Literature review (first draft)

1.1   The Capital – Male’

The capital Male’ is located on the southern edge of North Male atoll. The island is approximately 1.97 square kilometres big and is considered the center of development in the country. Male’ has a tropical wet and dry climate with an average high of 30 degree Celsius and an average low of 27 degree Celsius. The island is just 1.5 meters above sea level and lacks the signature white sandy beaches at the sea front. The island of Male’ is further sub divided in four areas; Henveiru, Maafanu, Galolhu and Machangoalhi.

One third of the population of the whole country and approximately 30000 foreign workers call this small island home. The huge number of people has resulted in lot of social, economical and environmental issues in the island. Male is considered a developed island with paved roads, adequate education and health care, but the absence of proper housing is a massive problem faced by the people living in Male.

Housing is a very important factor to have a balance in life. According to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation ‘It (housing) provides a foundation for obtaining employment, for raising children, and for building relationships with neighbours and broader community. Dwelling units that are well maintained and suited to the needs of occupants contribute to general health, well being, and social interaction. Housing that is affordable leaves households with sufficient financial resources to participate fully in the community at large. Households unable to access good housing are potentially at a disadvantage from a variety of perspectives’. But when we look into Male today, the said disadvantages are very much visible.

There are several types of housing found in Male’. Privately owned apartments and houses, rented apartments by private owners and apartment flats provided by the government on a rental basis. Most of the buildings are built vertically to a maximum height of 11 storeys. However there are a few houses that are just one or two storey high. Most of the privately owned tower blocks are small in size mostly due to the concept of land dividing among inheritors.

The limitations in the land have made it very difficult to find a solution for the overcrowding issues faced in Male. It has made the island a concrete jungle filled with small tower blocks with no green space. Construction has become one of the main industries in the country and has been a contributor to the environmental threats. There is no sound policy adapted by the government on the overcrowding issue. More apartment towers are built by the government to be awarded to registered citizens of Male only. However this does not have much of an impact on the crowding issue because as per the 2000 Census nearly 50% of the population is people who have migrated from other islands.

As per a survey done by the Human Rights commission the continuing increase in population and decline in land availability has resulted in an increase in the rents and value of land making it unaffordable to most of the working class people. It also showed that most of the participants pay 85% of their income on rent and utilities. The life of Male citizens is a circle of paying rent and utilities which has resulted in a lot of social problems between the families and the community itself.

The citizens do not have an economical stability and most people settle in apartments that are not adequate enough for the family due to the high rents and utility bills. As per a study done in 2002 titled ‘Urban Poverty study’ by Aslam M shakir (prepared for Ministry of National Planning and Development, with the assistance of UNFPA) 60% of households are overcrowded where the average of 2.97 people per sleeping room. The lack for privacy and comfort in their own homes has resulted in lot of social catastrophes in the island. In addition to the social problems overcrowding results in health and safety issues as well.

For a crowded island, Male is considered a clean and well maintained island. The roads are clean yet small with lack of parking to the huge number of motor vehicles found. It is a small island but the people in Male use motorbikes and cars as a main form of transportation rather than walking.