In 2019, 1 in 4 (28.3%) Maltese people had a problem with noise in their neighbourhood, ranking first in Europe, according to a study published by Eurostat on Friday.

To many of us, this comes as no surprise.

Malta is not a silent place.

From construction, to traffic filled streets, it is quite hard to get some peace and quiet in this country. Add onto that the fact that some people have loud neighbours in cramped apartment blocks and the situation becomes unbearable at times.

When it comes to construction, sadly there is little people can do. The authorities tend to favour developers in this regard and many a time neighbours will have to live with construction noise for years.

The government cannot really order it to stop altogether. But there are things which it can do which will limit it. As an example, improving planning policies to be stricter in terms of allowable building heights and in denying more types of applications in green areas could be the way forward. From an aesthetic point of view this would most likely be beneficial at the very least. Being able to build a 5-storey building in the middle of a row of two-storey houses invites further construction in the area and results in its uglification.

In addition, creating green open spaces in localities could give residents a place to cut off and simply enjoy nature. Far too often do Malta’s open areas in urban spaces consist of tiles and concrete. This does not create a serene environment.

People need spaces where they can go and just be alone with their thoughts, or perhaps enjoy a little outdoor time with their family in green surroundings. This helps reduce stress levels. Malta also needs more spaces within urban communities where children can play safely, so such areas would also serve this purpose.

In terms of traffic, Malta has way too many cars on the road. The public transport system is just not good enough for people to give up using their personal vehicles. As a result of this, certain areas like Sliema and Birkirkara for example, become traffic hotspots where residents are made to live with fumes and noise all day long. The government then decides to widen roads or build new ones to try and tackle the issue, resulting in noisy road works for a temporary solution.

Malta needs a change in mentality in this regards. We need to move away from using our cars, but for that to happen the government needs to wake up and push in the right direction. Moving towards alternative modes of transport is one such idea. Widening roads is not the way forward long-term.

If we can find ways to solve these issues, residents would be far happier. Perhaps it is time that we start thinking about our quality of life rather than putting too much emphasis on money. There is more to the happiness of a nation than wealth.