Land use in the area of Għar Ħanżir, limits of Ħal Qormi : conflicts and complementarities

Abstract

This dissertation addresses the issues of land use conflict and complementarities in the Għar Ħanżir area of Wied il-Kbir in Ħal Qormi. These issues are addressed through a constructivist research, exploring the perspectives of local actors involved in different activities in the area. This study identifies the diverse land uses in the area of Għar Ħanżir. It also looks at whether or not conflicts arise between these land uses, and if present, what forms they take. The study also looks at whether complementarities are present between the various land uses. It also highlights positive outcomes of conflicts related to land use. The research question was addressed through a case study based on the collection of data from semi-structured interviews with local actors, supported by a small number of interviews published in community publications. The findings suggest that there are elements of land use conflict in the area as well as land use complementarities. It also identifies an example of a positive outcome from a potential land use conflict in the area. Land uses include agriculture, water harvesting, the manufacturing of fireworks, the letting off of fireworks, recreational activities, the keeping of horses as well as the use of the country lanes as transit roads towards the nearby schools. Peripheral lands include an industrial estate, a housing estate and the airport. Conflicts were related to the letting off of fireworks as well as to encroaching urbanization. Complementarities were mainly related to the natural areas of the valley, agriculture and the use of the place for recreational purposes. A project proposal for a parcel of land on the periphery of the area under research, which threatened the use of the area for recreational purposes and for the letting off of fireworks, had the positive effect of bringing different actors together to safeguard the area.