Chamber of Architects calls on Mosta council to make pedestrianisation work rather than reverse it
With reference to media reports stating that the Mayor of Mosta presented a motion to reverse the pedestrianisation of the core of Mosta, the Chamber of Architects has called on the Councillors not to succumb to commercial pressures that disregard co
With reference to media reports stating that the Mayor of Mosta presented a motion to reverse the pedestrianisation of the core of Mosta, the Chamber of Architects has called on the Councillors not to succumb to commercial pressures that disregard community wellbeing.
"Rather, the Chamber calls on the Mosta Local Council to implement measures to ensure the success of the pedestrianisation project. It is inevitable that such a major change to the urban fabric of Mosta will bring about a transition period through which local businesses will need to adjust, as the type and behaviours of their patrons inevitably change. This should not, however, deter the Mosta community from seeing through this transitory phase, in part by also supporting their local businesses with their custom."
"If, as reported, activity during the periods when the square is fully pedestrian is low, causing a temporary business downturn it is incumbent on local and national political leaders to intervene by incentivising greater social and commercial activity in the square. Indeed, the Local Council should partner with central government to develop cultural and fiscal incentives during this transition period. The Council of the Chamber of Architects is willing to support and discuss with the Mosta Local Council initiatives and incentives that can be developed, in consultation with Studjurban and local civil groups, to meet the needs of the various community interests."
The Mosta local council said on Facebook that during a meeting, held on the 23rd of July 2024, a resolution was presented to revise the closing times of the Mosta centre due to the negative impact on residents and the business community.
"The resolution states that from the 9th to the 15th of August 2024, during the week of the feast, the new closing times of the square should be those usually used for the celebrations of the feast of Santa Marija, based on the need not to obstruct the activities planned by the Church and Mosta's societies and organizations, with the full cooperation of the police and the law enforcement authorities. Apart from this, from the first weekend at the start of September (31st of August and 1st of September), the centre of Mosta (Rotunda Square and Eucharistic Congress Street) will no longer be closed as has happened in recent months, and traffic will be allowed to pass, provided there is no community or commercial activity. This decision is based on the opinion of a significant number of residents and commercial entities who felt that the closure had a negative impact on the community and the standard of living in Mosta," the council said.
The Local Council said that it remains committed to conducting a consultation process with all areas of Mosta to see that traffic management in Mosta is improved.
"During the discussion on the resolution, the Mayor Joseph Gatt and the councillors elected on behalf of the Nationalist Party requested an extension of the meeting time to ensure the work of the Mosta Local Council was not halted. However, unfortunately, the councillors elected on behalf of the Labour Party chose not to continue the meeting, and therefore, the meeting had to be adjourned at that very moment. As a result, Mayor Joseph Gatt will be calling an urgent meeting as per Article 29A of Chapter 363 in the coming days."
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