A sociological interpretation of Malta’s green roofs and walls policy process

Abstract

This dissertation focuses on the green paper titled Green Paper on Green Buildings in Malta: Initiatives for Green Walls and Roofs for Residential, Commercial and Industrial Buildings with the aim of understanding how the paper originated and was put together. The key points discussed in this thesis were aimed at answering the research questions keeping in mind how society is impacted as well. To achieve this, I have researched different theories and decided to include three theories that are best applied to this green paper; ecological modernization; sustainable development; and theory of colour. These theories are able to explain how the environment and society can find ways to live in balance, without society taking too much of its natural resources and destroying the environment altogether. Moreover, when the environment and society live together in balance, the economy is also impacted in a positive way. The participants I spoke with described how this is feasible and gave me numerous examples, which I have included in the data analysis section. The research questions are aimed at highlighting any sociological ramifications that might result from this policy, such as people not being able to afford such investments. However, they also highlight the benefits that result and outweigh the adverse outcomes. For example, the creation of green jobs, the reversal of environmental damage and technological developments. The research method included one-to-one interviews with thirteen participants who were all involved in the creation of this green paper. The respondents gave similar answers to most of the questions, although from different perspectives, they all believe in better planning for our buildings, the improvement of our economy and most importantly as is the scope of the green paper, the improvement of our natural environment due to an increase in green spaces.