The parking problems in Valletta : impacts and alternatives

Abstract

Malta in the last thirty years has seen a social revolution which has resulted in a much improved financial situation of the Maltese family in general, and in gigantic leaps in registered car ownership. Malta and Gozo, with their total 316 square kilometres, have been invaded by 177,651 cars, and parking in urban centres, especially Valletta has become a daily headache for thousands of drivers. Little has been done to assess or counterbalance the impact of vehicles on the human environment, let alone to formulate an official planning policy. The main aim of this thesis is to investigate the causes and the impact of parking related problems on Valletta, and to investigate the ways in which they can be tackled. A city where the population has been decreasing since the Second World War (1939-1945), and giving way to shopping arcades and ever increasing office space, Valletta is probably plagued by the worst traffic problem in Malta, only alleviated by the fact that direct public transport to Valletta is available throughout the public transport network. Many plans intended to reduce traffic in Valletta are being currently discussed. In this thesis these plans, including the use of parking meters and park and ride schemes, are discussed individually. They are also tacked vis-a-vis the use of alternative means of transport and discussed in relation with a survey carried out amongst the people walking about the streets of Valletta. This survey work was carried out in order to establish patterns of car as against public transport use, correlations between V-Licencing and long vs short term parking, and the readiness of the public to make use of alternative transport and parking schemes. The introduction mainly deals with the popularity of transport, which has increased worldwide, and how it increased movement as well as the factors that have led to the present traffic situation in Valletta. Although the literature review does not directly deal with traffic in Valletta as such, it was essential to review the ideas of those involved in the transport sector and the public in general and how transport has evolved and changed. The thesis also includes local sources regarding traffic and parking in Valletta, a chapter being dedicated to local debate. In the survey analysis, the various methods discussed in the local debate are related to the results obtained from the questionnaire.