Guidelines on open spaces

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]