Regeneration of Jews Sally Port (Il-Fossa), Valletta

Abstract

Il-Fossa, situated beneath Fort St. Elmo is the worst maintained area of Valletta which reflects the self-esteem and social fabric of the community. This is an area of social housing with financially challenged and low-educated residents. Il-Fossa is in desperate need for rehabilitation and if regenerated, it may have the potential to become very popular due to its heritage, natural, and aesthetic beauty. Wartime shelters are found in the bastion walls as well as two sally ports with closed access. One also finds an inaccessible rocky beach, illegal infrasturcture, shabby commercial snack bars and indescribable types of waste being dumped in the surroundings. One could also find a considerable amount of abandoned housing in the vicinity. This research study tries to elicit feedback of a holistic approach from the local community about the perceived impacts of the proposed regeneration project for this lower part of Valletta. This research also studies the potential that the area has and what may be the best way forward. To address the research problem, a mixed design approach was adopted based on in-depth interviews, surveys and observation. Main findings show that the residents want their area to be regenerated, but not according to the proposed project because they will lose their quality of life. Regeneration is desperately needed in the area, however according to residents this should be done in terms of embellishment and not in terms of tourism development.