https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/94952 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:24:55 GMT 2026-04-28T05:24:55Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145953 Title: Blinded by the flashing lights? Insights into Paceville's urban design present and future Authors: Zammit, Antoine Abstract: It is easy to be blinded by Paceville's flashing lights, a symbol of the locality's night-time activities as an entertainment mecca, and to forget that this is still an urban environment with a local community and a growing amount of daytime land uses that require well-thought-out strategies to ensure the formation of a quality urban realm and a liveable place in the long term. With this in mind, this paper starts by highlighting some important urban design principles revolving around key themes including spatial quality, place-making, street design and product- and process related concerns. It subsequently discusses several pertinent issues and current conflicts that characterise Paceville's urban realities, identifying spatial issues that are intensified through daytime and night-time patterns. The paper then delves into Paceville's development framework and Master Plan commissioned by the Planning Authority and underlines salient themes therein, before zeroing in on a possible alternative future that may be envisioned for Paceville. To this effect the paper presents some key results and observations from temporal analyses carried out in the locality, to inform a strategy with implications for the urban realm, that also involves the local community as key stakeholders. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145953 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143927 Title: Guidelines on open spaces Authors: Zammit, Antoine Abstract: The open spaces of Malta and Gozo embody the everyday dimension of community life. They are the settings where heritage, ecology, recreation and social exchange intersect – shaping the collective experience of place and defining the quality of life within our localities. This collection of five Open Spaces guidelines – encompassing Parks and Gardens, Historical Heritage, Urban Cores and Piazzas, Open Markets, Open Space Re-use and Outdoor Sports – forms part of the Local Councils’ Association’s ResidentFirst vision. Together, these documents offer a cohesive framework for reimagining and managing the public realm as a shared and enduring civic asset. At a time when Malta faces the dual pressures of urban densification and environmental vulnerability, the need to reclaim, reconfigure and reinvest in open spaces is both urgent and transformative. Each guide presents actionable frameworks, grounded in research, contextual understanding and local experience, to help Local Councils, policymakers and residents strengthen the quality, diversity and resilience of open spaces in Malta and Gozo. This research is rooted in the Maltese context yet it aligns with broader European and Mediterranean urban agendas. [excerpt] Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143927 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143924 Title: Guidelines on open spaces : outdoor sports Authors: Zammit, Antoine; Azzopardi, Luke; Borg, Kirsty Abstract: Outdoor sports and recreation have long held a significant role in sustaining people’s physical and mental well-being and are essential components of a truly vibrant community life. Outdoor sports facilities can also provide further assets that benefit society. Spaces with integrated outdoor sports facilities can become spots where users meet outside work hours or as an alternative to staying home, forging social bonds. Multi-use sports facilities may even boost foot traffic for nearby businesses, serving as economic catalysts. Too often, physical activity is relegated to organised clubs or costly indoor gyms. This document urges a cultural shift – one where movement becomes part of daily life, supported by accessible, inclusive and well-designed outdoor environments. Within the Maltese context, open spaces that are flexible for outdoor sports are especially valuable. However, as discussed in the other LCA Open Spaces documents, the limited availability of public green spaces in Malta presents a significant challenge. The Local Councils Association (LCA) has long emphasised the need for a holistic plan of open spaces, centred around the community, within its ResidentFirst initiative. This document takes a similar approach to the other documents within the Open Spaces series. It first analyses different typologies of outdoor sports and the current status of outdoor sports integration across the Maltese Islands. It discusses Malta’s unique challenges and opportunities, as well as salient pointers for successful and effective sports spaces, drawing lessons from earlier LCA documents and international best practice. This is followed by a more action-oriented section presenting eight pragmatic steps which Local Councils and stakeholders may use to implement outdoor sports areas. The document concludes with some key reflections, highlighting the importance of putting residents at the forefront of planning and embracing a more collaborative approach to adopt a culture of outdoor activity across the Maltese Islands Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143924 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143917 Title: Guidelines on open spaces : open space re-use Authors: Zammit, Antoine; Lanneau, Ilona; Borg, Kirsty Abstract: Open spaces are the living rooms of our communities, the piazzas, parks, gardens, and streets where public life naturally unfolds. Reusing and revitalising these spaces are emerging as key strategies for sustainable urban development, especially in dense, car-centric environments where public space is increasingly scarce. The “open space re-use” concept transforms underutilised or vehicledominated areas into vibrant, flexible environments designed for people. This approach supports global goals for creating liveable cities and addresses urgent local needs in Malta, where accessible public spaces have become a rare luxury. According to a 2022 Eurobarometer survey, Maltese residents have some of Europe’s poorest access to green open spaces. 21% of Maltese reported walking over 30 minutes to reach a green space, compared to 3% across the EU. These stark statistics highlight the urgent need to reclaim and enhance our urban open areas. This need is also echoed in the LCA’s document entitled 3.5 Outdoor Sports, which emphasises the value of integrating recreational opportunities into different typologies of urban spaces. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/143917 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z