attempt to garner design concepts from any of the country’s talented architects – established and budding alike.  Instead, the designs were carried out in-house, as it were, by the Works Department. 

It is understood that expediency could have been a cause for this lack of consultation.  The government intends having the whole project completed in time for November’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which Malta will host this year for the second time in some eight months’ time.

This could very well have been the reason for the government having taken the bull by the horns and accelerated the process.  This does not mean, however, that some sort of public consultation exercise could not have been undertaken, nor does it mean that there could not have been an expeditious public call for designs.

Come what may, once the project has been completed and the novelty wears off: please, no food kiosks, unsanctioned parking and definitely no spill over from the Monti down the road.