An investigation into the potential of urban regeneration : the case study of Pieta', Malta

Abstract

Urban regeneration involves a comprehensive and integrated strategy that seeks the physical, economic and social community development of an urban area. This dissertation focuses on housing led urban regeneration. It is understood that by simply improving the housing stock, urban regeneration as a full strategy is not fulfilled, however various authors (Gamer, 1996; Edgar & Taylor, 2000; Smith, 2006) claim that this can act as the initial trigger towards the regeneration of an area. This research analyses street degradation emanating from housing structures together with the residents' perception on general housing aesthetics and their willingness to participate in housing renovation schemes if these were to be offered. Data was collected through a field survey and telephone questionnaires. All this is set within a housing led urban regeneration scenario in the Maltese town of Pieta'. The latter is synonymous with St. Luke's Hospital (for many years the main hospital in Malta) which has effected the urban fabric of this locality. This study considers a number of spatial and demographic relationships between a number of variables and discusses the extent to which housing related issues can trigger urban regeneration in Pieta'.