The Culture Directorate within the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government is currently compiling a database of contributors and practitioners in urban regeneration and urban design for the sole purpose of consultation and discussion amongst professionals. This database will, at a later stage, give rise to work for the Valletta Design Cluster set for the year 2018 when Valletta will be hosting the title of European Capital of Culture.

This project is the first of its kind, a first of many from the Cluster, which will be established at the Old Abattoir site which is undergoing regeneration. The cluster’s purpose is to address issues related to business development, legal support, collaboration and capacity building. Local-based design enterprises and operators will also be supported through networking and initiatives forged by the Cluster.The regeneration of the old abattoir site, which is being led by the Cluster, is also a flagship project of the Valletta 2018 Foundation.

The Culture Directorate is collaborating with Malta Enterprise and with MITA within the framework of the ERICE project, an initiative of the European Commission to develop excellence in the management of European business clusters.