WORKS CONTINUE ON THE URBAN REDEVELOPMENT OF THE CAPITAL CITY OF VALLETTA AS DESIGNED BY RENZO PIANO

During a visit organised by the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation on 20th February the Ambassador of Italy Giovanni Umberto De Vito was able to appreciate the progress on the large urban redevelopment project at the entrance to Valletta. The project was designed by the architect and senator for life Renzo Piano. 

The project consists of a series of interventions aimed at restoring the city’s prestige, also in view of Valletta’s appointment as European Capital of Culture in 2018. The works cover a large area of the historic capital: in addition to the new entrance and the bridge, there is an open theatre (opened to the public last summer), the redevelopment of the adjacent Jean de Valette square and the construction of the new Maltese parliament. The buildings intended to house the parliamentary assembly combine an elegant finish in Maltese stone blocks (cut in Italy) with innovative technological solutions and lighting aimed at achieving maximum energy savings. Several Italian companies of construction, design and decor are involved in the project which should be inaugurated next October. 

Through a careful study of the existing fortification lines and structures, the complex was designed in such a way as to reconcile the creation of a new open space for civic and cultural forms of aggregation with an artistic sensibility. Such a combination aims at enhancing the unique historical and architectural heritage of Malta.