National Strategic Reference Framework

MALTA – National Strategic Reference Framework 2007-2013 Draft Document for Consultation
2.4.6 Urban Development
The urban fabric in the Maltese Islands plays an important role in the development of
society and the economy. The Maltese archipelago has one of the highest densities of
cultural heritage sites in the world. The country’s rich repertoire of cultural heritage
include the oldest free standing megalithic buildings in the world, one of the most
extensive and complex systems of fortifications and a remarkable concentration of
baroque art and architecture. Government’s strategic objectives focus on the regeneration
and rehabilitation both in terms of continuously upgrading the urban environment of
localities in the country as well as conserving, restoring and safeguarding the unique
heritage sites found in the Maltese Islands.
2.4.7 Challenges
Malta’s primary environmental challenges are identified by the State of the Environment
Report 2005. These include the need to enhance the environmental and economic
sustainability of future electricity generation, the need to continue efforts at achieving
compliance with EU legislation - particularly in areas of water and waste management –
the protection of bio-diversity including the coastal zones, the need to mitigate the impact
of economic activity on the environment (also including issues related to land use and the
restoration and conservation of cultural heritage) and the strengthening of the country’s
monitoring capacity. Challenges for the energy sector relate to measures aimed at
improving efficiency - including distribution - as well as the further assessment of the
application of renewable energy sources.
2.5 Human Resources Development
Government is well aware that human resource development is a determinant factor to
economic growth and development. Human capital is crucial to the country’s ability to
compete in the high-value-added, knowledge intensive markets that are the key to the
country’s future prosperity. Government believes that a highly skilled workforce is the
product of life-long education which starts from early childhood - through effective
primary and secondary schooling – continues with vocational or tertiary education and
which is subsequently followed up by continuous life-long professional training process.
Public expenditure on education as a percentage of GDP amounts to approximately 6.5
per cent and there is an ongoing commitment and process to improve and upgrade the
quality of education system in Malta. All three year old children have access to
kindergarten services. A new national curriculum inspires a new vision and strategy in
primary and secondary schooling. Government has embarked on a ten-year multi-million
project to build new and upgrade State schools. In 2001, a vocational College, the Malta
College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), was established resulting in an
increase of around 35.0 per cent (until 2004) in student participation take up of postsecondary
courses. Investment in infrastructure and resources have been undertaken in