Investigating the contribution to sustainable development of public open spaces in the Maltese conurbation

Abstract

The need to strive for sustainable development and mitigate or adapt to climate change are increasingly at the forefront when planning for and managing urban concentrations. Urban design is considered a key player as it has substantial potential to affect the various dimensions of urban form. The design of urban open spaces is one area within the dimensions of urban form which is increasingly recognized for its importance in improving the sustainability of built environments and responding to climate change. A review of Maltese policy and publications reveals the poor quality of open spaces in Malta. A number of trends support the need to develop research on the planning and design of open spaces in Malta. These trends include: the particularities of Malta's scale; development pressures; policy orientation; governance; climatic conditions; and mobility and traffic congestion. [Excerpt]