“Gozo Cittadella’s problems are today being addressed in a holistic and scientific manner to enhance the protection, the preservation and better utilization of this unique monument in Gozo. This has become possible with the acquisition of funds that our country is benefiting from since becoming member of the European Union”. This was said by Gozo Minister, Giovanna Debono, during a press conference held at the Cittadella during which information relating to the progress of the Cittadella Master Plan Project was given.

Minister Debono said that following the publication and adjudication of a tender during the past year, work on the Master Plan has commenced with the first phase of the project which will see the collection and evaluation of data regarding different aspects of the Cittadella. Conservation of the site and its cultural and ecological assets are among the topics being studied. These include issues of a geo-technical nature related to the stability of the monument, the condition and restoration of the Cittadella’s fortifications and its internal built-up fabric, archaeology, identification, recording and protection of flora and fauna etc. The Master Plan is also addressing issues related to tourism and amenities for visitors, land use, social and economic issues, traffic management, services and infrastructure and proposals for an adequate management structure.

The Minister said that this project is being co-financed by the European Economic Area (EEA) Financial Mechanisms with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein as the donor countries. The Master Plan Project will cost €264,000, 85% of which are being co-financed by these countries. The company which was awarded the contract is based in Italy, Politecnica Ingegneria ed Architettura and in the carrying out of this study has engaged a number of foreign and local experts in different disciplines. The company has already held a number of meetings with interested stakeholders and organizations and such consultation meetings will be continued during the coming months. This will ensure that the plan will include a wide consultation with all involved. The Master Plan will be concluded by August 2010.

The preparation of this plan forms part of a wider programme of works intended to give the Cittadella all the attention and protection that it deserves. Minister Debono said that another project estimated at more than 7 million euro is currently under way and will be spread over a number of years for the consolidation of the bedrock and restoration of the bastion walls. This project which is being co-financed by the European Union is being co-ordinated by the Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure and the Ministry for Gozo. A tender for a photogrammetic survey is at the moment being evaluated and another tender for the services of a geo-technical consultant is being prepared. The geo-technical consultant will follow up the execution of geo-technical surveys to ascertain the condition of the underlying bedrock as well as the consolidation process of the same bedrock. These studies will eventually lead to the issue of the third tender for the restoration and consolidation of the bastion walls.

Minister Debono said that in the coming days, individual persons and organizations may leave feedback, opinions and suggestions on the website of the Ministry for Gozo on www.gozo.gov.mt

The press conference was also addressed by engineer Claudia Aguzzoli who is co-ordinating the project on behalf of the company who gave an overview of the work carried out to date and the proposed strategy for the coming months. She also explained what is expected to be included in the plan when finalized.

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