Worldwide, the tendency is for populations to gravitate towards the centre of economic activity. In every country there are large expanses of open spaces or farmland, and a concentration of activity and people in cities, towns and villages. This is a feature present in all countries big and small. In certain countries, the centre of economic activity can be a financial centre, an industrial zone or a harbour.
As we all know, in Gozo, the main economic activities are centred in Victoria – banks, shops, government services, secondary education institutions and the hospital. Despite the strong tourist-related activities in popular localities near the sea, the local social and economic activities can still be heavily centred in village cores.
In earlier days when transport was less frequent and available, the village squares were much more the focus of activities than they are today. Around them, the daily life of the residents moved at a slow pace, something unimagined today. The pjazza very often witnessed the whole cycle of life, from birth to young age, from adult life to its mature stages and ultimately to death.
With modernisation and greater mobility, activities started to move out of the pjazza. However, in recent years there has been an attempt to bring the pjazza back to what it was – a lively, social and economic hub. It is with this in mind that in the past three years the Ministry for Gozo in collaboration with local councils has embarked on the embellishment of squares around the island. Work has already been concluded in Qala. There is ongoing work in three more: Ghajnsielem, Xewkija and Xaghra, where work is progressing at a good pace. The aim is make it possible for social events and economic activities to take place in a more pleasant and attractive environment. I believe everybody would like to see the pjazza regain its central role in everyday social and economic life, both during the day but more so in the evening.
Another project on a central square which will start soon is that of Saint Francis Square. This will not only embellish and beautify the square but will offer safety for foot passengers who need to access the square. If people arrive in Victoria by bus or private car, they can only access the square from Maingate Street. Unfortunately this street is very narrow, just enough for a one lane access, but more than that the footpath is almost negligible. Furthermore, this footpath is so narrow that someone with a pushchair would need to actually use the road.
This creates a dangerous situation for people who wish to make their way from the bus terminus or the car park to Saint Francis Square, which is the area where government services are clustered, including the main primary health care clinic. The Saint Francis Square project consists of creating another entry into the square from the terminus/carpark through the construction of an imposing wide flight of stairs, directly from the bus terminus. For those who have prams or wheelchairs, a lift will be included in the new service thus creating a safer means of accessing St Francis Square. The project will also include two halls on the side which can be used for events and activities such as exhibitions. This whole project will certainly bring a breath of fresh air to the area, offer a safer means to pedestrians, particularly to the disabled, senior citizens and children because of the lift, and also create a more appealing entry to the square.
To complement the embellishment of these squares, work is also being done to ensure that the roads accessing them are in better shape than this government found them in. This is not an easy task as some of them were allowed to deteriorate and are in a bad state. We have started this long list of roads and will continue to work on roads leading to these squares. The following are some of the examples of streets which branch out of squares or directly lead to them, and which the Ministry has improved on in the past three years, and others which will be done in the coming months.
The 10-kilometre stretch of road from Hondoq ir-Rummien to ta’ Cenc has meant an improvement in the access roads to Qala, Xewkija and Sannat. In Victoria, work has been carried out on Castle Hill and Castle Street important for It-Tokk Square, and shortly work will start on Ghajn Qatet and Vajringa, both leading out of St Francis Square. Other roads which have been upgraded and provide better access are those in Victoria’s centre such as Dawwara and Ghedrin. Work on 8th September Avenue to access Xaghra’s Victory Square will be finalized in the near future. In the coming months work will also start on Sannat Road which leads from Tac-Cawla, limits of Victoria, right into Sannat Square. I believe that such work was very much needed and the Ministry for Gozo aims to continue to provide better roads for Gozo.
The Ministry is convinced that these projects relating to our pjazez will give back the social and cultural atmosphere that is the very backbone of Gozitan life. We love our way of life and we want to strengthen this in any way possible. These projects will create the community feel that Gozitans stand for and bring more economic activity to our village cores.
Dr Refalo is Minister for Gozo