A new town policy analysis : Santa Luċija neighbourhood 1

Abstract

The dissertation discusses the research about the experiments with New Towns and their use in British and Maltese towns in the 1950s and 1960s. It investigates literature on the development of New Towns in Britain providing an understanding of the foundations and principles that underpinned their designs. Subsequently, it provides insights on the application of this concept in the Maltese planning system, more specifically in Santa Luċija Neighbourhood 1, where this was part of a wider plan aiming to address housing and economic development issues which Malta had in the late 1950s. In this regard, the research involved the study of archives, including annual reports of Government departments, newspaper articles and discussions with Santa Luċija residents. It also built on findings of similar dissertations and doctoral studies. Insofar as the aim of the dissertation is concerned, this focuses on establishing the advantages and disadvantages of the application of the New Towns policy in Santa Luċija Neighbourhood 1. Furthermore, and in doing so, it outlines the main characteristics and important values underlying the design of Neighbourhood 1, as well as providing a solution to achieve a sustainable development of the area.