The experiences of families living in the vicinity of a construction site in the Maltese islands during the past 15 years

Abstract

This qualitative study focuses on the experience of families who live in close proximity of construction sites and undergo major challenges and disruptions in their lives due to sub-standard work practices, lack of regulations or their enforcement on construction sites. The central point of this study is how these factors preclude individuals from living in peace, security and dignity, and as a consequence feel that they are constantly living in a development zone with perpetual fear of being victims of damage to their dwellings. To gather insights on the experiences of residents living in the vicinity of a construction site, thirteen in-depth semi-structured interviews allowed participants to engage in free-flowing conversation focusing on the topic of the study. The interviews revealed an in-depth understanding of the hardships residents endure while shedding light on the current regulations and practices, or lack of them, that contribute to the participants’ predicaments. The factors identified allowed the researcher to reflect upon policy matters and regulations that need improvement as well as advocating the need for new services to protect the rights of third parties, preliminary to and during construction work. Using Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic procedure, the analysis conveyed that noise and air pollution, stress, apprehension, disruption to daily activities, financial burden, lack of support from authorities and stakeholders of building sites, as well as lack of enforcement and regulations, amongst others, are key drivers leading to a state of vexation and the desperate call from residents not only to make their voices heard but also to secure their rights. In furtherance of the above, the researcher devised the subsequent recommendations which together with other studies, can contribute to the knowledge and awareness necessary to minimize to the lowest level possible the negative consequences for neighbours of construction sites. ● The need for focused policies, procedures and strategies for the safety and wellbeing of residents neighbouring construction sites. ● The call for liable entities within which residents can report illegalities. ● The importance of having wardens or persons of authority surrounding the construction site at all times. ● The creation of dust and noise-control regulations to limit construction-induced anxiety. ● Prioritising the notions of good neighbourhood planning at all stages during the construction process while issuing schemes that give power to the people to partake in developmental proposals. ● Contraventions to be strictly given to anyone who does not abide by laws and regulations, particularly those that affect third parties. ● The criticalness of sustainability, therefore the need to safeguard the landscape and greenery during development. ● Policies to be directed towards the concept of accountability. ● Enforcement to be prioritised so that the notion of accountability remains key. ● Building and Construction Authority to communicate transparently to gain the trust of people and act in accordance to the principles of the common good. ● Temporary housing to be highly considered as a requisite for residents experiencing structural damage or who are at risk. ● Having a bank guarantee acting as a deterrent to the developer to prevent damage in the future and that the guarantee is paid out to third parties. ● The necessity of the Kamra tal-Periti to push for regulations to be emended to ensure maximum protection to third party properties. ● The exigency for stringent laws on who should be responsible should damage arise and the cost of damages to be born by the person who is deemed responsible.