Last week saw the inauguration of the newly regenerated main square – Pjazza tal-Belt Vittoriosa – in Birgu. Designed by the urban planning firm Studjurban, the 2,100m² square has undergone a sensitive transformation that speaks to both the heritage of the place and the needs of its present-day community.
Studjurban’s founder Perit Dr 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,” explains Dr Antoine Zammit.
“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. 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.
“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,” says Dr Zammit.
“We hope that this visual narrative helps preserve the spatial identity of this historic and unique square.”
The project’s design development was deeply collaborative. Studjurban engaged in extensive dialogue with the Birgu 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 Birgu.
“This experience equipped us to respond more holistically to the unique challenges posed by Birgu’s main square,” notes Dr Zammit.
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 Pjazza tal-Vitorja is a civic act — 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.
As Dr Zammit aptly puts it: “By reinterpreting this space through design, we are not only improving its functionality but keeping memory alive.”