Identifying recreational conflict at the waterfront : case study, Ta'Xbiex, Gzira and Sliema

Abstract

Urban waterfronts have experienced a transition from serving as naval basis to places of enjoyment and relaxation. "Recent urban waterfront transformations are enormous enterprises, sweeping in scale and, taken collectively, represent a dramatic story of urban rebirth" (Breen and Rigby, 1996: 11). However, sometimes in trying to meet the demand as quickly as possible may result in planning that does not take into consideration all possible consequences. Very often haphazard development results in conflict among recreational and coastal users. It is clear enough that without experts' advice and law enforcement, goals will be difficult to realise and conflict hard to eliminate. However the main tool consists in combining the objectives of integrated coastal zone management with recreational planning. This dissertation aims to discover the main types of conflict that arise between recreationists and the causes that lead to such displeasures. The area under study is focused on the waterfronts of Ta' Xbiex, Gzira and Sliema and with the help of quantitative analysis it can serve as a step to ascertain the situation regarding coastal recreation in the Maltese Islands. Results of the study suggest that often conflict arises from misbehaviour and lack of dissemination of information from the concerned authorities, leaving the public in the dark. Several recommendations rlc11Jine wi1h the theme in question are finally proposed.