Assessing urban design quality in places : the need for two methodological frameworks : the case of a small island state, Malta

Abstract

The recent years have seen an increased role for place-making and design quality on planning agendas. This has necessitated some form of assessment as to whether planning systems are effectively producing urban design quality in their place-making strategies, in terms of both their policy-making and development control mechanisms. It is therefore important to ask whether the contribution of a planning system to place-making can be measured in ‘design quality’ terms and, if so, in what manner. In order to discuss these themes comprehensively, various authors have talked about the need to address planning and design from ‘process’ and ‘product’ perspectives. Most studies however tend to concentrate on either perspective rather than addressing both simultaneously. This paper presents the methodological argument behind the latter approach and argues for a mixed methodology that involves both quantitative and qualitative research tools. Malta’s distinct planning system is currently experiencing interesting times. Taking this small island state as a case study, this paper questions the manner in which urban design quality may be assessed comprehensively. It highlights the critical issues within a planning system that encourage or preclude quality design outcome in the built environment. Using a mixed methodology, the paper develops and discusses ‘process’- and ‘product’-related analytical frameworks that respectively assess key themes within the planning process and the quality of design outcome ‘on the ground’, in order to determine their possible correlation. The paper is based on a current PhD research being undertaken at the Bartlett School of Planning, University College London entitled ‘Addressing urban design quality in the Maltese built environment through its correlation with the planning system’.