Paris and Valletta may appear to be two cities on opposite ends of Europe, but both are dealing with a common urban dilemma: how to balance outdoor dining scenes with the need for peace and quiet for residents.

A recent article in The Times of London discussed the rise of outdoor terraces in Paris, a trend that began during the pandemic and has since become permanent. The terraces, which line wide boulevards and spill into narrow residential streets, have transformed the cityscape, but not without consequences. 

As the summer months draw closer, the noise from diners and bars has become unbearable for many residents, leading to complaints about sleepless nights, irritability, and deteriorating quality of life. Between January 2022 and June 2023, Parisians filed over 45,000 complaints to the police and local authorities about noise caused by these outdoor spaces.

This situation closely mirrors what's happening in Valletta, Malta's capital. Much like Paris, Valletta saw a surge in outdoor dining establishments during the pandemic, with restaurants eager to make use of public space to continue serving customers. However, what began as a temporary solution has now become a permanent feature in the city's narrow streets. The influx of outdoor tables and chairs has sparked anger among locals, particularly those who feel that their right to peace and quiet is being overlooked.

NGOs and resident groups have frequently raised issues about outdoor tables and chairs not having the proper permits and not allowing enough pedestrian space.  There has been controversy as well about this outdoor furniture interfering with things like village feasts, religious processions, and also making it difficult for emergency vehicles to access certain areas.

Local protests have been led by activist group Moviment Graffitti, which has criticised the commercialisation of Valletta's public spaces. The group argues that the city's infrastructure was never designed for such extensive commercialisation, and it's now causing significant disruptions to daily life.

Valletta's noise issue mirrors Paris' challenges, especially when it comes to the noise generated by outdoor terraces. While both cities have regulations to limit noise - in Valletta, outdoor music was supposed to stop by 11pm - and many locals felt that these laws were not enforced. 

Then in 2022 the government introduced legislation allowing establishments in certain streets in the capital to keep on playing music until 1am - irking residents even further to the point that in 2023 deputy mayor Ray Azzopardi's solution for residents was for them to dump a bucket of water on inconsiderate bar patrons.

Another point of comparison between the two cities is the commercial pressures on businesses. In Paris, restaurant owners are pushing for more flexibility, wanting to keep their terraces open year-round due to the significant increase in earnings they have experienced. This has led to a heated debate about whether these terraces are worth the social cost of increased noise and congestion.

In Valletta, restaurant owners have made similar arguments, claiming that outdoor dining is essential for their business survival. However, many residents feel that the city's charm is being eroded in favour of catering to tourists, with public spaces becoming more and more taken over by commercial interests.

The rise of outdoor terraces in Valletta has sparked a broader conversation about the future of the city's public spaces. As with Paris, the question is how to balance the needs of local businesses with the rights of residents to live in a peaceful and accessible environment.

With tourism being one of Malta's key industries, the pressures on businesses to cater to tourists are immense. However, residents argue that their needs should not be sacrificed for commercial gains.

Both cities, in their struggle to manage the delicate balance between tourism, business, and residents, highlight a growing global issue. While the commercial success of outdoor terraces is undeniable, the strain they place on local communities is becoming harder to ignore.

As the summer months approach and outdoor dining becomes even more popular, residents of both Paris and Valletta will be watching closely to see if their cities can find a way to preserve both their vibrant commercial culture and the peace of their streets.