For a better Valletta

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I’ve been harping on the need for a holistic master plan for Valletta for over two decades. The first article I wrote, suggesting a master plan for the capital city, was published in The Sunday Times in 1989. Since then, some of my proposals have been taken on board – the maritime link from Sliema to Valletta to Cottonera, pedestrianisation projects, the total upgrading of City Gate (Triton Square), the de Valette statue, and the Park & Ride in Horn Works Ditch. Others have been shelved or ditched.

Recently, I launched a 10-year master plan for our capital city. Valletta is short of adequate parking spaces. I’m suggesting two large underground car parks in its vicinity – one with a capacity of around 3,000 cars, which can be developed below the Floriana playing field, while reconstructing the existing football ground and other outdoor facilities together with a new regional indoor sports centre.

I’m also suggesting transforming the playing field in Floriana, overlooking Grand Harbour, into another large car park. In addition, I’m proposing mini-underground car parks for the top management of firms and hotels located in Valletta during the day, as well as a car park underneath the Valletta primary school – which can be demolished and rebuilt into a modern state-of-the art school.

This car park could be used by residents and patrons and employees of the Mediterranean Conference Centre. My master plan for Valletta includes a new hotel to replace the shabby Evans Buildings.

 

The vision for Valletta is that of a vibrant city

Currently, the main commercial activities are centred in the upper part of Republic and Merchants streets. In order to generate further commercial activity, I’m also proposing the development of 5-star hotels on the periphery of Valletta which indirectly would upgrade the area.

One way to generate commercial activity all around Valletta is to create a free public shuttle circular bus system with low-floor buses – free of charge to the consumer. This could be done immediately, and does not require large-scale investment.

To promote a more car-free Valletta, I’m suggesting two transportation nodes: a land transportation node next to the Granaries, which would give commuters a wide choice of entering Valletta – the circular buses to the centre of the city; a taxi or electric cab; a horse-drawn cab or a link to the underground electric tram that connects the Park & Ride to City Gate.

Valletta requires constant renovation and restoration works. For this purpose, I’m suggesting the restoration of the two ravelin ditches that lie beneath the Triton Fountain, and the fountain relocated to a more suitable location.

These two ditches are already connected to the new City Gate lift and to the old railway tunnel which can be linked to the Park & Ride by means of an electric tram operating 24 hours, seven days a week. In its place an open space which many have often suggested for the entrance of the capital city.

It would complement Renzo Piano’s entrance to our capital. I am also suggesting that the Palace be converted into a national museum housing artefacts from various eras of Malta’s history together with the MUZA building. With better transport systems in place, and adequate parking spaces, pedestrianisation in Valletta can be implemented on a wider scale. This could well be complemented with a well-designed promenade at Marsamxett and Barriera Wharf.

Maritime connectivity is crucial to connect Valletta to other touristic hotspots – mainly Sliema/St Julian’s and the Cottonera. Maritime connectivity between the three encourages further investment in the catering industry. The tender for the tunnel connecting the Sliema Ferries to Valletta and Cottonera is currently being processed.

Once implemented, it shall generate more commercial activity in all three cities. I’m also suggesting a maritime transportation node located at the bottom of Ta’ Liesse Hill in the vicinity of the Barracca lift. This could also be used by a fast ferry shuttle service to and from Gozo, generating commercial activity there as well.

Once this is functioning, tourists heading to Gozo would be able to take a taxi to Valletta and all the way to Gozo. Of course, this would also be of benefit to the residents of Gozo.

The cruise liner industry needs to be nurtured. Hence my suggestion for another cruise liner quay in the vicinity of the old fish market at Barriera Wharf, incorporating a marina for super yachts.

While commercial activity in Valletta is to the benefit of its business community, residents should be given equal priority. I am therefore putting forward a wide range of proposals – from the most basic: the restoration of all its façades, to incentives which include the conversion of temporary rent to long-term leases to attract new residents to Valletta.

An inventory of government-owned buildings in Valletta is long overdue – it will help to identify which properties government can dispose of or put up for rent or long let. I am also suggesting that certain zones in Valletta should be for residential purposes only, while others allocated to office and commercial activity.

All outdoor live entertainment should come to a halt at 11pm. Valletta cannot be turned into another Paceville. Deliveries too should be restricted to off-peak hours in order to create the least disturbance possible to the Valletta residents and its visitors.

I’m also suggesting the use of underutilised convents located within the city and the demolishing of social housing at its entrance.

There are large convents which today house a few nuns and friars. I’m sure that the Church would be willing to convert them for other useful purposes, as are homes for the elderly or child care centres – the latter a welcoming relief to thousands of young parents who work in Valletta. Social housing at the entrance of Valletta is an eyesore, which a capital city does not deserve. I am therefore suggesting the relocation of its families to other vacant property in Valletta, given to them fully restored, serviced with lifts and modern common areas and on a freehold title, contrary to the leased titles they currently enjoy. This way the lessors would be greatly compensated for the move.

The demolition of these dwellings shall uncover the gem that is Palazzo Ferreria and provide unobstructed views of St John’s Cavalier. The existing commercial entities can still be located in a modern structure around the new large square at a lower level, in order not to interfere with the surrounding beauty. Access to this new square shall be complimentary to the new adjacent Spanish steps.

I shall in the coming months launch a wider discussion, themed Għal Belt Aħjar (For a better Valletta) with key stakeholders and residents alike.

My vision for Valletta is that of a vibrant city: more parking facilities; free circular buses; better maritime connectivity; pedestrianisation; public gardens; restoration and renovation of private and public buildings; better enforcement to safeguard residents rights and incentives to generate commercial and touristic activity.  Renaissance – revitalising our capital city.

Angelo Xuereb is chairman and  CEO of AX Holdings.

Retirement village: Reap what you sow, Angelo Xuereb urges retirees

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As we grow older and enter different phases in our lives, we go through various challenges including in our long working careers. But there comes a time when we should reap what we sow since it would be useless working if we didn’t do that, business magnate Angelo Xuereb said.

Mr Xuereb said the concept of a retirement village, a first for Malta, gives the opportunity to people who want to really live life to the full and to get to socialise in a village which is much more than a neighbourhood.

“The complex will offer some 133 deluxe apartments and penthouses with extensive views in a 17,000sqm development a stone’s throw away from Naxxar’s village core. But not only that, if tenants end up immobile at some point in their lives, they can choose to move in to a state-of-the-art licensed residential care home next door that is entirely independent from the village,” he said.

Mr Xuereb said that the village gives you a feeling that you are in a luxurious resort and not in an ordinary elderly care home.

“We tried to avoid as much as possible having anything attributed to elderly care homes such as staircase lifts or bed lifts. I am not saying that elderly people who find it hard to navigate stairs safely won’t have assistance,” he said.

During the interview, Mr Xuereb came across as having the genuine desire to provide the perfect solution to people who may end up lonely, or couples who are seeking to live in a luxurious village but having the necessary assistance in place, the opportunity to do so in the safest of environments.

“When people grow old, they end up vulnerable and start to fear that one day they can end up victims of a burglary. This village is as safe as can be.

“Some may end up lonely but do not bother to seek company; the retirement village concept is their answer to their loneliness since they can socialise,” he said.

The village also hosts a lounge area, and outdoor pool and relaxation area, a crafts centre, a multipurpose hall and a busy activity schedule, a billiard and darts room, a clinical centre, a library a wellness centre and spa, hair salon, a restaurant and bar bistro, children’s indoor and outdoor play areas, a mini market, garden allotments – an opportunity to grow your own fruit and vegetables, a fitness centre a shuttle service, the list is endless.

Each apartment has its own terrace, a kitchen and the bedrooms are spacious.

 

 

A purposely designed chapel to offer a feeling of tranquillity is situated in the heart of the village. The design is based on Mr Xuereb’s ideas. The Cross, for instance, is positioned in a way that the sun’s beams light up the cross which reflect on the Onix flooring.

“There’s plenty of light and the chapel is surrounded by water. It gives you a feeling that the chapel is on the water. One can also admire the swans gliding over the chapel,” he said.

“If it were up to me, the word ta’ xjuh (a place for the elderly) should not exist. This place is a retirement village for those people who would have worked for some 40 years and who want to make the most of what they worked all those years for,” he said.

He continued: “Let’s say a person living in the five-star plus village suffers a stroke some five years after purchasing an apartment, he can be transferred to the residential care residence next door and the person will be assisted by a multidisciplinary team,” he explained.

The maximum the retirement home and village can take up to some 300 persons. The apartments can either be rented or purchased but up to a maximum of 50 years. In the event a person decides to continue living in the residential home next door to the village, he or she can utilise the funds he would have spent on the apartment for medical care and accommodation or choose to rent it out to third persons.

Mr Xuereb said that dementia patients will be allocated to a section of the home which is specially equipped for such patients.

Making Things Happen

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American Author Francis Scott Fitzgerald once wrote, “the reason one writes isn’t the fact he wants to say something. He writes because he has something to say.” Dana Bonello sets a date with Angelo Xuereb to discuss his self-titled autobiography.

Il-Ħolma ta’ Ħajtu

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Mhux kulħadd jista’ jigħd li l-ħolma ta’ ħajtu saret realta’, anki jekk ilkoll kemm aħna minn żogħżitna, jekk mhux anki mit-tfulija, nagħmlu ħilitna biex jiġri dan. Kollox ikun jiddependi fuq iċ-ċirkostanzi taż-żmien , fuq l-opportunitajiet li jista’ jkun hemm u ma’ jkunx hemm, u fuq kollox, fuq id-determinazzjoni vera.

I Want to be a Big Businessman

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Angelo Xuereb was only 13 years old when he declared solemnly to his father and his friends when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up: “I want to be a big Businessman.”

Malta’s Leading Businessmen Share their Views on Diversification

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Business diversification is regarded as vital for growth by many of the island’s most prominent businessmen, especially in a small market such as Malta. Chiara Bonello sounds out Malta’s top businessmen who describe their journey as diversification that has made them a force to contend with in the business world. They discuss their views on the importance of diversification, especially in light of increasing market competition and the current economic climate.

Upgrading the Kennedy Drive Project

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Transport Malta has asked the public to comment on its proposal for the upgrading of the Kennedy Drive segment of the Coast Road Project, stretching from Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq to St Paul’s Bay, which today is one of Malta’s main arterial roads.

Quality, Determination and Commitment

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The Economic update caught up with AX Holdings’ Chairman, renowned Entrepreneur Angelo Xuereb. Mr Xuereb spoke to Martin Vella on a wide range of topics including the construction industry, innovation, MEPA, and his approach towards business growth and organisational culture.

Malta’s Construction Industry at a Crossroad

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Once a stalwart of the local economy, Malta’s construction industry is being forced to contemplate serious transformation if it is to survive and prosper. Claire Azzopardi finds out what issues the industry is facing and where its future may lie.