Planning for a dynamic and resilient land-sea interface

Abstract

It has been claimed that a country’s economic performance is influenced by its physical geography and particularly in having a coastline which provides more opportunities through sea-trade (Sachs, 2005). Coastal economies have been noted to have higher income than the landlocked economies (Gallup and Sachs, 1998). For small island states isolated from the mainland economies on continents, the land and sea interface assumes an even more important role that in many instances is either taken for granted or overlooked. Over the islands’ history the Maltese coast has accommodated uses that supported human life. Ports offer an economic life link through maritime trade, critical infrastructure provides energy and water, while reprieve from the hot weather and urban areas is obtained through clean seas and scenic landscapes respectively. The decisions to locate uses along the coast were largely based on operational and economic criteria, which for many years were the key factors that shaped government policy.