For decades, Floriana has carried the weight of a quiet but persistent struggle. A struggle to remain a lived-in, thriving locality. A struggle to preserve its unique character, to protect its residents, and to ensure that the beating heart of Malta does not fade into the background.

Il-Furjaniżi have stayed rooted - building lives, raising families, and nurturing a strong community spirit - even as countless others simply passed through its streets. But today, that identity is under threat.

Floriana has suffered for years from depopulation, neglect, and piecemeal decisions that have slowly but steadily undermined its core. In response, I presented a regeneration document - now adopted by the Local Council - that does more than offer ideas. It outlines a clear, practical, and community-driven roadmap. It proposes concrete initiatives: restoration schemes, housing incentives, investment in green and communal spaces, and support mechanisms for families seeking to remain or return to Floriana.

This document goes beyond describing Floriana's problems. It recognises the identity crisis the locality is facing - and it puts forward solutions. But without serious government backing, these proposals risk remaining ink on paper.

Recent decisions by the Planning Authority only highlight the urgency. Permits have been granted to convert residential buildings within core zones into offices and short-let accommodation. These are not isolated cases - they are symptoms of a deeper, systemic imbalance that places commercial gain above long-term sustainability.

Let us be clear - this is not a critique of private developers or entrepreneurs. The responsibility lies with the authorities tasked with safeguarding our communities. Floriana is a designated residential zone for a reason. If we continue to erode that balance, we risk losing the very essence of the town.

This is not just a planning issue. It is a social concern, a cultural reality, and ultimately, a national challenge.

Private investment has always been, and will remain, a vital component in the regeneration of any locality - and Floriana is no exception. Responsible investment injects life, activity, and economic momentum. But for it to be truly sustainable, it must go hand in hand with a vision that respects the locality's character. This is why government support in the form of targeted subsidies and incentives is not just beneficial - it is essential. These tools can attract the right kind of investment, empower residents to restore their homes, support local businesses, and ultimately safeguard the social fabric of Floriana. Regeneration cannot be left to market forces alone; it must be guided by a deliberate partnership between public policy and private initiative, with people at its very heart.

The regeneration strategy I put forward is not about resisting change. It is about achieving regeneration with respect - respect for place, for history, and above all, for people. Floriana should stand as a national example of how revitalisation can be rooted in people, not just in profit margins.

This cannot happen without decisive and active Government involvement - not just as a regulator, but as a true enabler. Public policies must incentivise residency. Infrastructure must serve the community. Cultural initiatives must breathe life into empty spaces. The document already includes these pillars. Now we need the political commitment to implement them.

Floriana has been treated, for far too long, as an afterthought - a car park for Valletta, a shortcut between destinations, or a backdrop to institutions. But this locality is not a corridor. It is a community. And that community is shrinking.

The time for polite speeches is over. The residents are ready to be part of the solution. The plan is on the table. What we now need is the political will to move forward - together.

Let us not wake up one day and realise we lost Floriana while pretending to save it.

James Aaron Ellul is Deputy Mayor of Floriana and PN Candidate for the 1st District