One World... State of the environment

What is land development like, according to the State of the Environment Report 2005?
The key target of the Structure Plan to contain urban sprawl within the development boundary has largely been achieved.

There is significant potential for improving the overall efficiency of land use. An in-depth investigation into the social and economic dynamics underpinning the apparent contradiction between high house prices and high rates of residential vacancy, including how this affects conservation goals, is urgently needed.

Although many historical buildings and areas have been given statutory protection, and there is planning policy presumption against demolition of buildings within UCAs, there is increasing tension between these protective mechanisms and the desire of owners to redevelop their properties. This is resulting in loss of historic fabric, inappropriate design of new and restored buildings and illegal excavations. Vehicle emissions and underlying factors such as residential vacancy also have a negative impact on cultural heritage.

Countryside quality is still threatened by localised intensification of urban development, dominating settlement edges, quarrying and certain agricultural and recreational practices. The rising public interest in the countryside, including access, is an opportunity to upgrade and improve its protection and management.

Agricultural land abandonment, farm intensification, improper farm management practices and fragmentation of ownership have negative impacts on the environment. Rural development plans represent important opportunities to address the viability of the agricultural sector in the context of environmental stewardship.

Approximately five per cent of Malta's one kilometre coastal buffer area was developed between 1990 and 2004, indicating significant development pressures coming mainly from tourism and recreation.

Some facts
¤ 23 per cent of Malta is urbanised, yet 23 per cent of dwellings are temporarily or permanently uninhabited.

¤ Between 2002 and August 2005, 89 historical sites and areas were protected under the Development Planning Act, covering 167 hectares of fortifications in the Grand Harbour and Mellieha areas and at Fort Chambray in Gozo.

¤ 0.09 per cent of Malta's agricultural land is under organic cultivation.

The State of the Environment Report 2005 is a Mepa publication available on www.mepa.org.mt.