Development at a cost? : the development and impacts of the Sliema waterfront

Abstract

During the 20th century, the coastal zone of Sliema went through a number of phases of change, from its former development in the early part of the century, to the changes that have occurred in the second half of the century, with the development of the new waterfront. This novel wave of development, dating back to the 1970s, has radically changed the former urban fabric of the area itself, and has affected to some extent the adjacent areas, such as the inner urban area of Sliema. Change in house types has occurred at a relatively steady rate: from terraced houses with two-storey high buildings, to high-rise buildings reaching up to eight storeys in height, leading to the situation found in the Sliema waterfront and the inner urban area today. This development has had various purposes in this area, mainly being: residential, commercial, and for leisure purposes. Yet, the waterfront development has affected the inner urban area of Sliema in three major aspects: that of the urban environment above all, followed by the social and economic aspects. The inner urban area of Sliema, that is the area lying behind the waterfront, can be considered as undergoing change too, also under the effects of the waterfront development itself. The problems of dwelling vacancy, reaching one of the highest levels in the Maltese Islands, and urban rehabilitation and renewal, coupled with the designation of Urban Conservation Areas, create a very particular situation in this area. This dissertation gives a brief description of the change that has occurred in both the waterfront and inner urban area of Sliema and illustrates the range of effects that such a development brought about to both the area and the residents of Sliema, with information gained mainly through a questionnaire survey and a land-use survey of the area. These effects have led to particular situations in the inner urban area that can be mitigated basically through adequate management of the zone in its entirety, coupled with appropriate policy-making that would ensure the safeguarding of the whole area, that is hoth the waterfront and the inner urban area of Sliema.