It is true that Malta’s population density, the highest in Europe at 1,200 persons per square kilometre, is to be compared with Hong Kong’s and Singapore’s density of 6,500 persons per square kilometre. (No Cause For Alarm Over Immigrants, Alfred Demanuele, April 8).
Nevertheless, there is where the comparison ends. It should not be carried on further to calculate the saturation density of the Maltese islands. Hong Kong and Singapore have gone for high-rise developments, a trait of the Asian continent. This unlike Europe, which has kept its feet grounded in medium rise seven-storey developments.
These planning policies have succeeded in obtaining for Malta a reasonable residential density notwithstanding its high population density.
The residential units per hectare vary from eight up to 80, while the number of residents per hectare varies from 25 up to 150. This in comparison to Singapore, with a land area half built upon, as compared to Malta’s with land one-fifth built upon. The national average residential density is quoted at 142 units per hectare for Singapore, with 82 per cent of the population living in high-density housing at 215 units per hectare.
It has been quoted that it is worthwhile to design urban areas somewhere in the 30 to 40 unit range, translating to 75 to 150 persons per hectare.
These densities assume that the maximum distance people are prepared to walk is taken at around 2,000 metres, with the optimum being 800 metres, a comfortable 10-minute walk, with shopping developers using 400 metres as the maximum shopping distance.
Nevertheless, it is then warned that at densities above 500 persons per hectare, the concessions to less desirable living environments mount rapidly.
On the other hand, a human disaster is occurring to our neighbours and the Maltese islands are to be prepared for an influx of persons seeking our help, if this does occur. We have to be prepared to help them in the short term prior to being assigned out to other countries. Now we have about 70,000 vacant properties together with space available in the various convents of the religious orders. If a natural disaster such as a severe seismic jolt were to hit the Maltese islands, this available accommodation may be availed of to house the persons made homeless. Thus, they should also be made available now for this present human disaster occurring at our doorsteps.
Preparedness is a vital tool in disaster management planning. As Europe presently assumes a lethargic role, Malta should get prepared.
If we truly manage to make these displaced people’s interim stay in Malta a memorable experience, it would again be a feather in Malta’s cap. The Maltese will again have lived up to their Christian spirit.