Malta's rural settlements a decade after the establishment of temporary provisions schemes : a new strategic framework or a revision of policy guidelines?

Abstract

Rural settlements, particularly the so-called "hamlets", are a striking feature within the Maltese countryside. Their condition has been overlooked over the years despite efforts undertaken in order to direct development into existing or planned urban areas through the formulation of 1988 Temporary Provisions Schemes, and later, the establishment of a Structure Plan for the Maltese Islands and recent subsidiary planning documents. Perhaps, this difficulty has been partly attributed to lack of information and theoretical feedback on this rapidly expanding multi-disciplinary area of planning. Difficulties arising when one has to describe the meaning of the terms "rural settlements", "hamlet" and "countryside", in a local context, are also contributing to a renewed interest in this branch of countryside planning. Chapter 1 attempts to addresses various issues attached to this theoretical uncertainty as it illustrates the various (though not exhaustive list of) definitions which were pinned down in literature contributions whilst linking this debate to contemporary evidence from the local scene. Historical and legislation issues in a local context, particularly those emanating from the current development control and planning system, and which emerge from this theoretical debate, will be the central themes of Chapters 2 and 3. The focus of the discussion will be placed upon the rationale that recent planned "piecemeal" development without an integrated strategy, is taking place at a rapid rate in the Maltese countryside. The need to address emerging rural localities as separate entities within the countryside, is increasingly becoming an important objective in planning debate in view of the shaping the overall appearance and identity of these areas through changing in their physical pattern (morphology) and land use. These matters will be amply documented in Chapters 4 and 5. A distinction between all types of rural settlements with a focus on hamlets and urban extensions would be an important theme in these two chapters. Awareness about the above-mentioned field evidence and other related desktop information is tested against communicative evidence provided by Local Councils and public officials versed in land use planning and public administration. This is a central theme of Chapter 6. This feedback is necessary in this context of a re-evaluation of the existing classification of settlements, which will be attempted in Chapter 7 within a framework of a new set of comprehensive statements, which cover issues arising from these sites. These are needed irrespective of provisions established in current legislation. Resultant conclusions and recommendations emerging from this study, emerging particularly from the latter Chapter, certainly support a number of issues connected with development control including efforts to support existing housing policy initiatives, nation-wide programmes of sustainable development, besides providing critical input to the monitoring exercise being prepared as part of Structure Plan Review.