The Malta Sociological Association (MSA) notes the public consultation on the development of new national parks, including the proposed transformation of White Rocks into a green public space for recreation and community use. The MSA strongly recommends the incorporation of Social Impact Assessment (SIA) in the planning and management of these spaces.
The International Association for Impact Assessment defines Social Impact Assessment as “the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions and any social change processes invoked by those interventions”. The MSA emphasises that SIA should be an ongoing and participatory process, engaging local communities and diverse user groups over time. Embedding SIA in the development of national parks such as White Rocks would help ensure that these spaces are inclusive, accessible, and socially responsive in the long term.
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