Regional Cultural Cooperation Programme
With people living longer than ever before and social isolation on the rise many in Europe and beyond are asking how can the quality of life for older people be improved? At the level of the Port Region’s localities, this question is extremely pertinent considering the findings of the social impact assessment. The assessment, covering the 2023-2024 period revealed several significant social trends that include a declining population, an ageing demographic and a higher proportion of elderly residents compared to the rest of Malta. Overall, the Region has a larger share of older adults relative to the working age population when compared to the National average.
These challenges are further intensified by rising housing costs and ongoing gentrification, which have displaced long-time residents—most notably in areas such as Floriana and Birgu. Compounding this are issues like heavy traffic and limited transport options, which have contributed to a growing sense of dissatisfaction among the region’s older population while hindering their participation in the cultural and artistic life of the Islands. At a more granular level, insights shared by stakeholders and community leaders during various Valletta Community Network meetings have brought to light additional concerns not fully captured by the formal assessment. These include restricted mobility caused by infrastructure that fails to meet the needs of older adults, and a deepened sense of social isolation that has lingered in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many older community members who were once active participants in local networks now find themselves largely confined to their homes, held back by lingering fears, disillusionment, and a profound sense of disconnection from a world that has evolved beyond their recognition. Ongoing ethnographic research conducted in the lead-up to the Birgu 2031 European Capital of Culture bid underscores this divide. It reveals the stark contrast between contemporary digital life—with its distinct skills, languages, and norms—and the industrial, socially grounded realities in which many of these individuals were raised and to which they adapted over decades. This disconnect is particularly pronounced among those whose personal histories and identities remain deeply rooted in the Dockyard and its surrounding communities.
n addition to the Region’s long-standing elderly population, it is also important to acknowledge that, given current national trends and demands, many residents in care homes located in areas such as Isla, Floriana, Paola, Ħaż-Żabbar, Tarxien, and Fgura are likely to have come from outside the region. As a result, they may lack a sense of connection to their new environment. This highlights the continued importance of placemaking—even in later life—as fostering a sense of residential belonging has been shown to positively impact health and overall well-being.
