Spatial patterns in central business district changes in major road arteries through large towns : St. Joseph High Road, Hamrun : a case study

Abstract

This dissertation deals with depopulation and land use change. Focus is made on main roads which form the core areas of towns and villages. St. Joseph High Road in Hamrun is taken as a case study and detailed research and analysis have been carried out. Before finalising the actual method of data collection and analysis, a pilot study was carried out on Valley Road Birkirkara in order to define the type of data required and to set limits to the amount of data which had to be collected and analysed. Questionnaires and Electoral Registers were the primary source of information and the backbone of this dissertation. Valley Road was chosen being comparatively shorter in length than St. Joseph High Road, and because when the electoral registers were consulted, it was evident that Valley Road experienced a significant decrease in the number of voters throughout the years, hence giving a strong clue to depopulation and landuse change. From the pilot study, the method of data collection and analysis was identified. Some changes were made to the original questionnaire and method of data analysis to avoid collecting and processing irrelevant info. Consequently alterations were done accordingly. Various secondary sources were consulted before hand to furnish an adequate background of information related to depopulation of urban areas and the reasons that lie behind this phenomenon. Both local and foreign books, articles, journals, websites, abstracts and dissertations were referred to in order to cover the different aspects and different points of view of the topic under study.