Maltese show mounting concern on urban degradation

Concern in Malta on “urban problems”, such as a lack of green spaces and traffic jams, has gone up by 16 points since 2011, a, EU-wide Eurobarometer survey shows.

Concern on urban problems has emerged as the second highest Maltese environmental concern, after air quality, in what could be seen as a reflection of mounting unease on the toll taken by over development on the urban fabric.

The survey shows that while only 23% of respondents in all EU 28 countries express a concern on “urban problems”, concern on these problems rises to 46% in Malta.

This make the Maltese the most likely among EU 28 citizens to mention urban problems as one of their main environmental anxieties.

In this survey, which included 500 Maltese residents, respondents were asked to list five environmental problems on which they were concerned.

The top environmental concern of the Maltese remains air quality, a concern mentioned by 65% of Maltese, up from 54% in 2011. 

Concern on air quality remains higher than in most of Europe, with the Maltese being the fourth most likely to mention it as a main problem.

While 56% of all EU respondents mentioned air quality as a main concern, 65% mentioned it in Malta. 

The third most mentioned environmental problem in Malta is the growing amount of waste (45%) followed by water pollution (40%) and the impact of chemicals on health (35%).

30% expressed a concern on the shortage of drinking water while 26% expressed concern on the use of pesticides and fertilisers in agriculture.

Only 17% expressed concern on the extinction of species and their habitats, a concern expressed by 26% of Europeans.

The Maltese are the least concerned in Europe about depletion of natural resources (15%) and consumption habits (14%).

The survey shows that 81% claim that they have separated their waste in the past month but only 36% have reduced waste by avoiding over-packaged goods,

Only 29% compared to 33% of all EU respondents, regard the reduction of waste through smarter purchases as one of the measures one can take in daily life to protect the environment.

Surveys showing air quality as the main concern of the Maltese were reflected in the emphasis on this issue in the Labour Party’s electoral campaign at the expense of other issues, such as over-development.

But the growing concern on problems created by over-development, such as lack of open green spaces and traffic jams may have an impact on future political dynamics.

Studies published after the survey was conducted show that major property developments in Sliema and St Julian’s are bound to exacerbate traffic problems in these areas.

Results showing that only 17% consider issues related to biodiversity as a main concern could also have a bearing on the government’s policies on hunting.

Mounting concern on urban degradation coupled with low concern on biodiversity may also make land reclamation a more attractive option for the government. But with 40% showing concern on water pollution despite the clean status enjoyed by Malta’s surrounding seas, the controlled dumping of construction waste in the sea may result in greater concern on this issue.