The effect of selected development policies on a specific sub-urban community

Abstract

Throughout the years, Government formulated, adopted and implemented many policies for concrete development action. This paper selects three of these policies and explores their effects on the small village of Hal-Farrugia where Prof. Jeremy Boissevain conducted an anthropological study in the 1960s. Through Government's Housing Policy the population of Hal-Farrugia tripled in size since Boissevain's study, affecting the social character of this village as well as its geography. Chapter 3 examines the implications of this policy and the transformations its implementation brought about. The effects of these changes on the original indigens, · and on the immigrants themselves, are explored and analyzed. The Political dimension of this Government policy is also delved into. The unprecedented population explosion caused in a short time-span by Housing Policies, has affected the implementation of another Government Policy: the Devolution of power through the setting up of Local Councils. This is discussed in Chapter 4. It is proposed that this development introduced a new area of contention between the original indigens already divided by band-club rivalry. It is also hypothesised that the Mayor and Council as secular leaders, may conflict with the existent leadership role played by the Parish Priest. It results however that this did not materialise in HalFarrug, since both secular and religious authorities adhere to the spheres of activity within their respective jurisdictions, while cooperating on common issues. Industrial Development policy is the third aspect of this study. Chapter 5 investigates and assesses the people's opposing reactions to different types of industrial complexes built on the outskirts of their village. This study suggests that both indigens and newcomers are as proud and protective of their village today, as they were in Boissevain's times. Research methods used in this study comprise a survey (Chapter 6) conducted in the village through a questionnaire; extensive but time-limited participant observation; and formal and informal interviews with the Mayor and Local Council officials, a former Parish Priest, members of both band clubs, political activists from both major parties, youths and senior citizens. Various official statistical publications and other data-based sources provided essential primary and comparative material for this study.