Assessing Malta's post-war social housing stock : Valletta and the Three Cities

Abstract

This dissertation centres on Maltese post-war social housing, with particular focus on ageing projects that were constructed as a response to the housing crisis following World War 2. The overall aim is to justify that these ageing developments and their immediate surroundings require the use of neighbourhood renewal strategies to create a better quality environment that responds to contemporary needs and currents trends in urban design and housing. Preliminary research investigates the wide context surrounding the housing crisis throughout the post-war period till today. Furthermore, current contemporary trends in urban design for providing good quality environments and vibrant communities are discussed, together with new means of neighbourhood renewal through place-making, mixed-tenure housing and partnership strategies. Subsequently, the research focuses on evaluating the performance of three case study areas in the Southern Grand Harbour region against contemporary urban design principles - areas where social housing developments have become infamous as hotspots for socio-economic deprivation and urban decay (Cutajar, Formosa, & Calafato, 2013; Formosa, 2015; Galea Debona, 2012; MEPA, 2002). This is done through empirical work that makes use of a mixed method approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data collection. After the analysis and deciphering of prevailing trends and patterns, the author discusses the use of neighborhood renewal strategies and how these could be implemented locally.