The Kamra tal-Periti (Chamber of Architects) has stated that businesses will need to “adjust” to Mosta’s new pedestrianised square since it will lead to changes in consumer behaviour.

This was noted in a statement by the Chamber, criticising a recent move from the Mayor of Mosta to reverse the pedestrianisation of the locality's core.

The recently pedestrianised square has been a topic of debate for many reasons over the past few months, particularly following an extensive regeneration plan that saw it being partially pedestrianised and closed off to traffic during the weekends. The project, which took place when Chris Grech was still Mayor, has been strongly opposed by his successor, Joseph Gatt.

Earlier this week, Mayor Gatt put forward a resolution that would allow traffic to flow through the square on all days, starting from the first weekend of September.

The resolution stated that the decision was being taken primarily due to complaints from residents and businesses, as well as due to the pedestrianisation allegedly not being authorised. Residents and commercial entities felt that the closure had a "negative impact on the community and the standard of living in Mosta," the Local Council said.

In its statement, the Chamber of Architects called on Councillors “not to succumb to commercial pressures that disregard community well-being.”

It urged the Mosta Local Council to implement measures aimed at ensuring the success of the pedestrianisation project.

“It is inevitable that such a major change to the urban fabric of Mosta will bring about a transition period through which local businesses will need to adjust, as the type and behaviours of their patrons inevitably change,” the Chamber affirmed.

However, it remarked that this change should not deter the Mosta community from seeing through this transitory phase. One of the means of doing so is by supporting their local businesses with their custom, it stated.

The move to pedestrianise the square was supported by Transport Minister Chris Bonett on Tuesday, who said that while he was one of the first people to be sceptical about the change, once he saw it in action, he “thinks it was a good decision.”

“I know that some do not like it and prefer that cars be allowed to pass through, and I understand that it is difficult to swim against the current, but this is a decision that must be defended,” he added.

The idea to reverse the decision and let traffic flow during weekends was also strongly criticised by Mark Sultana, CEO of environmental NGO BirdLife Malta, saying that it is a “very, very bad decision.”

“It is disheartening to see how this decision was taken amidst what has happened in the recent months and year in Mosta. I remain hopeful that once again another wrong decision is reversed,” he said.

In its statement, the Chamber of Architects said that should activity during weekends – the days when the square is pedestrianised – be low, prompting a “temporary business downturn,” then local and national political leaders need to “intervene by incentivising greater social and commercial activity in the square.”

It called on the Mosta Local Council to partner with Government to develop cultural and fiscal incentives during this transition period.

“The Council of the Chamber of Architects is willing to support and discuss with the Mosta Local Council initiatives and incentives that can be developed, in consultation with Studjurban and local civil groups, to mee the needs of the various community interests,” The Chamber concluded.