The Cottonera project : a stakeholders' analysis

Abstract

The Labour Government had proposed the Cottonera project with the aim of promoting new investment, which would ultimately help in the regeneration of the whole area of Cottonera. The Government had adopted a participatory approach to involve and identify the relevant stakeholders in the Cottonera project. Presentations were made to the media about the project and public consultation had taken place. Consequently the project was presented to the House of Representatives for their approval. But the vote on the Cottonera project, which had been tied to a vote of confidence, was defeated in parliament when Mr Mintoff, together with the Opposition had voted against its implementation. After the negative vote in parliament, early General Elections were called in September 1998. The study on the Cottonera project was aimed at analysing the reaction of different interest groups and their participation in the project's planning process. Most of the information was gathered from various local newspapers which had reported the events of the planning process that had occurred between the period June 1997 and August 1998. Other relevant information was gathered by means of interviewing a number of the stakeholders who gave their views about the benefits and constraints of the project. A Stakeholders' Analysis had been applied to identify the various interest groups. An analysis was made of how each group had been involved in and influenced by, the project. From these analysis, it was concluded that in a participatory approach certain limitations may hinder the planning process. These may result from differences between the stakeholders themselves. This approach, however, is also a means of coming into direct contact with the stakeholders involved in the project.