One World...
Land!
The Land Reclamation Report recommended:
At present it seems that land reclamation on a self-sustainable commercial basis may most likely be propelled by construction of housing for residential purposes or related to the tourism/hotel sector.
If this is the case, the findings of this identification study suggest that reclamation of an artificial island would be more advantageous in the areas on the northeastern coast of Malta, with a limited distance to the existing urban environment.
It is noted that the area outside Sliema is located close to other urban tourist resorts and residential areas with a high proportion of activities centred in this area.
This location would be in line with strategy outlined in the tourism issue paper, highlighting the need for concentration of development and extensions to existing developments.
It should, however, be strongly emphasised that these considerations are based on the present state of incomplete information and knowledge. The proposed baseline study involving updating of environmental information is needed to acquire an improved decision basis.
A land reclamation project may provide a temporary solution to the approaching lack of disposal capacity for inert waste. However, land reclamation cannot and shall not be seen as a permanent solution to this problem. No matter the further decisions to be made on land reclamation, it is strongly recommended to further investigate the possibilities for reduction of the generation of large amounts of inert waste from quarries and from excavation, construction and demolition activities.
Also the possibilities for reuse and recycling of these materials should be investigated, as these methods follow the waste hierarchy strategy:
• Prevention;
• Reduction;
• Reuse;
• Recycling; and
• Disposal.