Exploring the impact of the Maltese National Planning Framework on the natural and built environment to achieve sustainable development

The research explores the impact of Malta's National Planning Framework (NPF) on sustainable development. It aims to identify how the NPF shapes the built and natural environments to promote sustainability. The study addresses key issues such as environmental degradation, political influences, economic growth, and societal well-being, which are critical for understanding urban planning's role in Malta's sustainable development. Objectives include analysing the international role of NPFs in developing benchmarks, assessing urban development and environmental outcomes, and examining national urban policy discourse. The theoretical framework employs Foucault's concept of governmentality to examine how power relations and governance strategies influence sustainability initiatives. This perspective provides a lens to analyse how policy discourses shape urban and environmental planning. Methodologically, the research integrates qualitative and quantitative approaches. Data collection involved thematic analysis of case studies, media articles, documentation, site visits, observations, interviews, and surveys to comprehensively evaluate the NPF's effectiveness in promoting sustainable development. Key findings demonstrate the substantial impact of governmentality principles on Malta's planning and urban development. This study unveils new insights into the pervasive issues hindering effective urban planning, including the minimal civic engagement and the prevailing influence of political and economic agendas that often lead to standardised and uninspired urban landscapes. Moreover, the research identifies strategic imperatives crucial for fostering sustainability, such as enhancing spatial integration, harmonising national policies with local urban needs, and effectively utilising Public-Private Partnerships. The analysis underscores substantial gaps in the NPF's implementation and community participation, highlighting an urgent need for more cohesive and inclusive planning methods that carefully balance developmental ambitions with environmental and cultural preservation.