/library/oar/handle/123456789/46012 2025-11-12T13:28:48Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/50002 Title: Objective determinants of modal choice among university students : a case study of the University of Malta Abstract: Global car-use trends within developed countries indicate a gradual decline in individual car use among the university student demographic in recent years, yet the University of Malta casestudy context appears to be immune to this effect. With individual car use still as high as 50.3% and soft mode use as low as 2.8% for cycling and 17.2% for walking, Maltese university students appear to be opposing this global trend. This study delves into concepts of student mobility, travel behaviour and modal choice theory in order to investigate the objective determinants of the transport modal choice decision among the student population at the University of Malta. Twenty scoping interviews were carried out and analysed through a deductive approach to content analysis in order to gain a better understanding of the factors influencing the travel behaviour of UM students. Furthermore, the quantitative, statistical analysis of 413 online questionnaires was carried out in order to assess the influence of select objective determinants from literature against the modal choice of UM students. Results from a multinomial logistic regression parsimonious model indicate the following factors (by order of strongest to weakest) to be the most influential determinants influencing the modal choice decision of UM students: walking distance, average travel time, possession of a driving license, access to a bicycle, gender, access to trip information, access to a personal vehicle, age, nationality and possession of ‘Tallinja’ card (subsidised bus pass). Furthermore, when analysed individually, the following determinants were observed to influence the modal choice decision albeit at a lower intensity than the previously mentioned predictors: employment situation, average annual income, outgoing departure time, type of after-university activities during the return journey and the availability of a direct bus route from home. Finally, a number of overarching influences on student modal choice at UM were also identified with the most significant being the influence that living at home has on students’ modal choice. Description: M.A.GEOGRAPHY 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/46257 Title: Coming home? : a qualitative study of return migration to Gozo Abstract: Return migration is a part of the migration’s complex cycle. In part it is a continuing journey for an improved lifestyle and a movement by which emigration from the home country to a host country is followed by a return to the home country. This dissertation addresses Gozitan citizens who relocated to their ancestral homeland, and it explores the reasons for their relocation. It focuses on the transitory period upon arrival that respondents experienced and their aspect of ‘duality’. Using qualitative research methodologies, semi-structured interviews were held in Gozo with 25 respondents (twelve women and thirteen men), who lived in Australia, the U.S. or Canada and returned home. The latter together with the case studies from other countries in Europe, attempt to provide an understanding into the multi-layered issues of return migration and emphasize the roles of transitions and duality. The findings reveal that the main reason for leaving Gozo was economical, as Gozo was experiencing serious unemployment. However this move was not an easy one and in fact along their migration cycle, returnees experienced both enjoyable experiences and hardship. Coming face to face with different religious beliefs and new social norms, returnees were influenced and they had to adapt to these new social norms of the host country. During their stay in the host country, Gozitans frequented, clubs and associations formed by Gozitan and Maltese migrants where they could meet and interact with each other and exchange their everyday experiences and problems. Interacting with fellow Maltese and Gozitans enabled them to keep practising their mother culture and maintain their duality. As time went by migrants started to return back to Gozo due to social attachments and strong family ties. This process of return migration can be reflected in the many house name plaques and house façade stone decorations in the island of Gozo. Participants were grateful to their host country for recovering them from the material deprivation of Gozo. As it is pointed out and suggested throughout the dissertation more support and recognition is being and should be given to these returned migrants. Description: M.A.GEOGRAPHY 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/46255 Title: A socio-spatial study of perceptions and attitudes towards immigrants Abstract: The Maltese Islands have recently been experiencing an influx of immigrants. This may give rise to intergroup tensions, ultimately evoking perceptions of threats in members of host communities, leading to negative attitudes toward immigrants. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly vital to address this issue. The purpose of this study is to investigate Maltese and Gozitans' general perceptions and attitudes towards immigrants, and to determine the underlying factors for such characteristics. Using the Chi-squared test, this study analysed the association between individual-level and contextual-level factors, and perceptions and attitudes towards immigrants. Perceptions towards immigrants were largely found to be neutral. Concerning attitudes, the Maltese Islands' population tends to have a positive attitude towards cultural diversity whilst at the same time favouring more restrictionist immigration policies. With regards to determinants, contact was found to play the greatest role in positively relating to pro-immigrant attitudes; while contrarily, being middle aged, unemployed and of a low education level, reduces tolerance towards immigrants. Further justifying contact‟s positive impact, results demonstrate that living in ethno-culturally diverse areas implies more positive attitudes towards immigrants through increased contact opportunities. This study contributes to the scarce literature examining perceptions and attitudes towards immigrants in the Maltese Islands, and the determinants for such characteristics. Such approach is significant for decision makers in order to alleviate and if possibly eliminate any negative perceptions and attitudes toward immigrants. This is crucial for effective integration, especially given that diversity resulting from immigration is expected to continue to increase in the coming years. Description: B.A.(HONS)GEOGRAPHY 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/46222 Title: The impacts of sea level rise and storm derived flooding on coastal town businesses : a case study on : Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Birżebbuġa, and Imsida Abstract: This study aims to assess the impact of sea level rise and storm-derived flooding as evaluated by local councils and the business community. It attempts to analyse any plans held by local councils and businesses operators in relation to sea level rise and coastal flooding. A mixed method approach was used while conducting interviews and scrutinizing the data collected. Interviews were held with the coastal local councils of Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Imsida, and Birżebbuġa and with forty businesses establishments within these localities. Business questionnaires were distributed as follows: 10 in Marsaskala, 14 in Marsaxlokk, 6 in Imsida, and 10 in Birżebbuġa. The quantitative data was analysed and presented in graphs and the qualitative data was analysed by the process of thematic analysis. The results highlighted that all local councils are aware about sea level rise, but not all acknowledge it as a threat to their respective towns. As for contingency plans, three out of four councils have no plans whatsoever. Looking at the business scenario, not all business owners have heard about sea level rise and storm derived flooding with the majority did not take into consideration the risk that projected sea level rise may bring upon their businesses both prior to setting up the business and for current operations. Moreover, none of the business operators have any plans to combat sea level rise. The researcher recommends that plans, policies, and strategies should be immediately drawn up and implemented from the local council perspective and that entrepreneurs should start developing their own plans and strategies. Description: B.A.(HONS)GEOGRAPHY 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z