Valletta Region (Malta)

Malta can be considered an island with one main urban area (the Valletta Region). The Valletta Region developed from the agglomeration of a number of towns and villages, each with their own centre, which have grown into a continuous urban area. This spatial distribution of town centres in Malta, and the comparison between the extent of urban fabric and pedestrian catchment areas, can trigger a significant potential for walking as a viable and convenient option for daily access to facilities such as health centres, schools, groceries, and other services. In comparison to the other DESTINATIONS sites, the mobility features of the island mostly resemble that of an urban area. Out of all the sites, Malta is the most densely inhabited area with the greatest population density per kilometre. Car ownership rate is the highest (763/1.000 inhabitants) and there is no seasonality in tourism. The mobility challenges are typical of a dense urban area, where around 74% of trips are made by car, whereas only 11% of trips are made by public transport. Bicycle use is also relatively low. 

In recent years, tourism has been increasing year-on-year with a 5,2% increase just between 2018 and 2019. In 2017, there were 2.314.596 inbound tourists, 2.633.919 in 2018 and 2.771.888 in 2019.This in turn continues to congest roads that are already operating at capacity. While private car ownership and usage is on the increase, public transport patronage has, after many years of decline, seen an encouraging positive trend in patronage.

Fast Facts

493,559 (2018)

Population

1,867 inhab/km2 (2019)

Population density

Malta after DESTINATIONS

Cleaner and more energy efficient logistics industry 

  • + 1 goods electric van, 2019 to 2020;
  • + 7 businesses participating in the consolidated transport of goods pilot, 2019 to 2020;
  • - 156 trips using internal combustion engine vehicles, shifted to consolidated trips with the electric goods van;
  • - 532,95kg of CO2, - 0,023 tonnes in PM emissions and - 5,38 tonnes in NOx emissions with the new electric shared van,2019 to 2020;

More sustainable transport options for tourists

  • + 2 electric passenger vans, 2020;
  • + 1 bike-sharing station, 2020;
  • + 2 Green Mobility Plans – development and implementation, 2020;
  • - 3.173kg CO2 emissions, 2020.

Better connections and cleaner public transport

  • + 1 circular bus route facilitating the connection between land and sea transport (with a rise in average occupancy from 5,75 in 2018 to 9,97 in 2019), 2017 to 2020;
  • + 1 electric passenger van providing on demand transport, 2019 to 2020;
  • A modal shift towards more sustainable transport options:  3% increase in public transport; 4% decrease in car rental.

 

Comprehensive Plans: SUMP (Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan) and SULP (Sustainable Urban Logistic Plan) – with action plans for the short, medium, and long term for the promotion of sustainable mobility and the improvement in freight operations.

Future activities

The DESTINATIONS Project has showcased encouraging results for greener and more sustainable transport in Malta. The promotional material created throughout the project will be used to raise further acceptance and awareness of shared mobility services. 

The local partners are committed to continue working on the identified actions to improve the transport system and provide sustainable mobility solutions for residents and tourists alike. This will be exemplified through the finalisation of the SUMP and the eventual implementation of measures which seek to improve the mobility experience of residents and tourists. 

The value of green mobility and sustainability have been highlighted within the tourism industry thanks to the DESTINATIONS Project. The possibility of turning the Green Mobility Hotel Award into a recurring award at national level using the comprehensive competition guidelines and evaluation criteria that were drawn up under the DESTINATIONS project, will be explored.

Projects

Mobility solutions

Resources

Latest

Partners

Malta Ministry Tourism logo
.eu web awards
covenantofmayors.eu
eltis
EPOMM
European Mobility Week
managenergy
Smart Cities Marketplace
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