Last week saw the inauguration of the newly regenerated main square – Pjazza tal-Belt Vittoriosa – in Vittoriosa or Birgu as it is best known among the locals.
Designed by urban planning firm Studjurban, the 2,100m² square has undergone a sensitive transformation that honours the heritage of the place while meeting the needs of its contemporary community.
Studjurban’s founder perit Antoine Zammit, who oversaw the whole project, explained that more than a physical upgrade, the project is a studied revaluation of public space − a move away from the fragmented vehicular sprawl and haphazard parking that had long dominated the site – and reimagines the square not as an extension of the surrounding road network, but as a coherent, dignified civic space: a paved, pedestrian-oriented environment rooted in collective memory.
“Urban planning and the rehabilitation of public spaces − especially those situated in the middle of a community − are never straightforward tasks,” Zammit explains.
“They require a sensitive approach that balances the spirit of the locality with its collective memory and, often, the nostalgia of its people.”
This ethos shaped every aspect of the design, which includes a new pedestrian-only central square, a shared but restricted vehicular route along the periphery, and a rethinking of external levels to ensure full accessibility.
The number and location of on-street parking bays were also reassessed, introducing order to what had previously been a chaotic arrangement.
But the heart of the project lies in its dialogue with history, Sturdjurban say.
For decades, the site bore the ghost of a beloved clock tower destroyed during World War II.
Rather than attempting a reconstruction, Studjurban chose to evoke the memory of the structure through spatial storytelling where the tower’s original footprint has been marked in reinforced red travertine and inlaid with bronze strips, while a series of slender vertical elements subtly suggest the form and presence of the absent tower.
“We hope that this visual narrative helps preserve the spatial identity of this historic and unique square”
“It was important to us to visualise the memory of the clock tower − not by rebuilding it, but by making its absence felt and understood,” Zammit says.
“We hope that this visual narrative helps preserve the spatial identity of this historic and unique square.”
For the project’s design development, Studjurban engaged in extensive dialogue with the Vittoriosa local council, residents, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and local organisations, including band clubs and festa enthusiasts. This participatory approach ensured that the final design resonated with those who live and celebrate in the square year-round.
Landscaping, seating and a new lighting scheme were integrated with care, creating shaded resting areas and moments of pause. These are not merely aesthetic improvements; they are gestures of hospitality − a way of returning the square to the community. Vehicles are no longer dominant; instead, people are invited to linger, interact and rediscover the space.
The team at Studjurban also drew on their experience from the ongoing Slow Streets initiative − a programme aimed at creating safer, more liveable environments − to inform their approach in Vittoriosa.
“This experience equipped us to respond more holistically to the unique challenges posed by Birgu’s main square,” Zammit notes.
Quiet interventions enrich the space further. Didactic panels scattered throughout offer historical insights into the layered identity of the square − from the statue of St Lawrence, representing Malta’s victory, to the medieval street lines embedded in the site’s topography. The square becomes a kind of open-air archive, inviting reflection as much as participation.
Ultimately, the regeneration of the pjazza is a civic act, Studjurban say − one that seeks not only to improve functionality but to restore dignity to a space once rich with symbolic importance. It is an act of healing through design, reconnecting the city with its past and its people.
“By reinterpreting this space through design, we are not only improving its functionality but keeping memory alive,” Zammit concludes.
