Urban development and visual culture: Commodifying the gaze in the regeneration of Tigné Point, Malta

Abstract

This paper explores some of the hitherto under-researched intersections between urban (re)development, urban planning and visual culture. What emerges is an academic context that, to date, has largely compartmentalised discrete literatures on 'view', 'value of the view' and cityscape change, (re)Imagineering and (re)scripting). It shows how materialising processes associated with the commodification of a panoramic view in politico-economic and cultural terms can be used to transform and regenerate along neoliberal lines. It demonstrates how panoramas, when treated as a commodity within the context of neoliberal capitalism, are appropriated, (re)imagined and (re)scripted by architects and property developers to create high status, residential and commercial space for an affluent élite. As such, panoramas are a mechanism for the acceleration of capital accumulation that inherently create new and reinforce existing spatial inequalities. This study draws on research into the commodification of the view of the historic city of Valletta in the redevelopment of Tigné Point, the largest, most comprehensive regeneration scheme in Malta in recent years.

The city‐island‐state, wounding cascade, and multi‐level vulnerability explored through the lens of Malta

“…In the late-1950s, as jobs were lost due to the rundown of the British military services, pressures and wounding resulting from an increase in unemployment and poverty were alleviated by policies of subsidised emigration (Camilleri, 1993). Whilst such policies were initially successful, the resultant brain-and skill-drains caused by the loss of often qualified and skilled working-age cohorts increased long-term wounding and paved the way for policies encouraging foreign labour and in-migration (Schembri and Attard, 2013 (Speake, 2017;Speake and Kennedy, 2019). For example, in recent years Malta has become home for 35 of the world's ultra-high net-worth individuals (with a combined net-worth of…”

“…Since c. 2004, economic repositioning of Malta has resulted in net in-migration, reaching 20,343 persons in 2019 (NSO, 2020b). Attracted by state-sponsored policies of (re)development and re-imagineering of the city-island-state as a commodity and site for capital accumulation and investment, this figure comprises both wealthy and poor migrants (Speake, 2017;Speake & Kennedy, 2019). For example, in recent years Malta has become home for 35 of the world's ultra-high net worth individuals (with a combined net worth of about €135 billion), and has experienced an influx of foreign labour, reaching approximately 68,000 people at the end of 2019 (Anon, 2020a;Borg, 2019;Saunders, 2019).…”

“…With an increasing population and driven by the state's involvement with and encouragement of neoliberal capital, physical development of the city-island-state's fabric has been rapid, leading to Malta becoming the most built-up nation-state within the EU (Anon, 2013). Increasingly, hazard-prone landscapes on Malta, many of which are simultaneously aesthetically pleasing, are becoming increasingly commodified and commercialised to the extent that locations such as Buġibba, Paceville, San Ġiljan, Sliema, and Marsalforn are witnessing the conspicuous consumption of this hazardous aesthetic and other environmental amenities (Speake, 2017). For example, prestige developments at Tigné Point with expansive bluespace views are evidence of this commodification and consumption, with apartments priced €850,000-€4.5 million (2019), T A B L E 2 Endogenous/internal (1) and exogenous/external (2) sources of wounding affecting the city-island-state of Malta.…”

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“…Rather, there are many factors affecting whether stories appeal to politicians, administrators, stakeholders or the general public. Scholars have argued that images, maps and visualisations can be equally important in communicating planning in a persuasive way (Dühr, 2007;Rose et al, 2014;Speake, 2017). In addition to the textual and visual content of planning documents and strategies, procedural considerations also frame storytelling.…”

Urban heritage and cultural tourism development: a case study of Valletta’s role in Malta’s tourism

“…On the other hand, the many administrative, residential, cultural and religious buildings that dominate the cityscape are visible reminders of the Order of St. John. The iconic views of Valletta from across the GrandHarbour, and also those across Marsamxett Harbour, emphasise the City's distinct identity(Speake, 2017). The form of the town and its fortifications together with the meanings and associations are vital contributors to Valletta's sense of place.…”