This is quite different from the situation that prevailed until recently where, typically, people’s work, education and recreation would occur within a mile or two of one’s home and which, in turn would also not be more than a stone’s throw away from the residence of one’s parents – typically the family of the wife’s parents in the case of married couples.
Residential mobility is a critical component of modern life in Malta. And the residential prestige associated with certain localities, or neighbourhoods thereof, is one important driver towards the selection of one’s home. The ‘status issue’ has been placed in stark relief of late with (1) the planning policy shift in favour of high rise buildings; and (2) the purchase or renting of property by immigrants and foreign workers.
The seminar will kick off with a presentation by Professor David M. Boswell who will review the background and results of Malta’s first and only study of residential mobility and prestige, carried out by the Department of Sociology at the University of Malta in 1978-79 among respondents selected from a cluster stratified sample of four-localities: Senglea (old, working class); Fgura (new, working class); Sliema (old, middle class) and Misraħ Kola, Attard (new, middle class).
The seminar will then discuss the implications of both the automobile revolution and locality prestige on residential choice.
