https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/84920 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 04:15:48 GMT 2026-04-19T04:15:48Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/102291 Title: Climate finance and development priorities in small island developing states : a case of the State of Grenada Abstract: As a Small Island Developing State (SIDS), Grenada joins the rest of the world in assimilating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into national plans and policies. However, executing national plans requires significant local resources which are often augmented by (and proportionally higher) concessional loans or grants from development entities but which come with clear conditionalities. Other major sources of development financing mobilised are private external investments, philanthropic donors and south-south cooperation agreements. Nonetheless, the governments of small states like Grenada as well as least development countries would often find themselves compromising priorities of both immediate and future national goals, in order to obtain the available financial support. A fundamental issue within the SDGs Agenda is climate change, which accordingly influences development support, particularly to SIDS as they are intrinsically more vulnerable. This research examined the realities of Grenada’s development progress and the impacts, if any, of climate finance mechanisms on the country’s development priorities. It did so with a specific review of the relevant literature followed by critical conversations with key individuals who were engaged in this ‘development progress’ in Grenada, and subsequent candid reflections. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/102291 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/102288 Title: Free-range children : parental barriers and gateways for children’s active and independent mobility in Malta Abstract: This study investigates children’s active and independent mobility. Using school travel as an indicator, the factors influencing transport mode choice are analysed in the context of the Maltese Islands where the majority of children are driven to the primary school in their locality despite the proximity. In this scenario, there thus exists the potential for active transport where an understanding of the major determinants to mode choice can target a shift in the currently unsustainable transport to school. The role of the parents is central to this research due to the age of the subjects and this is studied to explore the influence parents have on children’s transport mode and outdoor autonomy and the factors which in turn have an influence on parental choices. Taking a parent-centred approach in the collection of data, parents of children in Year 1 – Year 6 of the State Primary School of San Lawrenz (Gozo), Siġġiewi and St Paul’s Bay were invited to complete a survey collecting information on their child’s mobility patterns and outdoor autonomy where the choice of localities is based on their contrasting geography, demographic, socio-economic and cultural factors with the results highlighting the diversity and differing parental concerns. Through the factors identified from this research, it is evident that interventions need to be designed with significant focus on addressing parental concerns of safety, security, and time. This study makes a contribution to research in the area of children’s mobility where children as transport users are under-researched in the local context and addresses the challenges of child obesity and transport emissions. Through a better understanding of the barriers and gateways to children’s active transport and outdoor autonomy, this study aims to provide a background for informed guidance to policy and planning decisions in shifting school travel from driving to active modes of transport and more ambitiously to independent walking or cycling. Description: M.Sc.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/102288 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/84934 Title: Bicycle sharing systems and their role in the promotion of cycling as a mode of transport in southern European island cities Abstract: Across the globe, the approach to transport planning is shifting towards sustainable urban mobility planning, in an effort to address traffic congestion, air pollution, and carbon emission reductions, and to promote a better quality of life for urban citizens. In this context, Bicycle Sharing Systems (BSS) have emerged as a transport innovation, allowing for multimodal travel, without having to own a private bicycle, while normalizing cycling in cities where this was not previously the norm. In the span of two decades, BSS have grown from just a handful to almost 3,000 systems worldwide. To understand which factors influence cycling, and BSS use specifically, this research used socio-ecological approaches to understand active travel behaviour. A framework was created to assess the influence of individual factors, social environment factors, and objective and perceived physical environment factors, as well as the policy environment shaping these. This research focuses on Southern European island cities, with their specific geographical and socio-cultural context, high population density and car-dependence, and a strong influence of tourists and visitors. The aim of this research is to analyse the use of BSS, and the role they play in promoting cycling as a mode of transport in Southern European island cities, as part of their ambition to promote sustainable urban mobility. A multiple-case study approach is used to analyse the introduction and use of the BSS in Limassol (Cyprus), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain) and the conurbation around Valletta (Malta). Self-reported usage data from a BSS user survey in the three sites was analysed through descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and binary logistic regression models. BSS trip data provided by the BSS operators, combined with external datasets, enabled the assessment of the influence of objective physical environment factors on observed BSS use in the case study cities through spatio-temporal regression modeling. The influence of individual, social environment and physical environment factors on shared bicycle use is analysed, looking at differences between frequent and infrequent BSS users, to get a better understanding of the motivators and barriers that influence BSS use. Results show that frequent BSS use is positively associated with frequent use of other ‘alternative’ transport modes, such as public transport use, as well as with shorter distances from respondents’ residence and most frequent destinations to the nearest BSS station. Higher perceived safety of cycling was also associated with more frequent BSS use, as did a positive social norm, including support from friends and family, respect from other road users, and feeling that cycling is an accepted form of transport, confirming the importance of such factors in building a cycling culture. The influence of land use, socio-economic, network and temporal factors on BSS station use is examined through bivariate correlation analysis and the development of linear mixed models for each case study. The results showed a significant positive relationship with the number of cafes and restaurants, vicinity to the beach or promenade and the percentage of foreign population at the station locations in all cities. In Limassol and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, a positive relation with cycling infrastructure was evident. This association was not found in Malta, as there is little to no cycling infrastructure in the island’s conurbation, where most of the BSS stations are located. Elevation showed a negative relationship with BSS use in all three cities. A positive effect of higher temperatures and a negative effect of rainfall were observed in Limassol and Malta, where seasonality in weather patterns is stronger than in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The findings and recommendations of this study contribute to a better understanding of BSS use and cycling in the context of ‘starter’ cycling cities, as well as suggestions for how to overcome the barriers and leverage the motivators for the promotion of cycling, towards the goal of making sustainable urban mobility a reality. Description: Ph.D.(Melit.) Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/84934 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z