The industrialisation of Marsaxlokk Bay : a socio-geographic perspective

Abstract

In the past few decades rapid industrialisation took place on our island to bring the country to a good economic standpoint. Most of the industries which developed agglomerated together in core areas, mainly in Marsa. The high rate at which such development took place soon led to the saturation of the area and a need was felt to spread out industry in other regions. Most of the development spread down to the south-eastern region of the island, this being Marsaxlokk Bay. The two villages of Marsaxlokk and Birzebbuga which are located within this area soon found themselves living amongst various industries. What we set out to investigate in this study are effects which this industrialisation has had on the different stakeholders within the region. The viewpoints and ideas of the various stakeholders affected or involved in the industrialisation of the bay were collected and analysed in order to view this issue from a number of contrasting perspectives. The important point to keep in mind is that although the local people are very determined that no other major industry should develop in their region, they have struck a kind of psychological balance with the already established industries. How the latter are integrating with and compensating the two localities is also an issue which is investigated. In the end, we take a brief look at how a new stage of development is on the way for Marsaxlokk Bay which, this time, will be geared mostly to increase tourism in the area.