Understanding notions of liveability in the built environment in Malta

Abstract

This study sought to investigate indicators of liveability in the urban environment in Malta, through the lens of stakeholders. Understanding place, satisfaction and walkability through user perception, key contributing elements to overall liveability emerge. Through an extensive literature review, the dissertation explores these themes, as well as the relationship between place and community attachment. To investigate further users’ perception of the built environment, a gamified online survey was used, where participants scored 7 methodically selected images of different streetscapes, on three Likert scales, following which, they were given the opportunity to provide qualitative feedback. The areas assessed were willingness to walk, sit (or stay), and live, in the street presented. The results were revealing of stakeholders' perceptions, understanding, and expectations of quality in the built environment. These point to the motivators that contribute to the creation of a sense of place, as well as the gaps in the urban environment that do not facilitate the creation of community-in-place. The findings reveal a strong correlation between perceived walkability and liveability, whilst also highlighting a strong preference and desire for green spaces and green infrastructure. The study also uncovers a strong preference for traditional streetscapes, and “charming” urban environments, possibly pointing to a sense of nostalgia in stakeholder perception, and/or a dissatisfaction with contemporary design patterns and standards. Finally, there was also a consistent desire for ease of vehicular access and parking, pointing to an attachment to personal vehicles. The study highlights the need for further research into people's perceptions and expectations of their built environment, and enablers of place. It suggests exploring societal nostalgia for traditional neighbourhoods and the application of gamification in urban places. The findings provide insight into Malta's urban environment's liveability and user preferences in shaping desirable places. They also reveal people's desire to engage with their built environment, which has the potential to lead to the creation of community-in-place.