Case Studies  A Regeneration Strategy for Valletta. Il-Biccerija Case Study

State Funded Approach

The first possible approach is that where the Central Government embarks on an extensive rehabilitation project for the whole city, the whole project being financed from public funds, with a possibility of acquiring some foreign grants. This project should start by conducting a detailed survey of the existing physical situation of all the buildings in Valletta, accompanied by a demographical, economical and social analysis of the present situation. From these studies, it would be possible to identify areas which need immediate intervention and the type of action needed. The rest of the areas will be covered by a plan of action, including a priority order of actions. This project could include the restoration and rehabilitation of buildings, the upgrading of public areas, and possibly the demolition and redevelopment of specific buildings.

This rehabilitation approach has the advantage of being administered by one body, the Central Government; there would be full control of all the actions being taken in the whole city, and priorities could easily be identified. If a long term plan were drawn up, with amendments from time to time, the financing of the project would not be impossible. However, a main disadvantage lies in its funding. Without doing any detailed studies, one can state from the outset that various buildings require immediate intervention, as a result of their present state of decay. It is impossible for most countries, that a considerable amount of the government's budget be directed towards such projects, since every government has argued that there are other national sectors, such as the health and education, which are higher up in the priority list. One can state, from past local experiences, that conservation lies almost at the end of the priority lists of any government. Another problem which can hinder such an approach is the fact that several buildings in Valletta are privately owned, thus making it very difficult for the government to intervene.

4. A Rehabilitation Strategy for Valletta.    Partnership Approach