The issue of carrying capacity studies has come to the fore again, and it is a proposal which one hopes would find general agreement across the board.

There were two developments in this regard this week. Opposition Leader Bernard Grech said that its local councillors will be presenting a motion in every council where they are elected, requesting official scientific studies on the carrying capacity of their localities. The aim of these studies is to determine what infrastructure investment is necessary in each locality to ensure sustainable development and to maintain the quality of life that every citizen deserves, the PN said.

Another development was the news, issued by the Sliema Residents Association, that "at the next Sliema Local Council meeting, a ground-breaking motion proposed by PL Councillor Ryan Borg to commission a carrying capacity study will be raised," although it went on to mention that a PN councillor had said that the Council can't afford such a study as its €1,073,118 working capital is already allocated to other projects.

Carrying capacity studies in every locality, especially in those localities which are densely built or are heavy tourism zones, would be beneficial. Such studies, determining the maximum sustainable population size of an area, would help in refining policies for areas that are approaching or already past what is considered sustainable, help indicate where infrastructural upgrades could be needed, and the list goes on. These studies should also take into account tourism numbers.

Malta is a small island with finite space, yet it is facing overpopulation issues, especially in some particular areas. Taking over green space to build more is no longer an option, we have to defend what is left. An economic shift to an economy that does not require so many workers is needed, but in the meantime there are things that can be done to ease any negative impacts that densely built areas could be facing.

Carrying capacity studies could help local councils, as well as central national authorities, refine policies for the benefit of residents in those localities, such as those regarding planning for instance.

Perhaps the study could also look at ways to help mitigate negative effects in areas where the maximum is surpassed and make proposals, and make proposals for localities in general which could improve the quality of life. For instance, perhaps the study could be widened to include recommendations for new infrastructure, recommendations for new open spaces to counter dense urbanisation, or even perhaps the need for more public cleansing operations if it is needed for instance. This could also help result in more individualised plans for each locality.

One hopes that councillors from all parties would be on board with this idea, which should not be a partisan issue. It is an opportunity for both major political parties to come together. Those councils which currently lack the finances to carry out such a study, perhaps could get some funding from central government, after all it would be beneficial for all residents.