Malta : housing and real estate, 1980-2005

Abstract

Over the past two decades, private house ownership has expanded exponentially throughout Europe. Over the past decade, this has intensified with the desire and ability among wealthier northern Europeans to own second homes in sunnier climes. It has not only driven up house prices in pockets of Europe, but has also impacted on the social and cultural lives of local communities in ‘desirable locations’, having an adverse effect on the quality of the built environment. Lino Bianco describes the situation in Malta and how, after decades of largely uncontrolled development by real-estate investors, the government is taking stock and encouraging through investment in architectural education, and property legislation, the growth of an indigenous architecture that is contextual, sensitive and energy-conscious.