Attard, M.; (2006) Coping with change: the problems of adopting sustainable transport policies in the small island state of Malta. Doctoral thesis , University of London.

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Abstract

This study has five objectives. First, to describe the origins and current state of Malta's transport problems. Second, to place these problems in the context of the aspirations of EU transport policy to achieve environmental sustainability. Third, to propose a national land transport strategy that will reduce Malta's dependence on the car and comply with sustainability principles. Fourth, to analyse policy to date and identify the difficulties of achieving a new policy framework, and fifth, to suggest ways in which these difficulties might be overcome. Since Independence from the UK in 1964, Malta has developed steadily. Over recent years, the growing GDP marked an increase in household income and improvements in the standard of living. Therefore spending increased on certain commodities such as the motor car. Over a very short period of time Malta's car ownership has increased to become one of the highest in the European Union with 501 passenger cars per 1,000 population in 2002. This high level of car ownership has led to problems which are all too common to other European cities, such as congestion, parking problems, a decline in public transport and increasing subsidy. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is used to present the current status of the land transport sector in Malta, whilst the sociological institutionalist approach, suggested by Vigar (2002), looks at analysing policy through the past and current networks and discourse. This methodology is complemented by a number of interviews with local policy makers to identify the problems of implementing a sustainable transport strategy. Within a very dynamic environment where most organisational structures are changing, this study suggests ways of introducing policies in the land transport sector consistent with measures suggested in the EU Common Transport Policy. It concludes by looking at the future of sustainable transport policy for Malta.

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