https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/7915 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:26:56 GMT 2026-04-04T12:26:56Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/8030 Title: A study in the area of Mġarr ix-Xini and the local cultivars factors which are leading to the disappearance of local cultivars and the processes which are contributing to this phenomenon Abstract: Gozo is an island that forms part of the Maltese archipelago. Malta is the largest island of the group; Gozo being the second largest island in the archipelago with a population of approximately thirty thousand people. When compared to Malta, Gozo is more rural and it is known for its greenery and scenic landscapes. The Mġarr ix-Xini area is situated in the southern part of Gozo, which comprises part of the villages of Xewkija and Għajnsielem. In the past years, this area had a high production of cultivars but nowadays it diminished like it did across the rest of the island. The rural environment is an important aspect in the life of the residents. Several measures were commenced to preserve the local cultivars but they were already on the decline. Agriculture in Gozo was a main sector which decreased significantly in terms of farmers but especially in terms of local products. The local cultivars are presently facing various problems such as competition from foreign products, increase in importation and other issues which are all resulting in a decrease in the production of these cultivars. The constant decrease in the local cultivars has led to a point of becoming extinct from the Maltese Islands. As a matter of fact, some of the cultivars have already disappeared. This is leading to an increase in awareness which may be too late now. Description: B.A.(HONS)GEOGRAPHY Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/8030 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/8029 Title: The use of treated sewage effluent for the irrigation of agriculture : an analysis about the attitudes and perceptions, of potential users of 'Taċ-Ċumnija wastewater treatment plant' Abstract: With the hope to limit the great strain imposed on the limited water supply of the Maltese Islands, the Ċumnija Wastewater Treatment Plant in Mellieħa, is going to treat secondary water so that it can be used for the irrigation of agriculture. The success or failure of this project is based upon the perceptions of potential users with regards to the reuse of treated sewage effluent. This study is based upon the attitudes of those individuals that are going to be directly or indirectly affected by the distribution of this secondary class water. Various interviews were conducted with various farmers that have land in the Northern region of Malta and with vegetable sellers found at the farmers market. This study, analysis the different factors that might hinder or encourage, potential users of treated sewage effluent, to use this secondary water. Although the majority of the participants are willing to try this new resource, there are others that are not so keen on using this secondary water. The farmers in the Northern part of Malta, are well known for their good quality products. Most of them are afraid that if they use this new alternative water resource, a stigma will be imposed on them and thus their good reputation might get ruined. Treated sewage effluent, is nowadays being used by various international countries. In fact, if properly treated and distributed, the gap between the demand and the supply of fresh water is considerably diminished. Description: B.A.(HONS)GEOGRAPHY Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/8029 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/8028 Title: The geography of park and rides : analysing the commuter usage patterns of the three park and rides in Marsa, Floriana and Pembroke using a geographical framework Abstract: The quality of transport service depends on the accessibility and efficiency of a transport network. The emphasis on urban cities has placed immense pressures on the infrastructural resource that the urban city can offer. This has led to major problems of traffic congestion, parking problems, degradation of the urban environment, pollution and other social and economic challenges. The provision of more car vehicles has led to an imbalance between the supply and the demand of such transportation services. Several strategies and policies have been developed and adopted over the years so that modal shift could be achieved and long term sustainable transport could be achieved. One of the measures introduced to curb traffic congestions and stimulate a modal shift towards a more sustainable means of transport was the Park and Ride. Such services were designed to provide users with an intermodal system whereby users could make use of a combination of different modes which sought to reduce the pressures on urban areas. The success of the Park and Ride in engaging new users rest upon the service quality which was generally satisfactory, however one particular Park and Ride still manages to attract car users to the sub urban fringe while also generating a modal shift from alternative means of transport towards car use. This research seeks to build upon previous research done on the Floriana Park and Ride. At the same time, it provides a basis for further studies to be conducted at the Marsa and Pembroke Park and Rides. The main objective of the research was to analyse the catchment areas of each site and determine whether there were any correlations in the commuter usage patterns. Description: B.A.(HONS)GEOGRAPHY Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/8028 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/8027 Title: The geography of renewable energy : a case study of University students within the Maltese context Abstract: Renewable energy has recently become a recurrent topic in the local discourse about sustainable development. Mainly thanks to incentives which are fuelled by EU policy, which requires Malta to produce 10% of its energy needs from renewable sources by the year 2020. The issue has reached the mainstream and an unprecedented uptake of solar water heaters and photovoltaic systems has been registered locally. While at first the 10% figure appeared somewhat distant, the recent achievement of one of the milestones leading to the 10% quota has raised optimism. The study, which is built around the assumption that the economic factor and microgeographic space (roof ownership) are crucial to RE uptake, also assumes that a more informed society is more likely to uptake renewable energy technology. The study focuses on factors leading to the uptake of renewable energy sources on various scales. Some information from the literature review deals with the global and European context, while the study mainly concerns itself with the local context, and on university students as a particular case study. The first part which concerns itself with the Maltese renewable energy landscape, geographical differences are very apparent. In Malta a concentric pattern displays a much lower uptake in the dense urban inner-harbour areas, while the more peripheral regions display a greater uptake. The pattern repeats itself in Gozo, although Malta’s sister island generally displays a much higher uptake per capita when compared to Malta. Further analyses tried to identify what these factors might be, but the reasons do not appear to be straight forward. Some of the factors which appear to have a relationship with uptake of renewables are: age, level of education, the type of housing, disposable income, and the availability of roof space. The second part of the study: which focuses on University students’ attitudes towards renewable energy and environmental issues, highlighted a general environmentally friendly inclination by a vast majority of the respondents. Photovoltaics appear to be by far the most trusted of available renewable energy sources, while wind energy is looked at with much less confidence. Anthropogenic climate change is widely accepted amongst university students. What was very surprising in the results is that a majority of the students are unhappy with the level of information (regarding renewables) offered by their particular faculty. This, unfortunately, is especially the case in the Law and Education departments, sectors which are vital to the implementation of renewable energy policies. Another issue tackled was the financing of domestic renewable energy projects, with a slight minority indicating that they would be willing to take up soft loans to finance such projects. Description: B.A.(HONS)GEOGRAPHY Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/8027 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z