Roads : maker or breaker of settlement morphology?

Abstract

Road networks tend to affect the morphology of the surrounding settlements. The main aim of this dissertation is to study the pattern and distribution of the settlements along the Coast Road in Naxxar via St. Andrew's Road up to Regional Road. The Coast Road, which together with Regional Road, form the main artery of Malta's road network as it intersects the island, thus joining the Northern and the Southern settlements. The research is based on a case study of two settlements, which have developed along the Coast Road and Regional Road: St. Julian's and Bahar ic-Caghaq. These two settlements have many similarities between them but there are also a number of differences in their development. This study aims to analyse the morphological features of settlements resulting from the development of the arterial road. Various changes, which have occurred throughout the years will be illustrated by G.I.S maps. Settlement growth parameters such as, population, economic situation and household location choice will be useful to identify urban sprawl. The research methodology is based on several books, journals, papers and online documents dealing with the relationship between settlement morphology and road networks. Primary sources will consist of a land-use survey and questionnaires. Secondary data will be extracted from existing maps. The hypothesis is that the nearer the settlement is to a major road, the more linear it becomes in pattern, therefore, it is assumed that the road acts as a boundary. This type of development produces various types of feedbacks with regards to residential location choice, affecting also the state of the environment.