A study of residents’ opinion on land-use change in Marsaskala

Abstract

Our global terrestrial surface is constantly evolving, either due to direct anthropogenic activities such as deforestation or due to natural physical activities such as earthquakes. The Maltese islands have undergone a significant amount of changes over the past century, mostly due to a rapid increase in population. Rural areas have been taken over for settlement development, a process known as urbanisation. The objective of this dissertation is to identify residents’ opinion of this land-use change in Marsaskala. To achieve this, questionnaires were distributed throughout the location. These questionnaires were then analysed through IBM SPSS and the results reviewed. Secondly, semi-structured interviews were conducted with Dr. Gauci, regarding urbanisation in Malta, and the deputy-mayor of Marsaskala, Ms. Attard, for a local council representative’s opinion. Residential development has been the main force of urbanisation in the village of Marsaskala, clearly seen through the substantial increase in population over the past few years. Built structures have taken over most rural land-use within Marsaskala. Furthermore existing ‘older’ houses and maisonettes are being demolished in order to construct new buildings and high-rise apartments. From the results obtained, it is suggested that the residents of Marsaskala need to be more aware of the whole situation. Marsaskala is already being threatened by sea level rise and flooding and so if construction continues to expand, the village will have to face some serious consequences. Building regulations should be harsher and development plans should be adapted according to its surroundings and its area. If this continuous to persist, Marsaskala will lose any definition of cultural heritage, and the once so called fishing village, will be sacrificed for all the congestion of high-rise buildings and the over population.