Paceville versus Manhattan?
- manuelschembri
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
Paceville needs a holistic long-term master plan which prioritises residents’ rights. Is Paceville turning out to be a mini version of the Bronx?
“I can see the end product, a kind of mini-Manhattan.” This was the comparison used by the chairperson of Paceville Town Management after yet another construction mishap, this time in Paceville, in which a block of residential apartments adjacent to an excavation site came crumbling down. It was a tragedy averted at the last minute.
I have no intention of crossing swords with Philip Fenech. During my tenure as mayor of St Julian’s we had, and, hopefully still do have, a good working relationship.
Over the years, residents and other stakeholders have often been misled by grand, sleek mirages.
Although Paceville has achieved Purple Flag recognition, the state of the product speaks for itself, far from Manhattan’s standard.
The Purple Flag is an international award recognising those localities that ensure safe, well managed, and high-quality tourist destinations. Similar to the Blue Flag status for beaches, the Purple Flag ensures these areas meet strict criteria for cleanliness, good infrastructure and law and order.
Over the years, Paceville has evolved from a quiet summer residential area into Malta’s main cosmopolitan centre, a busy commercial hub and a mecca for entertainment. Paceville has and still is a net contributor to our economic success story. However, there is also another side, one which cannot be brushed aside simply as “collateral damage”.
Although, construction wise, Paceville is starting to resemble Manhattan, is it also turning out to be a mini version of the Bronx, that is, a place where the rule of law and enforcement are optional?
Every day, residents and law-abiding businesspeople must deal with rowdy, drunken and unrestrained anti-social visitors who throng the streets screaming until the early hours.
Vandalism, street fighting and substance abuse are common occurrences. Driving is a nightmare and construction inconvenience is continuous throughout the day.
Short-term tenants put their garbage out, outside of collection hours. In addition, a number of restaurant owners, instead of having a private garbage collector, as stipulated by law, also put their garbage onto the streets.
To add insult to injury, a number of commercial outlets play their loud music until the morning.
In short, the lack of respect for the rule of law and an ‘unwillingness’ to enforce the law are driving our residents up the wall.
The government rebukes such claims and points to statistics that show a decrease in illegal activities in recent years. However, the answers I received to a number of parliamentary questions are highly questionable.
To my PQ 21895, asking about the number of cases of underage drinking reported between May and October 2024, the minister replied that only three people were booked.
Moreover, to my PQ 21899, asking how many were booked for consuming illegal substances during the same period, the minister replied that only one was.
We must be living in parallel worlds!
Although recently the government launched an initiative to install a number of CCTV cameras (a long overdue promise) to help the police, I believe that, while this is a step in the right direction, a police presence is the best deterrent to crime.
Some argue that we should not turn Paceville into a police state.
Those who have nothing to hide would welcome a heavier police presence.
In his article, Fenech added that “high-rises, rooftop pools and a modern urban skyline” are delineating the locality.
For many, the numerous mega developments taking place are turning the area into an expensive favela.
While, in principle, I am in agreement with high-rise developments – going vertical is one way to secure the little land and space left – I have strong reservations about the sustainability and viability of such a number of mega developments concentrated in one area, more so when the government continues to adopt a piecemeal approach.
The recent tailor-made planning review to accommodate the Villa Rosa applicant is a case in point.
As a past mayor and now as an MP, I am determined to continue, along with others, to be an assertive voice for our residents and the law-abiding business community.
Paceville needs a holistic master plan, together with the upgrading and embellishment of the infrastructure. This can be partly funded by the eco-tax paid by tourists.
If we are going Manhattan’s way, then let us go all the way, including also respecting residents’ rights.
(This article was published on Times of Malta – 14 July, 2025)