Operational aspects I - NUTS perspectives - Malta

Abstract

This chapter presents the results obtained from the interviews conducted with the 64 local councils in Malta. Interviews were either conducted with the major or with the executive officer of the local council. For the purpose of analysis the Maltese Islands were analysed according to the six districts at NUTS 4 level. Malta is divided into five districts - the Southern Harbour district, the Northern Harbour district, the South-East district, the Western district and the Northern district, while the islands of Gozo and Comino make up the sixth district. The Southern Harbour district consists of Birgu, Bormla, Fgura, Floriana, Isla, Kalkara, Luqa, Marsa, Paola, Santa Lucija, Tarxien, Valletta, Xgħajra and Zabbar. The Northern Harbour district is made up of B’Kara, Gzira, Ħamrun, Msida, Pembroke, Pietà, Qormi, San Gwann, Santa Venera, Sliema, St. Julian’s, Swieqi and Ta’Xbiex. While the South-East District comprises: Birzebbuga, Għaxaq, Gudja, Kirkop, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Mqabba, Qrendi, Safi, Zejtun and Zurrieq. The Western district consists of Attard, Balzan, Dingle, Lija, Iklin, Mdina, Mtarfa, Siggiewi and Zebbug. The fifth and final Maltese district is the Northern district comprising Għargħur, Mellieħa, Mgarr, Mosta, Naxxar and St Paul’s Bay. Gozo together with Comino make up the sixth and final district of the Maltese Islands. The summary of the research conducted with members of the local councils will be presented here. They are presented as if someone is conducting a tour of the Maltese Islands, explaining a little bit of history, describing the landscape, as well as explaining social and crime problems. After a presentation of the first five districts a point form summary of Malta is given, after which Gozo will be presented. This chapter ends with a summary of the findings, according to the perceptions of the local authorities about the locality which they administer. Their perceptions are reviewed in conjunction with the data analysis presented in Chapters 7 and 8. This does not mean that they were stating non-facts, rather it shows that their reality could be clouded by other factors such as the amounts of reports/complaints they receive on certain areas.