Maltese steps towards integrative data : a lifetime target

Abstract

Understanding how urban ecologies operate and how one can relate to the changes required for social change entails a deep understanding of the structures that make up that society. This scenario is evident when one tries to understand how policy makers present their studies for decision-takers to act upon. In an ideal world the decision taker would have acquired knowledge of what planning entails, the situation at hand, the acquisition of a mental image of the area under study and would theoretically be able to decide on an outcome as based on such knowledge. Reality shows otherwise, since this process entails the full knowledge of how the data process is handled, how that data delivers meaningful information, which results in knowledge and eventually an informed decision is taken. However, the entire enterprise is based on access to information or the lack of same, to acquisition of information on the urban/rural structures and the environment in its wider aspects. Dealing with advocacy groups, non-governmental organisations and interested parties requires that the planner has a solid understanding of the physical, natural and social parameters that society is permeated with. A planner debating a decision on how to mitigate on urban sprawl would be required to understand how such urban ecologies morph from small hamlets to town and cities and eventually to metropolis, in addition to an understanding of the interactivities that occur between the players as based on the sociological pillars: politics, religion, education, family and economy. Each part plays a crucial role in its attempts to sway a decision one way or another. Without basic information across the fields planners may find barriers being set up that may thwart informed decision-making.