Malta has experienced rapid change and economic development over the last few decades which have dramatically altered our landscape and our quality of life. Truly so, because at just 316 square kilometres, Malta is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in the world. In recent years, the nation has experienced rapid demographic changes that have led to what can be coined as Malta’s urban challenge. A significant spike in both permanent residency and tourism has led to an effective population size that far exceeds its geographical and resource limitations. Over a decade, Malta’s resident population increased from 425,000 to over 545,000. A growth which has raised red flags regarding the island’s capacity to sustain such a population boom.
A population challenge which has inevitably led to a severe stress on the island’s sewage infrastructure and on its energy and water supplies. A population boom which has also led to an urban sprawl that continues to consume green spaces and agricultural land.
A population strain that has also seen the total amount of waste generated in Malta has doubled over the last 12 years. A trend which is primarily driven by the largest waste category, namely mineral waste from construction and demolition.
A strain which is also directly impacting on access to property. The 8th edition of the Construction Industry and Property Market report highlights the fact that the overall average price for apartments currently stands at around EUR 374,000. And whilst apartment prices are on the increase, the report notes that property sizes are becoming smaller.
More concerning is the fact that based on such commercial rates for apartments a number of first time buyers with a specific yearly income will currently face difficulties in acquiring a property and are likely to encounter limitations in terms of location and property size. A very concerning reality when one keeps in mind that one in six workers in Malta earn less than EUR1,000 a month, and more than 2,300 full-time workers earn the minimum wage of just EUR835 per month. More concerning when one also keeps in mind that 17% of Malta’s population are at risk of poverty. This alarming reality for low pay earners is not limited to access to property for sale but also to the residential rental market.
So, where do we go from here?
Government has not remained passive. It has over the past decade acted through direct measures including the upgrade of roads and the implementation of many of the most critical infrastructural priorities specified in the 2025 Transport Master Plan. Government has invested in various projects focusing on the creation of new spaces, the restoration of existing gardens, and the transformation of abandoned or concreted village areas into green spaces. It has also invested in social initiatives such as Vjal Kulħadd .
On the other hand, the second interconnector project the major enhancements to the national water supply are aimed at addressing the ongoing water and electricity challenges faced by our island.
Over the past five years, there has been steady and consistent growth in organic waste collection, thanks in part to several government initiatives, such as the launch of a new national waste collection schedule and the recent announcement of a new organic processing plant. It has also intervened through regulation with measures including the introduction of 17 building and construction codes over three years.
Government has in recent years also acknowledged the fact that the urban challenge is not a matter he can address alone. A collective effort which was gradually introduced in the daily waste separation process and recently with the introduction of incentives under the Reshaping Our Mobility initiative aimed at reducing the number of cars on our roads.
Yet Malta’s urban agenda requires more. Truly so, because Malta’s Urban Challenge is more than just a buzz word. Malta’s Urban Challenge is more, or better should not be a political tool. It is a priority which needs to be addressed effectively to ensure the well-being of the current and future generations.
In order to do so, we need strategic urban planning that balances land use and transportation to support sustainable economic growth while preserving natural, cultural, and historical heritage. And in order to achieve such goal, what was voiced nearly two decades ago by the Malta’s chamber of architects in their paper called ‘The Urban Challenge: Our Quality of Life and Built Environment’ is relevant more than ever. Indeed, “If we want the best for our successors, we cannot afford to be complacent. Neither can we afford quick-fix solutions or grand projects that have no relation to a wider overall context.” Relevant more than ever is a quote in that document by the well-known architect J. Quentin Hughes who in 1969 had said:
“If Malta accepts laissez-faire development, the whole island will be obliterated by buildings. And this will take very little time. It will happen unless the planners, architects and the legislators take action very soon.”
Malta’s urban agenda requires an infrastructural plan where the private sector has a key role to play. As noted during the recent ‘Build and Share: Sustaining Malta’s Growth’ event organised by EY Malta, in collaboration with The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry and Times of Malta, we need to consider two key frameworks. Firstly, a Build Framework, where public and private players collaborate, and a Share Framework, which foster synergies and sharing among private entities that can lead to more efficient use of resources, and unlock economies of scale benefits. It also requires a collective effort where each and one of us has a role to play.
To address the island’s urban challenge, we also need to create what was once noted by Bernard Stiegler, “a new urban intelligence, using digital platforms to organize local debate and give residents the ability to seize the technological future of their city.”
Malta’s urban agenda requires a cultural change in the way we think, act, and perceive our surroundings. It demands decisions driven not by the “me” but by the “we”—bold, visionary choices that transcend political narratives and short-term gains. We must be courageous, working toward long-term objectives that safeguard our island’s future. As a leading institution committed to fostering sustainable development, effective governance, and strategic leadership, the Malta Institute of Management (MIM) recognises that Malta’s urban challenges cannot be solved in isolation. They require collaboration, innovation, and a shared sense of responsibility among policymakers, business leaders, urban planners, and civil society.