https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/118860 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 19:28:08 GMT 2026-04-27T19:28:08Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/132823 Title: Symbolism in the baroque age : the meaning of symbols at the Conventual Church of the Knights of Malta Abstract: The objective of the research of this thesis is to study why and how, the Hospitaller Order of the knights of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta embellished their Conventual Church with symbols. The study will consist of research on the major subjects of the forms used and how they developed in keeping with the occurrence of symbolism in the Baroque age. The research will also study the meaning of the symbols. The purpose of the Order’s rich symbolic embellishment at St John’s Conventual Church, as an expression of the values of the Baroque age, is a subject that has not been explored. Thus, the character of the symbolic meaning within the interior of the church deserves to be studied. My research is therefore intended to offer a contribution to this particular, and as yet, unexplored area of Baroque studies. The Hospitaller Order of the knights of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta in Valletta built their Conventual Church, dedicated to their patron saint, John the Baptist, between 1572 and 1577. The underlying research theme focuses on the cumulative expression of Baroque symbolism that evolved between 1602 to 1703, in an architectural setting that served as the epicentre of the Order. During this period, there were eighteen Grand Masters that contributed to visualise of the Order’s ideologies. The ideologies of the Order were transmitted by using and creating symbols made from the richest of materials, of impressively high artistic value. Starting from the 1565 post-Great Siege reconstruction of the Order’s princedom, the appearance of Malta changed dramatically. The fear of the Ottomans’ return was a realistic motivation to build a city with fortifications that would withstand another siege. The Order’s acceptance that Malta was inescapably their permanent home, was a perfect reason to construct a new fortified city with churches, auberges and palaces. The new city named Valletta, after the Grand Master who led the knights through the ordeal of the Great Siege, was built on the peninsula, known as mount Sceberras, which had excellent harbours on both sides. A new Conventual Church was also necessary dedicated to their patron saint together with a burial place for the Order’s members within the walls of the new city. The military architect Francesco Laparelli da Cortona was the planner of the city whilst Geronimo Cassar, a Maltese capomastro working for the Order trained by Laparelli was given the task to build the church. He created a large and functional building as the Order’s Conventual Church. Its plain façade gave the building a sober military appearance. The church’s plan consists of a wide main nave with two side aisles. The main nave measures 57 metres in length and 36 metres in width and has its apse positioned to the East. The simple rectangular plan had previously been used in Malta for other churches, but its extensive barrel-vaulted roof was a novelty on the island. The main nave is flanked by side aisles the thick walls bear the weight of the barrel-vaulted roof. Side chapels line the aisle that serve to buttress the trust of the roof. Initially, the interior was relatively bare and void of embellishment. The embellishment of the interior of the church that was carried out between the years 1602 and 1703, places it chronologically with the Baroque age with the expressive and ostentatious manner of embellishment that evolved throughout several cities of Catholic Europe. Throughout that century, the Catholic Church went through a turbulent phase and its existence was challenged on all fronts, by the Protestant-Reformation from the north and the Ottoman Empire from the south of Europe. The Catholic Church defended its position by orchestrating the staged triumphal expression of the reformed Tridentine church to combat its opponents. The form of expression that took place was predominately made from enduring materials, using several forms and employing the visual arts as a means of propaganda to promote the reformed church. The forms used were made from precious materials in the most exuberant formats for the exultation of the Faith. As a result, the Conventual Church became a glowing symbol of the chivalrous character of the Order and their devotion to the Catholic Church which they served. Visual representation gained momentum over the years, that led to the use of a profusion of symbols expressed in almost all the visual arts. Such display was manifested in the Conventual Church from wall carvings, funerary tombs to tapestries and many others. The result was the development of a powerful and vibrant visual language. This powerful display of symbols served precisely to fulfil the aims of the absolutist political philosophy that the Order harboured and also to underline the Baroque princely image the Grand Masters wanted to portray. Since the beginning of its foundation in the eleventh century the Order of the knights of St John operated throughout Europe and by the sixteenth century had accumulated considerable repute. There are other major factors in the long history of the Order of St John, that was one of the first of the chivalric Orders to mark a new trend. In the crusading age there were at least three religious Orders operating in the Holy Land. Previously, anyone who wanted to dedicate his life to religion, settled for a life within a convent or monastery. Later on, the Order extended their financial interests to estate management with several priories across Europe and engaged in both naval and military expeditions. This extraordinary combination provided the Order with the flexibility to continue its existence and adapt where necessary to new circumstances. By the sixteenth century they had already left a distinct mark on the history of Europe and the Mediterranean. On a smaller, but significant scale, they left an enormous legacy of the Order’s representation during their sojourn in Malta from 1530, that lasted two hundred and sixty-eight years. The knights left an indelible imprint of their ideals and beliefs, that is a great insight into the collective and individual minds of the knights. Memory of the illustrious past of the Order was necessary for its identity to last for posterity. The knights saw themselves as the warriors of the Catholic Church, that was their ‘raison d’être.’, their reason for being, which they worked hard to have their important place pronounced to all Christendom. The Conventual Church was their sanctuary and the ideal place for the physical expression of religious ardour and military valour that formed their legacy. Motivated by the concern to leave a lasting record of their legacy in an enduring form, visual means of symbolism was naturally an eloquent medium to choose. With the use of symbols and by embellishing the Church in line with the expressive nature of the symbolism of the Baroque age they could immortalise the collective ideology of the Order. Description: Ph.D.(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/132823 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/132735 Title: Exploring the contribution of EIA follow-up governance to EIA effectiveness : a case study of Malta Abstract: EIA follow-up governance incorporates all the processes, mechanisms and arrangements required to enable the implementation of EIA follow-up. Governance, together with monitoring, evaluation, management and participation (i.e., engagement and communication), are the follow-up elements essential for understanding the outcomes of development projects which are subject to EIA. Noting how regrettably, EIA follow-up is overlooked in terms of implementation, this research aims to (i) identify best practice principles and criteria for effective EIA follow-up governance, and (ii) understand what would constitute effective EIA follow-up governance at the macro (jurisdiction) level, while utilising EIA in Malta as a case study. A thorough literature review of EIA follow-up, particularly governance, and EIA effectiveness led to the derivation of a set of 10 best practice principles for effective EIA follow-up governance. The principles are related to: (1) legislative provisions, (2) identification of responsibilities, (3) compliance and enforcement, (4) EIA follow-up outcomes, (5) performance criteria, (6) understanding the purpose and importance of EIA follow-up, (7) adequate resource allocation, (8) efficient and effective governance arrangements, (9) transparency and accessibility, and (10) legitimacy. Together with a set of detailed accompanying criteria, these 10 principles provide a framework that can be applied to evaluate any EIA follow-up system at the macro level. The principles were tested against data collected through a multi-method qualitative research approach, i.e., through documentary analysis, utilising information from Maltese development consent decisions (5 detailed project-level case studies), elite interviews with decision-makers (3), a focus group discussion with stakeholders (1 discussion) and a policy Delphi (2 rounds with 12 and 10 stakeholders respectively) involving the same stakeholders. With a pragmatist philosophical view underpinning the research through its practice-oriented perspective, a case study approach was utilised to guide the evaluation of the performance of EIA follow-up governance in Malta. The results were presented in evaluation tables, providing a visual representation (through a traffic-light system) of the performance of EIA follow-up governance. The framework provided a focused assessment of EIA follow-up governance in Malta. The application of the principles proved to be relatively easy and offered clear feedback. It is evident, however, that the lack of information available on EIA follow-up, particularly on governance, may hinder a robust judgement of its performance. The best practice principles and related criteria highlighted its current state of play, but also identified deficiencies that would warrant improvements towards their effectiveness. The principles and criteria are designed to enable any interested party to evaluate any jurisdiction worldwide implementing EIA follow-up, to provide guidance and enable best practice, rather than acting as a compliance check-box tool. Description: Ph.D.(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/132735 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121710 Title: Assessment of the structural health monitoring of a reinforced concrete water tower Abstract: The Reinforced Concrete Water Tower at the Abattoir in Marsa was in a deteriorated state before an extensive restoration intervention was carried out. The restoration process included restoring the deteriorated water tank and support columns, using ultra high-performance concrete and textile reinforced concrete. A structural health, durability and environmental monitoring system was set up at the Water Tower. Throughout the restoration process, numerous sensors were included in different parts of the water tower, including the columns and in different parts of the tank. The sensors are intended to monitor different durability and structural health characteristics of the restored water tower. These include sensors that would analyse the structural integrity of the water tower and also the performance of the concrete: resistivity, galvanic and electrode durability sensors to analyse the durability of the water tower under various conditions in use. Environmental monitoring was also set up with a weather station which captures data on weather conditions including solar radiation, temperature and precipitation and their effect on the water tower. The aim of this dissertation is to analyse the data obtained from the structural health and durability sensors to understand the way the restored water tower reacts to various conditions, and to see how the condition of the water tower develops with time while in use. This was done by obtaining the data from the extensive sensor system (150 sensors), analysing it and interpreting using different techniques to understand the performance of the structure. The water tower was primarily analysed during the filling in and emptying of the water tank with 400 cubic m of water, which took place during September 2021 before starting this dissertation, as it was crucial to understand how the structure reacts during these critical processes. The performance of the structure during a seismic event was also assessed with reference to the sensor system. In addition, the performance of different sensors in different parts of the structure during different scenarios was analysed. Overall, the results obtained when analysing the structural health monitoring system (strain gauges, accelerometers) and durability sensors on the water tower indicated that the systems are capable of assessing the performance as anticipated at design stage of the monitoring system. In addition, the system indicated that the structure was performing as per design considerations, when considering behaviour at different stages of use of the structure, including before filing in, full of water and on emptying the tank. Observing the water tower’s performance over time through the durability sensor system permits an understanding of the effectiveness of the restoration and the durability of the restoration and strengthening methods employed themselves, which will help to contribute to the development of restoration processes for other reinforced concrete structures in deteriorated states similar to the water tower. Description: M.Eng.(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121710 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121699 Title: Potential organic binders to replace the cement content in reconstituted limestone production Abstract: At the University of Malta, an innovative approach is being developed to produce engineered masonry stones using limestone waste, Ordinary Portland Cement, and water. This process employs a circular process where construction materials are reused within the industry, recycling limestone whilst creating a more sustainable stone. However, the cement content gives these reconstituted limestone elements an undesired high carbon footprint, contributing to carbon emissions and environmental harm associated with cement production. The primary objective of this study is to find a suitable organic binder to replace the cement content in the reconstituted limestone production. The binder was selected for this research is Cascamite, a cold setting organic, resin-based adhesive. This binder was selected following comprehensive research on its ability to replace the cement in the mix, whilst drastically reducing the carbon footprint of the resultant product. This makes the produced reconstituted limestone much more sustainable and environmentally friendly. The results obtained were analysed regarding workability, compressive strength, and durability. These were compared to previous research to understand if the binder can be used as a substitute for Ordinary Portland Cement in the production of reconstituted limestone. Results revealed that the binder chosen can produce strong reconstituted stone, with load bearing compressive strengths. However, the resultant durability was not satisfactory. Description: M.Eng.(Melit.) Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/121699 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z