Investigating the urban environmental impacts of tourist development on Xlendi, Gozo

Abstract

The coastal areas all around the world are increasing in popularity because of their scenic landscapes, remoteness and their natural beauty. As a result within the coastal zone, a number of activities take place, in order to cater for this intensive human presence. In the long run these activities, pose a threat on the natural environment. Since 1972, planners and organisations have sought to achieve coastal zone management, hy trying to minimise impacts and pressures while promoting at the same time better planning along the coasts. Xlendi Bay is a popular holiday summer resort. This rural area is an intensively developed coastal zone as a result of human interference. This massive transformation has ruined several pristine characteristics of this site. Thus, the main aim of this dissertation is to identify such impacts impinging on the natural environment and to offer some give recommendations for the better management of Xlendi Bay. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques were used to gather data from several stakeholders while aerial photography was employed to analyse the natural, cultural and economic landscape changes in Xlendi Bay. With the help of statistical techniques, several associations were arrived at. From the analysis, it was evident that the main impacts centred along the inlet of Xlendi Bay, where several activities take place at the same time. It can be noted that all these impacts directly or indirectly are affecting the natural environment. Several proposals and recommendations, which aimed at creating an integrated and sustainable approach towards the main impacts generated by human activity, were discussed in the conclusion of this dissertation. These recommendations were aimed at helping decision makers and planners towards a better integrated coastal zone management in Xlendi Bay.