Dr Antoine Zammit was recently in Rhodes for the sixth edition of Changing Cities: Spatial, Design, Landscape, Heritage and socioeconomic dimensions – an international conference held between 24 - 28 June that attracted academics world-wide. It was organised by the Research Unit of Morphology and Design, directed by Dr Aspa Gospodini, Professor of Urban Planning & Design, Department of Planning & Regional Development, University of Thessaly, Volos, in collaboration with the Department of Mediterranean Studies, University of The Aegean, Rhodes Island and under the aegis of IsoCarp (International Society of City and Regional Planners).
The conference brought together urban planners and designers, architects, landscape designers, urban geographers and historians, urban economists, urban sociologists, and urban policy makers, to investigate new challenges concerning cities and their future.
The Conference Programme included 20 special sessions that were pre-organised by distinguished researchers enriching the academic discussion, including a session entitled Flexible, resilient and proximity public spaces for dynamic urban regeneration, organised and chaired by the eminent Prof. Marichela Sepe from the DICEA Sapienza Universita’ di Roma. Dr Zammit’s paper, entitled ‘Valletta: the fine line between urban vitality and liveability’, was presented in this session.
In his paper, Dr Zammit discussed the complex balance between urban vitality and liveability in Valletta, which is undergoing rapid transformation and facing placemaking challenges, especially after being designated as the European Capital of Culture in 2018. His research delved into changes in land use patterns, particularly related to development planning permits and tourism clearances for tourism accommodation and catering establishments, which have impacted the city's urban structure and public spaces, notably through the proliferation of outdoor catering areas. The paper also studied how Valletta's commercialisation, driven by specific planning policies, has influenced the city's liveability, sparking debates on the commodification of space and space appropriation, heritage preservation, and the need for more resilient urban policies to address residents’ concerns.
Dr Antoine Zammit is a Senior Lecturer in spatial planning, urban design and urban governance at the Department of Spatial Planning and Infrastructure, within the Faculty for the Built Environment
