Maltese landscaping : yesterday, today & proposals for the future

Abstract

This study discusses the international past of landscaping starting from prehistoric antiquity right down to the present day. The history of landscaping in Malta including its origins and development during the Bronze Age, Punic and Roman times, the Arab period, and the Middle Ages, the era of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and the period under British rule, was also an important part of this study. This historical review provides the background of today's landscaping and an analysis of the process of development of this field of design which helps the reader understand how and why the state of landscaping in Malta is what it is today. An analysis of the concepts as well as the tools available for landscape design help in the formulation of an awareness of these concepts and tools. One may observe that different concepts have evolved from historic times up till today. The tools have essentially remained the same through the centuries, but can nowadays be manipulated substantially with the help of advanced technology. In order to assess the current Maltese scenario in the landscaping field, case studies of different categories of landscaping projects were carried out. These have shown that landscaping in Malta has over the past fifteen years, improved substantially. It has been given more of its due importance and professional assistance is sometimes being sought but much more has to be achieved. All of the above then served as good background knowledge, forming the basis for developing and proposing suggestions for improvement in the Maltese landscape design field. One general suggestion which will definitely help improve the quality of landscaping further would be the increased involvement of professional landscape designers in any landscaping project, especially the ones who promote an environmentally friendly approach. Also designs should be more innovative and should complement the architectural design not just mitigates its negative impacts.