https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/2063 2026-06-13T15:23:53Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/147235 Title: A fortified historic port : exploring the intersection between urban geomorphology, street morphology and touristic land use of Valletta, Senglea and Vittoriosa in the Grand Harbour of Malta Authors: Gauci, Ritienne; Bajada, Therese; Schembri, John A.; Bounan, Camille; Desponds, Charlotte; Behloul, Laurie Abstract: This chapter explores the link between urban geomorphology, street network and tourism-oriented land use in the Grand Harbour of Malta, focusing on the walled historic conurbations of Valletta, Vittoriosa and Senglea. The Grand Harbour, a natural deep port formed by a submerged ria valley, has a long history of port activities and is flanked by these three walled cities each situated on prominent peninsulas, and interconnected through military and maritime history. Over the years, land transport in this area and beyond changed in relation to the activities and needs in Malta. Demographic trends also fluctuated according to the economic activities that dominated the harbour area, leading to different population densities. In this study, a range of primary data – field data collection and secondary data (GIS data from government entities) – were modelled on ArcGIS Pro V.3.3, with initial results showing correlations between geomorphological features and infrastructure variables such as staircase streets and stepped pavements, accommodating street gradients which exceed 10%. Digital Terrain Models were used to further illustrate the connection between geomorphology and the human element. This work highlights the significance of physical geography in shaping the urban form of walled port towns through street infrastructure and land use. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146817 Title: Prediction of traffic crash severity in the Maltese islands Authors: Cassara, Diana; Chetcuti Zammit, Luana; Bajada, Therese Abstract: Road traffic crashes represent a major global concern, impacting public safety, traffic congestion, and eco- nomic productivity. In Malta, the growing number of vehicles combined with a densely built environment, underscores the urgent need for predictive safety interventions. Research indicates that many road crashes exhibit recognisable patterns and are, to some extent, preventable. This work explores different machine learning techniques, to predict the severity of traffic crashes using training crash data in Malta. In this work, classification algorithms are developed to categorise crashes into four distinct severity classes, with promising prediction results. Furthermore, this work identifies high-risk zones and hotspots near critical infrastructures in the Maltese traffic network. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/146138 Title: Women and road traffic injuries in Malta : a data-driven analysis Authors: Bajada, Therese; Chetcuti Zammit, Luana Abstract: Women are involved in road crashes less than men, however, due to their physiology women are more likely to be injured or killed in crashes of similar severity (Brumbelow and Jermakian, 2022). A female’s physiology is one of the reasons why they are considered vulnerable (Cronn et al., 2024); other reasons include the fact that they are carers of other family members and they engage in more active mobility, particularly walking and use public transport more than men (Kawgan-Kagan, 2020). Furthermore, as crash victims are overwhelmingly male, road safety related research is strongly male-oriented (Ehsani, Michael and MacKenzie, 2023).; This paper provides an insight on the female perspective from a car-dominated case study - Malta. The research describes the epidemiology of road traffic crashes involving women in Malta. Spatio-temporal patterns using machine learning and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) of injury, serious injury and fatalities utilising seventeen years of national crash data obtained from the Malta Police Force are identified.; Malta is an archipelago and an EU member state that is situated between Sicily and Libya. The total area is 316 Km2 and the population is 0.56 million of which 47 per cent are women (National Statistics Office [NSO], 2024). Malta has the densest population - 1,823 people/Km2 (NSO, 2025) among the EU-27 (European Commission, 2025). It has 762 Km of road/100 Km2 (Transport Malta, 2016) and there are 797 motor vehicles/1000 inhabitants (NSO, 2023). Passenger cars composed 75.8% of licensed motor vehicle (NSO, 2023), supporting the fact that Maltese inhabitants are car-dependent. This situation and weak sustainable mobility policy in Malta have led to a few alternative options to the car (Bajada and Satariano, 2025). Unsurprisingly, car users feature the most in road traffic crashes – 57% and women-related crashes compose 34.5% (NSO, 2023a).; Data related to road traffic crashes in Malta includes no injury and injury. The former data are collected by the Local Enforcement System Agency (LESA) and the latter are collected by the Malta Police Force (MPF). This study is based on the data collected by the MPF, which includes four injury classifications: insignificant, slight, grievous and fatal. When compared to other countries, the fatalities in Malta are below the EU average 30/1,000,000 inhabitants out of 46/1,000,000 inhabitants (Eurostat, 2025), yet every fatality and injury is a person that has had their life terminated or traumatised. 2026-04-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/144584 Title: Walk the talk — understanding perceptions of walkability in Paola, Malta, as a key component of the 15-minute city Authors: Mifsud, Wendy Jo; Bajada, Therese; Scheiber, Sarah Abstract: The research investigates the socio-spatial dynamics of walkability in the urban context of Paola, Malta. Grounded in the concept of the 15-Minute City, the study set out to understand how people’s perceptions of proximity and walkability can inform spatial planning policies. Using Mapping for Change to map survey responses, data was collected to analyse participant perceptions regarding their walking experiences within Paola’s town centre. The research objectives were threefold: to identify factors that contribute to walking in dense urban environments, to explore how pedestrians’ perceptions of the environment can be used to shape spatial planning policies, and to assess the existing policy landscape concerning walkability. The study reveals that while the urban fabric of Paola supports active mobility, improvements in infrastructure, such as wider pavements and increased amenities like trees and benches, are necessary to enhance walkability. Additionally, the research highlights discrepancies between policy formulation and implementation, particularly in promoting sustainable mobility. The findings suggest that although national policies emphasize active travel, tangible action is less forthcoming. The results underscore the importance of engaging communities in planning processes and call for policies that foster safer, more attractive environments for pedestrians. Through this research, participants’ perceptions provided key indications about what can encourage active mobility and improve urban liveability, reinforcing the 15-Minute City framework for Malta. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z