Urban development trends and related impacts on quality of life in areas of Msida and Birkirkara

Abstract

This study explores selected impacts of urban development in areas of Birkirkara and Msida. The aim of the study was to review changes in the urban fabric of the study area over time, and to identify how these changes impacted, positively or negatively, the quality of local residents. Particular attention was given to noiserelated impacts. The methodology had three elements. First, a review of changes in urban fabric was carried out, by (i) reviewing development planning applications over the period 1991-2016, and (ii) analysing aerial photography from the period 1974-2016. Second, a noise meter was used to measure noise in the study areas over specific periods of time. Third, semi-structured interviews were held with residents, together with a separate interview with an urban planner. Results revealed that the area became significantly more urbanized over time, and was also the location of a number of major developments. This land use change led to an increase in population throughout the years, as well as an increase in traffic and congestion in the area. This led to several nuisances affecting local residents, such as noise, parking difficulties, traffic congestion, and air pollution. Noise monitoring confirmed that noise in the study area, largely deriving from road traffic, is within the harmful noise thresholds as outlined by World Health Organisation standards. The surveys outlined that development in the area increased noise as well as other problems relating to congestion such as traffic and parking.