Community perceptions on waterfront regeneration : the Bormla case

Abstract

Hincliffe (2008: 2) notes that "historic docks and monumental dockside warehouses ... became increasingly unsuitable for commercial use and ultimately became wholly redundant" with time. The historic docks at Bormla are no different. This paper will analyse the local community perceptions of on going waterfront regeneration at the historic dockside at Bormla and compare them with perceptions about the completed waterfront regeneration projects within the Malta Grand Harbour. The research will adopt a qualitative approach. For the purpose of this paper, a random sample of Bormla respondents were asked to give their comments and views via the internet and to comment on the projects. It is hoped that the findings will help to make this waterfront regeneration a success story and sustainable on a long term basis. The findings are hoped to support Falk's (2002: 33) statement that "[o] nce there is a shared vision, to which the main stakeholders are committed, progress becomes much easier. "