Valletta-Establishment of a Link Between the Passenger ... · Leena Abraham 3rd May 2006, Valletta...

3rd May 2006, Valletta Leena Abraham

Valletta-Establishment of a Link Between the Passenger Harbour and the Fortified City.

(as defended on May 2006 at Valletta)

Advisors: Prof.Erich Buhmann , Anhalt University of Applied Sciences,Bernburg

Mr.Konrad Buhagiar , Architecture Project, Valletta


Valletta

Mediterranean splendour and historical charm

A Historic World Heritage Site designated by UNESCO.


The Passenger Harbour-Entry into Valletta

Grand Harbour is an important point of entry into Valletta.

Major link between Valletta and the rest of the world especially for tourists who arrive everyday on cruise liners.

A hub of commercial and leisure activities, a 24-hour destination for tourists and locals.

The harbour attracts a maximum of 7 cruise liners and ferries per day

i.e. approximately 500,000 visitors per year, and the number is expected to reach over 1 million visitors in the coming years. (Source: Viset Website http://www.vallettawaterfront.com)


Not so convenient for pedestrians..No public transport on this route..

Lack of signage/maps for orientation..Lack of facilities at waiting areas..

Additions to traffic on the already tight roads around Valletta..

The Journey between the Fortified City and the Harbour ..Today..

Exorbitant rates for taxi rides.

Modal SplitPre-booked Bus tourTaxi rideDecide to walk


• Insufficient/inexistent facilities and services

– sign posting– toilet facilities– facilities for the disabled– open-air seating– not enough restaurants offering Maltese cuisine

Source: Valletta-Marketing and Product Development Aspects, powerpoint presentation by Malta Tourism Authority to Students of Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, 2006.

Results from a survey by Malta Tourism Authority says...among the weaknesses of Valletta as perceived by tourists....

3rd May 2006, Valletta Leena Abraham Source: Data- National Statistics Office News Releases (2005)


• Total no. of cruise liners arriving in the month of Oct.2005 was69 and a total no. of passengers was 52,912. (apprx. 800 people per cruise liner)

• Maximum of 4 cruise liners are presently arriving at the harbourin a day.. ie. 3068 people.

• The Harbour has a capacity of 5 berths for cruise liners and 2 ferries. Ie. 3835 +100+100 = 4035-5000 people per day.

• If these people arrived in 3 hours time ie. a max of 1666 peoplearrived per hour.

• 80% of these people might use the facilities to be designed. ie.1250 people

• ie. apprx. 21 people per minute.

Statistics- no. of people travelling between the Harbour and the Fortified City.

Source: National Statistics Office,Malta; News Release –Nov 2005.

Source: Viset Cruise Liner schedule. http://www.vallettawaterfront.com/cruiseschedules.asp

Source: VISET http://www.vallettawaterfront.com


Proposals /considerations

• Ferry Connections• Moving Sidewalks at relevant locations• Cable Car• Vertical Links (Funicular, Lifts, etc.)• Tunnel Network• Controlled Access Scheme to Valletta and Floriana

Source: Ministry for Urban Development and Roads, Powerpoint presention by M.Borg to Students of Anhalt University of AppliedSciences, Bernburg.


Analysis


Source:Grand Harbour Local Plan


How could a new public route transit help improve this condition?


Source:Aerial Photo MEPA (2005)


Other benefits• Perceived as an efficient solution

to promote and facilitate reduced car usage and develop an effective and efficient transportation that is environment friendly.

• Provides options of several boarding and stopping points so that the tourist has the flexibility to decide different permutations, combinations of his journey depending on his movability and availability of time.

• A transport means for tourists and locals alike.


The proposal


Bus ....(Auto Tram) – A Hybrid Bus running on Diesel and Electric motor.

1. Run on Hybrid and zero-emission propulsion technology

2. High transport capacity in combination with flexible train coupling

3. Max speed of 70km/h. 4. Can carry 66-100 people depending on no. of trailers

attached.5. Optical tracking control system to assist drivers for exact stop approach.6. Low infrastructure and operational costs.7. No need to install expensive rail tracks on the roads.

Capacity Calculations

The bus has a capacity of 66-100 people

If the service runs at a frequency of every 3 mins during peak hours, it can carry 66-100 people

every 3 mins.

100 in 3 mins is sufficient.

Source: Fraunhofer Institute for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems IVI www.ivi.fraunhofer.de


What happens on the transit stops?

• An appropriate vertical link where required to go up to the inner regions of the fortification.

• Cafes and informal spaces to relax – a well-designed public plaza would work well as interesting places to wait, relax and enjoy the surroundings and views. Opportunities to develop facilities at the waterfront could be fully exploited considering that the public transport route runs along the sea front.

• Tourist informatioin counters/small shops and/or information panels/maps for tourists, phone booths, cash machines.

• Facilities related to a ferry terminal where relevant.


What happens on the transit stops?

• Develop new open spaces wherever possible , e.g. the former moat, terrace gardens, etc. Conserve and integrate the existing gardens of Valletta into this scheme.

• Consider possible new uses for old, derilict or unused buildings around the transit stops. Consider possibilities to develop active frontages on the landward side of the transit route. These could be developed as an accommodation for cultural and creative tourism /entertainment industry which would bring life to the place especially in the evenings.

• Design the Roads for traffic calming to limit speeds to 20mph to make the street a more pleasant place to travel by.


On the Roads...

1. Insert Bus only lanes and bus priority junctions to avoid delays due to traffic. Where the road is too narrow, the carriageway and bus lane may overlap with signs for bus priority.

2. Provide bus stops with seating facilities and adequate signage. Bus stops should be positioned to facilitate easy walking distance to nearby houses and tourist attractions.

3. Allow single lane vehicle carriageways-both ways.

4. Wherever possible widen footways and reinforce pedestrian route continuity.

Source: http://creative.gettyimages.com


5. Extend pavement on corners to make bends tighter, to prevent speeding while turning.

6. Enhance amenity: trees, seats, etc.

7. Install junction platforms, road cushions and rough surfaces on carriageway lanes.

8. Locate along the route activities like local shops, cafes, sea front open spaces, to

reinforce visibility potential for dual-purpose trips.

9. Ensure that the environment of the stops and main pedestrian access routes is pleasant and safe, avoiding physical or psychological barriers.


Source: www.wilkinsoneyre.com

3rd May 2006, Valletta Leena Abraham Source of original picture: Architecture Project, Valletta


How will the lift help carry these 5000 people per hour up to the plaza near the stock exchange building ?

A large size elevator can accomodate around 33 people. (There are also possibilities with double decker lifts that would accomodate more.)

Speed : 1.75m per sec. Ie. 29 seconds to travel from +2.1m lvl to +53.4m lvl.

A total of 1.5 min. Loading and unloading time included.

Ie. 3 mins for 66 people. Which is very much within our requirement. (21 people per mins)

Source: Mitsubishi Electrical- Basic Spec- Catalog.


• The bus has a capacity of 66-100 people• If the service runs at a frequency of every 3 mins during peak hours, it can carry 66-100 people every 3 mins.

100 in 3 mins is sufficient.


Key Data or Information Sources1. Viset Malta p.l.c and Architecture Project, Valletta: Data including drawings, surveys

and other form of information regarding the harbour and existing proposals for the link.

2. Malta Environmental Planning Authority (MEPA): Data including local plans for the areas concerned and GIS data.

3. Dr. Paul Borg Olivier, Mayor of Valletta : Information about the historical background of Valletta and current facts from demographic, traffic and tourism surveys.

4. Powerpoint presentations given by Dr. Malcom Borg, MDIR; Mr.Konrad Buhagiar, AP; Claud Z Trevisan, Malta Tourism Authority; and Claud Borg, Valletta Rehabilitation Project in October 2005 to Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Germany.

Brief Bibliography1. A city By an Order, Roger de Giorgio (1998) 2. Creating Successful Masterplans, CABE (Commission for Architecture and the Built

Environment, London) (2004)3. Giovanni Battista Vertova, Denis De Lucca4. Carapecchia, Denis De Lucca (1999)5. Valletta Cruise Terminal Development, Approved Development Brief (July 1998)6. Rehabilitation of the Historic Center, La Valletta Preliminary Guidelines by Building

Workshop- Paris/Renzo Piano. 7. Responsive Environments, Ian Bently, Alan Alcock, Paul Murrain, Sue McGlynn,

Graham Smith (2003)8. Public Spaces Public Life-Copenhagen 1996, Jan Gehl and Lars Gemzoe (1996)9. The New Transit Town, Hank Dittmar, Gloria Ohland (2004)10. The Next American Metropolis, Peter Calthorpe (1993)11. Shaping Neighbourhoods- A Guide for Health, Sustainability and Vitality, Hugh Barton,

Marcus Grant and Richard Guise, (2003).

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