Changing the residential scene : adapting the shared street (Woonerf) concept

Abstract

The lack of consideration in the design of space around buildings, is a problem that most urban environments, particularly residential areas have been facing since the Modern movement, and is the main impetus behind the scope of this dissertation. While effort and financial resource may often be spent on the design of individual buildings and facades, the surfaces and spaces between them are ignored from every viewpoint except traffic. The streets of Malta’s towns and villages, particularly the extensions developed within the numerous HOS schemes lack an integrated design approach, necessary for the achievement of more responsive surroundings; this is attainable only by respecting the potential of that same space. For this particular reason, this work will concentrate on the short and long-term possibilities that exist mainly in the so-called planned communities of HOS areas. Nevertheless, wherever the possibility of integrating these extensions with the traditional centres exists, this should be considered.