A geographical analysis of the peripheral urban growth of Mosta

Abstract

This study will analyse the urban peripheral growth of Mosta. One will take into account the urban growth pattern of Mosta in order to find out if this locality is still preserving its monocentric pattern or if it is shifting to a polycentric pattern. In order to perform such analysis, the periphery will be divided in three parts namely the western part (Iż-Żokrija, Sant'Andrija and Tarġa Gap); the north-eastern part (Santa Margerita, Tal-Wej and Sgħajtar); the southern part (Blata l-Għolja, Tad-Dib, Ta' Mlit and Tad-Daqqaq). These three parts will be analysed in terms of land development, self-sufficiency, connectivity, social fabric, physical and economic aspects. These aspects are important as they show whether the periphery is self-sufficient and therefore, may be shifting the town of Mosta to a polycentric town. Moreover, in this dissertation, one will also investigate if Mosta residents living in the periphery feel social attachment to Mosta.