Popular attitudes towards housing in Malta

Abstract

There are few who can be unaware of the complex social changes which have taken place during the last few decades. There have been changes in the types of work available to men and women. These changes affect families, their needs and desires. As part of the rising standard of living, many families have been able to improve both comfort and appearance of the home. This is reflected in the amount of movement within Malta by people moving to new dwellings in new residential areas. In my dissertation, the importance of the home and its location has appeared as constant theme. I started by giving a brief description of the types of housing available to the Maltese through the ages. Then I endevoured to enlist the various factors which affect the satisfaction, needs and aspirations of families as regards their home, environment and social needs. The popular attitudes in Malta toward a housing, and thus the relative importance given to these various factors, have changed radically in the course of time. I have attempted to trace these changes through information gathered from various press, government and other reports. None of these changes have ever been the subject of any systematic enquiry. I have had neither the time nor the subject of any skill necessary to embark on such a study as is indicated in the conclusive chapter of this dissertation; however I have tried (in my own limitations) to find out by my small survey what different people feel about their present homes, their aspirations in relation to personal material and social needs and their attitudes towards the environment around them.