Integrated Cross-Sectorial Plan of Tirana-Durres Area

INTEGRATED, COMPETITIVE, DESTINATION
INTEGRATED CROSS-SECTORIAL PLAN
OF TIRANA-DURRES AREA

INTEGRATED, COMPETITIVE, DESTINATION
INTEGRATED CROSS-SECTORIAL PLAN
OF TIRANA-DURRES AREA

This plan was drafted with the invaluable contribution of a large number of
experts from various fields of economic and social development, as well as
experts of territorial planning, specialists, technicians, employees of state
administration, professors and representatives of various fields of academia,
members of non-profit organizations, business representatives, local
government representatives, and various citizens who contributed, through their
active participation in a number of consultative meetings, to the preparation of
the vision for the development of the metropolitan region Tirana-Durres in the
next 15 years. The plan is the result of the joint contribution and unremitting
efforts of the specialists of the National Territorial Planning Agency (NTPA) and
the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), who worked for almost two years
to finalize this document, which brings forward an integrated framework of the
territorial developments conducted up to date and sets out a long-term quality
development model for the Tirana-Durres region.

Head of Process
Eglantina Gjermeni
Minister of Urban Development
Coordinators
Adelina Greca
Director General
National Territorial Planning Agency
Nertil Jole
Director of Territorial Development Policies
Ministry of Urban Development
Special recognition for his contribution in the drafting of ICSP Tirana-Durres
Hans-Juergen Cassens, GIZ Albania
Team Leader
Deni Klosi
Head of Directorate at the AKPT
Team
Ledio Allkja, Doris Alimerko
Anisa Qorri, Shpendi Balilaj, Bledi Dimo, Eleana Beruka, Ismail Broli, Mikel Tanini
Technical planning consultants
Angelo D'Urso, international technical consultant on urban planning
Wilhelm Schulte, planning expert, former General Director of Urban and Landscape Planning at
the Ministry of Urban Development and Environment, Hamburg, GIZ
Jan Drews, planning expert, Director of Berlin-Brandenburg Planning Department
Printed: Printing house PEGI
ISBN 978-9928-248-35-0

TABLE OF CONTENTS
10 Acronyms
11 Glossary
13 List of tables, figures, maps
16 Legal background
17 Structure of the document
1 2
20 Introduction 42 SWOT analysis,
territorial systems
21 1.1 Economic profile of the
and development
region
scenarios
36
1.2 Combination of the
national plans
42
2.1 SWOT analysis
38
1.3 Coordination of the plan
44
2.2 Conclusions
44
2.3 Goals and principles
45
2.4 Territorial systems
45
2.5 Territorial sevelopment
scenarios

3 4
52 Vision and strategic
objectives
68 Regional development
policies
52
55
59
59
Vision
3.1 Regional competitiveness
development strategy
3.2 Strategic objectives
SO1. Sustainable economic
development
69
70
71
71
4.1 Economic development
policies
EP1- Develop service
economy
EP1.1- Territorial component
EP1.2- Human component
59
SO2. Improve the quality of
life in urban and rural centers
71
EP2- Regional knowledge and
innovation network
60
60
SO3. Improve infrastructure,
transport and mobility in the
region
SO4. Protect and improve
the quality of the natural
environment
74
74
74
EP3- Develop SMEs and
entrepreneurship
EP3.1- Develop human
capacities
EP3.2- Enterprise interaction
networks for innovation
76
EP3.3- Territorial
development of SMEs
78
EP4- Regional incubators
and clusters
78
EP4.1- Regional incubators

TABLE OF CONTENTS
81
EP4.2- Develop
economic clusters
122
UP5- Comprehensive regional
community spaces
90
EP5- Territorial economic
development
122
UP6- Energy efficiency in
buildings
94
94
EP6- Regional branding and
tourism
EP6.1- Tourism as added value
124
124
UP7- Urban mobility network
UP7.1- Biking and walking
94
EP6.2- Service tourism
127
4.3 Rural development policies
98
EP6.3- City and weekend
tourism
128
RP1- Territorial zoning and
consolidation of agricultural
land
108
4.2 Urban development
policies
131
RP1.1- Consolidation and use of
agricultural land
108
113
UP1- Policentism and
hierarchization of urban
centres
UP1.1- Public services
132
132
RP2- Consolidation of rural
centres
RP2.1- Rural services and
community development
113
114
116
119
120
120
121
UP2- Consolidation of urban
centres
UP2.1- Densification of urban
centres
UP2.2- Regeneration of urban
poles
UP3- Integration of informal
areas
UP4- Accommodation and
social housing
UP4.1- Accomodation
UP4.2- Social housing
133
135
136
137
138
138
RP3- Rural economic
development and regional
agricultural poles
RP3.1- Support activities
for agricultural economic
development
RP3.2- Product regionalization
RP3.3- Innovation in agroindustry
and agro-environment
RP4- Economic development of
private farms and cooperatives
RP4.1- Restructuring of
agricultural farms

138
139
RP4.2- Opportunities
for cooperation – the
establishment of private
cooperatives
RP5- Development of the food
chain
151
151
153
TP7- Infrastructure, energy
and telecommunication
TP7.1- Underground
infrastructure
TP7.2- Energy infrastructure
141
142
RP6- Rural regional tourism
RP7- Branding and marketing
of rural areas
153
TP7.3- Electronic
communication infrastructure
/ ICT
143
143
143
RP8- Transport in rural areas
RP9- Environment and
renewable energy
RP9.1- The environment
155
156
4.5 Environmental
development policies
EP1- Conservation of natural
landscape (natural and
environmental heritage)
143
145
145
146
147
148
RP9.2- Renewable energy
4.4 Transport and
infrastructure development
policies
TP1- Strategic regional road
networks
TP2- Multimodal system and
interurban public transport
TP2.1- Regional multimodal
mobility
TP3- Railway mobility
158
159
161
162
164
166
EP2- Protection and
management of surface and
ground water resources
EP3- Green infrastructure
EP4- Risk management from
natural disasters
EP5- Regional waste
management
EnP6- Climate change
EP7- Monitoring environmental
quality
149
TP4- Traffic management
150
TP5- Freight mobility
150
TP6- Bicycle mobility regional
itineraries

TABLE OF CONTENTS
5
170 Strategic projects
regulations
170
182
188
SP1. Economic development
SP2. Urban development
SP3. Rural development
6
214 Territorial land use
regulations
214
217
TR1- Urban centres
consolidation
TR2- Sustainable urban
neighbourhoods and blocks
198
SP4. Transport and
infrastructure development
219
TR3- Development of energy
efficiency in buildings
208
SP5. Environmental
development
219
221
TR4- Mobility in urban
centres
TR5- Consolidation and
regeneration of urban centres
223
224
226
229
TR6- Development of the
regional agricultural poles
TR7- Corridors and areas of
economic development
TR8- Development of poles
with a touristic and relaxing
character
TR9- Regional strategic road
networks
231
TR10- Infrastructure, energy
and telecommunication
232
TR11- Protection and
development of the spaces
and environmental ecosystem

7
236 Monitoring
implementation,
evaluation and
indicators
236
7.1 The legal context of plan
monitoring
244 Bibliography
254 Appendix
259 Additional Maps
237
7.2 Monitoring indicators

Acronyms
B2B Business to Business
BID Business Improvement District
CBD Central Business District
CMD Council of Ministers Decision
COP Conference of Parties
DLP Detailed Local Plan
DPANI Detailed Plan for Areas of National
Importance
EcP Economic Policies
EnP Environmental Policies
FDI Foreign Direct Investment
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GHG Greenhouse Gas
GIS Geographic Information System
GLP General Local Plan
GNP General National Plan
GPS Global Positioning System
GVA Gross Value Added
GVC Global Value Chains
IBI Innovation Based Incubators
ICSP Integrated Cross-Sectoral Plan
ICT Information and Communion
Technology
INSTAT Institute of Statistics of the Republic
of Albania
IPA Instrument for Pre-accession
Assistance
ITS Intelligent Transport Systems
LCAC Local Civic Advisory Commission
LGU Local Government Unit
MARDWA Ministry of Agriculture, Rural
Development and Water Administration
MEDTTE Ministry of Economic Development,
Tourism, Trade and Entrepreneurship
MEI Ministry of Energy and Industry
MEI Ministry of European Integration
MoES Ministry of Education and Sports
MFA Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MIA Ministry of Internal Affairs
MoIPA Minister of State for Innovation and
Public Administration
MoC Ministry of Culture
MoF Ministry of Finance
MoH Ministry of Health
MoJ Ministry of Justice
MoSLI Minister of State for Local Issues
MoSWY Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth
MoTI Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure
MoUD Ministry of Urban Development
NAP National Adaptation Plan
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NPO Non-Profit Organization
NSDI National Strategy for Development
and Integration
NTPA National Territorial Planning Agency
OECD Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development
PPP Public-Private Partnership
SME Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
SO Strategic Objectives
SOA Service Oriented Architecture
SWOT Strength, Weakness, Opportunities,
Threats
R&D Research and Development
RDF Regional Development Fund
RIS3 Research and Innovation Strategies
for Smart Specialisation
RP Rural Policies
RRR Reduction, Reuse, Recycling
TOD Transit Oriented Development
TP Transport (and infrastructure) Policies
UP Urban Policies
10

Glossary
“Buffer zone” – is an intermediate territory
that extends between two or more areas, in
order to divide and / or protect one or more
of them, as appropriate. The buffer zones are
designed to reinforce the protection of a given
territory.
“Branding” – is the process through which a
unique communication and image is created
for a particular product or place, highlighting
their core values and distinctive features.
“Benchmark” – is a term used in many fields
to mark the highest standard that can be
achieved, or to set a comparative standard.
“Landmark” – is a reference point in the
territory.
“Global value chains” – includes the full range
of activities required to deliver a product from
the concept, design, raw material, marketing,
distribution to the customer assistance
stages. The term is widely used when activities
require cross-border coordination in the era of
globalization.
“Development pole” – is the territorial space
that includes one or more territorial structural
units identified by the ICSPs, as polycentric
development centres of the region, with a
focus on one or several sectors.
“Hub” – is considered to be a centre or nod
that is active regarding economic exchanges,
which serves to a region or primary centre
(under the new hierarchical system).
“Polycentric development” – refers to the
process that promotes the cooperation of
cities and regions with each other and the
surrounding territories in order to identify
strong connection points and complementary
potentials that bring an added value to
the economic development that cannot be
achieved by isolated cities or regions
(ESPON 2016).
“Urban Cluster” – is the continuous built
surface of an area, mainly central, of a city or
village or even urbanized suburbs. In the same
sense, terms such as urban agglomeration
or urbanized units are used, depending on
the statistical parameters or geographical
methodology used to classify them.
“Triple helix concept” – shows the shift
from the industry-government binomial,
where the economy was based upon in
the industrialization era, to the universityindustry
/ business-sector trinomial era of the
knowledge-based society
“Quad helix concept” – is the most advanced
stage of the ‘triple helix’ concept where it is
assumed that interaction can be more efficient
if four actors are involved in the innovation
process: the public-industry sector / businessuniversity-
civil society.
“Knowledge based economy” – an economy
based on the development of human
capacities, technology and innovation.
“Green economy” – an economy based
on activities that do not prejudice the
environment.
“Economic corridor” – continuous linear area
with concentration of economic activities.
“Cluster” – are presented as a geographical
concentration of firms and related
institutions in sectors and sub-branches
of complementary industries, promoting
exchanges and activities to create added value
in products, services or platforms; in trade and
economy. Clusters develop co-operation and
competitiveness of firms, and accelerate the
spread of regional innovation
Geographic concentration or grouping of
economies and institutions, interconnected
in a particular field, with common elements
and externalities. (Based on the definition
of Michael E. Porter, On competitiveness.)
Or otherwise, regional agglomeration of
industries and services located in territorial
proximity. (EC Communication, Towards
world-class clusters in the European Union:
Implementing the broad-based innovation
strategy - {SEC (2008) 2637}, 17.10.2008, p.3).
11

“Incubation” – is an instrument to support
economic development and entrepreneurs in
shaping new businesses, ensuring a profitable
and sustainable activity.
“Incubator” – is a space where business ideas
and projects are incubated and marketed. In
this space are developed new entrepreneurs,
by creating appropriate conditions, facilities
and expertise to address the needs of
developing their ideas.
“Urban consolidation” – is the process of
urban growth and development in compact
areas that promote smart concentration and
densification, supported by quick access and
public services for all social groups.
The purpose of consolidation is to conserve
peripheral (peri-urban) areas from the
development of uncontrolled housing, as well
to reduce the ecological footprint of urban
centres.
“Consolidation of agricultural land” –
is a planned rearrangement of plots of
agricultural land and their ownership. This
instrument is usually applied to form larger
agricultural parcels and is more efficient
in use. Land consolidation can be used to
improve rural infrastructure and promote the
implementation of rural and environmental
development policies.
“Food Chain” – is a series of activities
starting from production up to the sale of
food products. The food chain includes all
stakeholders from whom it develops, farmers
and companies from production to sale.
“From farm to table” – is the network link
of actors that promote and encourage the
efficiency of local food chain service.
is the promotion of small local businesses and
the bio food system.
“Peri-urban areas” – means urban peripheral
areas under high urbanisation pressure
(including formal or informal urbanisation
development) and where such pressure from
development and urban activities has a strong
impact on land use.
“Agriculture areas” – means areas under
strong rural impact, focused on the
development of agriculture and where main
income is generated from agriculture.
“Natural-agricultural, marginal areas” – have
a poor agricultural development structure or
a dispersed urbanisation development (formal
or informal) with a focus on the opportunities
to support agriculture as back up areas of
agriculture and nature.
“Free natural areas and environmental
protected areas” – comprise the peripheral
part of the rural and urban pressure impact,
which should be protected and preserved from
urban and rural developments.
“Tirana-Durres metropolitan region” –
refers to the area under study that this plan
is being drafted for. This territory appears
as a rural and urban functional area that
exceeds the administrative borders of several
municipalities. Hereinafter, it is referred as
Tirana-Durres region throughout the text.
“Fast food chain” – is the regional food chain
focussed on mass production of agricultural
products that are prepared and served for
mass domestic or global markets.
“Slow food chain” – is the regional food chain
focused on local production, which seeks to
preserve and promote the development of
traditional and regional cuisine. The main goal
12

Tables, Figures, Maps
Tables
Table 1.1 Comparison of Western Balkan Economies - Key Indices
Table 1.2 Economic indicators of Albania compared to Balkan countries and the European Union
Table 1.3 Data on the surface area, population (2014) and projection for 2031
Table 1.4 Projection of the population by 2031
Table 1.5 The structure of GVA of the region by economic sectors, 2012 (in Million ALL)
Table 1.6 The structure of the region GVA by economic sectors, 2012 (in %)
Table 1.7 Employment by sector in the region, 2014
Table 1.8 Registered unemployed jobseekers and relevant education, 2014
Table 1.9 Poverty indicators in the region, 2012 (%)
Table 1.10 Population in poverty according to the number of dependent children, 2012 (%)
Table 4.1 Primary development factors for innovation
Table 4.2 Regional incubators
Table 4.3 Economic poles in the region
Table 4.4 Areas of action in business tourism
Table 4.5 Potentials of the region for weekend tourism
Table 4.6 Natural corridors in tourism development
Table 4.7 Role of urban centres based on the hierarchy
Table 4.8 Urban centres hierarchy division
Table 4.9 Public-private partnership
Table 4.10 Urban regeneration poles
Table 4.11 Informal areas for development and integration
Table 4.12 Poles and areas with development potential for housing
Table 4.13 Peri-urban areas
Table 4.14 Agricultural areas
Table 4.15 Marginal rural areas
Table 4.16 Free natural areas and protected natural areas
Table 4.17 Agriculture functions in rural areas
Table 4.18 Axes of rural-urban regional development
Table 4.19 Cooperation benefits
Table 4.20 Poles of regional market centres to be covered by transport services
Table 4.21 Potentials of the region in tourism
Table 4.22 The poles of rural centres in the tourist axes to be covered by transport services
Table 4.23 Main road axis in the region
Table 4.24 Strategic corridors and multimodal stations
Table 4.25 Railway stations
Tabela 4.26 Logistic poles
Table 4.27 Bicycle axes
Table 4.29 Regional natural reserves
Table 4.28 Natural protected areas and regional and urban parks
13

Table 4.30 Areas at risk
Table 5.1 Strategic projects: Economic development
Table 5.2 Strategic projects: Urban development
Table 5.3 Strategic projects: Rural development
Table 5.4 Strategic projects: Development of transport and infrastructure
Table 5.5 Strategic projects: Environmental protection and development
Table 7.1 Strategic themes
Table 7.2 Economic welfare
Table 7.3 People, urbanization and housing
Table 7.4 Infrastructure and environment
Figures
Figure 1.1 Global Competitiveness Index
Figure 1.2 Comparison of the Tirana-Durres metropolitan region with Belgrade
Figure 1.3 Comparison of the Tirana-Durres metropolitan region with Pristina and Skopje
Figure 1.4 Comparison of the Tirana-Durres metropolitan region with Sarajevo and Zagreb
Figure1.5 Comparison of the Tirana-Durres metropolitan region with Ljubljana
Figure 1.6 Hierarchy of the territorial plans
Figure 1.7 Coordination of the plan
Figure 2.1 Scenario 1
Figure 2.2 Scenario 2
Figure 2.3 Scenario 3
Figure 3.1 Vision statement
Figure 3.2 Structure of the plan
Figure 4.1 Economic development policies
Figure 4.2 Innovation and competition in the economy
Figure 4.3 Public support components
Figure 4.4 What is a development incubator
Figure 4.5 Innovation-based incubators
Figure 4.6 What is an economic cluster
Figure 4.7 Cluster development stages
Figure 4.8 “Triple helix” concept
Figure 4.9 Different dimensions of a cluster and respective policies and / or programs
Figure 4.10 Regional framework of the touristic destination sustainable management
Figure 4.11 Organization and cooperation structure of tourism stakeholders
Figure 4.12 Conceptual model for public-private partnership for the development of regional tourism
Figure 4.13 Urban development policies
Figure 4.14 Sustainable communities
Figure 4.15 Rural development policies
Figure 4.16 Transport and infrastructure development policies
Figure 4.17 Environmental development policies
Figure 4.18 Green and grey infrastructure
14

Maps
Map 1.1 Areas affected by ICSP Tirana-Durres
Map 3.1 Vision as per the Integrated Cross-Sectorial Plan Tirana-Durres
Map 4.1 Economy
Map 4.2 Tourism
Map 4.3 Densification of urban centres
Map 4.4 Urban centres and the territory comprising ICSP Tirana-Durres
Map 4.5 Territorial use in rural areas
Map 4.6 Road infrastructure
Map 4.7 Energy and industry
Map 4.8 Use of natural territories
Map 4.9 Urbanization restriction areas
Map 4.10 Combining infrastructure, urban centres and natural territories
15

Legal Context
The Integrated Cross-sectorial Plan of the
economic area Tirana-Durres is compiled
according to the Law no.107/2014, dated
31/07/2014, “On planning and development
of the territory”, as amended. Article 17,
paragraph 1, stipulates that National Sectorial
Plans are drafted by the ministries, aiming at
the strategic development of one or more of
the various sectors, according to the fields of
competence such as national security, energy,
industry, transport, infrastructure, tourism,
economic zones, education, sports, cultural
and natural heritage, healthcare, agriculture
and water.
Under this context, the General National Plan
has identified Tirana-Durres area as one of
the most important economic areas in the
country and in the Balkan region. To ensure a
sustainable territorial and urban development
of the area, the Ministry of Urban Development
in cooperation with the National Territorial
Planning Agency undertook the initiative to
draft the Integrated Cross-sectorial Plan of the
economic area Tirana-Durres. Based on the
complex features shown by the urban economy
and the territorial morphology, and taking into
account the numerous issues and actions to be
harmonized within it, the plan has been defined
as a cross-sectorial and integrated one.
The authority responsible for drafting the
planning document should ensure a process
of dialogue, cooperation and horizontal
and vertical coordination with all planning
authorities, as well as with stakeholders.
The responsible authority should organize
one or more public meeting sessions and
consultations before any decision-making
related to planning; and may repeat them,
as necessary, with a view to providing full
information to interested parties and resolving
conflicts.
MUD in association with the NTPA have
held a series of meetings and consultations
initially with various state institutions such
as line ministries and agencies and then
with institutions of higher education, where
consultations with universities/faculties
specialized in such fields as economics,
history, geography, geology etc., have been
conducted in order to further strengthen
the cross-sectorial character of the plan for
the metropolitan area of Tirana-Durres. The
general public together with stakeholders,
with whom there have been several thematic
meetings held, have been an integral part of
the consultation process.
Appendix 1 and this publication reflect some
of the consultative meetings of the process of
drafting the Integrated Cross-Sectorial Plan of
the economic area Tirana-Durres.
Pursuant to the legislation in force, the
planning document consists of three key parts:
the Territorial Development Strategy, the Policy
and the Regulation. ICSP of the economic
area Tirana-Durres is associated with a
Strategic Environmental Assessment study,
which will ensure to avoid and minimize the
negative impacts on the territory. The process
of drafting the Strategic Environmental
Assessment is based on a thorough analysis of
territorial, economic, social and environmental
developments of the area Tirana-Durres, which
is presented in a separate document that
preceded the plan.
The legislation in force imposes the obligation
for consultation and coordination during the
process of drafting the planning document.
16

Structure of the document
The document of the Integrated Cross-sectorial Plan of the economic area Tirana-
Durres is structured into seven main chapters.
Chapter I
Presents the introduction of the document, demonstrating the interconnection
and relationship of the ICSP Tirana-Durres with the other two plans of national
importance, namely the National General Plan and Coastal ICSP. Concurrently, this
section outlines the legal requirements for the drafting of the plan and the way it is
governed.
Chapter II
Contains the SWOT analysis and definitions for the five basic territorial systems, such
as Urban, Agricultural, Natural, Water and Infrastructural Systems. This chapter sets
out the main conclusions drawn from the in-depth analysis, which then serve as a
basis for developing development and vision scenarios.
Chapter III
Introduces the vision, strategy and objectives for the development of the metropolitan
region Tirana-Durres.
Chapter IV
Elaborates sectorial policies, tackled, interrelated and complementary to each
other, which serve to break down the four strategic objectives into concrete sectorial
projects. They are divided into policies of economic, urban, rural, transport and
environmental infrastructure development.
Chapter V
Lists the strategic projects to implement the sectorial policies of the plan, organized
under the same structure, and details the action plan for the project implementation
in a time series.
Chapter VI
Contains a summary of the territorial use regulation, which provides guidelines for
the local and central level institutions on the ways how to protect and develop the
territory.
Chapter VII
Outlines how the implementation of the plan and strategic projects will be monitored
through specific indicators, according to each field.
17

1Introduction

Contents
21
1.1 Economic profile of the region
36
1.2 Combination of the national plans
38
1.3 Coordination of the plan

Introduction
Albania is an integral part of the economy of
the Balkans and the Mediterranean, a key
country to the development of the Adriatic-
Ionian macro-region and a gateway between
east and west. Tirana-Durres region is one of
the strategic gates for regional development.
The strategic position of this region, with
extensive exit to the Adriatic Sea and the best
international links due to the location of the
main airport of the country, have provided great
opportunities for rapid economic development
of the area.
Concurrently, achieving the historical
aspiration of European integration means
that Tirana-Durres region should be able to
compete as equal with other regions in Europe.
Thus, on one hand the opportunities for
economic development will increase, but
in turn competition with other regions will
intensify, requiring an improvement in the
economic growth of Tirana-Durres area,
posing its next challenge. This is considered
a challenge because Tirana, as the capital
of Albania and as the location of key
administrative, financial and educational
institutions, of the population and businesses,
has been since the beginning the focus of
development of the economy of this region
and an attractive factor for its private
activities. While, Durres with its port services
and proximity to Tirana, has also become
an important location for business and the
population. The road corridor connecting these
two urban centres, has become the economic
centre of the country, evidenced by the high
influx of mobility and presence of various
businesses and services. However, if the
competitive advantage at a national scale has
been very large compared to other regions, at
European level this advantage turns out to be
lesser, and therefore it is necessary to create
a territorial platform on which to base the
development and competition growth with the
surrounding regions.
When Albania began the transition to a free
market economy, it had the lowest level of
income and economic development in Europe.
The development of the country during the 25
years after the fall of communism, based on
the reports of the European Community, shows
20

to the success of economic development,
which ranks only behind Poland and Slovenia
among countries with economies in transition.
Since 1990 Albania has reduced the difference
in GDP with other countries in the region. Also,
during the past two decades the country has
undergone significant structural changes,
which shows the transition from an economy
based on raw materials and agriculture and
industry, into a more diverse economy, where
the service sector plays a leading role.
During the last three decades, Albania has
seen a significant and very fast shift from an
isolated and centralized economy to a global
interconnected system. One of the regions
with the largest increase in the country has
precisely been Tirana-Durres region. Favoured
by the geographical position, the presence of
the port of Durres, which is the largest port in
Albania for passengers and freight transport,
and the Mother Theresa Airport, which is only
20 km away from the two main cities, as well
as the central administration in Tirana, this
region has been a magnet for the movement of
the population and businesses.
The key events during the past 25 years of
the development of the region, are briefly
presented as follows:
• the collapse of the centralized economy;
• the rapid growth of the region’s population,
which nearly tripled as a result of migrations
from the north and south towards the Tirana-
Durres region;
• the rapid development of the construction
and services industry as a result of the
increased demand;
• the emergence of local private firms in trade,
agriculture and other products such as bread,
milk, processing of meat products and services
such as bars, restaurants, transport;
• the establishment of foreign small and
medium enterprises in this region;
• the investments in infrastructure, such as
the improvement of Tirana-Durres highway,
urban quality in major cities, water and
electricity service;
• the emergence of the private education
sector;
• the emergence of the private health sector.
ICSP Tirana-Durres comes as a response to
the territorial socio-economic development
in the last 25 years and serves as a guideline
for the economic, social and environmental
development of the region, by boosting the
economy and improving the environment.
The ICSP Tirana-Durres aims to guide the
development of the territory through a vision
that will function as a common denominator
for the local government units (LGUs). The plan
will also serve as a guide for LGUs for their
coordination of local policies, projects and
plans, as well as for vertical coordination and
cooperation. This plan will be their reference
framework during the process of drafting the
general local plans, but also strategic projects.
The plan is also a guarantee for foreign
investors and businesses who have an interest
in engaging in the further development of the
Tirana-Durres metropolitan area.
1.1 Economic profile of
the region
A summary of the economic profile at
national level
With an area of 28,748 km 2 and population of
2.9 million, Albania has an average density
of 100 inhabitants/km 2 , compared to 116.7
inhabitants/km 2 which is the average of the 28
EU Member States.
The gross domestic product in 2015 is
estimated at ALL 1,310 billion, while in
foreign currency about $11.4 billion, or
about 9.5 billion euro. The nominal income
per capita is ALL 454 thousand, 3,945
dollars, 3,287 euro, or about 12% of the
average nominal income of the EU. The
income per capita, estimated in terms of
purchasing power are 11,249 dollars, or
about 30% of the average income per capita
of the EU. A specific feature of the Albanian
economy is the relatively high share of
agriculture, with about 22.6% of the GDP,
compared with the 1.6% of GDP in the EU.
The rural population in our country is about
46% and employees in our agricultural
sector constitute 41.7% of the total.
21

During 1992-2009 period, Albania has had a
relatively high economic growth, 6-8%, and a
controlled inflation rate, 2-4%.
In 2014 the average unemployment rate is
estimated at 16.1% and at 29.2% among the
youth. The value of the Gini index in Albania
is 29, while in the EU it is 31. Migration
has been high and remittances have been
an important source of investment and
private consumption ranging from 22% of
GDP in 1992 to about 8.4% of GDP in 2014.
Currently, the government has drafted a
strategy for a new development model,
which aims to move from reliance on
consumption to supporting export growth
and competitiveness.
The analysis of the economic and social
development of Albania argues the need
for deep structural reforms, where the
planning, management and development of
NO
Indicators
Highest and
lowest value
Total no.
of countries
Year
Albania
Croatia
INTERNATIONAL INDEX
Ranking
Value
Ranking Va
I
Human Development Index (HDI) 1
0 -1 188
2014 85 0.733
47 0.8
II
Global Competition Index (GCI) 2
1 - 7
140
2015
93 3.9
77 4.
III
Index of Economic Freedom 3
1-100
178
2016
59 65.9
103 59
IV
Ease of Doing Business 4
1-100
189
2016
97 60.5
40 72
V
Attracting Foreign
Investment Index 5
0-10
136
2015
71 5.31
-
VI
Knowledge Economy Index 6
0 - 10
145
2012
82 4.53
39 7.
VII
Trade Openness Index
Trade -% of GDP 7
2015
72.1
9
Table 1.1 Comparison of Western Balkan Economies - Key Indices
1
hdr.undp.org
2
www.weforum.org
3
www.heritage.org
4
www.doingbusiness.org
5
www.globalopportunityindex.org
6
data.worldbank.org /Data Catalog
7
data.worldbank.org /Indicators
22

the territory is considered vital in fulfilling
the vision and objectives for a sustainable
development by 2030. The challenges of
structural reforms in Albania are clearly
illustrated in the comparative table of the
main international indices, where Albania
is placed in the same context as the other
Balkan countries (Table 1.1).
lbania
Croatia
Serbia
Macedonia
Kosovo
Montenegro
Bosnia
Herzegovina
king Value
Ranking Value
Ranking Value Ranking Value Ranking Value Ranking Value Ranking Value
5 0.733
47 0.818
66 0.771
81 0.747
- -
49 0.802
85 0.733
3 3.9
77 4.1
94 3.9
60 4.3
- -
70 4.2
111 3.7
9 65.9
103 59.1
77 62.1
47 67.5
84 61.4
65 64.9
108 58.6
7 60.5
40 72.71
59 68.41
12 80.18
66 66.22
46
71.85
79
63.71
1 5.31
- -
92 4.57
56 5.58
- -
45 6
89 4.64
2 4.53
39 7.29
49 6.02 58 5.65
- -
70 5.12
72.1
96
103.1
113.3 104.3
-
23

NO
Indicators
Unit
Year
Albania Croatia Serbia M
I
GDP
GDP growth
%
2015 2.8 1.6 0.8
Dollars
$ billion
2015 11,398 48,732 37,160
GDP, purchasing power
$ billion
2015 32,500 92,432 97,394
II
GDP per capita
Dollars
$
2015
3,945 11,536 5,235
GDP per capita, purchasing power
$
2015
11,249 21,881 13,721
% to the EU-28 nominal
%
12 36 16
% to the EU-28 purchasing power
%
30 58 36
III
GDP structure %
Agriculture
% of GDP
2014
23 4 9
Tourism
% of GDP
2014
Services
% of GDP
2014
52 69 61
Manufacturing industry
% of GDP
2014
5 15 -
VI
Unemployment rate
Total
Youth
% of the total
workforce
% of the total workforce
15-24 years old
2014
2014
16.1 16.7 22.2
29.2 45.9 49.5
Table 1.2 Economic indicators of Albania compared to Balkan countries and the European Union 8
8
Source: World Development Indicators, data.worldbank.org/indicator
24

Croatia Serbia Macedonia Kosovo Montenegro European Union
1.6 0.8 3.7 3.9 3.2 2.2
48,732 37,160 10,086 6,400 3,987
16,311.897
92,432 97,394 28,907 17,538 9,624 19,298.494
11,536 5,235 4,853 3,562 6,406 32,005
21,881 13,721 13,908 9,759 15,464 37,865
36 16 15 11 20 100
58 36 37 26 41 100
4 9 12 14 10 1.7
69 61 63 66 72 74
15 - 12 13 5 16
16.7 22.2 27.9 - 19.1 10.2
45.9 49.5 50.8 - 39.5 25.1
25

Rank Score
Global Competitiveness Index
(out of 140) (1-7)
GCI 2015-2016
93 3.9
GCI 2014-2015 (out of 144)
97 3.8
GCI 2013-2014 (out of 148)
95 3.8
GCI 2012-2013 (out of 144)
89 3.9
Basic requirements (40%) 87 4.3
First pillar: Institutions
84 3.7
Second pillar: Infrastructure
88 3.6
Third pillar: Macroeconomic environment
118 4.0
Fourth pillar: Health and primary education 52 6.0
Efficiency enhancers (50%) 89 3.8
Fifth pillar: Higher education and training
47 4.7
Sixth pillar: Goods market efficiency
63 4.3
Seventh pillar: Labour market efficiency
97 4.0
Eighth pillar: Financial market development 118 3.2
Ninth pillar: Technological readiness 89 3.4
Tenth pillar: Market Size 104 3.0
Innovation and sophistication factors (10%) 115 3.2
Eleventh pillar: Business sophistication
95 3.7
Twelfth pillar: Innovation
118 2.8
Innovation
Business
sophistication
Market Size
Technological
readiness
Albania
Financial market
development
European
developing countries
Figure 1.1 Global Competitiveness Index 9
Institutions
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Labour market
efficiency
Development stages
1 Transition
1-2
2 Transition
2-3
3
Economies
driven by
core factors
Economies
driven by
efficiency
Infrastructure
Goods market
efficiency
Economies
driven by
innovation
Macroeconomic
environment
Health and
primary education
Higher education
and training
9
Source: The global competitiveness report 2015-2016, World Economic Forum
26

Economic profile of the Tirana-Durres
metropolitan region
The region comprises 8.4% of the territory
and accommodates 37% of the country’s
population. It is the region with the highest
density in the country, 443 inhabitants/
km 2 compared to 101 inhabitants/ km 2
which is the national average. According
to the demographic projections in 2031 the
population density in the region will be 532%
of the national average, or 515 inhabitants/
km 2 compared to 97 inhabitants/km 2 which
is estimated to be the average density of the
national population. The figures presented
are based on population density according
to INSTAT and according to the ICSP Tirana-
Durres analysis.
The population of the Tirana-Durres region
is estimated to grow by 211,560 inhabitants
by 2031. This growth will be mainly in Tirana
with about 201 thousand inhabitants or 26.4%
more than the population measured in 2011.
While in Durres the growth will be 3.7% or
approximately 10 thousand more inhabitants.
This trend imposes in-depth studies related to
the planning and development of the territory
to the benefit of facilitating and promoting
economic activity in line with the principles and
objectives of sustainable development 2030.
Tirana-Durres region generates 48% of the
GDP and represents the region with the
highest income per capita, which is 1.32
times more than the national average. While
in Tirana the income per capita is 1.41 times
higher than the national average.
The structure of the gross value added (GVA)
shows that this region provides 71.8% of the
GVA of transport, 66% of tourism, 64.9% of
the post and telecommunications and 62.5%
of construction. This economic structure
identifies current priorities and potentials for
the future, especially in the sectors of ICT,
which will support economic restructuring of
the region towards innovative businesses.
The social capital in the economic area Tirana-
Durres represents favourable potentials to
support the productive restructuring of the
region’s economy and can transform into the
main driver to increase the productivity of
the national economy. Over 75% of the higher
education institutions, research centres and
non-profit organizations are concentrated in
this region.
The structure of jobseekers in the Tirana-
Durres region indicates a high degree of
individuals with higher education, which means
that a better alignment between the supply
and demand of the labour market is required.
The ambition to make this region a hub of
new technologies and the increasing rate
of application of new technologies by public
institutions and private companies impose
structural reforms on the supply side. This
region has the best social capital to support
this structural change, without which the
national economy cannot become competitive.
Despite being one of the most developed
economic areas of the country, the area of
Tirana-Durres deals with social challenges
of poverty. More specifically, the poverty of
young families and those with many children
is higher than the national average. Indicators
get worse in Durres. Local development plans
of the territory and the socio-economic plans
should aim at reducing poverty and mitigating
disparities within their territories.
The potentials of the economic development
of the Tirana-Durres area are great, both
because of the importance as the capital of
public institutions and private businesses,
as well as due to the access to economic
development corridors and integration
within the pan-European corridors. Over
80% of foreign-investment enterprises are
concentrated in this region, which can serve
to attract more foreign investments in the
most productive sectors of the economy.
Approximately 65% of the companies which
have more than 50 employees operate in such
region. Territorial planning and development,
sectorial and local plans for sustainable
development and particularly projects
aiming at integrating with the international
development corridors, are essential
instruments to convert Tirana-Durres into a
main economic centre, but not only.
27

County
Surface area (km 2 )
Population
(inhabitants)
Density (inh
Absolute
Percentage
to the total
Absolute
Percentage
to the total
Absolute
Tirana-Durres
2,418
8.4%
1,070,356
37.0%
442.7
Durres
766
2.7%
275,698
9.5%
359.9
Tirana
1,652
5.7%
794,658
27.5%
481.0
Albania
28,748
100.0%
2,894,476
100.0%
100.7
Table 1.3 Data on the surface area, population (2014) and projection for 2031 10
County
Total
2011
2016
2021
2026
2031
2011
Tirana-Durres
1,033,344
1,108,105
1,167,091
1,212,303
1,244,904
520,291
Durres
269,784
275,017
278,305
279,954
279,796
134,370
Tirana
763,560
833,088
888,786
932,349
965,108
385,921
Albania
2,907,362
2,888,996
2,863,311
2,827,569
2,782,309
1,451,690
Table 1.4 Projection of the population by 2031 11
County
Agriculture
and fishing
Industry
Extracting
industry
Processing
industry
Construction
Tirana-Durres
39,520
58,240
7,833
50,331
94,813
Durres
19,010
16,289
1,386
14,941
9,724
Tirana
20,510
41,951
6,447
35,391
85,089
Albania
250,126
153,668
60,195
93,473
151,793
Table 1.5 The structure of GVA of the region by economic sectors, 2012 (in Million ALL) 12
10
Source: INSTAT, Regional Statistical Yearbook 2015
11
Source: INSTAT, Regional Statistical Yearbook 2015
12
Source: INSTAT, Regional Statistical Yearbook 2011-2015
28

lation
itants)
Percentage
to the total
Density (inhabitants/km 2 )
Absolute
Percentage
to the average
Population projections
2031(inhabitants)
Percentage
Absolute
to the total
Population density
2031(inhabitants/km2)
Percentage
Absolute to the average
37.0%
442.7
439.6%
1,244,904
44.7%
514.85
531.98
9.5%
359.9
357.4%
279,796
10.1%
365.27
377.42
27.5%
481.0
477.7%
965,108
34.7%
584.21
603.65
100.0%
100.7
2,782,309
100.0%
96.78
Females Difference % of change
2031
2011
2016
2021
2026
2031
2031-2011
(2031-2011)/2011
1,244,904
520,291
553,520
582,060
605,695
623,026
211,560
20.5
279,796
134,370
134,462
135,793
135,793
135,596
10,012
3.7
965,108
385,921
419,058
446,941
469,902
487,430
201,548
26.4
2,782,309
1,451,690
1,423,372
1,405,910
1,390,550
1,369,680
-125,053
(4,3)
ocessing
ndustry
Trade, Hotels
Construction Services and
Restaurants
Transport
Post and
Telecommunication
Other
services
GVA at
basic prices
50,331
94,813
366,686
95,330
54,093
30,547
189,375
555,989
14,941
9,724
68,903
16,367
29,121
2,683
28,955
114,434
35,391
85,089
297,783
78,963
24,972
27,864
160,419
441,555
93,473
151,793
599,160
143,570
75,369
47,068
333,153
1,154,747
29

Agriculture
Extracting Processing
County
and fishing
Industry
industry industry
Construction Services
Tirana-Durres
15.8%
37.9%
13.0%
53.8%
62.5%
61.2%
Durres
7.6%
10.6%
2.3%
16.0%
6.4%
11.5%
Tirana
8.2%
27.3%
10.7%
37.9%
56.1%
49.7%
Albania
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Table 1.6 The structure of the region GVA by economic sectors, 2012 (in %) 13
County
Employed
in the public
sector
Employed in the
non-agricultural
sector
Employed in the
private
agricultural sector
Long-term
unemployment
Average gross
salary in the
public sector
Tirana-Durres
71,144
211,360
56,860
18,626
54,740
Durres
11,700
38,000
32,820
3,872
52,513
Tirana
59,444
173,360
24,040
14,754
56,966
Albania
163,885 318,571 442,883 82,133 53,025
% e T-D 43 66 13 23 103
Table 1.7 Employment by sector in the region, 2014 13 Table 1.9 Poverty indicators in the region, 2012 (%) 13
County
Poverty indicators (%)
Percentage Gap Severity
Tirana-Durres
15.21
3.19
1.05
Durres
16.50
3.63
1.27
Tirana
13.92
2.74
0.82
Albania
14.31
2.96
0.97
13
Source: INSTAT, Regional Statistical Yearbook 2015
30

Trade, Hotels
struction Services and
Restaurants
Transport
Post and
Telecommunication
Other
services
GVA at
basic prices
62.5%
61.2%
66.4%
71.8%
64.9%
56.8%
48.1%
6.4%
11.5%
11.4%
38.6%
5.7%
8.7%
9.9%
56.1%
49.7%
55.0%
33.1%
59.2%
48.2%
38.2%
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
100%
County
Total
Females
Youth
15-24
Primary
Comprehensive
high school
Educational level
Vocational
high school
University
Tirana-Durres
31,409 16,879 5,104 17,974 7,359 3,745 2,330
Durres
9,734
4,650
1,590
5,386
2,590
1,021
737
Tirana
21,675
12,229
3,514
12,589
4,769
2,724
1,594
Albania
141,998
72,467
22,282
76,929
39,299
17,627
8,143
% e T-D
22.12
23.29
22.91
23.36
18.72
21.25
28.62
Table 1.8 Registered unemployed jobseekers and relevant education, 2014 13
County
No child
One child
Two children
Three or
more children
Tirana-Durres
3.7% 16.5% 17.0% 34.5%
Durres
1.7%
18.0%
21.7%
33.9%
Tirana
5.7%
15.0%
12.3%
35.0%
Albania
4.5%
12.4%
15.6%
33.1%
Table 1.10 Population in poverty according to the number of dependent children, 2012 (%) 13 31
13
Source: INSTAT, Regional Statistical Yearbook 2015

Regional competitiveness profile: Tirana-Durres metropolis in the Balkan context
TIRANA-DURRES
ACCESSIBILITY
AIR
ROAD
SEA
RAILWAY
SERVICES
EDUCATION
HEALTH
GOVERNANCE
ECONOMY
AGRICULTURE
DURRES
ADRIATIC
SEA
ECONOMIC
AREA
GREEN
BELT
TIRANA
>50%
of the national
GDP
14.3% CONSTRUCTION
9.7% INDUSTRY
20.7% AGRICULTURE AND FISHING
8.9% TRANSPORT
46.4% TRADE AND SERVICES
BELGRADE
ACCESSIBILITY
AIR
ROAD
SEA
RAILWAY
SERVICES
EDUCATION
HEALTH
GOVERNANCE
ECONOMY
UNEMPLOYMENT
15.9%
40%
of the national
GDP
AGRICULTURE
BELGRADE 6.3% TELECOMMUNICATION
9.3% CONSTRUCTION
13.7% PROCESSING INDUSTRY
3.5% TOURISM
40.3% TRADE
16.7% INDUSTRY
10.2% OTHER
Figure 1.2 Comparison of the Tirana-Durres metropolitan region with Belgrade
32

PRISTINA
ACCESSIBILITY
AIR
ROAD
SEA
RAILWAY
SERVICES
EDUCATION
HEALTH
GOVERNANCE
ECONOMY
NATURE
AGRICULTURE
PRISTINA
1% AGRICULTURE
7% INDUSTRY
5% CONSTRUCTION
8% REAL ESTATE
9% OTHER
54% TRADE AND SERVICES
SKOPJE
ACCESSIBILITY
AIR
ROAD
SEA
RAILWAY
SERVICES
EDUCATION
HEALTH
GOVERNANCE
ECONOMY
AGRICULTURE
SKOPJE
NATURE
42.4%
of the national
GDP
11.1% AGRICULTURE
6.81% CONSTRUCTION
15.1% MANUFACTURING IND.
5.7% TRANSPORT AND TELECOM.
32.32% SERVICES
19.2% TRADE
8.95% OTHER
Figure 1.3 Comparison of the Tirana-Durres metropolitan region with Pristina and Skopje
33

SARAJEVO
ACCESSIBILITY
AIR
ROAD
SEA
RAILWAY
SERVICES
EDUCATION
HEALTH
GOVERNANCE
ECONOMY
AGRICULTURE
SARAJEVO
NATURE
32.8%
of the national
GDP
14% TRANSPORT
15% PROCESSING IND.
30% FINANCE AND CONSTRUCTION
40% TRADE
ZAGREB
ACCESSIBILITY
AIR
ROAD
SEA
RAILWAY
SERVICES
EDUCATION
HEALTH
GOVERNANCE
ECONOMY
UNEMPLOYMENT
17.1%
AGRICULTURE
ZAGREB
NATURE
33%
of the national
GDP
6.5% AGRICULTURE AND FISHING
34.6% INDUSTRY
58.9% TRADE AND SERVICES
Figure 1.4 Comparison of the Tirana-Durres metropolitan region with Sarajevo and Zagreb
34

SARAJEVO
ACCESSIBILITY
AIR
ROAD
SEA
RAILWAY
SERVICES
EDUCATION
HEALTH
GOVERNANCE
ECONOMY
32.8%
of the national
GDP
AGRICULTURE
SARAJEVO
NATURE
14% TRANSPORT
15% PROCESSING IND.
30% FINANCE AND CONSTRUCTION
40% TRADE
Figure1.5 Comparison of the Tirana-Durres metropolitan region with Ljubljana
35

1.2 Combination of the
national plans
Based on the Law no.107/2014 “On planning
and development of the territory”, as amended,
and by-laws for its implementation, the
national instruments of territorial planning
are: the General National Plan, as the highest
planning instrument, the sectorial national
plans and the detailed plans for the areas of
national importance. Under this context, the
Ministry of Urban Development, as the ministry
responsible for territorial planning and
development, undertook the initiative to draft
three national plans: the General National
Plan, the Integrated Cross-Sectorial Plan for
the Coast and the Integrated Cross-Sectorial
Plan of the Economic Area Tirana-Durres. The
initiatives and work to draft these documents
have been carried out in parallel and in a
coordinated manner. The simultaneous
drafting of these three plans enables
harmonization among their policies and their
further elaboration from the national level of
the GNP to the regional level of the coastal
area and the economic area Tirana-Durres.
The General National Plan
The General National Plan is the highest
instrument in the hierarchy of territorial
planning. As such, it is the basis for the
coordination and correlation of the national
sectorial policies and plans by giving them a
territorial perspective. The GNP is the guiding
framework for developments in the territory
with definitions for a 15-year period.
It is a platform where the economic
interests are harmonized with other
interests such as territorial cohesion,
environmental protection and the protection
of the cultural and historical heritage.
the engines of this country’s economy. One
of these poles is the metropolitan area of
Tirana-Durres.
Integrated Cross-Sectorial Plan of the
Coast (Coastal ICSP)
The Integrated Cross-Sectorial Plan for the
Coast aims to determine the main directions
of the development of the coastal belt in
order to mitigate the negative effects of the
spontaneous and uncontrolled development
of the area, as well as to lead the sustainable
development of its assets during the next
15 years. The Coastal ICSP ensures the
integration of territorial policies within the
framework of the government’s program
to transform the belt into an influential
factor in the economy and to stimulate its
competitiveness in relation to other similar
coastal regions. This plan will guide the
development of the coastal belt, while
ensuring, above all, stronger protection of the
environment, nature, landscape and assets of
the coastal region.
Sectorial plans and strategies
Within the framework of drafting the ICSP
Tirana-Durres, all the sectorial strategies
developed by line ministries, which have an
impact on this area, have been consulted
with. Under this context, the Draft-National
Strategy for Development and Integration
2015-2020, draft-National Strategy for Tourism
Development 2015-2020, the Transport
Strategy, the Economic Development Strategy,
the Strategy on Environment, on Energy, etc., 14
have been taken into consideration.
Among the most important provisions of
the GNP are the hierarchy of urban centres
and development poles which will serve as
14
Meanwhile, although a part of the sectorial strategies were still in the drafting process when ICSP Tirana-Durres was under
way, the working group meetings continued with the staff of the relevant ministries so that sectorial policies could be best
reflected in the plan.
36

GNP
General National Plan
ICSP Tirana-Durres
Integrated Cross-Sectorial Plan
Coastal ICSP
Integrated Cross-Sectorial Plan
Development Strategy
Tirana County
Development Strategy
Durres County
GLP Tirana
GLP Durres
GLP Kamez
GLP Shijak
GLP Vora
GLP Kruja
Figure 1.6 Hierarchy of the territorial plans
37

1.3 Coordination of
the plan
After the 1990s, Albania has performed
some important steps with regards to
decentralization, in terms of the political and
administrative context as well. This process is
considered as one of the first most important
reforms of the new democratic state. After the
political decentralization, which is considered
to have been successfully completed, the
following period coincides with the fiscal
decentralization. One of the most important
initiatives of this period is the Law no. 8652
“On the organization and functioning of local
government”, as amended, dated 31/07/2000,
which defined urban planning along with the
development control, as a function of the
municipalities and the communes themselves.
required to perform the harmonization of the
two levels. The drafting of ICSP Tirana-Durres
serves as a good practice, an example to be
followed in drafting other plans for planning
regions.
The Integrated Cross-sectorial Plan of the
economic area Tirana-Durres includes the
territory of the following municipalities: Tirana,
Durres, Kamza, Vora, Shijak and Kruja.
This plan, which shall serve as the basis for
the development of local plans, addresses
the strategic aspects that will facilitate intermunicipality
coordination. Municipalities need
to further detail the policies and obligations
deriving from the General National Plan and
the Integrated Cross-sectorial Plan of the area
Tirana-Durres.
Until July 2015, Albania was managed by
369 communes and municipalities, first level
LGUs and 12 regions, second level LGUs.
Many of the communes and municipalities,
due to the migration of the population and
the small number of their population failed
to create economies of scale in order to raise
the finances required for the good governance
of their territory. This, accompanied by the
unclear role of the region (qark), led to a
chaotic situation of the development of the
territory and to its monocentric development.
With the political changes of 2013, one of the
major reforms of the new government was
closely associated with the issue of good
governance of the territory or otherwise known
as the territorial reform. Territorial planning
is directly affected by this reform, not only
with regards to the administrative aspect, but
also in terms of the territorial approach of the
national and territorial plans.
Inherently, planning at national level is mostly
characterized by territorial development
policies, while the local one focuses more on
land use. The new layer of the cross-sectorial
plans for the economic area Tirana-Durres and
the coast has a more strategic approach to the
territory, thus offering the missing instrument
38

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
MUD / NTPA
LINE MINISTRIES
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT
TIRANA COUNTY
REGIONAL
DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 2
DURRES COUNTY
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
TIRANA
VORA
DURRES
SHIJAK
KRUJA
KAMEZ
Figure 1.7 Coordination of the plan
Ishem
Thumane
Kruje
Cudhi
Bubq
Fushe Kruje
Sukth
Nikel
Durres
Durres
Manez
Katund i Ri
Maminas
Xhafzotaj
Shijak
Shijak
Gjepalaj
Rrashbull
Preze
Vore
Berxulle
Vore
Kashar
Ndroq
Zall Herr
Kamez
Kamez
Paskuqan
Tirana
Tirana
Vaqarr
Farke
Zall Bastar
Dajt
Petrele
Shengjergj
Berzhite
Administrative border of the LGU-
Municipality affected by the plan
Peze
Baldushk
Kerrabe
Administrative border of the LGU-Commune
Border of the planning region and unit for which
the ICSP Tirana-Durres is being
Map 1.1 Areas affected by ICSP Tirana-Durres
39

2SWOT analysis,
territorial systems
and development
scenarios

Contents
42
2.1 SWOT analysis
44
2.2 Conclusions
44
2.3 Goals and principles
45
2.4 Territorial systems
45
2.5 Territorial sevelopment scenarios

2.1 SWOT analysis
The drafting of the Integrated Cross-sectorial
Plan of the economic area Tirana-Durres
was preceded by an in-depth analysis of the
territory. The main findings of this analysis
are presented in the form of a SWOT analysis
herein. Following the territorial analysis,
in line with the instructions of the DCM no.
671, dated 29/07/2015, “On the approval of
the Territorial Planning Regulation”, the
S
Strengths
territorial division has been carried out
accordingly into five basic territorial systems:
urban, infrastructural, agricultural, natural
and water systems. The drafting of the vision
was preceded by three different territorial
development scenarios. These scenarios
provide a clear conclusion on the positive and
negative impacts of different development
alternatives. Consequently, the derived vision
comes as a natural step composed of the best
alternatives and with less negative impacts on
the territory and its development.
- urban population predominance;
- high human capital;
- national road axes, which serve as economic axes;
-
Wvariety of
Weaknesses
urban development;
- higher concentration of economic activity in the country;
- high number of educated young people;
- high number of universities and laboratory and research centres;
- employment of professional staff, “brain gain” from other regions;
- presence of different transportation modes (road, sea, air, railway);
- intersection O Opportunities
of axes and corridors of international importance (north-south and east-west);
- diversity of cultural heritage in the region;
- adequate geographical conditions for the development of agriculture;
- rapid economic growth of the region;
- opportunities for the development of agricultural industries, such as fishing, etc.;
- educated T
S
Threats
Strengths
workforce;
- high presence of water network (rivers and lakes);
- presence of several national parks and environmental protected areas.
W
Weaknesses
- migration of the population from rural to urban areas;
- urban sprawl on agricultural lands;
- unused and degraded industrial areas;
- national axes that end in transport “funnels” causing traffic jams and artificial traffic;
- lack Oof well-organized Opportunities
inter-city public transport;
- lack of green regional/urban/local spaces;
- poor management of urban traffic;
- poor traffic signalling (horizontal and vertical);
- increased use of individual cars;
- outdated and inefficient railway system;
- lack
T
of opportunities
Threats
to use alternative transportation;
- high number of cultural heritage objects that need restoration;
- lack of road infrastructure and supporting infrastructure to promote cultural heritage;
42

S
Strengths
- lack of infrastructure for the collection, storage, marketing and sale of agricultural products;
- lack of investments in agricultural technologies and of an image for the marketing of local
products;
- degradation of the landscape and environment due to unplanned constructions;
- erosion along rivers and hilly areas;
- discharge of untreated waste into the rivers Erzen and Ishem;
- Wlimited and Weaknesses
unconsolidated waste recycling;
- levels of PM10 and PM2.5 in the air above the EU norms;
- lack of urban waste water treatment plants;
- lack of the economic cluster.
OS
Opportunities
Strengths
- satellite towns as residential and employment alternatives (Vora/Shijak/Sukth);
- economic potential and capacity for the formation of economic clusters;
- opportunities for the development of creative industries;
- opportunities for the development of the logistics cluster and light industry;
- WT
Threats
continuous Weaknesses
education for professional growth;
- better combination of all modes of transport;
- improvement of the logistics networks;
- integration between the protection of cultural heritage and the promotion of cultural tourism;
- promotion of cultural heritage, traditions, customs, handicrafts, gastronomy, festivities, folklore, etc.;
- development and promotion of a combined cultural-natural-coastal tourism;
- awareness of the private sector to cooperate and invest in the supporting infrastructure;
- opportunities O Opportunities
for the creation of regional recreational spaces;
- opportunities for the creation of regional parks.
T
Threats
- seasonal population in certain areas, especially congestion during the summer;
- the current road network is inadequate to meet future traffic that may result in traffic jamming;
- increase of the number of individual cars in high percentage each year;
- failure to improve road safety and minimize air pollution caused by traffic;
- failure to improve public transport (in quality and quantity);
- abandonment of rail transport;
- damages to cultural monuments by man, by time and economic inability to intervene;
- migration of the population from peripheral areas towards Tirana and Durres, as a consequence of
which historic settlements are abandoned and the immovable cultural heritage is endangered;
- failure to coordinate the urban and rural development;
- contamination of the agricultural land due to urban activities with long-term and harmful
consequences to health;
- risk of contamination of groundwater;
- risk of flooding;
- risk of damage to the vegetation cover;
- degradation of the landscape and the environment;
- lack of quality certification of products.
43

2.2 Conclusions
In conclusion of the in-depth analysis and the
application of the SWOT structure to evaluate
the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities
and threats which the economic area Tirana-
Durres faces, certain important indicators
emerge, which will be used in the further steps
of drafting the ICSP Tirana-Durres.
Challenges
In order to achieve a sustainable territorial
development, Tirana-Durres region has to face
a number of challenges, which are:
- global economy and regional
competitiveness;
- integration of informal settlements;
- urban regeneration and housing;
- mobility and transport;
- technological gap overcoming;
- digital infrastructure;
- environmental condition and waste
management;
- change of lifestyle.
Values
The region is also characterized by some
features highlighted as ‘levers’ that will enable
the achievement of major goals, territorial
development aspirations and integration
into the European economy if they are used
according to a well-coordinated strategy.
The core values of the region, on which its
future development will be anchored, are:
2.3 Goals and principles
Goals
-- Become a factor of influence in the Balkans
and the Mediterranean;
- Empower and promote regional economic
networks (countrywide);
- Accomplish today’s aspirations and help the
achievements of future generations, youth and
families, for prosperity;
- Preserve agricultural land from urbanization;
- Develop infrastructure and promote
sustainable regional mobility;
- Protect the environment and heritage.
Principles
- Sustainable regional development based on
competitiveness;
- Balanced polycentric development to ensure
prosperity in the region;
- Consolidated urban-rural development
for agricultural land and environmental
protection;
- Equity in access to infrastructure, energy and
services;
- Protection and sustainable use of the capital
and natural, cultural and historical values.
- nature, culture and history;
- high diversity of economic sectors;
- young population;
- high level of educated population;
- favourable geographical position.
44

2.4 Territorial systems
Based on the DCM no. 671, dated 29/07/2015,
“On the approval of the Territorial Planning
Regulation”, the territorial system is: “... a
series of community territorial components,
interdependent and interactive with each other,
which form a whole”. The Planning Regulation
defines five territorial systems, upon which
are based and prepared the territorial policies,
strategies and interventions in the territory.
Urban system
The urban system is formed by a set of urban
territories bordered by the green line.
Infrastructural system
The infrastructural system includes the major
infrastructural networks at national, regional
and local levels. The infrastructural system is
formed by the network of the basic category of
land use “infrastructure” (IN) and is protected
by a buffer zone bordered by the red line.
the development of an agricultural type in the
territory.
The existing territorial systems have been
used as the main element in the development
of territorial scenarios and then of the vision
for the development of the metropolitan area
Tirana-Durres.
2.5 Territorial
development
scenarios
In the context of drafting a strategic vision,
three territorial scenarios have been
developed. Their presentation in the document
has been elaborated in such a manner in
order for the difference between them to be
read clearly and easily, as well as the impact
of each one on the territory. The scenarios
are: Monocentric (Tirana); Bicentric (Tirana,
Durres); Functional Polycentrism.
Natural system
The natural system consists of landscapes,
unspoiled natural areas, ecological corridors
and spaces that have a basic category of
use “nature” (N), in line with the relevant
legislation.
Water system
The water system is the entirety of
groundwater and surface water resources
consisting of all water bodies, including
shores, in line with the relevant legislation.
The water system is formed by the network
with basic categories of use “water” (U) and is
protected by the blue line.
Agricultural system
The agricultural system, consists of
agricultural land occupied by crops, orchards,
vineyards and olive groves, wherever located
and that bears fertility as its essential feature,
and the channels and reservoirs serving to
it. The agricultural system is formed by the
network of territories with basic categories of
use “agriculture” (A). This system is a result
of the interaction, in time, between human
activities for cultivation and construction, and
45

Scenario 1- Monocentric (Tirana)
The first scenario (Figure 2.1) considers the
need for the provision of a road infrastructure
for faster mobility, which will cause the
economic interaction in the Tirana-Durres
highway to continue further. Consequently, an
expansion of the secondary interurban road
is predicted, in order to convert it into a fast
mobility axis. Meanwhile, in the eastern part
of the city of Tirana the ring network, which
will enable faster north-south and east-west
crossing, will be completed. The Tirana-Durres
highway will turn into a genuine economic
area. Tirana is given an important priority
for the development of the whole region
and infrastructure will be developed for this
purpose.
Advantages
- Intensification of economic relations in the
Tirana-Durres axis;
- Diversion of heavy traffic in the secondary
interurban road of Ndroq;
- Vora as an urban centre of greater
importance than its current one and more than
any other centre between Durres and Tirana;
- A space for business development along the
Tirana-Durres axis;
- Opportunities for the development of clusters
in the Tirana-Durres axis.
Disadvantages
- Fragmentation of agricultural land;
- Loss of the agricultural landscape in the area
of Ndroq;
- Further sprawl of business in the Tirana-
Durres axis;
- Loss of opportunity for redevelopment and
reuse of former industrial areas;
- Higher traffic along the highway for
commuting purposes.
Scenario 2- Bicentric (Tirana, Durres)
The second scenario (Figure 2.2) is centred
around the idea of the expansion of the Tirana-
Durres highway, as a good opportunity to
improve the speed of movement in the region.
Moreover, Tirana-Ndroq-Durres road turns
into a space for recreation. A priority is given to
Advantages
- Faster mobility between the two main cities
Tirana and Durres;
- Tirana and Durres as the two main centres;
- Protection of the agricultural landscape
along the Ndroqi axis;
- Regeneration of former industrial areas;
- Priority for economic specialization in
logistics.
the redevelopment of former industrial areas
as well. The region experiences an economic
development mainly focused on logistics and
mobility, transit and processing of goods.
Tirana and Durres remain the two main poles
of development.
Disadvantages
- Fragmentation of the Tirana-Durres
economic zone;
- Marginalization of secondary centres along
the highway, such as Vora, Shijak, Sukth;
- Increase of traffic at the entrance of the two
main cities Tirana and Durres;
- Further expansion of businesses on the
agricultural land along the highway.
46

Scenario 3- Functional polycentrism
The third scenario (Figure 2.3) has in its
substance the increased role of secondary
centres like Vora, Shijak and Sukth, in the
development of economy, as well as the
potential to provide housing in the region.
Economic diversification is another priority,
which can be achieved through specialization
of centres in the respective fields where they
have leading advantages. The infrastructural
network is adequate for the urban and
economic development.
Advantages
- Faster and more convenient mobility;
- Lower impact on the environment;
- Increased role of secondary centres;
- Diversion of the main flows of heavy traffic
from the city centres;
- Economic specialization supported by the
adequate infrastructure;
- Protection of agricultural land and natural
landscapes;
- Concentration of economic development in
specific areas.
Major infrastructure interventions are related
to the partial expansion of the Tirana-Durres
highway, respectively the segment of Vora-
Shijak, and the expansion of the axis Fushe
Kruja-Vora. Infrastructural interventions are
completed by the creation of ring networks in
the two main cities, as well as the reactivation
of the railway network Tirana-Durres -
“Mother Teresa” airport.
Disadvantages
- Need of substantial funding for building the
necessary infrastructure.
47

Fushe Kruje
Sukth
Vore
Kamez
Durres
Shijak
Tirana
Golem
Ndroq
Krrabe
Figure 2.1 Scenario 1
Fushe Kruje
Sukth
Vore
Kamez
Durres
Shijak
Tirana
Golem
Ndroq
Krrabe
48
Figure 2.2 Scenario 2

Fushe Kruje
Sukth
Vore
Kamez
Durres
Shijak
Tirana
Golem
Ndroq
Krrabe
Figure 2.3 Scenario 3
49

3Vision and
strategic
objectives

Contents
52
55
59
59
59
60
60
Vision
3.1 Regional competitiveness
development strategy
3.2 Strategic objectives
SO1. Sustainable economic development
SO2. Improve the quality of life in urban
and rural centres
SO3. Improve infrastructure, transport and
mobility in the region
SO4. Protect and improve the quality of the
natural environment

Vision of the Integrated Cross-Sectorial Plan Tirana-Durres
THE METROPOLITAN REGION OF TIRANA-DURRES, A
COMPETITIVE ECONOMY AT NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL
LEVEL; AN IMPORTANT ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL SETTING THAT
MANAGES TO BECOME THE LEADER OF DEVELOPMENT
IN THE BALKANS; AN ECONOMY BASED ON INNOVATIVE
INVESTMENTS, PROMOTING CREATIVE BUSINESSES THAT
ENCOURAGE A HIGH LEVEL OF EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL
EDUCATION AND TRAINING.
A REGION WITH A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE THAT RESPECTS AND
PROMOTES HEALTHY LIFE STYLES; THAT VALUES AND
PRESERVES THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HISTORICAL
AND CULTURAL PAST; THAT ENSURES ACCESS TO QUALITY
SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE
COMMUNITIES.
AN ECONOMIC SETTING OF HIGH PROSPERITY AND ORIENTED
TOWARD SUBSTANTIAL EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENTS;
WITH EFFICIENCY IN ACCESS AND MOBILITY AT REGIONAL,
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL; BASED ON STRATEGIC
ROAD, RAIL, SEA AND AIR LINKS; ADEQUATE FOR THE
NEEDS AND DEMANDS OF THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.
52

Figure 3.1 Vision statement
The Integrated Cross-Sectorial Plan of Tirana-Durres relies on important documents that guide
national development. Thus, NSDI for example, has served as the first reference in formulating policies
on competitiveness and promoting innovation, the importance of human capital for social cohesion and
the sustainable use of natural resources. GNP regards it as the engine of the national economy. It is an
important pole of regional development, which is based on the principles of global economic competition,
on the creation of economic clusters and the metabolic development of the territory. A foremost priority in
the region will be access to knowledge and investments towards technology and innovation. The Tirana-
Durres region aims to establish the bases of territorial development to enhance the quality of urban life
and to support the creative industry, which will enable the technological hop of this region in the future.
53

KRUJË
VORË
KAMËZ
DURRËS
SHIJAK
TIRANË
KAVAJË
ELBASAN
0 5
km
RROGOZHINË
LEGEND
Metropolis
Primary centre
Secondary centre
Tertiary centre
Road axis
Railway
Marine transport
Infrastructural hub
Airport
Port
Urbanized area
Economic area
Recreational water area
Green area
54
Map 3.1 Vision as per the Integrated Cross-Sectorial Plan Tirana-Durres

3.1 Regional
competitiveness
development strategy
The development of the vision can be achieved
through the integration of priority sectors, by
combining:
• The promotion of the interaction of regional
economic networks, strengthening strategic
infrastructure with the development of human
capital, which means skilled workforce
towards contemporary technologies.
• A balanced development of urban centres,
preserving the physical and environmental
characteristics of the territory. In this context,
of primary importance is the protection of
agricultural land and water resources. The
identification and promotion of investments to
improve the areas and objects that constitute
the historical and cultural heritage of the
region will help to strengthen the region’s
identity, making it more attractive for the
quality of life provided, as well as for foreign
investments.
As above, central government institutions,
regional municipalities, regional development
agencies, business representation chambers,
civil society and academia should be guided
in generating collaborative formats to
create an integrated management system
among stakeholders according to roles and
responsibilities.
The region of Tirana-Durres will continue to
develop as the leader of economic growth for
the whole country, as a competitive region
at the Balkan and Mediterranean level.
Such development will be based on regional
poles and areas that generate diversified
employment.
Spatial poles will be empowered by the links
of strategic corridors of energy, transport and
entry / exit ports of the region as focal points
for the diversified economic development
of regional enterprises, to create clustered
activities in the economy, and to ensure that
the region serves as the main gateway to the
interaction of people and goods at the national
level.
These territories and territorial networks
will serve as the basic elements to guide the
attractiveness of employment in the region
by creating the critical mass needed for the
economy of scale. It is aimed at generating
a significant population size in urban
agglomerations, by fostering concentration of
services and solidification of urban centres.
The plan supports the development of
human resources to create the identity as an
international economic centre by developing
/ building capacities in education, training,
knowledge and innovation in order to create an
efficient, specialized employment environment
that responds to the level of development of
the Mediterranean and the Balkan region,
creating opportunities in attracting talent and
knowledge.
The connection and harmonization of
employment centres and networks will go
hand in hand with the development of urban
and rural centres, to create sustainable
communities based on the principles of
a compact urbanization that safeguards/
protects agricultural land. Supported by public
transport, efficient public services, urban
environment with recreational areas that
assist in the development of regional tourism,
preserving tradition, culture, history, collective
memory and the environment with a view to
becoming an attractive and vibrant region for
attracting FDI and international offices.
Rural development and the restructuring of
rural centres will be promoted in a symbiotic
relationship between nature, agricultural
areas and urban-rural centres. Thanks to this
relationship, conditions will be established
to diversify the typologies of agricultural
enterprises as well as agricultural products.
This symbiosis will create opportunities for
sustainable communities in rural areas, by
reducing internal regional migration, and by
creating specialized employment depending
55

on the functions of the urban centres. Public
services and infrastructure of rural areas will
be developed on the principles of consolidation
and regeneration of the centres.
The environment and the entire regional
natural ecosystem will be treated as an
important asset that enables the regional wellbeing
of people and living creatures. Protecting
and improving the natural ecosystem will be a
key focus in responding to global challenges
towards climate change. A special attention is
given to the creation of connected ecosystems,
where rivers and natural green corridors are
connected to protected natural areas.
Combining these factors will serve as
a qualitative step towards sustainable
development, addressing a new opportunity to
respond to regional challenges, and creating
the conditions for being competitive in the
Mediterranean and Balkan region.
56

Factors affecting competition at different geographical levels:
Preconditions for competitiveness
at a national scale
- promoting a sustainable political
environment;
- independent legislative institutions
and security for all residents.
Competitiveness factors that
play a leading role at regional
level
- promoting an investment climate and
investment areas;
- supporting an adequate infrastructure
for urban-rural development;
- efficient interconnection of sea-land /
rail-air transport with the urban and
economic development areas;
- developing the power, infrastructural
and telecommunication network;
- effective governance in regional management
and branding, efficient public
services that promote efficiency and
transparency;
- supporting the revitalization of natural,
environmental and socio-cultural
resources.
Competitiveness factors at the
residential / city centre level
- integrating and diversifying the regional
economy;
- supporting the global export-oriented
companies with branded regional products;
- developing with a focus on private
research and development institutes and
universities in support of domestic business;
- addressing the solution of urban issues
with a "bottom-up" approach;
- governance focused on improving the
environment and the business climate
with a focus on environmental protection.
Competitiveness factors at an
enterprise level
- supporting the dissemination of the
best operational practices;
- encouraging the harmonization of
development, marketing and branding
strategies;
- developing input opportunities for
businesses;
- supportive infrastructure and
policies in the enterprise and entrepreneurship
environment.
57

Soft factors of regional and local competitiveness:
Skills and education
Access to skilled workforce (attraction
of people and new talents);
regional or national learning centres
focusing on development based on
opportunities and regional strengths,
enabling the qualification and successive
certification, as well as translating
regional knowledge into concrete
activities with an impact on regional
development.
Economic infrastructure
Infrastructure facilitations for access to
markets and opportunities for consumers,
both physically and electronically;
ease of commuting (effective regional /
urban-rural multi-modal public transport
system); appropriate strategic
areas focusing on technology and
economy, added services of bank
crediting in investments for development;
supplying clean, safe and
cost-effective energy.
Innovation
Developing access to global
networks, investments in research
and development, to the innovation
network related to regional SME
development opportunities, in order
to maintain a long-term competitiveness
for increased opportunities in
attracting global elite companies.
Quality of life
An attractive environment for an international
workforce; efficient access to
employment, services and regional
tourist attractions; an environment of
high physical, natural and socio-cultural
quality; efficiency in healthcare
services; a high quality built environment,
including parks, green spaces,
urbanization and other natural spaces.
Enterprises dynamics
Encouraging the organization of
regional enterprises in the network /
added value chain in the global markets;
continuous intensive knowledge
of human capital for enterprises;
access to global enterprise networks;
developing a climate of trust and
interconnection between firms and
higher education institutes, research
and development institutions, and
supporting innovative entrepreneurship
skills through the creation of
business incubators.
Strategic regional branding
The vision of key stakeholders at the
central / regional / local level to work in
a coordinated manner; integrated
strategies for economic, social and
environmental development, to lead and
promote the development of the region
at the international level, particularly
with regard to planning, land use,
transport and entrepreneurship; high
quality of services and products; branding
the region as a tourist destination
and an opportunity for attracting FDIs.
58

3.2 Strategic objectives
Within the context of reaching the agreed
vision, four key strategic objectives have
been defined. Each of the strategic objectives
is elaborated in the subsequent chapter
through the relevant policies that will guide
the implementation process of the Integrated
Cross-Sectorial Plan of the economic area
Tirana-Durres.
SO1. Sustainable economic
development
The metropolitan region of Tirana-Durres is
the economic centre of Albania. It will continue
to be the economic engine of the country
and will turn into a competitive region within
the Western Balkans. The region will turn
into a space which supports the principles of
global economic competition, the creation of
economic clusters, based on the principles
of metabolism, whereby the production and
further development is carried out under the
paradigm of a closed cycle, where the wastes
of one process are used as a raw material for
another process. The Tirana-Durres region
will transform into a space that will support
creative businesses and industries, which will
enable the technological hop of this region in
the future.
Target for 2030:
1. increasing the GDP in the region by 10%;
2. reducing youth unemployment by 5%;
3. reducing overall unemployment by 8%;
4. increasing investments in technology by
10%;
5. establishing 4 specialized economic
clusters;
6. launching 4 economic development
incubators.
SO2. Improve the quality of life in
urban and rural centres
The chaotic development of the last decades
associated with informal development provides
a complicated urban overview. Considering
the high concentration of urban areas in the
region, this objective aims at improving the
quality of life and environment for residents
in the Tirana-Durres area, attracting talents
and foreign companies, in addition to domestic
ones. Improving the environment through
projects of regeneration, densification and
integration will be a good opportunity to
provide models of sustainable communities,
will increase the attraction of human capital
at the international level, will reduce the
ecological footprint and will promote the
construction industry, which is currently
struggling.
Target for 2030:
1. improving energy efficiency in the existing
house stock by 50%;
2. increasing the social housing stock by 30%;
3. improving infrastructure and integrating
informal areas to a level of 80%;
4. regenerating urban poles at 50% of the
territory;
5. regenerating the rural centres by 50%;
6. regenerating the agricultural irrigation
infrastructure by 80%;
7. developing the 5 regional centres for the
trading of agricultural products.
59

SO3. Improve infrastructure, transport
and mobility in the region
The third strategic objective focuses
on creating the basic conditions for
the functioning of the region from the
infrastructural point of view. SO3 raises over
three pillars, which are:
- Developing regional access to the
Mediterranean and Balkan metropolises, by
strengthening the role of the port of Durres
and “Mother Teresa” airport.
- Improving mobility through the creation of
interconnected modes of transport between
the poles of this area in order to improve
the links between businesses and suppliers
and the access of individuals to the provided
regional services.
- Providing healthy ways of pollution-free
movement for pedestrians and residents in the
region.
Target for 2030:
1. complete regeneration of the railway line
Tirana-Durres and connection to the airport;
2. reducing the use of individual cars by 30%;
3. constructing 100 km of bicycle lanes;
4. developing by 60% the agricultural road
infrastructure;
5. 30% of public transport with non-polluting
energy (electricity / biomass, etc.).
SO4. Protect and improve the quality
of the natural environment
The fourth strategic objective is dedicated
to the region’s most important asset, the
environment and nature assets. SO4 contains
three main pillars for the protection and
improvement of the environment, which are:
- Preserving the natural resources and
protecting the environment, where water is
regarded as a development priority.
- Improving the quality and safety, as well as
access to the Adriatic Sea, through the use of
technologies with zero harmful emissions.
- Integrating the natural systems with the
design of green infrastructure and creating the
networks of parks at local and regional level.
Target for 2030:
- increasing by 30% the protected areas fund in
the region;
- reducing by 40% the pollution in the rivers of
Erzen and Ishem;
- improving the quality of water in the beaches
on the Adriatic by 40%;
- interrupting by 80% the discharge of
wastewater into rivers, lakes and seas;
- reducing by 25% the harmful emissions
(CO).
60

PRINCIPLES CHALLENGES OPPORTUNITIES GOALS
VISION
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
1 2 3 4
Sustainable
economic
development
Improve the
quality of life in
urban and rural
centres
Improve
infrastructure,
transport and
mobility in the
region
Protect and
improve the
quality of
the natural
environment
POLICIES
Economic
development
Urban
development
Rural
development
Transport and
infrastructure
development
Environmental
developmen
STRATEGIC PROJECTS
Economic
development
Urban
development
Rural
development
Transport
and infrastructure
development
Environmental
development
and
protection
Figure 3.2 Structure of the plan
61

4Regional
development
policies

Contents
69
70
71
71
71
74
74
74
76
78
78
81
4.1 Economic development policies
EP1- Develop service economy
EP1.1- Territorial component
EP1.2- Human component
EP2- Regional knowledge and innovation network
EP3- Develop SMEs and entrepreneurship
EP3.1- Develop human capacities
EP3.2- Enterprise interaction networks for innovation
EP3.3- Territorial development of SMEs
EP4- Regional incubators and clusters
EP4.1- Regional incubators
EP4.2- Development of economic clusters

90
94
94
94
98
108
108
113
113
114
116
119
120
120
121
122
EP5- Territorial economic development
EP6- Regional branding and tourism
EP6.1- Tourism as an added value
EP6.2- Service tourism
EP6.3- City and weekend tourism
4.2 Urban development policies
UP1- Polycentrism and hierarchy of urban centres
UP1.1- Public services
UP2-Consolidation of urban centres
UP2.1- Densification of urban centres
UP2.2- Regeneration of urban poles
UP3- Integration of informal areas
UP4- Accommodation and social housing
UP4.1- Accommodation
UP4.2- Social housing
UP5- Comprehensive regional community space

122
124
124
127
128
131
132
132
133
135
136
137
138
UP6- Energy efficiency in buildings
UP7- Urban mobility network
UP7.1- Biking and walking
4.3 Rural development policies
RP1- Territorial zoning and consolidation of agricultural land
RP1.1- Consolidation and use of agricultural land
RP2- Consolidation of rural centres
RP2.1- Rural services and community development
RP3- Rural economic development and regional
agricultural poles
RP3.1- Support activities for agricultural economic
development
RP3.2- Product regionalization
RP3.3- Innovation in agro-industry and agro-environment
RP4- Economic development of private farms and
cooperatives

138
138
139
141
142
143
143
143
143
145
145
146
147
148
149
RP4.1- Restructuring of agricultural farms
RP4.2- Opportunities for cooperation – the establishment
of private cooperatives
RP5- Development of the food chain
RP6- Rural regional tourism
RP7- Branding and marketing of rural areas
RP8- Transport in rural areas
RP9- Environment and renewable energy
RP9.1- The environment
RP9.2- Renewable energy
4.4 Transport and infrastructure development policies
TP1- Strategic regional road networks
TP2- Multimodal system and interurban public transport
TP2.1- Regional multimodal mobility
TP3- Railway mobility
TP4- Traffic management

150
150
151
151
153
153
155
156
158
159
161
162
164
166
TP5- Freight mobility
TP6- Bicycle mobility regional itineraries
TP7- Infrastructure, energy and telecommunication
TP7.1- Underground infrastructure
TP7.2- Energy infrastructure
TP7.3- Electronic communication infrastructure / ICT
4.5 Environmental development policies
EP1- Conservation of natural landscape (natural and
environmental heritage)
EP2- Protection and management of surface and ground
water resources
EP3- Green infrastructure
EP4- Risk management of natural disasters
EP5- Regional waste management
EP6- Climate changes
EP7- Monitoring environmental quality

Regional Development Policies
The Integrated Cross-Sectorial Plan of the
economic area Tirana-Durres has been
drafted with the aim of creating a guiding
framework for the sustainable development
of the region and the goal of reaching its
projected vision by 2030. This is a strategic
document set up to serve the relevant
institutions to guide developments in the area,
and to mobilize capital investment as well
as human capital itself. The means through
which the Tirana-Durres ICSP operates to
achieve the vision and strategic objectives are
the regional development policies and relevant
projects within each development policy.
The policies of the plan, although sectorial,
are combined with each other to further break
down the four strategic objectives of the ICSP
for the economic area Tirana-Durres. The
regional development policies outlined in this
chapter provide mandatory principles and
guidelines to be reflected and further detailed
in the general local plans (GLPs) that will be
drafted by the municipalities where the Plan is
extended. The chronicle of defining strategic
objectives follows in the successive chapters
with regional development projects and
recommendations for their implementation by
the Local Government Units.
This chapter presents the policies that outline
the aforementioned objectives, divided into 5
themes organized according to the respective
sectors:
• Economic development policies
• Urban development policies
• Rural development policies
• Infrastructure and transport
development policies
• Environmental development policies
We must reemphasize the fact that the
division of policies in this chapter, or their
sectorial grouping, is only done for the
purpose of their communication methodology.
While the guiding principle in drafting this
document is integration and intertwining. The
strategic objectives are closely interlinked
and serving to each other, as are the regional
development policies and the projects that
follow them, regardless of the sector within
which they fall.
68

4.1 Economic development policies
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
Developing service
economy
Regional knowledge
and innovation network
Developing SMEs
and entrepreneurship
Regional branding and tourism
Territorial economic development
Regional incubators
and clusters
Figure 4.1 Economic development policies
Developing regional economy
The harmonization and merging of
development factors that make up the
strategic objectives will set the foundations
for the development of the regional economy,
focusing on increasing the export network in
products and services. Therefore, the basic
framework to detach from the raw materials
economy dependency is created and also
the conditions to make efficient and develop
the “Service Economy”, based on ideas,
specialized employment and innovation,
or otherwise known as “Knowledge and
Innovation Economy”. 15
The “Knowledge and Innovation” economy is
at the same time a green and environmental
friendly economy and faced with the
challenges of climate change, it will create
the conditions for a transition from the carbon
economy to the development and use of clean,
non-polluting industrial processes, generating
at the same time opportunities for investment
and specialized employment. 16
As above-mentioned, the aim is to combine
the successful elements of the regional
enterprise’s economy with innovation and the
economy of ideas developed by educational
institutions. Meanwhile, a quality natural and
urban physical environment will be promoted,
thus generating opportunities for developing
and providing clean energies for businesses
and residents of this area.
The key component of this approach is to
build a regional innovation network based on
human capital, knowledge and creativity. These
elements, supported by clear development
frameworks and dedicated investment or
grants, will serve as key factors to produce
added value in the region’s enterprise
economy.
The aim is to turn the region into a creative
Balkan and Mediterranean hub that draws
FDIs and international offices focusing on
R & D (Research and Development).
Such sustainable development approach unites
and promotes the focal points of the economy
by creating new opportunities for efficient use
of resources, allowing us to develop an exportdriven
economy and focused on global services
and innovation.
The development of these factors is
interconnected in several pillars, and each of
them is reflected as follows:
1. Municipalities of the metropolitan
region need to develop an approach to
15
https://www.oecd.org/sti/sci-tech/1913021.pdf
16
http://www.oecd.org/sti/inno/smartspecialisation.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docgener/presenta/smart_specialisation/smart_ris3_2012.pdf
69

competitiveness, focusing on a globally
interconnected economy. This means that they
should foster cooperation between regional
actors for the development of the enterprise’s
economic network by providing supportive
conditions and platforms for regional actors
to operate as complementary and competitive
units of each other, supported by research
and development for innovation, for globally
operating branded products.
2. Developing social capital: networks, ties,
trust, distribution of values and behaviours
of the population. Both central and local
governments should provide the right
environment to increase productivity per
person, by developing fiscal and legal
instruments in support of human capital,
lifelong knowledge and skills, ensuring
that the potential and dissemination of
development is maximized so that the entire
region can contribute and take advantage of
the positive results.
3. Developing human knowledge capital: skills,
knowledge, creativity. Creating dedicated
frameworks, platforms and grants that support
and promote research and development
investment to ensure that the region continues
to play a leading role in the knowledge-based
economy network. Building the “knowledge
economy” will serve to create a region with a
focus on the innovation of regional enterprise
products, where the latter will reach the right
climate to create globally known brands.
4. Developing the physical capital and
supporting infrastructure for the production
of goods and services (transport networks,
ICT communication networks, technological
development areas, buildings, machinery,
etc.). Infrastructural development of the region
should rely on investments and projects that
foster municipal cooperation to work under
a regional development framework, ensuring
efficient mobility, safe energy supply with clean
energy and low environmental pollution. The
development of strategic mobility and ICT
infrastructure are basic factors for promoting
the achievement of development poles. As
such, these networks should be supported
by the development of the regional gateways
to provide the necessary regional links with
the Western Balkans and the Mediterranean
countries.
5. The region needs to provide efficient
platforms and services based on smart
technologies that promote information and
decision-making of local residents in the
implementation of local democracy.
This approach will provide a framework that
facilitates and promotes interaction with
residents and businesses by creating proactive
decision-making on future development
directions.
6. Developing environmental capital: the
environmental and natural physical quality
around which people work and live. The
protection and sustainable development of
the territory should be guided by the creation
of an environment of high physical and
environmental quality, promoting a balanced
territorial development within the region.
These steps provide for the establishment of
a basic framework to return the metropolitan
region into an essential gateway to the Balkans
and the Mediterranean. In order to ensure
a sustainable growth in the 21st century
economy, the plan will foster the development
of territorial poles supported by “specialized
employment”, clustering of enterprises and
branches of the economy, as well as the
development of the global value chain. 17
EP1- Develop service economy
Enterprises in the region are shifting the focus
of operations from the product manufacturing
economy to the services one. The analysis of
these regional actors shows that added value
services are attracted mainly to urban centres
in Tirana and Durres, as the latter provide
physical and digital connections to the network
of global urban centres to a satisfactory level.
In this context, the plan supports and promotes
17
http://www.oecd.org/sti/inno/smart-specialisation.pdf
http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/documents/20182/96243/Global+Value+Chains+and+Smart+Specialisation+Strategy/8546
d7e1-0219-4ed4-905a-e637731d4846
70

the role of the region as a hub of foreign
investments with links to global networks,
initially ensuring an appropriate environment
for ICT services and infrastructure.
Line ministries, governmental agencies and
municipalities of the metropolitan region
should create the conditions for maximizing
the networking of structures and actors in the
development of the service and knowledge
economy.
EP1.1- Territorial component
It is suggested to create territorial support
poles for the service economy in the urban
centres of Tirana and Durres, such as: the
Central Business Area; industrial park;
technological park; economic development
technological area. The development of these
poles and structures should be supported
by efficient infrastructural networks, closely
linked to the ICT platforms, as well as the
mobility and public transport.
EP1.2- Human component
Line ministries and municipalities in the
region should simultaneously promote the
development of continuous knowledge of
human capital and business entrepreneurs in
a number of priority sectors, by establishing
and developing certification structures and
platforms that enable measurable standards
recognized by the EU.
Developing skills and knowledge for
employment aims at promoting, attracting and
retaining the human capital with developed
skills to support the needs of the service
economy in the globally linked business
development model.
To develop this factor, it is recommended to:
• Expand the personal skills through
permanent training, teamwork training on
problem solving, trainings on specialized
services in support of the global client. Expand
the profile of knowledge and skills in social
and political sciences, including foreign
languages;
• Train and profile in exact sciences,
technology and innovation, train skills for
the development of creative industries, train
skills in ICT and maths, as well as create
skills in response to new areas of economic
development such as the “economy of
programs and programming”;
• Developing specialized employment.
Developing skills in the field of electronic
networks should respond to the need for
future generations of businesses based on the
“4th Industrial Revolution” in sectors such as:
transport, communication, logistics, trade,
supply network and global demand etc.
The municipalities of the region should support
a favourable environment for translating
knowledge and skills into innovation,
promoting the creation of virtual monitoring
and certification platforms, the knowledge
cluster and the know-how exchange network
globally.
EP2- Regional knowledge and
innovation network
Knowledge and skills are the key factors of
the region’s development. Although the nature
of knowledge dissemination in the region is
largely public, its gained externalities appear
to be more developed in regions where there is
a presence of higher education institutions.
The development of regional knowledge should
depend not only on the “top-down” institutional
approach, or on the informal development
dimension of innovation dissemination by
the SME-s themselves. Public institutions
should address the achievement of a proactive
cooperation and interaction of all regional
stakeholders.
Innovation development should be addressed
to R & D supported by public and private
institutions that promote interaction in vertical
and horizontal plans. The target approach
should be to distribute innovation as a product
of R & D, in order to strengthen the SMEs of
the region.
18
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-what-it-means-and-how-to-respond/
71

The governing structures should develop
regional schemes and policies that promote
the interaction process of actors (enterprises /
academia / public institutions) to develop R &
D and innovation with a focus on SMEs in the
region. These approaches must have flexible
frameworks, given that the very nature of
innovation is very variable.
It is suggested to build a regional innovation and
knowledge board and fund, involving all regional
actors (universities, research institutes, state
agencies, banking system, regional enterprises,
researchers and industry chambers, SMEs and
entrepreneurs) connected in a network among
them and the global factor.
Creating this structure will not only help in
developing innovation, but will guide demand
and investment towards the strengths of action
of regional enterprises.
This approach will guide development
according to real needs and global market
demands, creating concrete new opportunities
in products and services with export focus.
The primary development factors for
innovation are shown in the table below,
accompanied by the respective contributors
and indicators:
Primary factors Contributing factors Contributing indicators
Access to knowledge
Ability to transform
knowledge into
value-added
products and services
• Developing poles based on science
and innovation;
• Developing and accessing networks,
thanks to the cooperation of industry
with the academia;
• Developing the private sector of R & D;
• Strengthening skills and knowledge
from the international network of
science through ICT.
• Developing human capital and
specialized employment;
• Private sector trust and cooperation
climate;
• Developing access to financial capital;
• Developing innovative activities at
international level.
• R & D expenditures;
• Scientific publications;
• Number of researchers in the labour force;
• Use and access to ICT;
• ICT expenditures in% of the GDP;
• Human Development Indicators;
• International cooperation in R & D.
• Education system statistics;
• Activities and patents;
• Private financing offer;
• FDIs;
• Ranking of international competitiveness;
• Growth and development of SMEs;
• Networking and composition of enterprise
sectors;
• Level and sectors of foreign trade.
Desire to innovate
• Creating a positive economic and
political macroclimate;
• Developing innovative entrepreneurship;
• Structures and platforms that promote
cooperation between the academia
and the private sector;
• Clustering and developing
international interaction networks;
• Activities linked to open networks and
platforms.
• Conditions for the political and macroeconomic
framework development (GDP,
inflation, corruption, informal
economy, etc.);
• Number of "start-ups";
• Number / performance of incubators,
scientific technological parks (or similar);
• Regional development and clustered
activities;
• Changing organizational structures of
enterprises, including their
demographic changes.
Table 4.1 Primary development factors for innovation 19
19
Source: IKED (Strengthening innovation and technology policies for SME Development in Albania)
72

Local factors for R & D and regional innovation development:
• Establishing a regional institution for regional development, information and economic
training;
• Establishing the regional board and fund for innovation and economic development;
• Promoting territorial development areas for geographic clustering of institutions and
enterprises;
• Developing new R & D institutes, financing and monitoring platforms, enterprise efficiency,
global market and absorption of innovation by regional stakeholders;
• Developing interconnection with global knowledge, research and development networks;
• Creating the legal framework of certifying / patenting institutes on copyright and intellectual
property rights;
• Strengthening the role of the banking system in clear schemes that support innovation
development research, applicable by SMEs;
• Funding on the basis of differentiated partnership schemes for universities and institutes that
conduct research with measurable impact on the development and dissemination of innovation
among SMEs in the region;
• Annual monitoring by the regional agencies and board on the efficiency of universities work in
R & D development focusing on the dissemination of innovation based on EU standards;
• Developing a R & D based regional innovation strategy among all regional cluster
stakeholders;
• Establishing a common, interactive, shared platform with clear roles for participating actors,
funding methods and monitoring systems linked to global knowledge networks;
• Developing R & D knowledge and innovation instruments, applicable by regional SMEs;
• Developing effective funding schemes for R & D and regional innovation;
• Promoting interrelated schemes to increase individual research through PhDs; strengthening
the role and approach of PhDs with a focus on SMEs innovation;
• Creating systems of permanent training and certification, development and absorption
of knowledge from human resources in regional SMEs with a focus on standardization and
certification of products, services and modes of interaction in global markets;
• Promoting successful cooperation cases for innovation and connection to global knowledge
networks for attracting FDIs and international institutions.
73

EP3- Develop SMEs and innovation
The metropolitan region represents a primary
profile in the economic development of
enterprises within Albania. It also plays a key
role in the national economy. It is important
that investments be given a priority to boost
competitiveness in the region and ensure
that SMEs play a leading role in achieving
economic growth, by diversifying the range of
export-oriented products and services.
The business environment needs to be
developed to meet the needs of regional
SMEs, by providing a dynamic and stimulating
climate for actors’ interactive engagement.
The first step is to create a climate of trust
and security toward innovation, with mediumterm
and long-term policies for domestic and
foreign companies. The development of the
regional enterprise environment will require
some of the mechanisms to be activated and
made efficient in order to achieve:
1. Specialized training and knowledge on
human resources, as per priority sectors;
2. Development of horizontal and vertical
interaction networks of the economy, to
interact at a global scale;
3. Territorial development organized in the
poles, corridors and areas that support the
interaction of SMEs.
EP3.1- Develop human capacities
Skills and technical knowledge are essential
for SMEs to support and enhance the diversity
of enterprise activities, to develop productivity
levels, and to stimulate and guide innovation
in business ventures. The plan promotes the
establishment and development of specialized
education and employment centres, as
follows:
- Develop specialized employment centres
with focus on development in priority areas
for each municipality.
These centres should closely act with
university programs and courses to
develop SMEs innovation and regional
entrepreneurship. It is suggested that these
centres provide profiled knowledge on
certain market segments. This approach to
expand specialized knowledge should be set
up closely linked with cluster development
frameworks;
- Develop centres and platforms for
vocational training courses, focused on
the development of lifelong knowledge and
skills. They and their development programs
should be closely linked to the SMEs and
entrepreneurship development board. The
role they can play can be more efficient if
there is a cooperation with incubators and
business accelerators;
- Develop regional training platforms on the
areas of green economy, smart economy and
innovation;
- Consult and instruct entrepreneurship,
based on the development of school curricula
with this approach;
- Develop mixed policies, combining funding
and consultations, access to specialists
of strategic sectors in the network of
international professionals;
- Develop programs and projects that
support new generation interconnection
with the global entrepreneurship network
from specialized centres, based on start-up
business models.
EP3.2- Enterprise interaction networks
for innovation
The creation and development of regional
economic agencies should be carried out in
order to create support networks for clusters
and business incubators development,
as well as to enable a connection among
collaborative structures to foster the global
value chain. The aim is to interconnect these
institutions in a network and through common
electronic platforms that will increase the
efficiency of their interaction, based on
regional strategies. Collaboration of these
actors can be guided by a joint regional board,
supported by the Regional SMEs Support
74

Crediting
Guarantees
Equity
Grants
Investment
readiness
Education
Talent Skills
Professional
training
Student
orientation
BARRIERS
Costs
Financing
Marketing
Competition
Information
Talent
INTERVENTIONS
Research and
development
policies
Entrepreneurship
Infrastructure
Education
Business climate
Taxes
Incubator
Research
laboratory
Prototypes
Design centres
Scientific park
Manufacturing
laboratory
Global
competition
Standards
Procurement
New clients
Access to
finance
Human
capital
Policy
framework
Support
networks
Market
demand
INNOVATION
within SME-s
outside SMEs
COMPETITION
Quality
Interconnected services
Opportunities
Knowledge
Social
Demand
Social
Capital
Supporting
entrepreneurship
Research and
Development
Agencies
E-Platform
Commissioners
Issuers of
dedicated grants
Research Centres
Technology
Transfer Centre
Technology
Centre
Open Innovation
Platforms
Cooperation
projects
Sustainable
development
Population aging
Social innovation
Clustering
University-SME
Collaboration
SUPPORT
SERVICES
Trainings
Counselling
Professional
services
TYPES OF
ENTERPRISES
Companies
specialized in
global sales
"Gazelles"
"Hidden
Champions"
Large enterprises
Figure 4.2 Innovation and competition in the economy
75

Fund for Innovation. The board, through
supporting mechanisms, is an added value in
stimulating interaction for the progress and
development of SMEs processes. The Regional
Fund may consist of a separate regional
financial budget as well as the contribution of
stakeholders such as SMEs, municipalities,
universities, etc.;
For the further development of innovation
networks it is suggested to:
- Develop public, private or PPP research
centres / institutes; specialized structures
in certification and patenting of products;
“Techno-pole” technological innovation centres
of domestic or foreign ventures;
- Develop a common regional strategy that
fosters innovation and the development of
economic networks in priority sectors by
establishing cooperation between enterprises,
young entrepreneurs, research institutes,
universities, local and regional development
agencies and the “SMEs and innovation
board”;
- Strengthen SMEs cooperation schemes and
build relevant policies based on their profiles
and innovation portfolios;
- Create platforms that promote programs and
cooperation projects between education and
research institutions of regional enterprises,
creating new practices based on the needs of
SMEs to diversify technical tools and the range
of regional products;
- Create platforms that promote SMEs
connection to major businesses and
international corporations, to enable the
expansion of innovation externalities in
the region. These should be platforms that
promote SMEs innovation thanks to the links
in global networks for the sale of products and
services;
- Create “one-stop shop” offices in every
municipality of the region. Each of the
municipalities should enhance the level of
services, using ICT infrastructure serving all
citizens, and especially business;
- Support programs and projects to develop
entrepreneurship in “Start-ups”. These
programs should inspire and integrate
cooperation schemes between public and
private partners, encouraging access to the
banking sector and private financing;
- Make efficient the regional links with the
global enterprise network. Create long-term
programs that facilitate linkage and interaction
for exchanges and capacity building (e.g.,
through business networks, workshops,
seminars, etc.);
- Facilitate funding for new high-tech start-up
entrepreneurs to develop their products, by
creating frameworks that enable third-party
funding;
- Create annual joint venture regional events.
Establish a culture of celebration of successful
cases.
EP3.3- Territorial development of SMEs
Territorial development should be guided
by the principle of good land management,
preserving and conserving it. This implies
that the municipalities of the region should
promote and develop functional geographical
agglomerations to accommodate regional
enterprises. The future development of
these territorial nodes, inside and outside
urban centres, should be oriented near the
primary road and railway axes, by not creating
linear strips, but by developing concentrated
territorial poles. It is suggested to support
strips and poles with assistive areas within
the territory, to develop future services, and to
create the possibility of interaction in groups
for services and infrastructure.
The development of poles, zones and corridors
should be reinforced with public and private
networks and services that support product
marketing, financial and legal services, ICT
infrastructure, healthcare services, logistics
networks and centres, parking areas,
public transport networks and stations,
development of secondary road networks,
and infrastructural reinforcements above and
76

Research and development
Innovation
Crediting,
Guarantees,
Equity
Demonstration
Means of production
Patenting of concepts
Tax reduction
policies
Grants
“Cash”
Money
Financial
support
Production of prototypes
Copyright
Third party
financing
Money
equivalent
to “cash”
Increasing quality
Finding first clients
Support
service
provided
Investment readiness
Awareness-raising
Internationalization
Acquisition
of knowledge
Training
Human capital
Marketing/Branding
Technology
Market and
technological
intelligence
Knowledge
management
Non-financial
support
Networking/ Clustering
Research, development,
& innovation,
human capital
Establishing standards
Figure 4.3 Public support components toward SMEs
77

under the ground in order to avoid natural
disasters.
Based on the analysis of the geographical
agglomerations of these structures, the plan
proposes the development of the following
nodes (poles, corridors, zones):
• Economic development technological area
• Spitalle, Durres;
• Tirana “Kthesa Kamez”-Kashar Corridor
• (Tirana-Durres highway);
• Kamez-Nikel Corridor;
• Porto Romano-Spitalle- Shkozet, Durres
Corridor;
• Vore-Kashar Corridor;
• Kombinat-Vaqarr Pole, Tirana;
• Kinostudio Pole, Tirana;
• Shkoze Pole, Tirana;
• Airport pole Tirana-Rinas;
• Shkozet Pole, Durres;
• Shijak-Sukth Pole.
The focus is to concentrate the service
functions, to prohibit a linear alignment along
the entire highway, to create strips / barriers
with green areas, and to strengthen the
natural areas near these territories.
The GLPs of the regional municipalities,
Tirana, Durres, Vora, Kamez, Shijak, should
clearly determine these supporting territories
for the business structures listed above.
EP4- Regional incubators and clusters
The Tirana-Durres metropolis, as a Balkan
gateway, will increase the presence of new
ventures in the region by developing business
incubators, boosting the opportunities for
“Start-ups” success and generating added
opportunities for the economy. The aim is
to create/promote new jobs in innovation.
In this context, cooperation with research
institutions is essential.
EP4.1- Regional incubators
Incubation is the instrument that supports
the development of new ventures. It helps
in forming and consolidating them, by
guaranteeing the initial support needed to
achieve economic sustainability. Whereas the
space where business ideas and projects are
incubated and marketed is called an incubator.
This is where young entrepreneurs grow, and
conditions, facilities and expertise are created
to address the needs of their ideas.
Support and training in
management and crediting
Idea and enterprise
INCUBATOR
Support and training in
business administration
and management
Links to investors and
global strategic partners
Workplaces dedicated
to new enterprises
New, consolidated and
globally interconnected
enterprise
Legal and technical
support
Figure 4.4 What is a development incubator
78

Based on the priority areas of enterprise development in the metropolitan region, it is herein proposed:
Territorial potentials of regional incubators
TIRANA
DURRES
KAMEZ
SHIJAK
- business innovation
incubators; (northern
area, the boulevard
“Dëshmorët e Kombit”)
- academic incubators
for creating the
knowledge cluster;
(Centre of Tirana/
University area)
- business innovation
incubators (Spitalle
area);
- sectorial incubators;
(Shkozet)
- general incubators.
(Durres centre)
- agro-incubators;
- sectorial incubators.
(Kamez, economic
corridor)
- agro-incubators;
(Shijak centre)
- sectorial incubators.
(economic area)
- sectorial incubators of
creative industry.
(Kinostudio; former
textile combine); (Former
auto-tractor company)
Table 4.2 Regional incubators
Incubators can be developed in public, private,
or cooperation schemes (PPP). Triple-helix
operation structures need to be developed
for their establishment (central / local
government-business - academia interaction).
Regarding the territorial development, it is
suggested that these structures be placed
near the economic poles, areas and corridors,
or knowledge and research institutions,
supported by very good access to public
transport.
Incubators can also be used as territorial
development instruments, serving as catalysts
to regenerate former industrial areas, using
physical assets under state administration.
They can be accommodated in structures
under public ownership or administration.
Their development can be accomplished
through PPP schemes, where state institutions
run the process by building frameworks and
monitoring long-term development.
Incubation stages
Pre-incubation, is related to the overall activity
necessary to support potential entrepreneurs
to develop their ideas and business plan
to strengthen the opportunities for the
achievement of an effective and successful
start-up. These is achieved through training
and specific assistance throughout the steps
and objectives.
Incubation takes care of the necessary support
for start-ups, up to the expansion stage. This
process usually lasts up to 3 years of the
activity of a new venture, which coincide with
the most significant years for its development
and achievement of maturity. The support
in this phase usually consists of access to
services, in: financing, training, consulting,
guidance and specific training.
Post-incubation relates to the establishment
of services and the performance of activities
when a company has reached the conditions
and stage of maturity and it can go on by itself.
79

Various services may be needed for SMEs to
promote sales or the overall productive climate
through globalization strategies for branded
products in the global added value chain.
Incubators dealing with the post-incubation
process are otherwise known as business
accelerators.
Typologies of incubators
• pre-incubators;
• academic incubators for the creation of the
knowledge cluster;
• general incubators;
• sectorial incubators;
• business innovation incubators.
The objectives of the IBI-s (Innovation-based
Incubators) should be based on the regional
specifics and potentials by:
• identifying the economic sectors that have
a key position and perspective in innovation
(logistics, semi-products, garment industry -
fashion);
• identifying the network through which work
can be conducted to achieve the goal, based on
research and development activities.
Preconditions for the establishment of IBI-s
• Should be based on services developed in
sectors favoured by free competition emerging
from the market demand for innovation.
• The specific requirements of local markets,
based on research and potentials of global
trends.
• The need to close “gaps” in the “supply
chain” services, driven by the added value of
the regional economy.
• The existence of a specialized expertise and
profiled structures, skills and specializations
of the community, as well as cooperation with
global level experts.
• The establishment of training, specialization
and certification centres after a regional
assessment has been conducted on potential
SMEs stakeholders and their status in financial
capacities and resources.
• The regional innovation strategy as a
prerequisite to interconnect the IBI-s system.
Partnerships for innovation
• Chambers of Commerce and Industry;
• Regional and local agencies and central
government;
• Parks of science and technology /
technopoles;
• Municipalities / urban communities;
• NGOs;
• Association of the Community of Industry
and SMEs.
Innovation-based incubators
Potential regional
development on domestic
needs / opportunities
The existence
of qualified expertise
The existence of broadbased
territorial partnership
The need to fill in the
gaps in the supply
chain services
The existence of
market demand
Figure 4.5 Innovation-based incubators
80

AN INTERACTIVE
SPACE
Concentration of
professionals and
specialized SMEs
High productivity,
research institutes
and universities
Regional economic
development
agencies and board
Entrepreneurship and
innovation
Advantage in regional
competitiveness
Figure 4.6 What is an economic cluster
EP4.2- Develop economic clusters
Regional enterprises (SMEs) mainly appear
to have a lack of critical mass in interaction,
lack of a climate of trust and cooperation, lack
of talents and regional knowledge, and lack
of cooperation with economic development
institutions.
Therefore, it is firstly aimed to develop a
climate of trust and then interaction among
actors to create high quality diversified
products and services. The linkage of all
interactive actors in the regional production
cycle will increase the possibility of
international competitiveness.
What are clusters and how do they operate?
Clusters appear as a geographical
concentration of companies and related
institutions in sectors and sub-branches
of mutually complementary industries,
encouraging exchanges and joint activities,
creating added value to products, services or
platforms, in trade and economy.
These bodies operate horizontally and
link local and regional actors, creating
conditions and supporting climate for the
economy. Clusters develop cooperation and
competitiveness of companies and accelerate
the spread of regional innovation.
In the global value chain, efficiency, speed,
adaptability, quality, innovation, network and
critical mass are the key elements of the
development and marketing of products and
services. Clusters enable the development of
these conditions and qualities with a goal and
under a common management. They facilitate
economic interaction with global corporations
and increase the prospect for success of
branded regional firms / brands. On the other
hand, their development will create increased
opportunities to brand the metropolitan
region and become a link to the global value
chain.
Building institutional structures for
developing a climate of cooperation between
business, academia, government institutions
and civil society is essential to the survival of
clusters in the global economy.
The plan supports the development of these
structures for interaction between actors and
introduces the framework of principles to be
based on:
• Developing towards common regional
objectives approaching to the service
economy and knowledge economy;
81

• Creating a climate of trust, cooperation and
teamwork among the actors;
• Developing connections among businesses
on common interest structures (cooperative
and competitive), as complementary to one
another;
• Developing interactive networks and
structures to promote innovation, with a view
to obtaining globally competitive products and
services.
The main challenges in the formation of
clusters:
• Creating a climate of trust. Local, regional
and central institutions should produce legal
and fiscal incentives to support the creation
of this climate, which is the main factor to the
functioning of the cluster;
• Creating a climate of cooperation. Through
the mechanism of joint decision-making with
governing boards, or legal or fiscal initiatives,
the cooperation of actors involved in the
cluster can and should be supported and
Fazat zhvillimore të klasterit
strengthened;
• Agreeing on the use of product patents and
innovative processes. If cooperation is guided
by clear operating platforms, supported by
legal instruments, then agreement can be
reached;
• The establishment of common approaches
to disseminate knowledge and skills among
actors in a cluster should be guided by
independent public or private institutions;
• The distribution of benefits should be
run by management boards, where public
institutions should be supportive actors;
• The lack of time to deal with responsibilities
and interact between actors needs to be
addressed by promoting the use of electronic
platforms.
Given the complexity and challenges of cluster
building, it is recommended to build combined
and systematic strategies with all-inclusive
approaches:
Cluster
development
stages
Cluster in
creation
Matured
cluster
Cluster in
transition
Champion at
the national
level
World-class
cluster
Reborn
cluster
Cluster that
supports
emerging
industries
Public support
for cluster
development
Specific programs and policies that address each stage of development
Evaluation of
developmental
stages
Standardization and evaluation
Figure 4.7 Cluster development stages
Let’s make a perfect cluster policy and 20
cluster programme, Berlin/Copenhagen, 2012
20
Let’s make a perfect cluster policy and cluster programme, Berlin/Copenhagen, 2012
82

Models of regional actors all-inclusiveness
should be based on:
“Triple Helix Concept” or “Quad Helix
Concept”
These two concepts help interaction to:
1. Promote and make efficient the role of
academia, education / learning, research and
development centres serving to productivity
and innovation;
2. Network among actors (government,
business, academia / civil society) where
innovation on products and services is due to
the interaction between them and not as an
expectation of the government policies;
3. Develop proactive approaches where each
actor supports the roles of other institutions.
(referring to the figure)
ACADEMIA
Administration and deanery
Academics
Students
GOVERNING
AUTHORITIES
State
Regional
Local
Innovation and
entrepreneurship
CLUSTER
Competitiveness
and regional
development
Innovation and
entrepreneurship
Innovation and
entrepreneurship
INDUSTRY
Corporations
Capital
Business organizations
SME
Figure 4.8 “Triple helix” concept
83

Dimensionet e ndryshme të një klasteri dhe politikat dhe/ose programet përkatëse
Cluster business
environment,
structured by:
a) Macro-economy
b) The terms of the
structural framework:
infrastructure, regulation,
well-functioning
of goods, services,
labour market etc.
Cluster
participants
Cluster
management
institution
Intervention policies /
programs:
Macro-economic and
fiscal policies
Infrastructure programs,
labour market policies /
programs, etc.
R & D and innovation
programs, business
development programs,
training and education
programs, export
promotion programs etc.
Supporting programs
(financial or technical)
Figure Let’s make 4.9 Different a perfect dimensions cluster policy of and a cluster cluster and programme, respective Berlin/Copenhagen, policies and / or programs 2012
21
Develop regional clusters
Based on the analysis of agglomerations of
enterprises, the road and rail access network,
the distance / proximity to the institutional
centres, urbanized centres and proximity to the
airport and ports, four typologies of specialized
clusters have been selected.
Regional agencies, regional municipalities,
universities, institutes, and the regional SMEs
and innovation board, based on the stage of
development and interaction of clustering
(clusters under creation), should take clear
steps in building responsible institutions and
management structures.
The typologies of the proposed regional
geographic clusters are:
• Innovative business cluster –
technological hub;
It is proposed to develop technopolises as
centres focused on research and development
of innovative technologies, global marketing
network and innovation networks.
(the pole of Rinas airport; the northern centre
“Dëshmorët e Kombit” boulevard in Tirana; the
centre of Spitalle, Durres)
• ‘Furniture industry’ and textile industry
(clothing/footwear) cluster;
It is proposed to develop regional centres
specialized in ‘Furniture and Fashion’
sectors. These structures should promote the
development of specialized school curricula as
well as specialized employment. They should
guide the cooperation of entrepreneurs who
produce partial products or raw materials, to
products that complement each other.
(the poles of ‘Kombinat’ in Tirana, Kamez,
Shijak)
• Creative industry cluster;
Develop centres with a focus on the creative
industries of various dimensions, such as
music, fashion, media, visual arts, culture etc.
(the pole of ‘Kinostudio’ in Tirana, Durres
centre)
21
Let’s make a perfect cluster policy and cluster programme, Berlin/Copenhagen, 2012
84

• Logistics cluster;
Develop logistics centres and networks with
a focus on rapid mobility and fast processing
of goods. These centres should support their
success on efficient connections with regional
entry-exit ports as well as on the range of
services they provide thanks to the strategic
locations.
Operation of these nodes should be managed
linked in a network by the traffic operational
centre in the Vora urban centre. (the poles:
Shkozet, Durres, Vora, Kavaja, Fushe-Kruja)
The establishment of institutions that will
guide the process of clustering, provision of
training and knowledge, as well as research
and development for innovation, should be
accompanied by long-term fiscal and legal
policies from line ministries.
The promotion of interaction should focus not
only on cluster stakeholders but also on the
establishment of joint development, marketing
and branding strategies, so that all clusters
(according to four clustering typologies)
can support one another in complementary
services and products.
Science, knowledge, training and innovation
institutions should create a proactive approach
to the cooperation of these clusters, which
would channel innovation towards closed (full)
cycles of production and sales of products,
from raw materials to marketing and branding
on a global scale.
Role of governance in the establishment of
clusters
Central and local governance should not
create cooperation groups between actors that
do not have a prior interaction history, even if
only informal.
Public institutions should promote a climate
of institutional trust in building cluster
stakeholder interaction. Public institutions
should take a primary role in the initial, mainly
guiding phases of the cluster support strategy
development process and in the conduct
of public-private dialogue on institutional
policies and bureaucracies that hinder the
development of industry and business.
The key roles of public governance, which will
enable a qualitative step in the development of
clusters are:
• Structures and platforms that promote
fostering confidence for stakeholders’
cooperation.
• Strategies and programs with clear roles and
responsibilities that support the participating
stakeholders. Creating a framework of action
plan and system monitoring to support
management boards. Developing trained and
motivated human resources of public service,
to manage cluster-level platforms that monitor
the performance of clusters.
• Dynamic fiscal and legal support schemes,
public services supporting stakeholders,
networks, services and final products.
• Supportive macroeconomic and political
climate to achieve goals and results, fostering
global cooperation, such as competing in
attracting foreign funding. Develop efficient
schemes to provide direct access to finance for
these interactive groups.
• Public institutions should develop strategies,
policies, programs, projects, structures
and platforms that promote the creation of
a climate of trust and cooperation among
stakeholders;
• They should form clear frameworks that
define the roles and responsibilities of the
participating stakeholders of the three abovementioned
spheres;
• They must build dynamic fiscal and legal
support schemes, supported by public services
for the involved stakeholders, their networks
and products;
• They should foster the creation of a
macroeconomic and political climate
to achieve goals and reach tangible
and measurable results. They ought to
predetermine the macro conditions necessary
to develop global cooperation and to create
facilities for attracting foreign funding.
85

There are a number of mechanisms where
public institutions can engage in cluster
building. Below are listed 20 positive
interventions that can be adapted by
government and government agencies:
Role 1: Laying “foundation stones” for
support
All levels of government should develop
resources to support the basic conditions for
the necessary growth of the four clusters.
This includes basic education for the
population through successive levels of
training, in profiled secondary and higher
education; developed road infrastructure
in the strategic poles, support with public
transport in economic areas, services
in infrastructural networks; convenient
accommodation and a healthy environment.
Role 2: Creating supportive and stimulating,
not preventive and discouraging, policies
Effective clusters require clear policies at
national level, which enable and encourage
the interaction of regional stakeholders.
Institutions should develop effective
frameworks and policies that link particular
elements to an innovative system between
the public and private sector, academia and
civil society, in a systematic and coordinated
approach to SMEs development.
Role 3: Collaboration and networking
The roots of many clusters lie in numerous
projects undertaken around the world in the
1990s to encourage and support collaboration
between firms through networks.
Cooperation between cluster-based
businesses is considered essential and
occurs through interaction networks. They
should be supported by operating platforms
that facilitate the processes and supply
chain of products, based on market demand.
The ability to create and formalize selective
networks is vital for competitive clusters.
Role 4: Establishing and supporting
communication channels
Digital platforms and electronic
communication channels with separate
roles and responsibilities can facilitate
communication and structure the research
for specific information. Given that these
platforms can bring new businesses to the
region, governance should focus on their
support.
Digital platforms should include the database
of service producers and providers, their
skills and contacts, staff education levels,
announcements on employment opportunities
and new technologies. Specialized regional
public websites can perform or provide
information on government policies on
clusters and public support or interventions
in clustered structures.
Role 5: Reorganizing governmental service
and delivery structures
Many governmental services are fragmented,
such as: training, education, funding,
technological and promotional assistance.
Often they are the responsibility of various
ministries and agencies. These services can
be reformed with an orientation towards
clusters, shifting from a sector-oriented
approach to the one oriented towards regional
problems and economic development.
These reorganizations can be performed
with minimal changes, acting through
intermediaries or setting up one-stop-shop
service centres. An important change in
approach would be the formation of interinstitutional
teams of agencies that include
cluster expertise, supported by regional
platforms with clear roles and balanced
specific responsibilities.
The fundamental change would be the
establishment of new regional agencies
focusing on economic development, which
will cover the development of the main
clusters. In all cases it is imperative that staff
have direct industry experience and be able
to understand the problems faced by cluster
companies, their technologies or customers
and the global markets.
86

Role 6: Reorganizing government
information delivery services
Clusters offer an opportunity to provide
information and services in an alternative
way, ensuring that this information is
more oriented towards the primary areas
of the regional economy than on a broad
basis. It will be very helpful for local and
regional development agencies that cluster
organization and service providers have
gathered and published data on the clusters
identified by state or private institutions.
Employment, start-up data, sector growth
rates and contributing networks will help
clusters and agencies plan and compile their
programs.
Agencies and operating structures should
consider access to successful examples.
Often in transition economies, clusters
are limited to learning just within their
boundaries and are disconnected from
knowledge sources and new technologies
that help to achieve competitive positions.
Cooperation between local and foreign
structures is suggested to build successful
cases.
Role 7: Setting up support for
entrepreneurship and learning networks
New entrepreneurs and companies need
networking, compared to existing companies,
because they have less experience and have
not yet established their routines. Stabilized
businesses in the market are rich in
information, advice and knowledge.
The most effective networks are those
established on the basis of relationships
created between entrepreneurs, such as
incubators, economic development programs,
common capital resources, regional
associations, etc.
Innovative companies can benefit greatly
from networking, i.e. on common issues of
sectorial technologies.
Role 8: Building a specialized workforce
Nothing is more important for the
development of clusters in the region than the
development of their human resources.
This factor is one of the main sources why
clusters are more dependent on public
governance, which constitutes the major
investor in education and training. Companies
seek access to workforce that is able to apply
their skills to the work environment and
through their knowledge contribute in specific
job environments mainly focusing on research
and innovation.
It is suggested to reform school curricula
with a focus on interaction with the SMEs
and establish agencies and research and
development centres that support priority
cluster sectors.
Role 9: Use the cluster in a learning context
The context in which knowledge acquisition
takes place is of great importance in the
formation of the workforce.
Institutions providing knowledge and training
within the clusters produce more productive
and informed workers, with regards to the
labour market and with better skills to
connect with employers. With the designing
of specialized curricula, jobseekers can
assess the value of the cluster, understand
more about their environment, and be more
encouraged to pursue a career in these
interactive networks.
Role 10: Promoting the development of
specialized skills and professions centres in
each cluster
Regions can create centres of excellence
around clusters. Cluster training centres
linked to existing education institutions
may become leaders in the survey and
development of industry needs, development
of new curricula by keeping in touch
with cluster boards, updating standards,
comparing practices in other fields and
gathering information about clusters’
professions and programs.
Centres should not necessarily be operating
structures exercising their activity in a
physical building, they can also be a virtual
centre that can organize teams from different
educational institutions, to work on specific
87

problems, to run R & D, or to develop
programs where all products and information
will be available throughout the country.
These centres can help firms determine
which training programs are more in need
of teaching, technological development
and industry-related information. They can
provide and develop access to the region for
social groups excluded from educational
opportunities.
Role 11: Promoting innovation and
entrepreneurship
Innovation and entrepreneurship are the
engines of promoting economic development
and growth of the cluster. Most of these
groups are formed by former entrepreneurial
employees of existing employers, following
the expansion of the supply chain and new
market potential, or in response to lower
performance of existing companies. Cluster
development policies should encourage these
groups that are vital to the renewal of cluster
primary resources.
Innovation, as well as entrepreneurship, are
heavily influenced by the region’s educational
processes and cultural norms. They can
be improved by intentional support policies
designed by the government focusing on
young entrepreneurs who serve as catalysts
in its dissemination.
Role 12: Ensuring platform support at
national level and seeking EU funds for
cluster development
Only a small number of clusters can provide
sufficient income from membership fees,
almost all others are constantly seeking
funding to support their respective activities.
International, national or regional support is
crucial to many of these collaborative groups.
By helping them to identify and provide
funding each year, governance can give
clusters the necessary support to have a safe
place in the global economy. It is suggested
to develop financial and legal packages that
promote these clusters and networks.
Role 13: Creating funding mechanisms
New and innovative ideas that arise from
networking are the main factors to develop
business creation and expansion.
Therefore, the most important cluster
development strategies should be based
on research and innovation cooperation
networks. Embryonic clusters include many
new and potential entrepreneurs, relying
on cluster-oriented investment needs,
ranging from capital base and product
development funds, to capital for new
ventures, for interconnecting networks and
wider horizontal reach out of participating
firms. Government support can be secured by
setting up funding mechanisms, by designing
policies with minimal bureaucracy based on
promoting product chain development as well
as on branding and marketing strategies.
Funding schemes should be developed in
such a way as to encourage decision-making
roles in cluster management boards.
Role 14: Allocating investments to maximize
cluster impact
Clusters provide an added opportunity for
sharing resources in certain groups to
maximize impact on the economy. Major
investments in an important cluster group,
often industrial parks or research and
development centres, are common ways to
build its reputation and attract other firms
to work in the network. The ways in which
agencies and boards of directors allocate
resources to clusters should be particularly
sensitive to the degree of maturity of the
cluster.
Embryonic clusters have different needs
from matured clusters. Reorganization
of agencies and institutions to focus on a
particular cluster is only suitable for already
consolidated / matured groups. Industrial
parks and incubators with the theme of a
cluster will help attract new members to a
potential embryonic cluster.
88

Role 15: Promoting funding programs that
increase competitiveness
One of the easiest ways to foster cooperation
between firms and achieve economies of
scale is by considering only proposals from
joint venture groups, even if they are in the
initial stages of cooperation.
Objectives for such funding may include:
• support towards business concentrations or
associations with complementary features of
each other;
• company consortia for the technical and
managerial services needed to train network
companies;
• consortia of small companies that serve to
develop or improve job vacancies.
Role 16: Investing in R & D clusters
Much of the advanced scientific research is
conducted in public / private universities.
Historically, they have been funded
through the curricula, but not necessarily
related to regional economies. Funds
are usually focused on publications, not
commercialization. Research in these
institutions should be promoted, driven by
the needs of the local economy and not by
the global trend in faculty development. In
such way, investments can have immediate
benefits.
Clusters can be supported by:
a. adding to the funding criteria
the importance and potential of
commercialization that scientific research
can have on the regional and local economy,
based on measurable and monitorable
results;
b. allocating more research funds in less
favoured parallel institutions.
Role 17: Encouraging the use of incubators
Incubators are already widely used
instruments for supporting new and small
business ventures, providing space and lowcost
technical and consulting services that
promote the dissemination of knowledge and
technology within clusters.
It is suggested to build them with
partnerships between the private business
and academia, where central and local
government can be coordinators and
facilitators of decision-making processes.
Role 18: Establishing technological centres
Many developed economies have invested in
technology centres as part of the regional
economic development policies. These
centres are often linked with educational
institutions and incubation centres, but there
are times when they are independent.
Focusing on local technology clusters can
stimulate innovation and simplify technology
transfer.
Role 19: Using clusters as a promotional
mechanism
Different states have used clusters to selfpropagate
as suitable places to do business
and to visit. Scotland, New Zealand, Canada,
Spain, Ireland and Italy are some of the
countries that have used clusters effectively
to promote regions with a focus on investors
and potential new clients.
The creation of these opportunities will have
to be integrated with regional development
and branding strategies, as well as national
regional policies.
Role 20: Supporting the development of
export networks
Small and medium-sized companies suffer
from lack of resources and skills / knowledge
on interaction opportunities with potential
partners and buyers in other countries to
maximize the potentials of the global market.
Governance can foster the creation of workbased
export companies in the clustered
network, with the aim of attracting skills /
knowledge from enterprises for the creation
of a regional information base that can
create a critical mass to exploit global export
opportunities. Usually the result is a forum
for collaboration / cooperation with a wider
scope than just exporting products.
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EP5- Territorial economic development
Poles, areas and corridors of economic
development
In order to enable the realization of the above,
the municipalities of the region should offer
for future businesses good quality spaces of a
size appropriate to their nature. Depending on
the advantages of each urban centre and their
hierarchy (as defined by the GNP), these LGUs
should guarantee:
• Developing competitive and attractive spaces
for central business areas, industrial and
technological parks, SMEs development areas,
which can attract and accommodate diverse
businesses with specific needs;
• Service offices covering business needs, for
administrative services;
• Infrastructural networks, over and
underground, efficient in mobility and power
supply, water, sewage service etc.;
• Effective public transport system that
provides the possibility of combining different
modes;
• ICT telecommunication networks, which
guarantee fast connections and exchanges
globally;
• High quality natural and urban environment,
enriched in natural and physical assets, with
links and modes of movement that do not
create pollution and negative impact;
• Regional municipalities need to consider
and propose ways to avoid increased risk
from natural factors and natural disasters in
these areas. It is proposed to develop special
infrastructures in support and protection of
these strategic investments of regional and
national relevance.
• The General Local Plans (GLPs) of the
municipalities in the region should foresee and
present the proposed economic development
areas and the respective buffer zones for
future enlargements.
Regional strategic areas for territorial
development:
“Mother Teresa” airport is supported with
fast access, equipped with railway and road
infrastructure. The aim is to efficiently link it to
the regional ring system, and with the national
axis as well.
The planning and maintenance of territorial
spaces for capacity increase at passenger
and freight terminals in the future should
be paramount to land management by line
ministries and municipalities affected by this
development.
The pole Rinas airport - Berxulle appears
as the primary development area of the
metropolitan region. The plan supports the
establishment of structures of national and
regional importance in this territory. These
structures with development potential can
be: elite businesses, university and innovation
research pole, national fairgrounds, regional
hospital, national stadium, innovative business
cluster.
National port areas
The port of Durres and the energy port of
Porto Romano are the strategic naval ports.
The plan strengthens the fast interconnection
and access of these two poles, as well as
their equipment with modern infrastructure
to withstand the increased volumes of
passengers and goods in the future.
The Port of Durres must create access and
stationing for:
1. Passenger station, for the anchorage of
medium and small-sized vessels;
2. Tourist station, for the anchorage of large
cruise ships;
3. Port service and processing area, for the
anchorage of cargo containers;
4. Port service area, for the anchorage of the
fishing fleet;
5. Port tourist area, for the anchorage of
yachts.
Stationing areas should be developed with
space for storage and management of flows,
relying on reserve space for capacity increase
in relation to flows until 2030.
90

The port space for the management of tourist
flows, cruises, yachts and fishing should
create open access for interconnection with
the city, to increase the attraction between the
port and the city as well as to develop the local
economy. These flows have a direct impact on
the development of metropolitan area tourism,
thus the spatial interconnection strategy
should be borne in mind and enforced.
The opening of these spaces as primary
port facilities should be accompanied by
the revitalization of the city waterfront and
the reallocation of the cargo area, for more
functional clusters.
These structures have a direct impact
on regional employment and the hotel
infrastructure of the region. It is suggested
that the hotel and recreation areas be located
close to these flows or create efficient links
with these areas.
Port of Porto-Romano
The proximity of this hub with the economic
development technological area in Spitalle,
as well as the direct access to the national
corridors and the Shkozet logistics area,
creates opportunities for the development and
strengthening of this asset.
Economic development technological area
Spitalle
As a primary area of national and regional
economic development, it should be
supported with services and quick access
for passengers and goods. Its connection
to the over and underground infrastructural
network, as well as its supply with energy and
telecommunication system should be the focus
of development for the line ministries and the
municipality of Durres. Eliminating the risk
of flooding in this strategic axis (Shkozet -
Porto Romano) should be accompanied by the
development of the necessary infrastructure
and their management system. The road
connection of this corridor with the ring
system of the city of Durres should have
a priority for development, for an efficient
management of the mobility flows.
The economic axis Porto Romano-Spitalle-
Shkozet is strengthened by the railway
connection and a secondary multimodal
station (freight train, bus, taxi, light public
transport).
The plan proposes the addition of port areas
near the energy port and the creation of
the necessary space for the reallocation of
the piers of raw materials from the port of
Durres, to this port. The plan proposes the
development of the main terminals, such as:
1. terminal of general goods and cereals;
2. terminal of construction materials such as
cement and clinker;
3. terminal of minerals and coal;
4. waste terminal, such as scrap.
The change of anchoring of these port flows
will increase quality of air in the city of Durres,
will improve the quality of life of the residents
and will create more opportunities to develop
the city towards regional tourism.
91

For further economic development and qualitative overrun in the economy, the plan defines the
following areas as strategic poles for regional economic development:
Tabela 17. Polet ekonomike në rajon
Pole
Highway Tirana-Kashar-Vore
Vore - Maminas
Kamez - Nikel
Kinostudio
Airport-Rinas
Kashar - Kombinat -Vaqarr
Durres port-Shkozet
Durres-Sukth / Shijak
Spitalle
Porto-Romano Port
Kavaje
Characteristics
- services
- light industry
- showroom
- fair centre
- logistics
- construction materials
- agro-industry/processing
- showroom
- fair centre/space
- business centre
- wood processing
- logistics
- trade / processing
- construction materials / light industry
- garment industry
- semi-products
- creative industry
- media
- graphic design / advertising / graphic studios
- creative industry / fashion
- fair centre
- hotels
- R&D innovation centre
- university campus
- elite business services
- national stadium (olympic)
- airport logistic services
- logistics
- industry support services
- light industry
- storage-processing spaces
- garment industry
- port services
- logistics
- storage
- processing
- manufacturing
- trade
- agro-industry
- agricultural services
- recreation services
- logistics
- garment industry
- economic development technological area (of national importance)
- services, light industry
- technological park
- energy port
- logistics
- port areas dedicated to industry
- agro-industry
- light industry
- garment industry
92
Table 4.3 Economic poles in the region

Ishëm
Thumanë
Cudhi
KRUJË
Bubq
Fushë Krujë
Manëz
Nikël
Katund i Ri
Prezë
Zall Bastar
Sukth
Maminas
VORË
Bërxullë
KAMËZ
Zall Herr
Dajt
DURRËS
Xhafzotaj
Rrashbull
SHIJAK
Gjepalaj
Kashar
Paskuqan
TIRANË
Shëngjergj
Vaqarr
Farkë
Ndroq
Golem
Petrelë
Bërzhitë
Pezë
Kërrabë
Synej
KAVAJË
Baldushk
Luz i Vogël
ELBASAN
0 5
km
RROGOZHINË
LEGEND
Metropolis
Primary centre
Secondary centre
Tertiary centre
Specialized local centre
Local centre
Urbanized area
Planning region border of
ICSP Tirana-Durres
Administrative border of the
Local Government Units
Road infrastructure
Rail infrastructure
Logistics centre
Airport
Port/Anchor point
Economic area/corridor
Industrial area
Industrial energy port
Business cluster
Regional hospital
University/incubator/innovative hub
Agricultural production
Main centre/farmers market
University of Agriculture in Tirana
Map 4.1 Economy
93

EP6- Regional branding and tourism
The creation of a “regional brand” is a key
factor to the recognition and economic growth
of the region. The Regional Development
Agency no. 2 and the municipalities of the
region should develop a regional promotion
and marketing strategy, based on the regional
strengths (physical, human, environmental,
socio-cultural, economic, natural and manmade
capital), to promote a more competitive
environment, and attract specialized human
capital and foreign investments.
The thematic framework for the development
of regional “Branding and Marketing” should
include and take into consideration:
• Regional identity and the sense of belonging;
• Community branding and preserving their
authenticity, as a priority in creating conditions
for a climate of trust and cooperation;
• Developing regional brands of products and
services “Made in Albania”;
• Promoting told experiences, based on
positive personal experiences (tourists,
potential investors, traders);
• Creating and promoting regional image,
successful achievements in the region, based
on the cooperation climate of partnerships
with domestic and foreign actors;
• Promoting “landmarks”, unique symbols for
the region not only of the “objects” category,
but also territorial and natural potentials, such
as unique regional locations or services;
• Recruiting local or international businesses
in building and presenting a “regional
message” (as a business climate promoter);
• Promoting and branding the sustainable
habitat and community living in harmony with
nature.
EP6.1- Tourism as an added value
Efforts to develop regional tourism have
as their main goal the creation of a unique
metropolitan destination with natural assets
that provide unique opportunities and services,
with an active, inclusive and multi-ethnic
community and an innovation-based business
climate.
The plan aims to combine the services and
quality products of regional businesses with
cultural-historical-natural tours, and provide
a high quality agri-tourism service in rural
areas.
This approach will serve to diversify choice
options and to extend the visitors stay in the
region.
Regional capitals for tourism development:
• Human capital: the most precious value from
which regional tourism should be promoted;
• Geographical values and attractive territorial
poles, access to them and the quality of
the environment as key factors for the
development of tourist destinations;
• Special products and services, with a
particular identity, in the form of “patented
and branded regional brands” with innovative,
efficient and competitive innovation;
• Image, culture and services, as positive and
unique elements with a direct impact on the
development of regional tourism.
EP6.2- Service tourism
Service tourism is a kind of consequence, as
the main reason for the movement of persons
considered as visitors to this category is to
obtain the services provided in the region.
Efforts to develop regional tourism create
opportunities for visits of this category to be
accompanied by the recognition and enjoyment
of other goods provided by the region.
Service tourism extends the stay of visitors
in the region and serves to establish their
relationship and familiarization with it.
94

Regional framework of the touristic destination sustainable management
Sustainable tourism development
Good government
Good promotion
Sustainability
Destination
Planning and management
Sustainability
Destination
Development
Sustainability
Destination
Promotion
Following strategies and practices
that facilitate balances, sustainable
management and touristic destination
management
Following a kind of style and level of
tourism that contributes to the
social, cultural, political and
environmental sustainability of a
country to live and work in, as well
as visit.
Promoting tourism inside and
outside a destination for attracting
and influencing the right visitors
Figure 4.10 Regional framework of the touristic destination sustainable management
This familiarization and the positive
impressions of each visitor will work
independently for the marketing of the region
in contemporary passive forms.
Services / business tourism includes events of
limited duration that can be held in two-threeday
packages such as conferences, festivals,
service and products of regional industries
fairs etc. This tourism typology does not
depend on transport costs, but on the quality
and efficiency of services and human capital
values of the region.
The Regional Development Agency no. 2 and
the municipalities of the region should build
a common, clear and integrated strategy for
the development of this type of tourism. They
should encourage the spirit of cooperation
between stakeholders to provide daily or
weekend packages, accompanied by tour
guides and quick access to services.
The Regional Tourism Board should develop
strategies to promote annual events, based
on supporting infrastructure, territorial poles,
human values, business products and services.
The agency and the municipalities should
promote cooperation between stakeholders
to integrate regional values, assets and
capital into tourist packages. The plan aims at
supporting and developing assets, as follows:
• Human resources: building knowledge
packages for this service typology, as well as
creating certification opportunities. Providing
continuous teaching through academia and
SMEs cooperation to certify tourism services;
• Creating tourist poles, attractive for
investments, equipped with quality services in
physical and electronic infrastructure;
95

• Establishing areas for fairs, events and
conferences, supported by fast access and
certified quality hotels for these services.
Developing business centres near the
economic development poles, such as the pole
Airport-Rinas;
• Promoting products and services of regional
industries with “patented and branded regional
brands” that play a role in attracting and
creating the conditions for the development of
regional conferences, symposia and exhibitions
and fairs. Unified regional packages should be
created, combining various tourism variations
of conferences with cultural and natural
services;
in “Business-class” hotels, as well as creating
opportunities for information associated with
quick internet access.
• Creating quick access to options for leisure
time, rehabilitation and recovery, historic and
cultural services and outdoor sports.
• Interlinking events, fairs and festivals to
attract and diversify the range of tourists in:
business centres, fair centres, universities,
business parks, industrial parks, hospitality
structures near the airport for transit trips.
• Creating clear annual calendars of major
events, serving business support and regional
branding. Annual events, invariable in time,
which create trust and promote foreign
investments, events with a clear typology and
focus, such as Tirana Smart City, Fashion
Week, Film Week, Design Week, Health Week,
Technological Innovation Week, etc.
• Image building and branding: promoting a
positive image for a unique region through
tourism services and business. Promoting
tourist elite areas with services and hotels.
Possibilities of the region to extend the
duration of stay of business tourists:
• Establishing monitoring facilities of the
catering standards and promoting innovation in
the hospitality-tourism sector, to increase the
possibilities of choice among hotel typologies
in the category of “Business hotels”.
• Promoting certified travel management
companies and weekend tours that stimulate
staff training at specialized centres and create
seasonal employment opportunities for young
people through guides of evening events and
weekend tourism.
• Promoting regional destinations and
historical sites with unique services through TV
channels and the creation of multidimensional
animations for the presentation of the region
96

Areas of action within the category of service / business tourism, which should be integrated into the
regional branding strategy by RDA2 and the municipalities of the region, are:
Medical
tourism
Tourism of
conferences
and symposia
Education and
entrepreneurship
tourism
Rehabilitation
and recovery
Sports, Fitness,
Fashion and Style
Medical services
at competitive,
innovative and
quality prices in
dentistry and
medicine.
Integrated
promotion into
specific packages,
focused on the
foreign market.
Holding conferences
and
symposia where
this service can be
promoted.
Creating annual
events for international
symposia as
well as fairs related
to academia and
industry.
Enabling and
promoting
internship
packages, learning
platforms and
entrepreneurial
opportunities.
Promoting
network links with
research institutes
from incubators.
Promoting
health rehabilitation
opportunities
with
integrated
packages
related to
outdoor
walking,
gastronomy and
specialized
curative
services.
Promoting
marathons,
championships,
sport events in
favour of health.
Promoting
fashion industry,
linked to creative
and artistic
industries.
Integrated
tourism
packages.
Stakeholders Stakeholders Stakeholders Stakeholders Stakeholders
Connecting
research
institutes, university
network and
local business
network with
certification
centres and
tourist agencies.
Business and
innovation incubators,
global SMEs
partners, universities
and academia,
regional development
structures,
regional municipalities
and ministries
responsible for
culture, education,
economy and
tourism.
Tirana-Durres
regional municipalities,
Ministry of
Social Welfare and
Youth, Ministry of
Education and
Sports, Employment
Offices,
Universities, the
Regional Development
Fund, the
Ministry of
Tourism.
Tirana-Durres
regional
municipalities,
Ministry of
Health, regional
businesses and
organizations.
The Ministry of
Social Welfare
and Youth, the
Ministry of
Education and
Sports, the
Ministry of
Health, regional
municipalities
and business.
Regional Tourism Board, municipal council, academia, central government, society.
Table 4.4 Areas of action in business tourism
97

EP6.3- City and weekend tourism
The vibrancy of the cities of Tirana and Durres
should be promoted in an integrated manner,
to create a multi-ethnic and diversified tourist
offer. The aim is to develop the weekend
tourism climate, by combining several
potential tourism typologies and facilities
accommodated near the urban, rural and
natural poles. The plan encourages and
seeks to harmonize the interaction of natural,
cultural and recreational tours, serving as
a core platform for building diverse tourist
packages and for all age groups.
The presence of international entry gates
in the region, enables the attraction of two
massive flows in this tourism typology:
• Attracting international tourists - quick
access through the port and the airport. The
aim is to develop regional branded packages
that provide low transportation costs and
diverse accommodation opportunities;
• Attracting domestic tourists - multiple
efficient and quality choice options, organized
in mix service packages.
The Plan supports:
• the development of absorbing / attracting
poles with complementary functions serving
to the economy and tourism, aiming at the
connection of geographical, physical, human
and cultural potentials;
• the regeneration of cultural-historical assets
accompanied by tourist services and guides;
• the creation of spatial conditions for services
in function of holiday destinations;
• the development of physical (of tourism
poles) and virtual links for quick access to the
global market;
• the interconnection of tours / guides in
natural territories with centralized services in
urban and rural centres;
• the development of unique destinations for
cultural and nightlife events.
The table below presents the weekend tourism
development poles, while the following provide
some guidance on them:
• Creating recreational and entertainment
poles; The aim is to solidify and interconnect
tourism packages that create economies of
scale and a critical mass for tourism services.
Tourist areas and poles must first be equipped
with infrastructure, enabling rapid access and
multimodality in transport. These areas need
to be supported with tourism services, as well
as massive parking lots to cope with tourist
flows. The urban centres Tirana, Durres,
Shijak, Vore, Kamez, need to regenerate or
revitalize poles in service of tourism, based
on the typologies set out in table 4.5. These
poles should promote the development of
interconnected events, combining those of
nature, agri-tourism, recreation, culture
and heritage. Event organization should be
supported with service infrastructure and
marketing platforms;
• Stadiums, fair centres and areas of mass
events should be equipped with all the service
infrastructure, interconnected with multimodal
transport, parking areas and security services;
• Sites of youthful, artistic and creative
character promoting culture and art should
be revitalized in two directions: regeneration
of buildings, squares and infrastructure, as
well as the development of human resource
capacities, to provide services focusing
on culture, art and tradition. For example,
“creative neighborhoods” promoting the
spread of culture through music, painting,
poetry and applied arts, should be established
in cooperation with local human capacity
building.
Other assets affected by this development
are the regeneration of historic buildings
with architectural values. These structures
should be made available to tourist services,
as museum centres, hotels, cultural sites, etc.
The regeneration of historic neighborhoods
with architectural values should serve to the
establishment of creative neighborhoods,
areas for promoting crafts and areas serving to
culture and heritage. Their establishment and
98

development should be supported by incentive
policies for public-private partnerships.
Municipalities affected by the plan should
combine interaction between creative
neighborhoods and pedestrian areas, creating
a climate diversified in functions and services,
to increase the critical mass of users, and to
create economies of scale in these poles;
• The development of nature-focused
tourism, in addition to the use of natural
assets, should be supported by recreational
functions related to rural development and
agri-tourism.
It is suggested to construct green corridors
along the river beds, equipped with
infrastructure for off-road cycling and
outdoor hiking. These mobility axes should
be developed in such a way as to provide
safe movement and low impact in nature.
The services provided in them should be
combined with service packages in the rural
and cultural heritage areas of the region. The
creation of physical infrastructure in green
corridors should be combined with areas
that promote heritage and culture. Mobility in
these axes should be equipped with physical
and virtual information infrastructures;
Tirana
Durres
Potentials outside the urban areas
Cultural and natural tourism.
Unique cultural services and
natural recreation accompanied
by recreational parks linked to
health care.
Tirana centre - Dajt - Farke -
Kashar
"Sea and Sun" tourism, rehabilitation
and recovery.
Seaside and quality services in
food, relaxation, hotel and
health services.
Unique and multidisciplinary,
massive, annual festivals, for
the promotion of quality life
and entertainment.
Cape of Rodon - Bay of Lalzi -
Bisht Palle - Bay of Durres
Natural tourism and
gastronomy
Natural recreation, culinary,
tradition-culture. Support in
the creation of tours and
structures of eco-tourism,
related to nature, wineries and
local food varieties
Tirana, Vore, Petrele, Peze,
Preze, Gjokaj.
Road axis Tirana-Ndroq-
Shijak-Durres.
Tirana centre
Creative neighborhoods with
traditional architecture and
unique services in culture, art,
crafts, music, nightlife and
unique events.
Tirana centre
Service poles for cultural
events such as fashion, music,
opera, theatre, ballet, movies,
etc.
Durres centre
(historic centre)
Historical and cultural area,
neighbourhood with unique
architecture and opportunities
to promote cultural-historical
life.
Durres centre
Potential in the creation of
handicrafts and tourism
festivals, crafts industry and
museums.
Events serving to tourism.
Nature and recreation tourism:
Dajt, Farke, Cape of Rodon,
Patok, Fushe Kuqe, Bay of Lalzi.
Support in concentrated
investments in agro-environmental
and ecotourism
services.
Nature and rural tourism in:
Peze, Ndroq, Pjeze, Katund i Ri,
Hamallaj, Kuç, Bubq, Patok,
Fushekuqe, Canyons of Tujan,
Brar, Peze, Ndroq, Shkalle,
Arbane, Farke, Ibe.
Table 4.5 Potentials of the region for weekend tourism
99

• Creating food festivals and combining them
with natural recreational tours will enable
the connection of urban and rural areas. This
approach aims at the promotion of primary
focus areas, culinary and natural recreational
events. Natural tours should be combined with
inn facilities near rural centres, promoting
rural development and “Slow Food” tourism
typology. The plan supports the creation of the
axis focused on agri-tourism combined with
natural recreation, such as:
1. Tirana - Peze - Ndroq - Pjeze - Hamallaj -
Bay of Lalezi - Durres;
2. Cape of Rodon - Preze - Vore - Kuç - Ndroq
- Petrele - Priske - Ibe;
3. Kruje - Lagoon of Patoku - Rrushkulli
Reserve - Bisht Palle - ‘Currila’ Hills Durres.
• Regional municipalities should develop the
necessary infrastructure for outdoor sports
such as bicycle and hiking routes and air
sports. The provision of information boards
and the preparation of apps will increase the
possibilities for the development of
safe and diverse events throughout the year. 22
Tirana Durres Kamez Vore Shijak
Ishem River
(sub-branches);
Erzen River
(sub-branches);
Bicycle and hiking
routes, interconnection
of the
cultural and
natural areas
(regeneration and
requalification).
Zall-Herr, Park of
Dajt, Ibe, Berzhite,
Mullet, Petrele,
Preze.
Regional park:
Peze Helmes,
Kashar
Erzen River
(sub-branches);
Bicycle and hiking
routes, interconnection
of the cultural
and natural areas
(regeneration and
requalification).
Bisht Palle, Bay of
Lalzi
Regional park:
The Cape of Rodon,
Vore
Urban park:
Currila hills.
Ishem River
(sub-branches);
Bicycle and hiking
routes, interconnection
of the
cultural and
natural areas
(regeneration and
requalification).
Urban park:
Paskuqan,
Zall-Herr, Dajt.
Ishem River
(sub-branches);
Bicycle and
hiking routes,
interconnection
of the cultural
and natural areas
(regeneration
and requalification).
Water basins;
Regional park:
Ndroq, The Cape
of Rodon
Erzen River
(sub-branches)
Bicycle and
hiking routes,
interconnection
of the cultural
and natural areas
(regeneration
and requalification).
Natural areas;
Regional park;
Water basins.
Tradition-cultural
tourism;
Historical objects:
Arapaj, Porto
Romano, Ishem, The
Cape of Rodon.
Tradition-cultural
tourism.
Tradition-cultural
tourism;
Historical objects:
Axis: Ibe-Petrele-Peze-Ndroq.
Tradition-cultural
tourism;
Historic objects:
Preze, Bubq.
Tradition-cultural
tourism.
Table 4.6 Natural corridors in tourism development
22
Agri-tourism and rural / natural tourism are treated in rural development policies
100

Regional tourism cluster
In order to develop a mutual sustainable
tourism promotion network, the aim is to
develop a regional tourism cluster with the
participation and cooperation of several
stakeholders, such as service tourist agencies
of events, hotels, restaurants, adventure
sports, handicrafts, craftsmanship and
the local community that carries tangible
heritage values, etc. The scope is to construct
integrated programs, supported by fiscal and
legal policies to foster interaction climate
between stakeholders. Their interconnection
should also be supported by the contribution of
organizations of cultural heritage protection,
universities, vocational schools, the institute
of cultural monuments, craftsmen of wood or
stone, etc.
An example of such a potential development
could be Kruja with its fortress, the market
ensemble (Bazaar), the development of
craftsmanship and handicrafts, the line of
ethnographic and historic museum, the line of
restaurants, hotels, tour agencies, adventure
sports, exploration of nature, festivals, etc.
Linking these services to each other and
the possibility of interconnecting with the
surrounding region constitutes a unique
potential.
This contribution will be deposited in a special
account, where all members can have access
to overseeing the collection of fees, and at the
end of each year it will be planned to be used
for specific projects aimed at developing and
promoting tourism in the region. The projects
should be subject to joint decision-making.
Funds may also be deposited by organizations
or individuals who wish to contribute to the
development of tourism in the region.
The fund will be managed by a group of
members selected from various groups that
will form the board of the Regional Tourism
Fund. This board should have a statute and
operational regulation under the legislation
in force. Municipalities are recommended to
be part of this regional fund and to adapt their
local contributions and align local policies in
harmonization with regional objectives.
Creating an interactive regional platform,
with restoration and conservation specialists,
academics of cultural heritage, professional
tour guides, masters of historic construction
techniques, etc., would serve as an added
value in terms of cultural heritage and its
transmission from generation to generation.
Tourism board and fund
The creation of a mutual regional fund for
regional tourism development will serve to
unify strategies and investments to the benefit
of tourism for the entire metropolitan region.
All accommodation and entertainment
businesses, which are willing to contribute to
and use the “trademark” of the region, must
apply a symbolic utilization or attendance fee
for their clients, from 1-3 euro (indicative).
101

Travel
agents
Tour
operators
Public relations
and market
research
services
Local health
care and other
services
Hotels
Attractions
and activities
Food suppliers
Local
transport
Property
services
Restaurants
Airlines, cruise
ships
Duty-free,
souvenirs
Maintenance
services
Banks,
currency
exchange
Governmental
agencies
Academic
institutions
Industry
groups
Figure 4.11 Organization and cooperation structure of tourism stakeholders
102

Public-private partnership in tourism
Formality
agreement
Clear description
of goals
Tourism
industry
Tour
operators
Universities
Public
sector
Tourist
destination
communities
Tourists
Local
state
department
Organizational
structure
Leadership skills
Funding:
- Finding
investments
and financing;
- Ensuring initial
funds;
- Overcoming
barriers to
investment.
Marketing and
promotion:
- Developing
destination
images;
- Facing
competition;
- Electronic
marketing;
- Market
coverage.
Infrastructure /
Human
Resources:
- Developing
transport
infrastructure;
- Sewerage and
public hygiene;
- Security;
- Education and
training.
Products:
- Attraction on
development;
- Conservation
of the
environment,
culture and
traditional
resources;
- Creation of
standards and
quality.
Resources and
attractions:
- Cultural,
natural and
historical;
- Events and
festivals;
- Entertainment;
- Tradition;
- Culinary;
- Atmospheric
conditions;
- Tourist
infrastructure;
- Accessibility.
Flexibility
Social network
Efficiency in
performance
Figure 4.12 Conceptual model for public-private partnership for the development of regional tourism
103

Guidelines for the development of urbannatural
tourism
• Tourism and development infrastructure
The provision of quality tourist infrastructure
is a prerequisite for attracting investment and
tourists in the region. The main components
of tourist infrastructure include road, rail,
airport access, low cost airfares, road
transport facilities, accommodation facilities
(hotels, motels, hostels, youth hostels, etc.),
restaurants, tour operators, attractive tourist
websites, tourist shops, etc. Regional / local
identity should be maintained when developing
supportive infrastructure with public or private
developers to help tourists find the local
experience in this region.
Local government structures should promote
the development of new tourism products
with appropriate infrastructure, such as
the establishment of centres of culture and
specialized education in potential locations;
construction of entertainment parks for
children; creating the necessary conditions in
favour of outdoor adventure (rock climbing,
mountain biking, sport fishing, parachuting,
water sports, outdoor walking, etc.). These
areas should be equipped with basic tourism
infrastructure such as: public toilets,
prohibition of crossing through risky spots,
information centres, fuel stations, police
stations, first aid centres, play areas, shelters,
telephone booths and parking areas along
the roads of the tourist destination. The local
government should mobilize the private
investments of the region, to build services and
tourism infrastructure.
In particular, information infrastructure needs
to be improved and built in road entries of
the regional tourist corridors and attractive
tourist poles; electricity and digital (ICT)
supply should be improved; public transport
in tourist poles should be improved; airport
services and low cost mobility should be
improved; new attractive poles based on
perennial tourism should be developed;
services should be improved with a view
to increasing the tourist stay in regional
destinations; non-elite-only hotel structures
should be developed, but also in the service
of young people based on youth tourist poles
supported by urban, rural and natural all-year
events. Local and regional government should
develop short and medium term strategies
to integrate various tourism typologies with
tourist packages, in order to attract certain
sectors of the global tourism market. The
regional tourism board, and regional or central
government tourism support departments
should prepare strategies and action plans
for regional tourism development. These
strategies should create synergies and
cooperation with the needs and conditions
of stakeholder development from the private
sector, conducting ongoing consultations on
infrastructural requirements and support to
specific regional destinations.
• Ensuring quality
It is imperative to set standards and quality
regime for operating structures such as
hotels, restaurants, tour operators, travel
agencies and other touristic service providers.
These standards have to be adopted on a
large scale, they should be presented with
interest groups in order to agree upon and
ensure quality, followed by a strong compliance
and monitoring regime. This standard and
certification regime should be linked to similar
international regimes, aiming to approximate
with the standards of European countries.
International certification will be very useful
for businesses, consumers, government,
local communities, and no less for the
environment. For business, this will help to
improve the quality of their services and unfair
competition, reducing operating costs and
providing an edge to long-term marketing
and branding strategies. In addition to
providing opportunities for economic benefits
to local communities, certification also
provides enhanced opportunities to respect
and promote local culture and tradition. For
governance, certification will raise industry
standards in areas such as health, safety, the
environment, social and economic stability, and
will lower the cost of support and regulatory
services.
• Creating a business environment for
investment
The success of tourism in the metropolitan
area is based on the synergy between the
public and private sector. Governance should
104

act as a catalyst to create an appropriate
environment and a facilitative and promotional
framework for private investments. Regional
municipalities should provide land / territory
for long-term lease, based on subsidized
rates for tourism projects in less developed
areas.
In order to facilitate the rapid adoption of
tourism projects, tourism development areas
should be presented as soon as possible
according to the typologies and priority
functions. In order to promote investment in
the tourism industry, the regional tourism
board and local and regional government
units will need to create a unit to promote
tourism potentials to attract investors from
the domestic or foreign private sector. Efforts
should also be directed to attracting foreign
investors and donors to large scale projects
such as mixed-function resorts, four-star
and five-star international brand hotels,
adventure and event centres, amusement
parks, natural and cultural holiday villages.
These government units should present
special and interrelated schemes to attract
foreign investment to these types of projects,
using various incentives, such as concessions
or partnerships. If required, the government
should adopt legislation that will grant
tourism the full status of an industry.
• Visitor safety
The safety of tourists is of paramount
relevance, both from the point of view
of tourism economy development and
accountability at national and international
level. These factors should take precedence
in the overall security policy of the region
to provide a safe and secure environment
for visitors, during travel and at tourist
destinations. The safety of tourists should
not only be based on providing a climate of
security against crime, but also on providing
security measures and infrastructural
certification in outdoor movements, services
and products offered.
• Institutional and regulatory reforms
The central and local government should
develop an efficient fiscal and legal regulatory
regime not only to ensure the best quality of
tourism services but also to facilitate private
investment in the sector. The regulatory
regime should also support the role and
development of human capacities in the
state administration in order to generate
opportunities to carry out successful tourism
policies. This regime should promote
licensing and registration of businesses by
typologies, given their existing unequal status.
A high implementation standard of these acts
will lead to increased tourism activity in the
country.
Especially based on:
- Acts of hotels and restaurants on
compulsory inclusion in the Advisory
Committee membership, to ensure equal
representation of stakeholders, to review
registration criteria, to determine health and
safety standards, and to determine pricing
provisions and taxation.
- Acts of travel agencies to be included in the
Advisory Committee membership to bring
the focus to tourists and introduce a special
regulatory regime for travel agencies and tour
operators.
- Tour guide acts should be reviewed in
accordance with the above statutes, apart
from the introduction of effective enforcement
provisions.
• Marketing and image building
A metropolitan image needs to be built
and also increase tourists confidence in its
attractivity. The government should make
every effort to promote the metropolitan
region as a favourite tourist destination, both
to domestic and foreign tourists.
To this end, the following measures are
necessary:
- Conducting observations in the main
tourism market and preparing a strategy
to further strengthen the existing tourism
markets by developing new tourist products,
focusing on local tourists, youth, students and
certain low-cost market sectors.
- Developing a detailed tourism portal for
the metropolitan region to provide a onestop-shop
solution in order to facilitate the
105

participation of visitors interested in obtaining
up-to-date information on hotel reservations,
transportation and regional tour packages.
-The printed and electronic media should be
used as a cost effective way to project the
tourist attractions of the metropolitan region
in the global and local markets. Seasonal
tourism promotion opportunities should be
designed through press and electronic media
to improve the efficiency of hotels and services
in mountainous / hilly and natural areas during
non-favourable seasons.
- Participating in various national and
international tourist exhibitions and fairs, to
highlight the potential of the metropolitan
region tourism.
- Establishing a task force on tourism
marketing in order to improve public-private
coordination between the public and private
sector to develop a joint marketing strategy
and promote the region as a tourist destination
throughout the year.
- Events such as festivals, water sports and
outdoor activities, food, folklore, history
festivals, etc., should be promoted in advance
to attract local and foreign tourists. A calendar
of events should be provided on the region’s
tourism web portal with the expected dates
and details of all events. It is suggested that
calendars are annual and unchangeable, in
short and medium terms.
A regional branding strategy needs to be
developed through: developing interesting and
multilingual tourism information materials
such as tour guide maps, travel handbooks
and information leaflets, providing extensive
dissemination and regular updates; developing
a regional tourism portal; promoting and
developing PPPs for tourism marketing and
joint campaigns; organizing cultural and
sports events for the promotion of tourism;
adapting the demographic trends of European
and global tourism.
facilities in favour of this sector; to revise
programs at university level qualification; to
regularly monitor labour demand and supply
of the sector; to introduce new programs
and promote the establishment of new
institutions from the private sector and develop
international links for national institutions.
• Mobilizing resources
The implementation of this tourism policy
will depend on the availability of the right
resources. The resource mobilization plan
includes the following:
- Setting a minimum threshold in the annual
development fund to ensure certain amounts
of the annual public funds and also defining
the development of tourism as a priority sector
for the government.
- Mobilizing private sector investments
in tourism development through a strong
public-private partnership regime and
limited government resource management to
generate more funding.
- Introducing user tariffs to a number of
infrastructure and tourist services to make
them sustainable in the long run. Providing
subsidies to vulnerable areas. Tourism as a
leisure activity will be promoted as a viable
economic sector through return on investment
from revenues collected from tourists.
- Mobilizing donor funding should be key
to implementing this policy, where the
regional board and regional municipalities
should organize donor conferences, inviting
multilateral donors to demonstrate the areas
they will be willing to support.
Improving efficiency in administrative and
managerial equipment and facilities will
result in cost reduction, removal of inefficient
expenditure losses and leakages in vulnerable
areas.
• Developing workforce
The availability of trained and skilled
workforce has been a key obstacle to the
development of tourism in the region. It is
suggested to strengthen and improve the
curriculum in education and private training
106

Ishëm
Thumanë
Cudhi
KRUJË
Bubq
Fushë Krujë
Manëz
Nikël
Katund i Ri
Prezë
Zall Bastar
Sukth
Maminas
VORË
Bërxullë
KAMËZ
Zall Herr
Dajt
DURRËS
Xhafzotaj
Rrashbull
SHIJAK
Gjepalaj
Kashar
Paskuqan
TIRANË
Shëngjergj
Vaqarr
Farkë
Ndroq
Golem
Petrelë
Bërzhitë
Pezë
Kërrabë
Synej
KAVAJË
Baldushk
Luz i Vogël
ELBASAN
0 5
km
RROGOZHINË
LEGEND
Metropolis
Primary centre
Secondary centre
Tertiary centre
Specialized local centre
Local centre
Urbanized area
Planning region border of
ICSP Tirana-Durres
Administrative border of the
Local Government Units
Road infrastructure
Rail infrastructure
Airport
Port/Anchor point
Bicycle/hiking routes
Connecting landscape itinerary
Coastal landscape itinerary
Tourist potentials/stations
Green area
Water surface area
Recreational water space
Service, business, cultural and historical tourism
Sun and sea tourism
Natural, recreational, traditional and cultural tourism
Agri-tourism
Map 4.2 Tourism
107

4.2 Urban development policies
URBAN DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
Polycentrism and
hierarchy of
urban centres
Urban mobility
network
Consolidation of
urban centres
Energy Efficiency
in Buildings
IIntegration of
informal areas
Comprehensive
regional community
spaces
Accommodation
and social housing
Figure 4.13 Urban development policies
This section of the regional planning guidelines
reviews trends, challenges and areas focusing
on the development of urban areas, centres
and communities involved in them.
To provide increased opportunities for the
development of these areas, the plan takes
into account the best similar examples in
the region and provides regional solutions
to urban territorial development issues
through integrated policies. The latter
would be insufficient per se if they were
not accompanied by territorial definitions,
recommendations and obligations to act
for the stakeholders involved in matters of
territorial administration and management
in the metropolitan area.
UP1- Polycentrism and
hierarchization of urban centres
historical and territorial characteristics of
the development of these centres.
Determination of the hierarchy of urban
centres is simultaneously supported by the
role and position defined by the General
National Plan, where each centre is
considered contextualized and integrated
with the neighbouring centres.
The hierarchization policy of the centres
is applied to promote specialization and
complementary relationships in relation to
one another. Setting a hierarchy will, among
others, enable the increase of the efficiency
of public investments in these territories.
The table below provides orientations on the
role of urban centres based on the hierarchy:
This policy aims at defining a clear hierarchy
between the urban centres of the region.
Reflections are simultaneously based on the
108

Centre
Hierarchy
Priority
Tirana
Metropolis
- Political and economic centre of the region with high
density;
- Focused on the service / global trade sector;
- Space for high quality business development within the
urban area;
- Focused on attracting international cultural activities such
as festivals, sports events etc.;
- High quality services at national scale.
Durres Primary centre - Economic centre of the region;
- Focused on port services;
- Space for business development of services related to
ground and maritime (blue economy) logistics;
- Focused on attracting international events such as
festivals, sports events, etc.
Kavaje Secondary centre - A centre focused on logistical services related to agroindustry;
- Focused on coastal tourism;
- Alternative housing (lower cost) for young families;
- Improving public and social spaces.
Vore Tertiary centre - A centre focused on logistical services;
- Alternative housing (lower cost) for young families;
- Quality regional public services;
- Improving public and social spaces.
Kamez Tertiary centre - A centre focused on logistical and manufacturing services;
- Alternative housing (lower cost) for young families;
- Improving public and social spaces.
Shijak Tertiary centre - A centre focused on services for agriculture;
- Developing agro-industry;
- Alternative housing (lower cost) for young families;
- Improving public and social spaces.
Fushe-Kruje Local centre - A centre focused on logistical and agro-industry services;
- Improving public and social spaces;
- Public services at local level.
Sukth
Katund i ri
Ndroq
Peze
Local centre
Local centre
- A centre focused on services for agriculture;
- A collection centre or regional market;
- Focused on agro-industry.
- A centre focused on agro-tourism;
- Creative space;
- Opportunities for high quality and low density residencies
outside the centre;
- Improving public transport.
Table 4.7 Role of urban centres based on the hierarchy
109

Metropolis
Primary
centre
Secondary
centre
Tertiary
centre
Local
centre
Locality
Petrele
Mullet, Stermas, Picall, Shenkoll,
Gurre e Madhe, Gurre e Vogel,
Daias, Barbas, Fikas, Mangull,
Qeha, Shytaj, Hekal, Kryezi,
Percellesh, Durishte
Farke
Farke e Vogel, Lunder, Mjull
Bathore, Sauk, Selite
Dajt
Linze, Shishtufine, Tujan, Brrar,
Ferraj, Priske e Madhe, Surrel,
Lanabreges, Shkalle, Qafmolle,
Darshen, Selbe, Murth
Zall Bastar
Bastar i Mesem, Bastar-Murriz,
Vilez, Zall-Mner, Mner i Siperm,
Bulçesh, Zall Dajt, Besh, Dajt,
Shengjin i vogel, Selite Mali
Berzhite
Ibe, Dobresh, Ibe e Poshtme,
Pellumbas, Mihajas-Cirme, Kus,
Fravesh, Kllojke, Pashkashesh,
Luge-Shalqize, Rozavere
Tirana
Krrabe
Baldushk
Mushqeta, Skutere
Mumajes, Fushas, Balshaban,
Shpate, Isufmuçaj, Mustafakoçaj,
Koçaj, Kakunj, Vesqi, Parret,
Shenkoll, Vrap, Shpat i siperm
Shengjergj
Verri, Ure, Burimas, Shengjin,
Façesh, Bize, Fage, Parpuje,
Vakumone, Domje, Derje
Vaqarr
Allgjate, Arbane, Bultice, Damjan-
Fortuzaj, Gropaj, Lalm, Prush,
Vishaj, Sharre
Kashar
Yzberish, Mezez, Yrshek, Katundi i
Ri, Kus, Mazrek
Peze
Peze Helmes, Peze e Vogel, Varosh,
Maknor, Dorez, Gror, Grece, Pajane,
Gjysylkane
Ndroq
Zbarqe, Kerçukje, Zhurje, Lagje e
re, Pinet, Sauqet, Çalaberzeze,
Shesh, Grebllesh, Menik
Zall Herr
Dritas, Çerkeze-Morine, Qinam,
Kallmet, Herraj, Pinar, Priske e
Vogel, Radhesh
110

Metropolis
Primary
centre
Secondary
centre
Tertiary
centre
Local
centre
Locality
Kamez
Paskuqan
Bathore, Laknas, Valias, Frutikulturë,
Bulçesh, Zall-Mner
Babrru Qender, Koder e Kuqe,
Shpat, Fushe e Kerçikeve, Koder
Babrru, Paskuqan Fushe, Paskuqan
Koder
Marqinet, Sharge, Gerdec, Gjokaj,
Kuc, Marikaj, Picar
Vore
Preze
Ahmetaq, Palaq, Fushe Preze, Gjeç-
Koder, Ndermjetes, Breg-Shkoze
Berxulle
Mukaj, Domje
Synej
Butaq, Rrikaj, Hajdaraj, Peqinaj,
Rrakull, Bago
Luz i Vogel
Vorrozen, Beden, Blerimaj
Kavaje
Golem
Kryemedhej, Tilaj, Seferaj, Golemas,
Qeret, Karpen, Zik-Xhafaj,
Kanaparaj, Agonas, Karpen i ri
Helmas
Zikular, Lis-Patros, Shtodher, Çete,
Momel, Habilaj, Çollakaj, Kryezi,
Cikallesh
Sukth
Hamallaj, Kulle, Perlat, Vadardhe,
Rushkull, Hidrovori
Ishem
Likmetaj, Kertushaj, Kapidanaj,
Gjuricaj, Lalez, Kuraten, Bize, Draç,
Shetaj
Durres
Katund i Ri
Jube, Qerret, Fllake, Bisht-Kamez,
Rinia, Erzen, Sukth, Adriatik
Rrashbull
Arapaj, Shenavlash, Shkallnur,
Manskuri, Romanat, Bozanxhije,
Xhafzotaj
Manez
Armath, Borç, Hamallaj, Kameras,
Rade, Shkalle, Fshat Manez
Maminas
Karreç, Vlashaj, Karpen, Bodinak,
Metalle, Bilalas, Rubjek
Shijak
Xhafzotaj
Pjeze, Rreth, Sallmone, Koxhas,
Borake, Guzaj, Vllazerimi
Gjepalaj
Hardhishte, Çizmeli, Eminas i Vogel,
Likesh, Kenete, Shtraze, Shahinaj,
Shetel
111

Metropolis
Primary
centre
Secondary
centre
Tertiary
centre
Local
centre
Locality
Barkanesh, Picerrage, Brret
Fushe-Kruje
Arrameras 1, Luz 1, Hasan, Larushk
1, Halil, Zgerdhesh, Zalle, Luze 2,
Larushke 2, Arrameras 2
Bubq
Bilaj, Budull, Mazhe – Madhe,
Mazhe – Vogel, Mallkuç, Murqine
Kruje
Nikel
Tapize, Qereke, Rinas, Virjon,
Buran, Mukaj, Kurcaj, Zeze
Thumane
Koder-Thumane, Borizane, Derven,
Gramez, Thumane, Bushnesh,
Dukagjin i Ri, Sukth-Vendas,
Miliska, Derven Koder
Cudhi
Cudhi-Zall, Noje, Mafsheq, Shqeze,
Shkrete, Cudhi – Kant, Kroi Madh,
Bruz-Zall, Bruz-Mal, Rranxe
Table 4.8 Urban centres hierarchy division
112

UP1.1- Public services
The range of public services provided by each
of the urban centres should be based on the
structure of the hierarchy of centres presented
by the ICSP for the Economic Area Tirana-
Durres. The municipalities of the region should
aim at improving and enhancing services
quality based on their citizens’ access in the
classical form, but also adding the ‘online’ (via
the Internet) form.
A particular focus should be placed on creating
the right environment and successful publicprivate
partnership schemes for those services
that are difficult or impossible to achieve by
state structures. Attention should also be
dedicated to the drafting of management
plans for public entities, with clear roles and
responsibilities of public stakeholders, to act
and monitor.
Public services in the territory should be
developed pursuant to the principles and
definitions of the law “On planning and
development of the territory”, and the
regulations for its implementation.
Particularl support will be given to the
establishment of integrated services networks
connected among them, such as the promotion
of digital platforms to facilitate public services
for all categories of the population.
UP2- Consolidation of urban centres
This policy aims at establishing compact urban
centres.
Urban consolidation is the process of urban
growth and development in compact urban
areas that foster intelligent concentration and
densification, supported by rapid access to
mobility and efficient public services for all
social groups.
The aim of consolidation is to protect
peripheral areas (peri-urban) from
uncontrolled residential development and
reduce the ecological footprint of urban
centres.
It is suggested to use instruments such as:
densification, requalification and regeneration
of residential areas in urban centres.
The continuous demand for housing and
employment in the region should be oriented
not only towards the restructuring of centres
but also towards access to housing, public
services and regional employment interlinked
to public transport.
Public-private partnership and instruments to manage and monitor functions and
services on the territory
Local communities
E-governance
Community representatives should have a voice and actively participate
in decision-making on the provision of a full range of local public services
by strengthening the role of the council.
Effective use of information technology on the steps of planning and
services. Identifying field problems in service delivery by institutions.
Increasing online public services and information (e-governance), for
time efficiency on liabilities payment, security and transparency of public
institutions, time efficiency of public transport and city guides.
Table 4.9 Public-private partnership
113

The plan promotes the consolidation of urban
centres based on:
• a better territorial utilization, efficient and
intelligent land use densification, reducing
the development pressure in the peri-urban
area as well as in the agricultural and natural
system;
• a conservation of land in the peri-urban area
for urban-agricultural services and recreation
and rural tourism services;
• strengthening rural-urban access and
connections;
• a promotion and regeneration of the centres
in degraded urban territories;
• a definition of minimum / maximum
density for new areas of development or
redevelopment related to transport flows in
employment;
• a regeneration of residential areas / poles;
• a promotion and development of “TOD”
(Transit-Oriented Development / development
oriented towards public transport) area in
urban areas primarily focused on “CBD”
(Central Business District);
• a utilization of the territory with mixed
functions at a high density (Mix-use);
• a promotion of walking and cycling in urban
areas;
• short inter-city distances, less dependent
on vehicles to reduce energy consumption and
CO2 emissions;
• a reduction of environmental pollution and
increase of green areas;
• increased living standards thanks to
efficient services for residents, reduction of
infrastructural and service costs.
UP2.1- Densification of urban centres
The densification of centres will positively
contribute to the functionality of the
metropolitan area by creating a balanced
and sustainable system of using the urbanrural-natural
territory. This approach will
allow development and urbanization in these
territories, without adversely affecting the
agricultural land and without exploiting natural
territories.
• Urban densification should focus around
strategic areas / poles focusing on improving
the efficiency of services and quality of life. The
densification of urban areas should be linked
to the functional characteristics in the different
areas / poles of urban territories, taking into
account not only the density of housing but
also the ratio of the regional commuting.
• Urban densification should be applied
intelligently, ensuring that the characteristics
of diversity and spatial unity are preserved in
urban structures. As above-mentioned, the
latter must relate to the surrounding areas,
taking into account the future spatial impacts
that densification can bring to land use for
peri-urban areas.
Developing upon these principles will allow
efficient use of existing values, promote
economies of scale in community services,
enhance quality of life, and increase
environmental regeneration opportunities
in urban peripheries. In order to guarantee
the development and consolidation of urban
centres, densification should follow the
following course:
1. Initially, the use of existing unused
buildings should be encouraged, including the
regeneration of unfinished buildings in these
areas. It is suggested to apply differentiated
taxation for unused dwellings or for second
homes with temporary use.
2. Exploit the opportunities for “urban filling”
in urbanized centres, focusing on the mixed
use of the territory, where special emphasis
should be given to service facilities and those
of recreation and leisure, accompanied by
public transport for the residents of the region.
3. The development of new urbanization
areas should focus on the use of low fertility
land near the overground and underground
connecting infrastructure, accommpanied by
public transport access, to link employment
areas with existing settlements.
114

This approach should maximally avoid the
conversion of agricultural land for housing use.
Differentiated taxation on the use of
agricultural land for housing in peri-urban
areas is suggested.
In achieving this goal, the municipalities are
suggested to use land development tools, as
defined by the Law 107/2014 “On planning and
development of the territory”, as amended,
such as: compulsory development, transfer of
development rights, conditional intensity and
/ or other similar tools, which may be set out
in the regulations of the General Local Plans.
The areas specified for densification should
be served with public transport.
As a first step, it is suggested to maintain
the public transport development axis, by
ensuring corridors for this type of mobility in
the future.
These areas should promote mobility
alternatives, such as with bicycles or walking.
Urban centres affected by densification
policies are:
Tirana, Durres, Vore, Kamez, Shijak-
Xhafzotaj, Sukth.
Higher densities in housing should:
• provide opportunities for all social groups
with differentiated income, in appropriate
areas;
• create different housing opportunities and
choices;
• promote social integration throughout the
metropolitan area.
Specific areas in need of restructuring/
redevelopment should be identified.
These areas must possess real potential
and potential for growth in the future, to
ensure the desired development in terms of
restructuring and redevelopment;
(Re)development of areas should be promoted
in already built territories in response to
prohibiting development on agricultural
lands.
Areas specified for densification need to be
treated as a whole “environment”.
Investments should be focused on
infrastructure, above and underground, on
urban quality and mixed use buildings, green
spaces for residents, social facilities.
The development should promote safety
and security for residents by means of
establishing areas supported with services,
lighting and rapid access.
115

UP2.2- Regeneration of urban poles
The municipalities of the region should direct
the need for development and investment in
their urban centres to increase the quality of
life and service efficiency. In order to reach
value-added investments for the region
and the community, it is suggested to use
regeneration programs, which should include
many sectors such as economy, education,
healthcare, accommodation, employment,
housing and the environment.
These programs should combine the
regeneration of communities with that of the
urban areas through development and action
strategies, based on the following principles:
redevelopment, rehabilitation, revitalization,
conservation of heritage and environment.
• The regeneration of urban poles aims at
creating efficient and vibrant urban areas
that help to deliver balanced services to
communities in these centres. It is intended
to avoid monocentrism, and it is required to
create conditions for development of areas
with diversified functions.
Development should not be directed to
peri-urban areas, so as not to create new
development areas with increased impact on
nature and agricultural land. It is aimed at
combining the revitalization of existing urban
blocks with the growth of community services.
Urban blocks can be readdressed thanks to
revitalization or redevelopment, bringing better
housing conditions and community service
opportunities.
The municipalities of the region should
foresee in their GLPs the density conditions
as well as the geographic areas of the
regeneration extent, based on estimates
of population, service, access and
infrastructural growth.
• Urban pole regeneration programs should
rely on the principles of sound and sustainable
communities.
The first step is to redevelop the areas such
as former industrial areas that have lost their
primary function and have already become
part of the urban centres. These areas and
their structures represent an opportunity to
increase community services.
The second step is to use them based on
different development and management
schemes, with such tools as: the right to
conditional transfer of property or public
private partnership.
Regeneration programs should be
accompanied by clear management schemes
to enable the establishment of sustainable
economic systems.
These revitalization centres should promote
and guarantee the development of local
economies as well as of communities.
Using such mechanisms as BID / Business
Improvement District along with dedicated
grants and public-private partnership
schemes, will enhance the ability to develop
sustainable communities in regeneration
areas.
These schemes should provide opportunities
not only for urban regeneration, but
simultaneously should provide the conditions
for community employment.
• Urban pole regeneration programs
should guarantee rapid access of these
centres to the economic development areas
of residential centres by means of public
transport. These programs should develop
the necessary infrastructure, preserve the
cultural and historical identity of the areas
and the collective memory of communities.
Create living and working conditions thanks
to the mixed use of the territory, preserve the
quality needed for green areas and access to
urban parks. It is preferred to develop urban
poles that promote walking in pedestrian areas
associated with services as well as connected
to employment and ecological transport.
116

Pursuant to this policy, the municipalities are
suggested to use land development tools, as
defined by the Law 107/2014 “On planning and
development of the territory”, as amended,
such as: compulsory development, transfer of
development rights, conditional intensity and
/ or other similar tools, which may be set out
in the regulations of the GLPs.
Moreover, in the context of urban regeneration
programs, other tools ca be also used, which
have been successfully applied before such
as BID (Business Improvement District / Area
focused on business), TOD (Transit-Oriented
Development / mixed-use development
oriented towards public transport, etc.).
For an effective management of interventions,
it is suggested to use cross-cutting
development strategies, where initiatives may
come from different levels of the bottom-up
or top-down hierarchy, but certainly including
the following groups in the management
processes:
• central governance;
• local governance;
• civil society;
• academia;
• business;
• community.
Models for regenerative initiatives should
build upon a clear vision, strategies and
action and monitoring plans.
Pole
Tirana-Kamez
Kombinat, Yzberisht, Sauk,
Farke, Shkoze, Kinostudio,
Allias, Administrative unit
no. 9 and no.11
Babrru,Bathore, Paskuqan,
Koder-Kamez, Bregu Lumit,
Ndroq
Vore, Marqinet, Gerdec,
Sharge, Bubq, Preze,
Marikaj, Maminas
Shijak-Xhafzotaj,
Sukth-Katund i Ri, Pjeze
Durres, Spitalle, Kenete,
Arapaj, Plazh Golem
Characteristics
The location and number of regeneration poles in informal urban
areas should be developed by the respective municipalities through
the GLP-s and the municipal development strategy.
It must be based on the aforementioned principles on environment,
employment, housing, technological areas of economic development,
public transport, enterprise and PPP.
No new urban poles should be created outside the green line
limiting construction, and in peri-urban areas as well. The poles
should build upon an intelligent and controlled density, calculated
in infrastructure and services based on the trend of population
growth in the region.
Development typologies are based on the hierarchy of the centres,
their spatial typology, municipal territorial public values, level of
development and investments in the territory, with infrastructure
and public and private services, and intervention measures to be
taken.
Development methods: community projects / programs
(revitalization), urban regeneration, reallocation-resettlement
and redevelopment.
Urban-rural regeneration should not be promoted in areas with
natural hazards, in protected sectorial areas, (i.e. industrial waste
areas) in poles / axes / corridors of national relevance. Investments
and development should be diverted from these areas that are in
conflict with the principles of sustainable development and increase
expropriation costs.
Table 4.10 Urban regeneration poles
117

Ishëm
Thumanë
Cudhi
KRUJË
Bubq
Fushë Krujë
Manëz
Nikël
Katund i Ri
Prezë
Zall Bastar
Sukth
Maminas
VORË
Bërxullë
KAMËZ
Zall Herr
Dajt
DURRËS
Xhafzotaj
Rrashbull
SHIJAK
Gjepalaj
Kashar
Paskuqan
TIRANË
Shëngjergj
Vaqarr
Farkë
Ndroq
Golem
Petrelë
Bërzhitë
Pezë
Kërrabë
Synej
KAVAJË
Baldushk
Luz i Vogël
ELBASAN
0 5
km
RROGOZHINË
LEGEND
Metropolis
Primary centre
Secondary centre
Tertiary centre
Specialized local centre
Local centre
Urbanized area
Economic area
Peri-urban area
Agricultural area
Marginal rural area
Environmental protected area
Urban centres densification
Urban pole regeneration
Rural pole regeneration
118
Map 4.3 Densification of urban centres

UP3- Integration of informal areas
The phenomenon of informal development
in the territory still remains a disturbing
element for the Albanian society. In the region
of Tirana-Durres this phenomenon is very
present, and therefore the policy aims to help
improve the quality of informal urban spaces in
the region, by means of tackling the problem
in two main directions: in the legal aspect,such
as the closure of the legalization process and
in terms of infrastructure, such as improving
infrastructure and integration of urban
communities in urban centres.
The development and regeneration of informal
areas should be based on approaches focusing
on people as well as policies on urban
interventions.
Policies addressing solutions to informality
issues must be based on understanding
social inequalities expressed in space, and
on the multidimensional nature of social
problems. Effective responses must be based
on integrated strategies on the development
of marginalized groups with diverse
problematics. Interventions in marginalized
areas should be based on:
order to increase efficiency and economy of
scale in services and to reduce the ecological
footprint in these centres.
• The development of urban strategies that
take into account not only access to housing,
but also the economic, environmental and
social development of these residents, mainly
based on the following 5 steps:
1. formalization and legalization;
2. regulation and planned development in
terms of land use;
3. urban regeneration strategies;
4. resettlement and reallocation;
5. creation of mixed use territories;
Interventions strategies in informal dwelling
areas should simultaneously interact with the
social housing strategy and property titles on:
1. social housing and tenancy opportunities;
2. low-cost dwellings in mixed housing blocks
(15-20% of the residential block area).
• The conservation and enhancement of
environmental values and preservation of
water resources.
• The improvement of the conditions of
services, transport, under and overground
infrastructure.
• Urban renovation by means of improving
infrastructure, public spaces, accessibility,
removing dividing barriers between buildings
and developing socio-cultural centres.
Interventions should be based on urban
renovation strategies and community
regeneration.
• Redevelopment of residential blocks which
should encourage building constructions
with mixed functions and vertical density and
utilization. A vertical densification model is
suggested to create more green spaces in
119

Zonat informale për zhvillim dhe integrim urban/rural
Pole
Kamez-Tirana
Koder-Kamez, Paskuqan,
Shkoze, Farke
Vore
Marqinet, Berxulle, Marikaj,
Maminas, Rade, Manez,
Sukth, Katund i Ri
Shijak-Xhafzotaj
Durres, Kenete, Plazh
Characteristics
The location and number of regeneration poles in informal urban
areas should be developed by the respective municipalities through
the General Local Plans and the municipal development strategy.
Development must be based on the aforementioned principles on
interconnection, integration and harmonization of urban centres in:
environment, employment, housing, economic development
technological areas, public transport, services, enterprise,
public-private partnership.
Revitalization of informal areas must be in harmony with the
revitalization of urban poles to unify development and investments,
in order to integrate these centres in the urban communities.
However, this proces should not create any new urban poles outside
the green line limiting construction, and in peri-urban areas as well.
The poles should build upon an intelligent and controlled density,
calculated in infrastructure and services based on the trend of
population growth in the region.
Development typologies, with regards to which intervention
measures should be taken, are based on the hierarchy of the
centres, their spatial typology, municipal territorial public values,
level of development and investments in the territory, with
infrastructure and public and private services.
The development methods include community projects / programs
(revitalization), urban regeneration, reallocation-resettlement and
redevelopment. Urban-rural regeneration should not be promoted
in areas with natural hazards, in protected sectorial areas, (i.e.
industrial waste areas) in poles / axes / corridors of national
relevance. Investments and development should be diverted from
these areas that are in conflict with the principles of sustainable
development and increase expropriation costs.
Table 4.11 Informal areas for development and integration
UP4- Accommodation and social
housing
UP4.1- Accomodation
New developments in housing should be based
on the trend of population growth, changes in
family structure and the factor of population
aging, providing adequate housing spaces for
these changes manifested in the population
demographics of the region.
Residential areas should contain different
areas for housing, services, rental facilities
and different housing categorizations for the
needs of new families as well as for the third
age group.
Housing densification should be “smart”,
on a human scale, ensuring that the living
conditions of residents in these areas are not
compromised by overcrowding. Densification
should allow and develop the use of territory
with mixed functions, interrelated to service
areas, and an efficient infrastructure.
• Housing should meet the regional
accessibility needs for all social groups and
individuals.
• The apartments should ensure differentiated
typologies for all age groups and functions;
they should be accessible by public transport,
and have living standards based on a m 2 per
capita/apartment basis.
120

Potential
Alternative housing pole (for young families in Tirana)
Alternative housing pole (for young families in Durres)
Alternative housing pole for redevelopment and
revitalization (future development, for the expansion
of Tirana 2030)
New areas with development potential in urban
centres, based on fast access to road networks and
economic poles in Tirana - Kamez.
(Other regional poles in secondary centres have been
determined in the rural policies.)
Pole
Vore-Marqinet
Shijak-Sukth
Kamez
Babrru-Paskuqan-Bathore
Former garment combine
Administrative unit no.2 - Sauk-Shkoze
Njësia administrative 2-Sauk-Shkozë
Laprake-former tiles factory
New areas with development potential in urban
centres, based on fast access to road networks and
economic poles in Durres.
(Other regional poles in secondary centres have been
determined in the rural policies.)
Durres Plazh
Durres Kenete
Durres Spitalle
Table 4.12 Poles and areas with development potential for housing
• The creation and development of rental
housing strategies and programs (as
an unexploited value) should be linked
to the region’s supply and demand. The
development of these strategies should be
closely linked to the online address system
in the national and local registers.
This instrument will develop new
opportunities for taxation and monitoring
of primary and secondary housing, bringing
additional space to the allocation of seasonal
tourist and student flows, and generating
additional revenues for the municipalities
of the region.
UP4.2- Social housing
Beyond determining the general needs for
housing in the General Local Plans, the
municipalities should establish precise
definitions on the needs for social housing.
These forecasts should be based on local
requirements as well as projections of
population growth in the short and
medium term.
Thus, municipalities are recommended
to prepare social housing and buildings
allocation programs on the territory, taking
into account the purpose of the plan to
improve the quality of life across the region,
with the objective of increasing by 30% the
social housing stock in the region.
It is recommended that 10-15% of the
development of collective housing be used
for marginalized groups, or for new families,
depending on local needs.
The municipalities can use programs of
development rights transfer or conditional
development intensity as instruments for
achieving this goal.
Public-private partnership schemes are
encouraged, with the National Housing Entity
and the Ministry of Urban Development
playing an important role.
Partnerships between local government
structures and private businesses should
be accompanied by schemes and grants
dedicated to meeting community needs.
121

UP5- Comprehensive regional
community space
The region of Tirana-Durres, should become
a model of all-inclusiveness in meeting the
needs of communities and their integration in
the society and local economy. The regional
spaces must provide access to all groups and
individuals.
Urban spaces, squares and infrastructure
should be designed in such a way as to meet
the needs of all communities and especially
of disabled people.
Public spaces and all buildings must be
flexible and accessible to user groups with
different needs and characteristics. The
possibilities of building inclusive spaces
within cities should include:
• Improving urban furniture in the road axes
and urban squares, including pedestrian axes.
Creating squares and parks as multi-use
spaces at different hours of the day, according
to the most needed specific functions.
• Building local and inclusive economies
through local market centres and trading
areas in cities, providing broad access to all
groups.
• Linking the community public health
agenda with the use of public spaces for
these functions. Regenerating communities
through the planning of socialization areas
and the use of community schools.
• Services to encourage higher levels of
physical activity during the day in public
spaces and residential quarters, through the
creation of gardens, within urbanized blocks.
Creating small parcels for the development
of urban agriculture. It is suggested to apply
pilot projects for urban farms in cooperation
with schools and the community.
This approach should be run and managed by
urban block administrators.
• Interconnecting residential blocks among
them with green areas, without building
barriers. Planning green, healthy, sunlighted
blocks during the day and lit during the night.
Constructing the “green network” in the
urban centres which connects the isolated
green areas, providing therefore an easier way
of use for the residents but also increasing
the potential of natural areas impact.
These networks will create increased
opportunities for an integrated treatment
of rainwater in urban blocks, thus reducing
problems in the wastewater treatment
network.
UP6- Energy efficiency in buildings
Improving energy efficiency in buildings
should be based on reducing costs spent
on energy, improving quality of life, and
protecting the environment.
The municipalities of the region need to
increase energy efficiency in public and social
buildings, aiming a complete retrofitting
of the facades that enable the reduction
of electricity use, using alternative energy
resources, and improving the infrastructure of
internal networks in buildings.
A total retrofitting of 50% of municipal public
service buildings is intended.
Initiatives for business and individuals
participation in improving energy efficiency
in buildings should be promoted and
encouraged. The support should consist in
policies that make a differentiation in the
price of electricity by hour (cheaper price on
night hours, depending on usage typologies,
individual or service), or by creating
successful PPP schemes.
The efficiency and facilitation of policies and
PPP projects, as well as encouraging soft
loans for residents, would reduce the need to
consume electricity from the grid.
• Encouraging the use of green terraces with
mixed functions, such as condominiums, with
dedicated spaces for solar panels, would
122

Sustainable communities
Governance
Services
Transport
and
interconnection
Environment
Equality
Economy
Housing
and an
arranged
environment
Social
and
cultural
When
decisions are
taken with
reference
to a community,
the
residents
shall be
involved in the
decision-making
process.
The community
should
enjoy a sense
of civic values,
responsibility
and pride.
Transport
means,
including
public
transport,
help people to
travel within
and between
the communities,
thus
reducing
dependency
from private
cars.
Structures are
needed to
encourage
safe walking
and biking in
the locality.
High quality
services for
families and
children
(including
early years of
childcare).
Affordable
public,
community,
voluntary and
private
services
(retails, fresh
food,
commercial,
information
and counselling
services)
that can be
reached from
anyone in the
community.
Active efforts
are needed to
minimize
climate
change
(people
should be
encouraged to
recycle and
save water,
not to misuse
land, not to
destroy
forests and
new fields).
Cleaner, safer
and greener
quarters shall
be created
(e.g. by
reducing
waste and
graffiti and
maintaining
pleasant
public
spaces).
People from
all ages,
races,
cultures and
skills should
be provided
with access to
services,
employment
and education
in the
community.
This impartiality
is not a
luxury. This
should be a
normal thing
for anyone.
Such
impartiality
should last
longer in
order to
ensure
opportunities
The residents
of the locality
should have a
possibility to
earn income
for a better
quality of life.
They should
be encouraged
to start
small
businesses
and spend
within the
locality in
order to help
in improving
the businesses
of the
others.
Successful
businesses
generate
more jobs for
more people
and better
living
standards for
many people
in the
community.
Creating a
place with a
positive spirit
for people and
local
characteristics.
Attractive,
safe and
useful
buildings for
the people
using them.
Buildings
inviting people
to go there. A
lot of public
spaces for the
people to play
and relax.
Creating a
community
spirit. The
people should
be always
welcomed to
join various
events. The
neighbours
should take
care and
respect each
other.
Everyone
should be
treated fairly.
Low levels of
crime, drugs
and anti-social
behaviours,
with sustainable,
effective
and community-friendly
policies.
Well
managed
Efficient
service
Efficient
enterprises
Environmental
awareness
A right to
everyone Prosperity Quality
design and
construction
Active,
all-inclusive
and
safe
Figure 4.14 Sustainable communities
123

further affect a better management of the grid.
It is suggested to promote lending schemes
on using photovoltaic panels for residential
and social buildings.
• The municipalities of the region should
promote the development of housing blocks
with “green” certificates/ecolabelling,
providing differentiated taxation to use these
assets.
Supporting PPP schemes on compulsory
use of smart digital energy infrastructure
for buildings would further develop the
conditions for creating urban areas with low
environmental pollution.
UP7- Urban mobility network
Urban mobility needs to be developed to meet
the mobility needs of residents and services
provided by businesses in the region in order to
ensure a qualitative living and efficient mobility
in time.
The aim is to build connected networks under
a continuous cycle, based on:
• a long-term, flexible vision and a clear
implementation plan;
• a broad-based participation in choosing the
vision and modes of transport;
• a balanced and integrated development of
all modes of transport, i.e. road, railway, water,
air;
• a clear and permanent assessment,
monitoring and reporting with measurable
indicators of the performance by the local and
regional structures.
Urban mobility plans should cover all forms
and modes of transport for all urban regional
agglomerations, including the movement of
private and public vehicles, passenger and
freight vehicles, whether motorized or nonmotorized,
in motion or in parking areas.
Mobility networks should combine extraurban
and urban mobility flows, creating multimodal
mobility nodes in strategic poles, where
ring systems and primary regional axes are
connected.
Municipalities should develop clear legal and
fiscal policies on the mass parking areas near
these nodes, aiming to reduce extraurban
mobility flows within urban centres.
The connection and harmonization of urban
mobility should combine clear schemes and
policies on:
• the motorized movement of residents;
• urban logistics;
• public vehicle mobility;
• alternative mobility ways without
environmental pollution.
Strategic poles and areas of urban
densification should be supported by efficient
public transport and specialized lanes that
promote the use for commuting and tourism
mobility.
The aim is to build public mobility schemes
with integrated tickets for mixed use,
with differentiated prices for different
social groups, as well as for different daily
schedules, to avoid the use of private vehicles.
UP7.1- Biking and walking
To minimize urban traffic problems,
alternative modes of transport, such as
bicycle riding and walking, are needed. The
following measures can be used to promote
and encourage increased use of bicycle
transport:
• Connecting, expanding and improving
spaces for bicycle use in primary road axes
would provide the missing conditions for
creating and using an interconnected and
accessible network for all residents.
• Improvement of safety conditions in
bicycle travel axes should be established by
developing vertical and horizontal signaling,
creating separating barriers and enabling
the division of flows in intersections between
vehicle users.
• Obligatory provision of the bicycle network
and service areas should be developed by
124

each municipality, such as: safe parking in
public facilities and institutions, transport
modes interchange possibility, bicycle
renting facilities etc. These services can be
developed through partnership schemes
where local authorities can guarantee the
realization of road infrastructure, while other
partners can support the development of soft
infrastructure.
• Stimulating the use of electric bicycles can
serve as an added scheme to reduce the use
of private vehicles. Municipalities should link
funds generated by public parking with the
opportunities to develop the infrastructure
necessary for this mode of mobility. The
charging facilities for these devices should
be provided in public squares and nearby
institutions.
Municipalities should support incentive
policies in differential taxation for the use of
alternative modes of transport.
Pedestrian mobility in urban centres.
Primary, secondary and local centres should
give prioritize pedestrian mobility.
• Creating quick axes between housing blocks
for pedestrians and eliminating barriers
in residential blocks would make this type
of movement efficient, such as removing
partition walls outside private properties,
eliminating interconnection barriers between
residential blocks. These approaches should
give priority to the movement towards priority
areas such as: public institutions and sociocultural
centres, as well as the multimodal
public mobility stations.
• Pedestrian mobility should be based on safe
access during late hours, enabling lighting
and mobility opportunities for people with
disabilities.
125

Adriatik
Mamurras
Ishëm
Gramëz
Thumanë
Borizanë
KRUJË
Cudhi
Hamallaj Plazh Kuratën
Hamallaj
Perlat
Armath
Shkallë
Manëz
Rrushkull Kullë Manëz
Rinas
e vjetër
Prezë
Gërdec
Kameras
Dritas
Katund i Ri
Radë Marqinet
Qerekë
Rinia
Vadardhë
Shargë
Qerret
Rubjekë
Muçaj
Bilalas Allçaush
Maminas
Bërxullë
VORË
Zall Herr
Sukth
Marikaj
Picar
KAMËZ
Laknas
Bathore
Vlashaj
Shënavlash
Gjokaj
Karpen
Spitallë
Sallmonaj
SHIJAK Metallë
Mazrek Yrshek
Paskuqan
Bodinak
Këneta Xhafzotaj
Shahinaj
Kuç Kus
Mëzez
Shtrazë
Kashar
TIRANË
Shkozet
DURRËS
Gjepalaj Kënetë
Gropaj
Rrashbull
Yzberisht
Allgjatë
Shetel
Pjezë
Prush
Arapaj
Hardhishtë
Sauqet
Vaqarr
Sauk
Shesh
Shkallnur
Rromanat
Pinet
Pezë Helmës
Golem
Zhurje
Bubq
Ndroq
Budull
Bilaj
Breg
Shkozë
Pezë e Vogël
Fushë Krujë
Zezë
Zgërdhesh
Nikël
Arbanë
Stërmas
Vishaj
Zall Bastar
Dajt
Farkë
Lundër
Mullet
Petrelë
Bërzhitë
Shëngjergj
Qerret
Pezë
Mushqeta
Kërrabë
KAVAJË
Baldushk
Synej
Bago
Vorrozen
Luz i Vogël
ELBASAN
0 5
km
RROGOZHINË
LEGEND
Metropolis
Primary centre
Secondary centre
Tertiary centre
Planning region border of ICSP Tirana-Durres
Administrative border of the local government sub-units
Administrative border of the local government units
Specialized local centre
Local centre
Locality
126
Map 4.4 Urban centres and the territory comprising ICSP Tirana-Durres

4.3 Rural development policies
RURAL DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
Territorial zoning
and consolidation
of agricultural land
Consolidation of
rural centres
Rural economic
development and
regional agricultural poles
Economic development
of private farms and
cooperatives
Rural regional
tourism
Environment and
renweable energy
Transport in
rural areas
Branding and
marketing of rural areas
Food chain
development
Figure 4.15 Rural development policies
This section of regional planning policies
examines the trends, challenges and
opportunities of rural development,
consolidation of agricultural land, rural
centres and community, service delivery and
rural enterprise development, taking into
account the best analysis and examples.
Rural development policies aim not only
at improving the environment, but also to
improve the quality of life in rural areas,
to meet the needs of the population with
food products and to increase the value of
agricultural production by supplementing the
food chain throughout the region of Tirana-
Durres.
The municipalities of the metropolitan region
should develop harmonized strategies among
them to develop a balanced and functional
rural environment between nature and man.
The main drivers of welfare promotion in rural
areas should be addressed in:
• Increasing the employment rate of the
population in the rural area, not only in
agriculture, but also in non-agricultural
activities related to it indirectly;
• Increasing labor productivity through
specialization in particular sectors thanks to
improved technologies in the service of agroindustry;
• Improving infrastructure, constructing the
ring road network, water supply, improving
ancillary infrastructure in favor of agriculture
development (irrigation and drainage
systems), improving community service level;
• Improving conditions on service needs for
rural communities in urbanized centres.
Establishing appropriate trading, collection
and storage centres, applying technology to
market agricultural products;
• Promoting and preserving natural resources
for a sustainable territorial management.
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Rural regeneration policies aim at improving
and promoting urban-rural areas through the
development of the built environment, and by
preserving agricultural land in agricultural
areas and the natural and water system.
The plan aims at linking the change in
land use, economic development and
the environmental aspect. Consequently,
economic and land use policies will be
categorized according to peri-urban,
agricultural and natural/extensive areas.
RP1- Territorial zoning and
consolidation of agricultural land
The municipalities of the region, based on
the General Local Plans (GLPs), should
take into account the different development
opportunities over the territories of rural
areas. This approach requires different
responses, regarding rural spatial contexts, to
the economization of use of the agricultural
land, housing space and services provided.
The plan targets the development orientation
according to the following spatial typologies:
a) rural areas under strong urban influence,
peri-urban areas;
b) rural areas under strong rural influence,
agricultural areas;
c) marginal rural areas, agricultural - natural
areas;
d) free natural areas and protected natural
areas.
a) Rural areas under strong urban influence,
peri-urban areas (including formal and
informal urbanization) are peripheral areas
under high influence of urbanization, where
urban development and urban pressures have
a strong impact on land use.
The development of peri-urban areas should
be directed towards their use as buffer zones
to prevent the spread of urbanization through
such instruments as:
• the green line, limiting urbanized areas;
• the economic and legal incentives, which
should be used to prioritize these areas
in the development of rural services like:
regional markets, urban agriculture, agrotourism,
recreation and services in support
of sustainable development, etc., in order to
stimulate interaction among urban and rural
areas.
b) Areas under strong rural influence,
agricultural areas 23 , are the areas focused
on the development of agriculture, where the
Peri-urban areas
Peri-urban areas Tirana
Peri-urban areas Durres
Peri-urban areas Kamez
Peri-urban areas Vore,
Marqinet
Peri-urban areas Sukth, Sukth i
ri, Shijak, Xhafzotaj
Linze, Farke, Petrele, Vaqarr, Kashar, Berxulle
Durres, Porto Romano, Spitalle, Shkozet, Rrashbull, Arapaj, Shkallnur
Paskuqan, Bathore, Cerkeze, Morine, Dritas, Tapize, Qereke, Valias,
Berxulle
Kashar, Berxulle, Fushe Preze, Bubq, Gjecaj, Gerdec, Marikaj, Vlashaj,
Karpen, Metalle, Shahinaj, Shetel
Katund i ri, Kulle, Guzaj, Borake, Gjepalaj, Rreth, Pjeze, Maliq Muço,
Fllake, Qerret, Jube, Rrushkull
Table 4.13 Peri-urban areas
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main revenues are derived from agriculture.
The use of land in these territories should
be oriented away from the pressure of urban
activities. The municipalities of the region,
through the General Local Plans (GLPs),
should prioritize agricultural activity in these
territories, avoiding the birth and sprawl of
urbanization.
Agriculture areas
Agricultural area Tirana
Agricultural area Durres
Agricultural area Kamez
Agricultural area Vore, Marqinet
Agricultural area Sukth, Sukth i
ri, Shijak, Xhafzotaj
Farke, Petrele, Vishaj, Arbane, Pezë Helmes, Peze e vogel, Ndroq,
Zhurje, Kashar, Domje, Laknas, Valias
(agricultural fields, agriculture nearby these units)
Durres, Porto Romano, Qerret, Shen Avlash, Fllake, Rrashbull, Pjeze,
Dedej (agricultural fields, agriculture nearby these units)
Cerkeze, Morine, Dritas, Tapize, Qereke, Valias, Domje
(agricultural fields, agriculture nearby these units)
Kashar, Berxulle, Fushe Preze, Bubq, Gjecaj, Gerdec, Marikaj, Vlashaj,
Karpen, Metalle, Shahinaj, Shetel, Maminas, Rade, Manez, Armath
(agricultural fields, agriculture nearby these units)
Katund i ri, Kulle, Guzaj, Borake, Gjepalaj, Rreth, Pjeze, Maliq Muço,
Fllake, Qerret, Jube, Rrushkull
(agricultural fields, agriculture nearby these units)
Table 4.14 Agricultural areas
Marginal rural areas
Marginal rural areas Tirana
Marginal rural areas Durres
Marginal rural areas Kamez
Marginal rural areas Vore,
Marqinet
Marginal rural areas Sukth,
Sukth i ri, Shijak, Xhafzotaj
Dajt, Priske e madhe, Gurre, Fikas, Dobrosh, Petrele, Vishaj, Stermas,
Picalle, Sultaf, Peze e vogel, Pinet, Sauqet, Shesh, Gjokaj, Kuc (agricultural
fields, agriculture nearby these units)
Hamallaj, Rrotull, Perlat, Dedaj, Kryemadh, Romanat
(agricultural fields, agriculture nearby these units)
Kallmet, Pinar, Qinam, Menge Zeze, Larushk, Rinas
(agricultural fields, agriculture nearby these units)
Murrqine, Gramez, Dukagjin i ri, Adriatik, Likmetaj
Kus, Shesh, Kuc, Gjokaj, Liknesh
Gerdec, Kuraten, Rrotull, Fushe Drac, Drac, Shetaj
(agricultural fields, agriculture nearby these units)
Katund i ri, Kulle, Guzaj, Borake, Gjepalaj, Rreth, Pjeze, Maliq Muco,
Fllake, Qerret, Jube, Rrushkull
(agricultural fields, agriculture nearby these units)
Table 4.15 Marginal rural areas
23
Zonat e agrikulturës janë të shprehura mbi konceptin hapësinor (jo mbi ndarjet administrative lokale territoriale).
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c) Marginal rural, agricultural-natural
areas, which have a weak development
structure or dispersed urbanization
development (development of formal or
informal urbanization) should be developed
focused on opportunities to support
agriculture, as agricultural and natural
reserve areas. Benefits will be achieved
through the use of large areas of land mainly
in nature-focused functions, such as natural
reserves or areas in service of nature, areas
in service of cultivated forests, orchards,
areas in support of future agriculture and
spaces for cultivated species requiring large
territories.
be kept protected and preserved from urban
and rural developments.
The interconnection of these areas with urban
areas should be focused on natural tourism
and recreational functions. The infrastructure
of these areas must be accompanied by
information boards and temporary services to
the benefit of natural tourism.
The minimal use of these ecosystem
protection areas is suggested, with the main
focus being: river deltas, wetland areas,
water system and resources, coastal forests,
mountain ranges and peripheral hills.
d) Free natural areas and protected natural
areas are the peripheral part of the impact of
urban and rural pressure. These areas should
Free natural areas and protected natural areas
Free natural areas and protected
natural areas Tirana
Free natural areas and protected
natural areas Durres
Free natural areas and protected
natural areas Kamez
Free natural areas and protected
natural areas Vore, Marqinet
Free natural areas and protected
natural areas Sukth, Sukth i
ri, Shijak, Xhafzotaj
Mountain range of Kruja, Park of Dajti, Hills of Ibe, Kus, Kuc, Durisht,
Shalqize, Shpat (Baldushk), Peze;
Natural system and geo-monuments;
The water system and the nearby peripheral protected areas
(buffer zone).
Hills of Currila Durres, Erzen river delta, Cape of Rodon, Shetaj, Drac,
Lake of Tarini, Manskuri, Krymedhenj, Gjuze, Bozaxije, Kercukje;
Natural system and geo-monuments;
The water system and the nearby peripheral protected areas
(buffer zone).
Lake of Paskuqan, Zall Herr, Pinar, Virjon, Kallmet reservoirs, Qinam,
Tapize;
Natural system and geo-monuments;
The water system and the nearby peripheral protected areas
(buffer zone).
Cape of Rodon, Adriatik, Patoku Lagoon, Safetaj, Preze, Hills of
Kashari, Kuç, Shesh Ndroq, Kerçukje (regional natural park); Natural
system and geo-monuments;
The water system and the nearby peripheral protected areas
(buffer zone.
Porto Romano, Erzen river delta, Bay of Lalzi, Shkallnur, Manskuri,
Muharremaj, Gjuze; Natural system and geo-monuments;
The water system and the nearby peripheral protected areas
(buffer zone).
Table 4.16 Free natural areas and protected natural areas
130

RP1.1- Consolidation and use of
agricultural land
The agricultural system is formed by the
entirety of lands and territories with similar
categories of use in agriculture (B). The
result of the interaction between the use of
territorial values and human activities for
cultivation and construction of an agricultural
character forms the agricultural system and
the chain of food industry.
The agricultural system has been used
as a basic element to develop territorial
development scenarios in rural areas,
focusing on:
• Reducing the fragmentation of agricultural
land, to ensure increased efficiency in
farmers’ productivity.
• Densification, concentration and access to
services in function of agriculture, to increase
the use of agricultural network by farmers’
groups, and to increase farm size and
seasonal / annual product;
• Creating a climate for the development of
supportive policies to plant land with suitable
autochthonous plants for high-yielding areas
that are related or contribute to other areas
of agriculture such as livestock, poultry,
apiculture etc.
The instruments that will mostly affect the
return or use of land as agricultural land are:
support and promotion based on the product
yeild quantity, financial and legal incentives
to use local inputs, incentives based on some
selective criteria (surface area, number of
cattle, income etc).
These factors will enable to increase welfare
in rural areas and to develop productivity on
agricultural land. Meanwhile, incentives and
development instruments that are not based
on type or the amount of product produced
have a wider impact on peri-urban areas
where the territory and services are linked to
auxiliary urban functions.
Land consolidation and enlargement of
farms could mark the turning point of
the development of agriculture and rural
economy, as well as the limitation of
agricultural land degradation.
The consolidation of agricultural land is an
effective instrument for a more competitive
agrarian sector, focused on the development
and growth of areas of fragmented land plots
for agricultural use in rural areas.
The line ministry and the municipalities of the
region should develop policies based on this
instrument, in order to create opportunities
for a unification of agricultural farms,
promoting agglomerations with similar
services, aiming to create 5 to 7 hectares of
plots with the same product.
Initially, it is recommended to carry out
pilot projects in order to further develop the
regional strategy on land consolidation and
management.
It is recommended to build and develop
offices in each municipality for the
management of agricultural land,
establishment of the digital cadastre,
contracting of companies for the
implementation of the consolidation strategy,
and companies to supervise its process.
This proccess should be based on:
• Clarifying the ownership status in the digital
cadastre;
• Classifying the price of agricultural land for
purchase, sale or rent;
• Classifying the crediting categories for
purchasing or renting agricultural land.
The approach for consolidation and
management of agricultural land:
The most effective way of building this rural
development instrument is the full and
comprehensive consolidation, but there are
other opportunities as well, such as simplified
consolidation or consolidation of voluntary
groups. The municipalities are encouraged
to develop pilot projects in advance, and then
apply large-scale consolidation.
The objectives of the consolidation of
agricultural land are:
• grouping dispersed agricultural plots
to minimize the negative effects of the
fragmentation of agricultural land;
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• increasing revenues from agriculture, thanks
to the reduction of production costs (using
instruments such as the economy of scale) and
improvement of the irrigation network;
• encouraging large-scale effective projects,
with direct impact on the territory and
agriculture, based on the growth of the
regional food chain.
RP2- Consolidation of rural centres
Regeneration and densification, are the basic
conditions for the consolidation of urban and
rural centres. Regeneration of rural centres
should be developed according to a chronology
where investment maximizes the benefits for
local communities.
First, it is suggested to regenerate those
centres of local administrative units, which
have cultural-historical heritage and
landscape values given that the return on
investment will be faster, due to the high
number of services provided to the residents
and tourists. The community and business
should become part of the development fund in
the regeneration areas, through public-private
partnership schemes.
The densification of centres should be based
on the further development of the regenerated
poles, as well as on the reuse of unused
territorial values such as: second homes,
depreciated objects, unfinished buildings etc.
Densification should prevent the development
of linear urban centres along the road axes.
Housing and rural development strategies and
policies should be tailored in accordance to
the specific spatial requirements. A particular
focus should be given to responding to high
development demand in specific areas, mainly
along the coast, based on:
• The strategy on consolidation and
management of agricultural land;
• The consolidation of urban-rural centres;
• The creation of restrictive lines of urban
development, based on the law on the planning
and development of the territory, not allowing
the expansion of the ecological footprint of
urban and rural centres.
In this context it is important to make a
differentiation between the development of
urban housing and rural housing, based on 3
territorial spatial typologies:
a) rural areas under strong urban influence,
peri-urban areas;
b) rural areas under agro-rural influence,
agricultural areas;
c) marginal rural areas, agricultural-natural.
RP2.1- Rural services and community
development
Meeting the demand for services of the
rural communities is an obligation to
ensure the longevity and well-being of rural
communities. To ensure the continuation of
rural communities in a sustainable manner the
following should be taken into consideration by
the municipalities:
• Improving services in the residential areas,
such as: the post office and online services,
banking system, police station, community
centres, child care centres, education centres,
religious spaces, urban parks, sports areas,
all accessible within distances no longer than
20-30 minutes walking distance.
• Covering the demand for drinking water and
efficient energy grid in the urban and rural
centres. Providing treatment of solid waste,
in regional schemes, as well as more efficient
approaches in waste recycling schemes (RRR).
• Support structures and services for
marginalized groups, the elderly, people with
disabilities and those with special needs.
• Efficient public transport and links to
settlements of the highest hierarchy, both rural
and urban.
RP3- Rural economic development and
regional agricultural poles
Agriculture has traditionally been a pillar
of the rural economy. This sector should be
encouraged to operate under a closed cycle
by empowering poles, areas, corridors and
agricultural networks in conjuction with the
development of human capital.
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The financial support of local administrative
units for rural areas and the development
of urban-rural cooperative potentials are
required to promote a variety of rural-based
activities.
Agricultural farms are the main actors in
promoting economic activities in the rural
areas. They are operational structures that
temporarily move due to the change in the
market demands.
Handling their dimensions and locations
should allow farmers to be able to change
production activities according to their needs.
Therefore, rural development policies of the
LGUs should be flexible and create conditions
for the farms and farmers to adapt to the
needs of change, respond to the market
demands, and integrate into the cycle of the
added value of the global food chain.
Employment in rural areas is no longer
an intensive work on agricultural lands. It
includes a variety of actors that are part of
the same cycle, but which operate in different
territorial areas and poles, such as:
Peripheral (peri-urban) areas should be
used for specialized activities, rural-urban
agri-tourism or urban agricultural services,
such as markets or services that can assist
in linking urban areas to rural areas. The
development of these various activities with a
focus on cooperation will bring improvements
and benefits to the lifestyle in both urban and
rural areas.
and management of agricultural land,
creation and development of agricultural land
board and fund, public-private partnership,
cooperatives, development of food chain
innovation and regionalization of product
production.
In rural centres that lie in the western
lowland areas, where agricultural activity
is more developed, municipalities are
encouraged to promote:
• joining small farms to better cope with
competition and improve the quality of
agricultural products;
• specializing small agricultural farms in
‘bio’ products to preserve the varieties of the
area’s tradition;
• improving modern centralized irrigation
and drainage systems, developing drainage
systems to protect agricultural lands and the
community from unforeseen natural disasters
(mainly floods).
The plan aims to prioritize the use of the
territory based on the functions illustrated in
the following table:
These spaces, territorial areas, should
be supported by the municipalities with
differentiated, fiscal or legal development
policies for uses that focus on creating
conditions for public-private partnerships.
The aim is to develop the aforementioned
services, based on new innovative
enterprises.
Rural areas should be developed based on a
clear vision of interaction in the agricultural
industry network to create a successful
climate between all stakeholders. It is
suggested to use and interconnect such
development instruments as: consolidation
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Muncipalities
Tirana
Durres
Kamez
Dajt
Peze
Rural areas
Zall Herr
Vaqarr
Shengjergj
Zallbastar
Farke
Katund i Ri, Durres,
Ishem, Sukth,
Maminas, Katund i
Ri, Xhafzotaj
Manëz
Agricultural functions
The agricultural areas of Tirana are concentrated in a large-scale on
the livestock farming and dairy products, as well as on agro-tourism.
The hilly areas around Tirana also have a tradition in the cultivation of
olive and fruit trees. Apiculture is considered a development potential.
livestock farming, fruit trees and apiculture
livestock farming, fruit trees and apiculture
agriculture and livestock farming
livestock farming, fruit trees and apiculture
livestock farming
livestock farming
livestock farming, fruit trees and apiculture
poultry, fishing and aquaculture
agriculture, livestock farming and apiculture
Kamza has a surface area of 2,364 hectares of arable land, an
insignificant figure compared to the population, while the main bulk
of the agricultural land is occupied by the informal constructions. In
the area of Kamza the agricultural land consists of 1,300 ha for mixed
cultivation, 289 ha vineyards, 103 ha of fruit trees and no olive groves.
Vore
Shijak
Paskuqan
Preze
Berxulle
Maminas
Xhafzotaj
Gjepalaj
vineyards, fruit trees and apiculture
agriculture, livestock farming and apiculture
agriculture and livestock farming
poultry, vineyards, olive groves and apiculture
poultry, agriculture and livestock farming
poultry, agriculture and livestock farming, vineyards
Kruje Bubq agriculture and livestock farming
Nikel
Thumane
Agriculture is concentrated on a few products with high added value
such as flowers. In the municipality of Vora over 800 large businesses
are registered. In Vora there are few vineyards, only 85 ha, 1,205 ha of
olive groves, 2,091 ha of mixed cultivation and 35 ha of fruit trees.
Agriculture is oriented towards products with high added value such
as the cultivation of vegetables and forage, livestock breeding and
orchardry. A characteristic of this community is the cultivation of
vegetables, forage and the increasing exansion of the vineyards
surfaces, orchardry and olive groves, and cultivation of early green
beans and melons in the hilly areas. In the area of Shijak 2,800 ha of
land are used for mixed cultivation, 1,227 ha are olive groves, 108 ha
vineyards and 6 ha fruit trees.
fruit trees, agriculture and livestock farming
agriculture and livestock farming
134
Table 4.17 Agriculture functions in rural areas

Axes of rural-urban regional development
Katund i Ri - Sukth - Sukth i ri - Shijak - Xhafzotaj - Rrashbull
Ndroq - Peze - Preze - Vaqarr - Arbane
Vore - Maminas - Berxulle - Preze - Bubq - Domje - Laknas
Kamez - Nikel - Fushe Kruje
Maminas - Manez - Hamallaj
Fushe Preze - Berxulle - Bubq - Thumane
Petrele - Vishaj - Mullet - Fikas - Ibe - Priske e madhe
Table 4.18 Axes of rural-urban regional development
RP3.1- Support activities for agricultural
economic development
• Establishing regional information and
training offices on market needs for farmers.
The line ministry, the Regional Development
Agency, and the municipalities of the region
should define the hierarchy of development
of information centres as well as the regional
operational and monitoring structures.
The aim is to improve the information and
specialized employment conditions for the
creation of a more efficient economy for farm
households.
• Promoting free entrepreunership in the
region should be strengthened through
supportive policies for new businesses,
focusing on urban-rural interaction, promoting
innovation in agriculture, the food chain, agroindustry
and agro-tourism.
• Stimulating soft loans should be directed
towards farmers who build cooperations,
creating the conditions to unify the range of
products. Lending schemes should take into
account the support of farmers who become
part of the project to consolidate agricultural
land by helping to develop economies of scale.
• Facilitated crediting to agricultural
entrepreneurship, prioritizing certain groups,
such as girls, women and young people, who
should become part of these schemes by
providing the conditions to promote the urbanrural
agricultural economy on farms under
3 ha. The Regional Development Agency and
other regional or local government institutions
should participate in the creation of financial
schemes in support of soft loans, serving as
the guarantor of the lending value, in order to
strengthen and enhance the wellfare of these
clusters.
• Public-private partnership schemes should
serve as an added value in cases where
LGUs can become support partners thanks
to the provision of low-cost territorial assets,
generating economic benefits to be used in
community services.
Support schemes for other sectors such
as aquaculture and apiculture may be an
additional aid that serves as a catalyst
for success in supporting other schemes,
contributing to the quality of interaction
between agricultural products.
• Developing fiscal and legal instruments for
the creation of cooperatives. Encouraging
cooperation between scientific research
institutions, different farms and donors
should be developed to operate on platforms
and schemes with clear legal and fiscal
frameworks.
Harmonization of investments for the creation
of cooperatives should be closely linked with
the creation of an appropriate environment
for regionalization of production, land
consolidation and the development of the
necessary regional knowledge.
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• Creating the network and chain of food
products distribution infrastructure.
The municipalities should promote the
development of collection, processing,
packaging, storage and distribution points of
food products in the urban centres’ markets,
as neuralgic points for connecting the
consumer to the network and the food chain
infrastructure.
• Establishing the recycling infrastructure.
The municipalities of the region should
establish a network of composting, recycling
and reusing natural waste to promote the
creation of a closed-cycle rural economy at
local and regional level.
• Regenerating the irrigation infrastructure
of agricultural land. The metropolitan region
is equipped with many water resources
in support of agriculture, such as rivers,
reservoirs, irrigation channels and water
management systems.
The regional municipalities need to develop
joint projects to implement integrated
irrigation systems. These systems should be
protected with buffer zones and monitored for
above and underground pollution, as well as
for urban constructions in their vicinity.
RP3.2- Product regionalization
The regionalization of agricultural production
will serve as an opportunity to increase the
yield of local production. This instrument will
contribute to the consolidation of agricultural
land and to the specialization of operational
and production structures of the local
agricultural product. The line ministry should
guide capital investments towards those
municipalities and local activities that have a
development priority, towards the construction
of the regional agricultural product network,
having as the ultimate goal:
• increasing the surface area of arable land in
parcels larger than 5-7 ha;
• facilitating and promoting the innovation
processes in the agricultural sector;
• protecting the agricultural land in marginalnatural
areas (agro-farming areas);
• increasing and expanding agricultural farms
specialized in specific regional products;
• a better organization of work and
employment in the agricultural sector support
structures;
• creating connective/intermediary links
among farmers, producers and other local
operators (connection to the food chain).
For the purposes of regionalizing production,
as an opportunity contributing to the increase
of the regional welfare level, the municipalities
and line ministries are suggested to promote:
• fiscal support for predetermined agricultural
inputs prices as a priority for regional
agriculture;
• support through soft loan schemes for
agricultural mechanics;
• policies / strategies for the protection and
management of agricultural land, as well as
the establishment of operational schemes for
the unification of regional products based on
priority agricultural sectors and areas of each
municipality;
• legal and fiscal incentives for the cultivation
of non-cultivated agricultural land in marginal
areas;
• differentiated taxation to encourage the
use of agricultural land with a surface area
of 5-7 ha, in unifying schemes of agricultural
varieties that support each other;
• structural policies that contribute to the
consolidation and management of agricultural
farms interacting with global market networks.
Financial support should have a differentiated
focus on the groups of producers, processors
and production distributors.
Risk management and aid fund in agriculture
Risk management is the process of identifying,
evaluating, controlling and monitoring the
potentially harmful natural events or situations
that negatively impact in achieving the
objectives in agriculture.
Given that agricultural products are delicate
and highly sensitive to weather conditions,
temperature, humidity, drought and other
natural disasters, their insurance at the
respective institutes is highly indispensable.
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It is recommended to build regional insurance
and product management schemes through
the regional agricultural development fund.
This fund should also serve as an additional
aid in cases when regionalized production
becomes non-tradable, as the result of a
sudden shift in the global market demand.
State aid can be granted by using certain
instruments, such as:
• subsidies and grants allocated to help in
various agricultural processes or to overcome
difficult weather situations etc.;
• tax exemptions, tax deferrals, tax rate cuts
and reduction in the private social insurance
contribution;
• public participation in the capital as a coowner
with the farmer;
• soft loans from the banking system and
especially by the institutions of micro-finance,
which have a lower interest rate and can be
used by the farmer.
RP3.3- Innovation in agro-industry and
agro-environment
Creating a spirit of interaction between young
entrepreneurs in the agro-industry and agroenvironment
innovation sectors emerges as
a need to cope with the demand of the global
value network, as well as to make efficient the
regional food chain.
It is suggested that the municipalities and
line ministries promote the development
of innovation, research and technological
development centres with a focus on linking
projects to agricultural and business
undergraduate programs in order to build the
agricultural cluster habitat.
The development of these activities should be
supported by:
• The development and strengthening of
human skills for sectoral profiling, through
specific trainings by regional offices for the
purposes of developing new professions in
rural areas.
• The development of advisory, certification and
promotional structures for entrepreneurship
activities in rural areas, where regional
agro-incubators play an important role. It is
suggested to build the latter in cooperation
with the agricultural university, economic
university and business associations.
• The establishment of mobile laboratories
in infrastructureless areas to carry out
experiments on the elements of soil
composition, water, seed quality, plants,
flowers, biochemical analysis of animals,
etc., which will bring a good and lacking
coordination of the work among research
institutions, farmers and local government.
• The development of research and innovation
networks, based on inter-sectorial partnership
and global networking. It is suggested that
these developments be combined with the
agro-incubators development strategies in
cooperation with the Agricultural University
and regional SMEs.
• The education and training of farmers from
research institutions, supported by parttime
programs that help to build the spirit of
promoting successful local rural business
cases at the same time.
Training packages should create links between
the use of agricultural inputs, the efficiency
of the regional product, the logistics and
distribution system and the product demand
network in the global markets.
They should encourage the promotion and use
of innovative technologies in agriculture and
sustainable management of agricultural land,
forests, pastures and water.
The local government should create the
conditions for a rapid development of
infrastructure for innovation in the region,
promoting the efficiency of using new
technologies, promoting and informing interest
groups through NGOs and regional offices. It is
suggested to support platforms or other forms
of electronic innovation that help to manage
land and ways of cooperation for farmers to
promote high yields.
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RP4- Economic development of private
farms and cooperatives
Restructuring and modernization of farms
will be carried out first and foremost through
community awareness on “bio” products and
avoiding the treatment of products with nonorganic
methods. The somewhat primitive
methods of working processes in agriculture,
in the selection of seeds, cultivars and the
appropriate breeds should be replaced with
modern methods of work that will lead to more
accurate orientation and growth in markets
based on the diversification of agricultural
products.
An essential step in this development is
cooperation between private and public
structures: making local government
territorial spaces available for frequent
meetings among local farmers, trainers,
researchers, entrepreneurs, etc., with a
view to building a communication network,
thus creating the possibility of establishing a
climate of trust on partnerships.
RP4.1- Restructuring of agricultural farms
The restructuring of agricultural farms will
change the nature of the production operation
system at local level. The line ministry,
the Regional Development Agency and the
municipalities of the region should develop
structural policies based on land reform
(consolidation of agricultural land) and its
privatization.
Consolidation of agricultural land is the
process of uniting land plots to form larger
farms. The purpose of farm consolidation is to
better organize work and increase productivity
in the markets. The aim is to develop and
solidify the operational units that used to be
scattered, in order to work together with the
intention of forming larger areas with the
same character of agricultural development.
For farm consolidation it is suggested to:
• Encourage the interaction of family farms,
such as “bio” farms, to increase the likelihood
of certified “bio” products on a regional scale.
Establishing pilot projects based on the land
fund and consolidation schemes will stimulate
a broad participation of farmers in these
schemes. Legal and fiscal incentives should
be directed towards projects that support
the cooperation of small and medium-sized
stakeholders.
• Strengthen the interaction dynamics
of small farms through qualification and
training of young farmers to cooperate under
a product profiling. Unification according to
quality, product diversity and agricultural
standardization will increase the possibilities
for survival in the free competition.
• Restructuring should be simultaneously
targeted at the creation of collection and
storage farms, focused on the processing and
marketing of the product as a final “Brand”,
in order to specialize the work processes and
to ensure the desired quality. The introduction
and development of the region’s traditional
product brand would create the conditions
for an added value in product marketing on
international networks and would create a
stimulating spirit for “Slow-food” tourism.
RP4.2- Opportunities for cooperation – the
establishment of private cooperatives
The construction of private cooperatives will
boost agricultural production at macro level,
and will create new financing opportunities
for small and medium-sized farms to become
part of these schemes, creating a sustainable
economic system for major agricultural
activities.
The consolidation of agricultural farms and
cooperatives will serve as a basic instrument
to return marginalized lands into productive
lands, increase income in rural areas and open
new education branches for young people in
rural areas.
Encouraging cooperation among farmers will
affect the development of the rural community,
allowing the transfer of knowledge and
technology in rural areas.
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The primary step to establish the system
of private cooperatives is the integration of
farms with complementary functions and
their organization under a board-led and
regional or local agricultural fund.
The aim is to determine the directions of
development of cooperative farms depending
on local processes and products. The
interaction of stakeholders can be stimulated
by creating fiscal and legal incentives.
Economic benefits from cooperation
- More opportunities for secure markets to
sell products, to ensure inputs, financing, etc.,
for the farm.
- Increasing and concentrating the agricultural
supply to the benefit of agro-industry.
- More opportunities to increase production
for the market.
- More market power.
- More power and control on the value chain. -
Coordination and cooperative behavior among
stakeholders.
- Reduced production costs.
- Better prices for producers and consumers,
etc.
The municipalities and public institutions
should promote the transfer of knowledge
from research institutes to these structures
through the development of agricultural
innovation schemes and platforms. The link
between public and private researchers and
the rural community business will affect the
reduction of product costs.
Local and central governance should
formulate and implement agricultural
development projects and programs focused
on cooperation of new generation farmers.
Political benefits
- Higher lobbying power.
- Less opportunistic behavior among stakeholders.
- More cooperation among stakeholders.
- More convenience for the government.
RP5- Development of the food chain
The food chain consists of a series of
activities that start from the production to the
sale of food products. The food chain includes
all actors from whom it develops, farmers and
companies from production to sale.
The aim is to promote the primary conditions
for the development of this chain, such as:
• providing certified “Bio” raw products and
maintaining the local characteristics for the
development of food products;
• enhancing environmental quality in the
region;
• increasing the quality of agricultural
land, water network, air quality and other
environmental-based factors;
Table 4.19 Cooperation benefits
• using natural fertilizers, and banning the
use of antibiotics in living by-products.
Encouraging public policies with a broad
spectrum of action is a necessity in
facilitating the interconnected activities of the
private sector through:
• The creation of a complete marketing
network of agricultural and livestock
products, based on two typologies:
- the “farm to plate” food system focused on
the development of regional and international
marketing network;
- the “slow-food” network in support of the
regional tourism economy, focused on ‘Bio’
products.
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• The expansion of the network of
partnerships and collaborative alliances in
services and branded products, based on
innovation and knowledge.
• The development of human capacities in
local public institutions through incubators,
vocational schools and specific courses
directed at industrial processes of products,
logistics and global sales network.
• The establishment of platforms and support
structures to supply the chain with regional
quality raw products that contribute to the
creation of authentic agricultural brands.
Additional opportunities for the agroindustry
sector will be carried out by:
• Establishing storage structures, collection,
processing and trading centres at regional
and local level. The Regional Development
Agency, the municipalities of the region and
the line ministry should define the hierarchy
and priority areas to build these structures
that will be created by private entrepreneurs.
• Creating supportive conditions to diversify
the range of products, which are developed
through the promotion of cooperation
schemes among new entrepreneurs in urban
areas and local farmers. These activities,
aimed at promoting cooperation between
urban and rural centres, are suggested to be
developed in peri-urban areas.
• Establishing laboratory and certification
structures to increase product standards will
enable product access at an international
level. The establishment of municipal
structures for the management and
monitoring of these standards will create the
conditions to establish a full chain in regional
agro-industry products.
• Agro-incubators are very much needed
to help young entrepreneurs to establish
not only the survival conditions in the early
years, but also the networking opportunities
in the global network. Agro-incubators
should create the conditions to promote
free entrepreneurship with a focus on “Bio”
agriculture, by supporting stakeholders
with the necessary knowledge and soft loan
schemes.
The plan proposes to establish 2
agro-incubators in Kamza and Shijak
municipalities.
Achieving the quality of ‘bio’ products in the
regional food chain should be supported by:
• Prohibiting discharges of untreated urban
waters into rivers (Erzen and Ishem) and
irrigation channels. The municipalities of
the region should complete the construction
of the respective infrastructure for urbanrural
centres and create the conditions,
norms and standards for the construction of
managed septic tanks, for grouped or isolated
dwellings far from urban areas. (Local
monitoring structures should develop cyclical
system controls to analyze the quality of the
regional environment, the latter being one of
the key factors affecting product certification
oriented toward exports).
• Developing integrated and protected
irrigation and drainage systems starting
from: the reservoir pumping system, cleaning
of remaining active reservoirs, cleaning
of discharge outlets, irrigation / drainage
channels and their centralized control
systems, construction of controlled and
certified water wells.
• Developing networks and hubs in regional
municipalities for the recycling and
composting of natural waste as well as their
reuse for a sustainable circular economy. The
strategic poles to develop these structures
are:
Shijak-Sukth; Qerret-Hamallaj;
Ndroq-Peze;
Vore-Berxulle-Bubq;
Farke-Petrele-Mullet-Arbane;
Valias-Nikel.
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Poles of centres to be covered by transport services for the well-progress of the
rural-urban food chain system.
Regional markets
Tirana
(peri - urban areas);
Regional markets
Durres (peri - urban
areas, the area of
Shkozet or Spitalle).
Collection and
processing points
Shijak-Sukth-
Katund i ri;
Vore-Maminas-
Manëz-Bubq-
Thumane;
Ndroq-Peze;
Farke-Mullet-Arbane.
Rural market centre
Shkozet-Xhafzotaj-
Shijak-Sukth i ri-
Sukth-Katund i ri;
Pjeze-Ndroq-Peze-
Vaqarr;
Jube-Rrushkull-
Hamallaj;
Manez-Maminas;
Bubq-Berxulle-
Domje-Laknas;
Thumane-Nikel.
Urban markets
Tirana;
Durres;
Shijak;
Sukth;
Vore;
Kamez;
Ndroq.
Table 4.20 Poles of regional market centres to be covered by transport services
RP6- Rural regional tourism
The regional tourism policies discussed above
in the economic development policies section
should relate to the rural tourism potentials
of the region. The regional values in this kind
of tourism are not scarce, the short distances
to access these potentials make it possible
to diversify the product of the regional
tourism package. These potentials link the
tourist areas of urban centres to rural areas,
providing enhanced functions for agrotourism.
The development of the regional mobility
network will create the conditions to increase
the absent diversification for the development
of natural rural tourism.
The LGUs of the region should take
measures to accommodate tourist
flows calculated at the peak of tourism,
managing and monitoring the structures
operating in tourism, public transport
networks (including massive parking sites
and relevant infrastructure above and
underground), healthcare centres and
natural areas equipped with the basic
services for mass tourism.
The development of areas with a rural
tourism potential should be based on the
‘eco-tourism’ package based on bio-food
services and on enjoying the naturalhistorical-cultural
values of the region. The
rural tourism poles and areas should not
create ‘closed communities’ of permanent
or temporary settlements. These coastal
or mountainous areas should be developed
in harmony with the environment, without
creating urban development in free or
protected natural areas.
The development of operational structures in
function of tourism, hotels or other massive
service functions, both temporary and
permanent, should not undermine the rural
character of the development.
This development should be based on the
principles of protecting the five territorial
systems, while maintaining the distances
provided by law and the regulation on the
conditions and criteria for exercising the
activity in a beach station.
The potentials of the region in agrotourism,
sea-sun tourism and natural tourism are:
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Type of tourism
Natural tourism
Agrotourism
Sea-sun tourism
Potential axes
• Bisht Palle-Porto Romano-Hills of Currila
(Urban park with mixed functions);
• Patoku Lagoon;
• Cape of Rodon, Preze, Vore, Ndroq (regional park);
• Dajti Park-Hills of Farke-Petrele-Arbane-Peze-Preze.
• Tirana-Peze Helmes-Ndroq-Pjeze-Xhafzotaj;
• Qerret-Rrushkull-Hamallaj;
• Rubjeke-Rade-Manez.
• Bay of Lalzi, Cape of Rodon, Patoku Lagoon;
• Golem-Qerret-Karpen.
Table 4.21 Potentials of the region in tourism
RP7- Branding and marketing of rural
areas
Branding and marketing are key elements
in creating a brand strategy and creating the
“Bio-Food” region.
The aim is to create a brand of regional
products and regional identity through
the promotion of ‘bio’ products and ruralnatural
tourism in the region. As above, it is
suggested:
To create a permanent climate of
cooperation between the municipalities
of the region for the promotion of festivals,
events, tours, and build a sustainable calendar
throughout the year in order to promote the
culture of degustation of products in certain
successive localities as well as in clear
comprehensive regional tourism itineraries for
the tourism of degustation. (Refer to table 4.21
showing the axes of agro-tourism, sea-sun
tourism and natural tourism).
To create a climate of entrepreunership and
promotion of successful cases in the agrotourism
and natural / cultural tourism sector
through visual and electronic media.
To develop a website with all stakeholders
contributing to the development of tourism
and rural products, in order to promote a
better information dissemination to the public
and regional and global investors.
To create a regional farmers board with clear
roles on the functions they perform in this
program to enable a promotion and lobbying
for the weak segments in the rural production
chain, based on the development strategy
“farm to plate” as well as of “Slow-food”
tourism.
To create a clear action plan on the
management of human and natural
resources, with clearly defined roles in
functions and interactions between them,
ensuring an efficient, measurable and
practical way of implementing the branding
and marketing strategy.
RP8- Transport in rural areas
The municipalities should give priority to
sustainable mobility forms in rural areas, to
ensure the connection of rural settlements
with urban centres and the connection
of rural tourism poles to those of natural
regional tourism. Measures to be taken by the
municipalities include:
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• Supporting local rural centres with public
transport and bicycle lanes. It is suggested to
develop a system of public transport based on
ring systems linking agricultural areas with
rural tourism areas. The development of public
transport infrastructure should be in harmony
with seasonal use flows by residents and
tourists.
• Developing innovative information
technologies on public transport and ways of
exchanging them in multimodal networks.
secondary roads, and then connect to the
primary axes in order to avoid the exit of
agricultural vehicles in the national axes and
to avoid accidents.
• Road axes connecting the tourist areas
should be supported by appropriate public
transport, interconnecting the stop points with
the stations of rural centres and aiming to link
tourist itineraries to increase the possibility
of interaction between tourists and local
communities.
• The interconnection of rural road axes
with the primary regional axes should follow
the hierarchy of entries and exits from the
Poles of rural centres,
to be covered with
transport services
Shkozet, Shijak, Pjeze, Ndroq, Peze, Vaqarr
Shijak, Sukth, Katund i ri, Jube, Rrushkull, Hamallaj
Shkalle, Manez, Maminas
Bubq, Berxulle, Vore, Domje, Laknas
Thumane, Nikel, Kamez
Table 4.22 The poles of rural centres in the tourist axes to be covered by transport services
RP9- Environment and renweable
energy
RP9.1- The environment
Biological diversity and the quality of
ecosystems, such as forests, lakes and
rivers, are the primary factors for a
sustainable rural and natural development.
Research work and construction of rural
farms should be in coordination and in
interaction with all measures and laws for
sustainable development of agriculture.
Municipalities should manage development
in these areas with a focus on environmental
protection, based on: permanent monitoring
of agricultural production procedures and
licensing of producers: ways of using land,
water, forests and pastures, flora and fauna
, rural areas and protected environmental
areas.
RP9.2- Renewable energy
In rural areas, the use of agricultural and
livestock production waste can serve as
a source of energy especially for farms.
Concurrently, utilization of wind to generate
power can be seen as a source for farms not
connected to the grid. Moreover, the use or
installation of solar panels can bring more
efficiency to the productivity of these farms.
The use of technology in these sectors will
further stimulate the regional interaction of
young entrepreneurs from urban centres to
rural ones.
It is important that the local community be
encouraged to participate in such schemes
to understand the goods and benefits from
innovative rural development activities. The
municipalities of the region are encouraged
to use differentiated taxation schemes for
entities that join these projects.
143

Ishëm
Thumanë
Cudhi
KRUJË
Bubq
Fushë Krujë
Manëz
Nikël
Katund i Ri
Prezë
Zall Bastar
Sukth
Maminas
VORË
Bërxullë
KAMËZ
Zall Herr
Dajt
DURRËS
Xhafzotaj
Rrashbull
SHIJAK
Gjepalaj
Kashar
Paskuqan
TIRANË
Shëngjergj
Vaqarr
Farkë
Ndroq
Golem
Petrelë
Bërzhitë
Pezë
Kërrabë
KAVAJË
Baldushk
Synej
Luz i Vogël
ELBASAN
0 5
km
RROGOZHINË
LEGEND
Metropolis
Primary centre
Planning region border of
ICSP Tirana-Durres
Administrative border of the
Local Government Units
Agricultural land with
complex cultivation
Olive grooves
Main centre/Farmers market
Secondary centre/Farmers market
Secondary centre
Road infrastructure
Vineyards
University of Agriculture in Tirana
Tertiary centre
Specialized local centre
Local centre
Urbanized area
Railway infrastructure
Logistic centre
Airport
Port/Anchor point
Fruit trees
Forests
Water surface
Agricultural production
Peri-urban area
Marginal rural area
(agricultural, natural)
Free natural area/
environmental protected area
144
Map 4.5 Territorial use in rural areas

4.4 Transport and infrastructure development policies
TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
Regional strategic
road networks
Infrastructure,
energy and
telecommunication
Multimodal system and
interurban public transport
Bicycle mobility
regional itineraries
Railway mobility
Freight
mobility
Traffic
management
Figure 4.16 Transport and infrastructure development policies
Transport territorial policies
The implementation of transport policies
and the accomplishment of investments in
infrastructure are essential aspects in the
development of the Tirana-Durres region, in
terms of international interconnection, in the
efficient linkage of markets, as well as in the
movement of the population and goods in the
Balkans.
For the purposes of developing a combined
and sustainable transport, the Integrated
Cross-Sectorial Plan for the region aims
at combining land management policies in
urban and rural areas with spatial planning in
transport.
To achieve this goal in mobility, the aim is to
relate integrated transport modes, regional
strategic poles and urban centres, stimulating
the use of public transport means as well as
alternative modes of movement that do not
generate environmental pollution.
TP1- Strategic regional road networks
Strategic road networks will be strengthened
to promote the efficiency of connecting the
region to national and international axes,
enabling rapid and efficient access.
These axes will enable the mobility necessary
to avoid seasonal traffic, interurban traffic
transiting through the region, and to create
rapid access to urban centres links to regional
employment areas.
Entry gates and transport development
corridors that require efficient connection to
the network are:
Port of Durres - “North - South” highway
(GNP);
Port of Durres - Arbri road;
Port of Durres - Corridor VIII;
Port of Durres - Rruga e ‘Kombit”;
“Mother Teresa” airport - efficient air, sea and
land interconnection of freight and passengers.
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The region will provide fast and secure connections via:
Main road axis
National North-South axis
Thumane-Vore-Kashar-Ndroq-Peze-1)Kavaje;2)Rrogozhine
Expansion of the actual interurban road segment Tirana-Durres and
its conversion into a highway in the segments: Berxulle - Shkozet
and Thumane - Airport - Vore
Ring network "Greater Tirana": Kamez - Arbri Road (phase I)
Bypass Kamez - Vaqarr - Arbane - Petrele (interconnection with
Corridor VIII) (phase II)
Ring network Durres: Currila - Spitalle - Shkozet
Spitalle - Porto Romano axis;
Spitalle - Katund i Ri - Manez - Bay of Lalez axis
Regeneration of the landscape road Tirana - Ndroq - Shijak - Durres
Focused on recreation and agricultural services.
Establishment of the footprint and protection of the territory for the
construction of the coastal landscape road.
Category
Highway
Highway
Primary urban axis
Primary urban axis
Local road
Tertiary interurban
axis
Table 4.23 Main road axis in the region
TP2- Multimodal system and
interurban public transport
The development of regional mobility and
optimization of public transport aims
at improving and making more efficient
the movement of individuals within this
geographic and socio-economic space.
The Integrated Corss-sectorial Plan of the
Economic Area Tirana-Durres aims to provide
quick access to the main regional hubs and
poles to facilitate the movement of residents
and tourists and to create the necessary
conditions for mobility efficiency in day-to-day
commuting.
The development of interurban public
transport and the multimodal system will
create the necessary conditions for reducing
traffic density and environmental pollution.
The rapid mobility system to and from the
regional urban centres is based on the
creation of efficient transport lines, with
clear urban and interurban stations that
enable exchanges between different means of
transport through multimodal “hubs”.
The interconnection of urban centres will
be strengthened through the integration of
different modes of public transport, based on
railway mobility supported by bus lines and
multimodal stations. To achieve this goal, the
municipalities of the region should encourage:
• The development of compact and efficient
urban centres served by public transport
systems, with high connection capacities
between urban poles and entry gates,
supported by parking areas to cope with
extraurban flows.
• The integration of all systems and services
in the transport network, and support
with public transport the areas of tourism,
employment, education and services.
• The improvement of options and
diversification of mobility choices in order
to reduce the use of private vehicles for
commuting.
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• The promotion of high densities in public
transport hubs in urban centres.
• The protection/conservation of the areas
identified for future development of public
transport corridors:
- Municipalities should take measures to
identify the territorial footprint and prohibit
urban development in these strategic axes.
- Equipment with buffer zones, prior supply
with underground infrastructure at key
hubs of the exchange flows, to precede the
development of networks.
• The planning and definition in the general
local planning documents of increased
densities in housing and services in the
territories surrounding the strategic mobility
hubs, to enable a controlled development of
these areas in the future.
TP2.1- Regional multimodal mobility
Regional multimodal mobility with the
primary focus on public transport outside and
within the city should support the creation of
conditions for a more efficient transport and
serve to cope with:
• suburban daily mobility flows for
employment purposes;
• increased population in urban poles by 2030;
• seasonal tourist flows in the regional traffic
entry-exit gates;
• poles of educational and healthcare
institutions as well as daily trips to them;
• economic development poles in the region.
Multimodal hubs should be planned and
mapped by each municipality in collaboration
with the line ministries, near the main axes,
interconnected with high density residential
areas, previously equipped with infrastructure.
In these proposed areas, the uncontrolled
development and construction should be
strictly prohibited, to reduce the costs of
expropriation in the future.
been completed. It is recommended that in
the territories surrounding these poles, the
GLPs should introduce land management
instruments such as conditional development.
The combination of these areas with incity
public transport networks emerges as an
obligation of the general local plans for each
municipality.
The multimodal mobility system should
ensure:
• mobility specified in time limits, thanks to
dedicated lines of public transport;
• online timetable management system
thanks to the GPS satellite technologies
within and outside urban hubs, promoting the
economy of scale for the provided service;
• use of internet infrastructure, for increased
safety through monitoring (24-hour);
• use of integrated, comprehensive ticketing
systems in multimodal mobility based on the
use of ‘e-ticket’ system;
• design of electronic signaling in public
transport intersections;
• an information system for passengers on
exchange schedules between different modes
of public transport.
The identification of new areas for the
movement of bus lines, based on:
• the traffic flows of road segments, according
to the polycentric poles;
• the traffic flows in hubs / road intersections;
• the potential space of dedicated road
sections;
• the identification of flows and density of
residents in the area, based on the GLP;
• the definition of station distances as per
the population density and primary areas of
services and employment.
The general local plans should define these
hubs in advance as high density areas, where
development is permitted only after their
construction (transport infrastructure) has
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Spatial poles and strategic corridors for interconnection within the multimodal system:
• metropole, primary centres, secondary centres, tertiary centres: Tirana, Durres, Vore, Kamez,
Shijak-Xhafzotaj, Sukth i Ri
• port of Durres, “Mother Teresa” airport
• economic development technological area Port of Durres, Shkozet;
• economic development technological area Spitalle, Shkozet;
• economic development technological area Rashbull.
• economic corridor Kashar-Vore
• economic corridor Kamez-Nikel
Multimodal stations
• Tirana central station (non-multimodal centres, railway line and bus station)
• Tirana station (primary multimodal centre)
• Tirana station (economic area, the highway Kashar - Vore/2-3 stations)
• "Mother Teresa" airport multimodal station
(economic development technological area and business cluster, fair centre)
• multimodal station Vore (alternative residential area Vore - Berxulle)
• multimodal station Shijak - Sukth (alternative residential area)
• multimodal station Durres (port - economic development technological area 2 stations)
Table 4.24 Strategic corridors and multimodal stations
TP3- Railway mobility
Railway mobility should be developed in
compliance with the movement of individual
vehicles for interurban travels, taking into
account certain conditions, as follows:
• Multi-modal stations should be located in
the primary access axes of urban centres,
becoming accessible to all social strata, and to
perform a full flow management. Each urban
/ rural centre should create the multimodal
movement poles, based on the combination
of strategic axes of the regional movement,
urbanized areas, tourist areas, economic
development technological areas and
recreational areas.
• The hierarchy of multimodal stations should
respond to the hierarchy and functions of
urban centres: Metropole, primary centres,
secondary centres, tertiary centres, local
centres.
• Railway stations should offer opportunities
for the exchange of transport modes such as
parking for individual vehicles, cabs, rental
cars, bicycles etc.
• The line ministry and municipalities of the
metropolitan region should develop incentive
policies for the application of the regional
integrated ‘e-ticket’, as well as instruments for
facilitating the use of rapid rail transport
• The development of physical infrastructure
should ensure fast movement, bordering
spaces, such as physical barriers and
148

acoustic barriers. It is suggested to construct
green belts along these axes, and it is also
recommended to avoid the legalization
process for facilities and buildings located
within the action radius of the railway
movement.
• Railway mobility should enable the
exchange of travel routes both for freight and
passengers.
It is recommended that for the freight
transport lines, the development should be
carried out in phases, initially preserving and
protecting the territories where these lines
can be developed with buffer zones, and then
establishing links with the port areas as well
as the economic ones.
Necessary railway transport stations:
Railway stations
Tirana centre (terminal station)
Tirana, Fushe Mezez multimodal centre
(primary and multimodal railway station)
Economic developement technological area,
highway Kashar-Vore (2 stations)
The pole of Maminas, Vore (secondary station)
“Mother Teresa” airport
(multimodal terminal station)
The pole of Sukth, Shijak (secondary station)
The pole of Porto Romano, Spitalle
(terminal freight station)
Durres (primary multimodal station)
Table 4.25 Railway stations
TP4- Traffic management
Using smart infrastructure
The region should establish a network of
“smart” technologies to measure and manage
urban and inter-city traffic flows for user
information and network handling efficiency.
The smart transport system is based on:
• Developing electronic traffic measurement
stations in the region for incoming and
outgoing traffic flows.
• Establishing the regional office to monitor
and manage traffic in the urban centre of
Vora, which should also cover services such
as data storage and analysis. Creating a data
system that collects, analyzes and informs on
due time comes as a priority for the region, as
well as for the management of traffic in case
of natural disasters or accidents. The regional
traffic monitoring office may be accompanied
by supportive facilities on site, to provide
assistance in case of accidents or defects of
vehicles.
• Policies that promote flexible utilization
of the public transport fleet to increase or
decrease transport vehicles in the network
according to the maximum and minimum flow
hours. Consequently, also the management of
the movement of goods in favorable hours.
The use of measurement equipment should
be based on GPS systems, the application of
a camera system connected in a network and
on the public transport fleet, as well as on
nodes affected by traffic jams. Efficiency and
coordination of traffic light systems, electronic
information boards and integrated network
connectivity should form the basis of this
operatinal platform.
It should also be emphasized that the use
of the information database in an integrated
GIS system of various agencies or other
institutions will serve as an added value for the
well operation of the system.
The use of platforms and applications
for mobile phones with GPS features
interconnected with the network, agencies,
stations, police stations and healthcare
centres would increase the efficiency of the
movement in regional networks.
149

Measures to improve road safety
Local and central authorities should develop
policies to improve the information, protection
and bordering infrastructure along the
axis of the movement, giving priority to the
main axes, to create mobility standards
and mobility efficiency, and to minimize the
potential for accidents in hotspot areas,
pursuant to the map of road accidents.
TP5- Freight mobility
The metropolitan region as the entry gate to
Corridor VIII, the cross-cutting point of the
‘North-South’ axis and the entry gate to the
Arbri road, should manage the national and
international freight flows based on the flows
of land, sea and air traffic. Strengthening
interactive hubs and national axes is a priority
for the interconnection and processing of
goods.
Prioritization of freight mobility policies in the
region should be based on:
• developing the transport strategy for
regional freight mobility (MTI);
Combining the latter with the strategy of
developing the logistics cluster, with the
primary focus on the development of the
economic pole Durres - Shkozet - Spitalle -
Porto Romano;
• new storage and processing poles, hubs
should be above all at the attention of Local
Government Units, due to the impact they
have on the mobility;
• logistics hubs should have direct links to
the multimodal, physical and electronic hubs,
the region’s primary strategic axes, economic
poles, networks of telecommunications
and energy, as well as of the underground
infrastructure system;
• improving the fleet of freight transport and
logistic infrastructure, to reduce the level of
air and noise pollution in the region, creating
favorable lending conditions.
Priority regional logistics poles:
The freight transport system should be
interconnected with the regional traffic
management office. Monitoring of movement
fluxes and safety of movement should pay
particular attention to the efficiency of the
movement of goods.
Logistics poles
Durres Port - Shkozet pole
Energy port Porto-Romano - Spitalle
Marikaj - Vore pole
Nikel - Fushe Kruje pole
Tirana Greater Ring pole (rruga e Arbrit)
Tirana Greater Ring pole (Farke)
Tirana Greater Ring pole (Vaqarr)
Tabela 4.26 Logistic poles
TP6- Bicycle mobility regional
itineraries
In order to minimize urban traffic problems,
it is necessary for cities to support alternative
modes of transport such as cycling.
Bicycle mobility itineraries outside urban
areas should be adapted with specialized
lanes, away from vehicle mobility, in order
to make bicycle mobility safer and more
pleasant.
It is suggested to create ring itineraries of
bicycle mobility along waterways, rivers,
lakes, the coast and protected areas
interconnecting important natural, urban and
cultural elements as well as enabling their
interconnection with the natural regional
parks.
150

Crossings nearby road infrastructure must
be designed in such a way as to guarantee a
high level of safety for bicycle users, creating
dividing barriers.
Urban centre bicycle stations should be
attached to the service stations and other
transport modes.
Bicycle stations for long distances can cover
an action radius not larger than 6-8 km.
They should provide opportunities for the
exchange of transport modes without having
to return to the initial point of travel for the
vehicle handover.
Bicycle axes
Axis: Tirana centre, Vaqarr, Peze, Ndroq, Pjeze, Xhafzotaj, Shijak, Sukth, Jube, Rrushkull
Axis: Tirana, Farke, Lunder, Gurre, Percellesh, Pellumbasi Cave, Petrele, Arbane, Vaqarr
Axis: Tirana, Paskuqan-Kamez,River of Tirana, Laknas, Valias, Berxulle, Preze
Axis: Ndroq, Gjokaj, Vore, Preze, Cape of Rodon
Axis: Durres, Currila, Urban Park, Bisht Palle
Table 4.27 Bicycle axes
TP7- Infrastructure, energy and
telecommunication
The development of water and sewerage
systems, energy and telecommunications
infrastructure should be oriented towards
the development of integrated utilities,
coordination of civil works and co-usage with
an approach towards environmental friendly
development, based on sector strategy and the
“dig-once” principle to minimize the costs.
TP7.1- Underground infrastructure
Determining priority areas in the general
local plans, such as: urban centres, economic
areas, centres of multimodal stations,
logistics centres, primary tourist structues in
accordance with ICSP Tirana-Durres and GNP
will enable the efficiency of investments in this
region.
Underground infrastructure should cover
the needs of the communities based on the
projections of population growth and tourism
flows.
Defining and preserving groundwater, which
will serve as an additional future potential to
supply urban areas, should be a priority of the
regional municipalities to be protected from
urban development consequences.
The underground infrastructure system
should be based on strategic investments,
on the hierarchy of centres, on their new
developments, on all typologies and regional
poles defined as primary ones. Coverage with
these types of services should be developed
prior to urban development, prioritizing the
densification and concentration of investments
and reduction of maintenance costs.
Urban development in low-density ruralnatural
areas, such as those with residential
buildings not connected to urban centres,
should be supported to create common areas
of water supply and alternative drainage/
sewerage not connected to the network, such
as certified water wells and drainage system
with periodically controlled and certified /
ecological controlled discharge septic tanks.
151

E762
Ishëm
Thumanë
Cudhi
KRUJË
Bubq
Fushë Krujë
Manëz
E762
Nikël
Katund i Ri
Prezë
Zall Bastar
Sukth
Maminas
VORË
Bërxullë
KAMËZ
Zall Herr
Dajt
DURRËS
Xhafzotaj
Rrashbull
SHIJAK
Gjepalaj
Kashar
Paskuqan
TIRANË
Shëngjergj
Vaqarr
Farkë
E853
Ndroq
Golem
Petrelë
Bërzhitë
Pezë
E852
Kërrabë
Synej
KAVAJË
Baldushk
E852
Luz i Vogël
ELBASAN
0 5
km
E853
RROGOZHINË
LEGEND
Metropolis
Primary centre
Secondary centre
Tertiary centre
Specialized local centre
Local centre
Urbanized area
E853
Planning region border of
ICSP Tirana-Durres
Administrative border of the
Local Government Units
Logistic centre
Airport
Port/Anchor point
Harbour
Transit European network road
Primary road
Primary road under
construction/proposed
Secondary road
Secondary road under
construction/proposed
Tertiary road
Tertiary road under
construction/proposed
Local road
Local road under
construction/proposed
Rail infrastructure
Proposed rail infrastructure
Connecting landscape itinerary
Coastal landscape itinerary
Hub multimodal
Secondary multimodal hub
Terciary station
152
Map 4.6 Road infrastructure

TP7.2- Energy infrastructure
To achieve the national and regional goals to
reduce emissions affecting climate change,
the new development should be defined
and designed so as to improve its carbon
performance. In this context, municipalities
should:
• Encourage provision of energy from
decentralized, renewable and low carbon
sources and set ambitious standards,
yet feasible, in meeting this goal through
the general local plans. These standards
should be part of the regulations and
must also designate portions of renewable
energies, which should be applied by the
new developments. It is suggested that the
minimum value for any new development to
be 10% of the portion of the energy and for it
to be provided by renewable and decentralized
sources.
• Promote key development areas for the
application of renewable energy sources
through the General Local Plans, the Local
Sectorial Plans and Local Detailed Plans.
Beyond the requirements for renewable
energy, municipalities should include high
standards for energy efficiency in their
own regulations. All new buildings must
meet high standards of energy efficiency.
Moreover, structures and policies encouraging
and promoting energy efficiency, reducing
maintenance costs in structures with public or
private functions should be established in the
planning documents.
• The municipalities, in cooperation with the
Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of
Energy and Industry, should set up platforms
to increase energy efficiency in the existing
stock of buildings in the region. This can
be achieved by establishing public-private
partnerships, creating special regional budgets
on energy efficiency and/or announcing
special areas for improving efficiency in energy
consumption. The areas may be determined
based on their historical, cultural, institutional
characteristics, etc.
regional development based on energy
distribution grids, growth of the population
by 6% and increased energy demand from
regional businesses.
• The line ministries and regional
municipalities should establish industrial
areas in the general local plans, along with
alternative energy options based on the
system of the gasification network (TAP)
-IAP. Clustering of functions will increase the
efficiency of investments and will affect in
reducing costs of the regional industry during
their lifespan.
TP7.3- Electronic communication
infrastructure / ICT
• Telecommunication network services
must support economic areas and urban
centres with quick access to the internet to
develop the possibilities for a digital economy.
Urban centres should be covered with rapid
connecting telecommunication infrastructure,
while the integration of networks in mutual
corridors must be coordinated between the
regional municipalities and line ministries.
• Integration and connection of secondary and
tertiary urban centres to the national network
of optical fibers should be at the attention of
central and local authorities.
• Regional municipalities should cover
with ICT infrastructure and services all the
subordinate institutions with public functions,
to enable the establishment of integrated
services in electronic networks.
• The line ministry and regional municipalities
should prioritize potential areas of future
153

Ishëm
Thumanë
Cudhi
KRUJË
Bubq
Fushë Krujë
Manëz
Nikël
Katund i Ri
Prezë
Zall Bastar
Sukth
Maminas
VORË
Bërxullë
KAMËZ
Zall Herr
Dajt
DURRËS
Xhafzotaj
Rrashbull
SHIJAK
Gjepalaj
Kashar
Paskuqan
TIRANË
Shëngjergj
Vaqarr
Farkë
Ndroq
Golem
Petrelë
Bërzhitë
Pezë
Kërrabë
Synej
KAVAJË
Baldushk
Luz i Vogël
ELBASAN
0 5
km
RROGOZHINË
LEGEND
Metropolis
Primary centre
Planning region border of
ICSP Tirana-Durres
Administrative border of the
Local Government Units
IAP gas pipeline
Proposed gas pipeline
Gas field
Stone coal deposit
Secondary centre
Road infrastructure
110 kV transmision line
Non-metal deposit
Tertiary centre
Rail infrastructure
220 kV transmision line
Industrial point
Specialized local centre
Logistic centre
400 kV transmision line
Local centre
Airport
Electric substation
Urbanized area
Port/Anchor point
Small hydropower plant
154
Map 4.7 Energy and industry

4.5 Environmental development policies
ENVIRONMENTAL DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
Conservation of natural
landscape (natural and
environmental heritage)
Monitoring
environmental quality
Protection and
management of
surface and ground
water resources
Green infrastructure
Climate change
Regional waste
management
Risk management
from natural disasters
Figure 4.17 Environmental development policies
The natural environment and habitat are
closely related to the geoclimatic conditions of
the region as well as to the human interaction
on it.
The metropolitan region is developed between
the two valleys of Ishem and Erzen rivers.
They extend through the hills that outline the
region and outflow respectively in the Cape of
Rodon and the bay of Lalzi in the Adriatic sea.
The level of pollution of these rivers is several
times higher than the normal levels. The water
that flows in them carries substantial amount
of untreated urban, liquid and solid, waste.
This makes it impossible to use the water of
these rivers for irrigation of agricultural lands
in the region.
Excavation of the riverbeds to extract inerts
has caused the diversion of their estuaries
and the progression of sea towards land in the
coastal areas.
After 1990s, a degradation of agricultural land
which should have been protected from the
uncontrolled urban development has been
observed. This uncontrolled development was
accompanied by huge losses of green areas,
and therefore the life of living creatures and
habitat of flora and fauna was endangered.
For several years, the region has been
facing natural disasters due to spontaneous
urbanization.
At the same time, it should be noted that the
territories designated for the treatment of
urban waste of the two largest urban centres
in the region, Durres and Tirana, are already
on the verge of completing the functional time
period and reaching their holding capacity.
These are signals that should set in motion
the local and regional authorities in taking
measures.
Below the plan presents certain policies
for the environmental development of the
region, which are basically the solution of the
problems caused and improve the conditions in
the environment we live in.
155

EP1- Conservation of natural
landscape (natural and environmental
heritage)
Conservation and improvement of the regional
natural ecosystem should be based on the
creation and the natural interconnection of
parks and protected natural areas. Namely,
by connecting, through green corridors, the
protected natural areas at an urban, regional
and national level to the new proposed areas.
In the region, there are a number of parks,
which are isolated and disconnected from
each other, thus it is important to create a
regional network of parks, which by being
connected will essentially enhance the
quality of the natural environment and add a
value to the landscape of the Tirana-Durres
metropolitan region.
The network of parks will also serve as a
catalyst to revitalize the characteristics and
state of the natural habitat, but also the living
conditions of the residents in the metropolitan
region.
Linking the parks into a nature network
should be based on the geographic
characteristics of the terrain, where water
and hilly areas together with forested areas
will be linked to create interconnected natural
systems.
Regional, urban and managed natural
parks should be connected to the regional
water system to create a network of natural
elements.
The water system and river network must be
protected with buffers zones.
This will enable the generation of the
necessary spaces that will serve to create
green corridors along the rivers. These
green protective belts will not only serve as a
support element for the ecosystem, but at the
same time will create opportunities for the
movement of the species living in the region.
The natural areas and regional and urban
parks to be interconnected are given in the
table below:
Natural protected areas with defined legal status (including geomonuments)
• National parks Kruje-Tirana (determined by law)
• The green wreath of Tirana (determined by CDM)
Natural park/ Managed Nature Reserve (proposed)
• Vaqarr Hills-Ndroq-Vore-Cape of Rodon
• Porto Romano-Bisht Palle
Urban parks (proposed)
• urban park Farke
• urban park Paskuqan
• urban park Kashar
• urban park Kamez (Zall-Herr) attached to the national park of “Dajt”
• urban park Gjokaj-Vore-Marqinet
• urban park Durres, Currila Hills-Porto Romano
• urban park Golem
• urban park Plazh-Arapaj
• urban park Shijak-Pjeze
Table 4.28 Natural protected areas and regional and urban parks
156

Rezervati
Patok - Fushë
Kuqe
Kepi i
Rodonit
Ishëm
Thumanë
Parku
Kombëtar
Qafë Shtamë
Cudhi
KRUJË
Bubq
Fushë Krujë
Rezervati
Rrushkull
Manëz
Nikël
Katund i Ri
Prezë
Zall Bastar
Sukth
Maminas
VORË
Bërxullë
KAMËZ
Zall Herr
Dajt
Parku
Kombëtar
i Dajtit
Kodra e
Durrësit
DURRËS
Xhafzotaj
Rrashbull
SHIJAK
Gjepalaj
Kashar
Paskuqan
TIRANË
Shëngjergj
Vaqarr
Kurora e
Gjelbër
e Tiranës
Farkë
Ndroq
Golem
Petrelë
Bërzhitë
Pezë
Kërrabë
Synej
KAVAJË
Baldushk
Luz i Vogël
ELBASAN
0 5
km
RROGOZHINË
LEGEND
Metropolis
Primary centre
Secondary centre
Tertiary centre
Specialized local centre
Local centre
Urbanized area
Planning region border of
ICSP Tirana-Durres
Administrative border of the
Local Government Units
Road infrastructure
Rail infrastructure
Airport
Port/Anchor point
Green area
Water surface area
Protected environmental area
Green wreath (Decision No. 4 of the NTC, dated 29/12/2014)
Proposed protected area
Recreational water area
Urban park
Reservoir/lake
Map 4.8 Use of natural territories
157

EP2- Protection and management of
surface and groundwater resources
The plan dictates and supports the protection
of the environment from the liquid and
solid waste of the urban system as well as
industrial manufacturing structures, both
within and outside the urban areas.
The development of urbanization should be
accompanied by a controlled and planned use
of the territory, surface and groundwaters,
and a controlled use of the water catchment
basins for each territory administered by the
municipalities of the region. Water utilization
and processing should be based on annual
reports on their pollution monitoring, by the
regional municipalities and line ministries.
Water system
The water catchment basins that are
located in the metropolitan region need to
be regenerated by restoring the supporting
infrastructure, such as: irrigation drainage
channels, water pumping systems and water
supply systems.
In the absence of the opportunity to use these
territorial assets to the benefit of agriculture,
they should be transformed into recreational
areas serving to the public interest,
accompanied by buffer zones to protect them
from urban development. The line ministry
should enable the use of these assets in
function of LGUs services.
The transformation of the two rivers, Erzen
and Ishem, into environmental potentials
coated by green corridors, interconnected
with the parks of the region, requires the
fulfillment of the following conditions: 24
1. Constructing waste management plants
and necessary infrastructure facilities in each
of the pollutant urban centres. Regarding
the management of liquid and solid regional
waste, a 6% increase in population in the
urban centres should be considered by 2030.
2. Interrupting the discharge of all untreated
urban and industrial waters into the Ishem
and Erzen rivers and channeling them to the
respective infrastructure.
3. Constructing the embankments for the
rivers Ishem and Erzen and revitalizing their
beds.
4. Reconstructing the green belts that
function as buffer zones along the river
banks, which will enable protection from
water corrosion. Buffer green belts will help
to recreate and approach wildlife as well as
enable their unhindered movement in the
region’s natural habitat.
5. Constructing the paths serving to
recreation. Developing bicycle movement
axes along the banks and green belts.
Accompanying with relaxation areas in
support of ecotourism within these territories.
6. Creating protected and managed territories
for the areas of the regional river deltas and
estuaries.
Drinking water
The drinking water supply system covers
almost the entire area of Tirana and Durres.
There is room to increase capacities and
improve the quality of sector services,
especially for the fact that, for a sustainable
development of the region, the necessary
investments must be made in advance to
cope with the population growth envisaged
by 2030. It is necessary to improve the
administrative and managerial direction of
the sector, to orient the services towards the
principles of control and full cost recovery,
and the recognition, protection and use of
groundwaters.
The regional municipalities must not only
protect existing water resources but also
those territories that represent a potential
as water supply areas for the future. Limiting
urban development in the territories
overlapping with these resources should be a
priority for the LGUs.
24
Taken from the material of the Albanian Geological Survey (AGS), preamble of the study on “Monitoring the dynamics of the
riverbeds in the rivers of Albania in the mid- and lower stream, and measures proposed to stabilize the situation”, February 2016
158

Waterways, water surfaces and underground
waters should be protected within a range not
lesser than 100 m (buffer zone).
The local centres should be served with
drinking water, through a managed supply
system for the treatment of drinking water
quality. Residential facilities away from
urban-rural centres should be equipped
with certified collective or individual wells, to
ensure protection against pollution and natural
hazards.
EP3- Green infrastructure
Green infrastructure is a general term that
involves the protection, management and
enhancement of environmental resources in
urban, peri-urban and rural-natural areas. The
plan aims to identify and provide functional
green spaces for the residents and ecosystem.
They should be interconnected among them in
such a way that they can promote the creation
of a regional green network, thus creating new
opportunities for managing and using these
spaces.
Green infrastructure includes natural areas
and green spaces in both urban and ruralnatural
environments. It is presented as
a natural physical environment, within
and between urban centres, as well as
between local residential centres. This open
infrastructural network includes: parks,
gardens, forests, green corridors, rivers,
streams and trees along the roads etc.
It is important to identify all natural
and environmental resources and then
consider the advantages of using them. The
development of green infrastructure should
focus on the identification, expansion and
upgrading of existing green areas, while
ensuring network connections for these
territories.
Developing a green corridor network is a
complex issue because it involves issues
such as private land ownership, or issues
related to physical interconnection of the
territories. Initially it is recommended that
local authorities should identify strategic
intervention points within public or private
owned territories and then improve their links.
Moreover, local authorities should put in place
the mechanisms provided by the territorial
planning system.
Where there is a possibility to establish
interconnection corridors, government
authorities should intervene using schemes
that promote the use of these territories
as a natural environment for recreation or
ecotourism.
Such approaches and initiatives aim to protect,
enhance and maintain the natural environment
by bringing benefits to the health of the
population of the region, as well as increasing
the economic, social, environmental and
physical value of the green areas.
Context and functions of green infrastructure
At the macro level, the creation and
development of green infrastructure addresses
five important issues for the sustainable
development of the territory, focusing on:
1. the sustainable resource management,
including controlled and balanced use of them,
as well as controlling and monitoring the level
of pollution from human activity;
2. the biodiversity, and in particular on the
importance of connecting different habitats to
the landscape and species;
3. the recreation, connection of natural areas
with green (non-motorized) roads to improve
the quality of life and health;
4. the landscape, in the sense of protecting the
natural heritage. Benefiting from and enjoying
natural resources such as green areas and
natural corridors as subjects of nature’s
aesthetics ;
5. the regional development and promotion,
in particular with regards to sustainable
community issues that relate to the overall
quality of the environment and living.
159

GREEN
GREEN / GREY
GREY
Natural
reserves
Urban
parks
Channeled
rivers
Suburban
gardens
Service and
industrial
parks
Urban
forests
Bicycle
lanes
Benches
along
the roads
Residential
spaces
Figure 4.18 Green and grey infrastructure
Natural reserves in the region (existing and proposed)
Rivers
Ecologic corridors
Protected natural
areas
Proposed green areas
Water basins
(lakes and reservoirs)
Ishem dhe Erzen
Ishem and Erzen + (sub-branches)
The reserve of Rrushkull (Hamallaj)
Emerald area (Hamallaj - Cape of Rodon)
Cape of Rodon - Patok, Fushe Kuqe,
Ishem, Dajti national park
Regional park Ndroq - Cape of Rodon
Urban park Currila - Porto Romano
Wetlands Bisht Palle - river Erzen delta
The green wreath of the forest of the Rrushkulli reserve - Fushe Drac
Irrigation channels of the agricultural lands (Durres – Tirana)
Reservoirs for use in agriculture
Reservoirs for recreational use near urban centres (i.e. Kashar
Lake / pilot project)
Table 4.29 Regional natural reserves
160

The gradual shift and continuity of green
infrastructure should be developed from
“green areas” to the “gray areas” of urban
centres covered with concrete.
Integration of this infrastructure into gray
areas will allow the development of missing
green spaces in urban centres.
The municipalities are suggested to use
unused urban areas for this purpose, by
creating green spaces to the benefit of the
environment and ecosystem, which will
serve to reduce infrastructural costs in the
sewerage network. These facilities will serve
to protect the territory from flooding as well as
to improve conditions for dealing with climate
change.
Suburban gardens, residential areas and
parking lots should be made available to the
development of this infrastructure, creating
the necessary network to bring the natural
ecosystem within the urban centres.
EP4- Risk management from natural
disasters
Raising the awareness of the population on
natural emergencies, under climate change
conditions, takes a special meaning in the
administration of the territories from local
units. Information should be accompanied by
maps of flood areas and areas of landslides
or other hazards. It is necessary to inform
residents on the measures to be taken in the
early hours. An increased focus in the annual
counselling, should be placed on schools
and rural areas, where life is more closely
associated with nature and public investments
may not be at the optimal required conditions.
Increased focus should be directed towards
informal settlements built on former
agricultural lands and near riverbeds,
natural landslide areas and areas identified
as danger areas near dams or tectonic
zones. Identification of high-risk houses
must be accompanied by displacement and
resettlement opportunities in safe territories,
providing soft loans or partnership schemes.
Areas of increased risk:
Floods
Increased risk from the presence of water basin
dams:
Gjepalaj, Xhafzotaj, Sukth, Katund i Ri, coastal
area, Breg Shkoze, Bubq, Gramez
Landslide
Areas with increased seismic presence:
Kryezi, Vrap, Dorez, Baldushk, Kuraten,
Shkrete, Cudhi-Zall
Table 4.30 Areas at risk
Civil emergencies at the national and local
level for the protection of the population,
should administer and manage territories
under a special financial budget for natural
hazards with a focus on the displacement of
the residents from risky areas. In the medium
and long term, the special financial budget
must ensure the construction of infrastructure
for social housing to cope with in cases of
natural hazards.
161

EP5- Regional waste management
The plan of integrated regional waste
management, based on the national strategy
and programs, should promote options
that positively impact the environment and,
therefore, should consider the hierarchy of
integrated waste management consisting of:
- waste generation prevention;
- preparation for reuse;
- recycling;
- other recoveries;
- disposal.
The plan of integrated regional waste
management should also establish a
regulation to control the management
of specific waste streams generated in
its territory, as well as the collection,
transportation, recovery, disposal of waste,
observation of operations and maintanance of
disposal sites.
The plan of regional waste management
should include:
• regional urban waste management;
• regional industrial waste management.
Integrated waste processing, which is
undertaken by the line ministries, regions and
LGUs should consist of:
• reduction - reuse - recycling;
• collection and processing of organic waste;
• collection, storage and management of
waste in the landfill facilities.
differentiation at source, reduction - reuse -
recycling by consumers;
- the creation of decomposition areas of
organic waste in every rural area to create raw
materials for the agricultural industry, for a
cyclical economy;
- the closure of landfills that do not fulfil the
required EU standards and their rehabilitation;
- the development of regional solid waste
management schemes for the municipalities
of the region.
The above-mentioned lead to some priority
projects:
- regionalization of landfills as dictated by the
national plan;
- the possibility of interim landfills;
- the possibility of establishing a landfill for
industrial waste disposal.
Furthermore, it is to be taken into
consideration the retreatment/revitalization of
existing landfills, construction of new waste
collection stationary points, the differentiation
of waste at source or differentiation at the
landfill, prior to disposal, where parts of it
goes to recycling.
A more concrete picture on landfills and waste
management will be conducted by the line
ministries through the:
- National Waste Management Masterplan.
- National Plan of Integrated Waste
Management.
There are several development opportunities
for depositing solid waste in Tirana, Durres,
Kamez, Shijak, Vore based on:
- the urgent need to draft waste management
plans in the short, medium and long term, at
regional and local level;
- continous and subsequent awarenessraising,
education and sensibilization
campaigns on the consequences and effects
that waste bring on health and environment;
- the differentiation of waste at source into two,
three, four or more streams;
- the inclusion and opportunities of promoting
162

Ishëm
Thumanë
Cudhi
KRUJË
Bubq
Fushë Krujë
Manëz
Nikël
Katund i Ri
Prezë
Zall Bastar
Sukth
Maminas
VORË
Bërxullë
KAMËZ
Zall Herr
Dajt
DURRËS
Xhafzotaj
Rrashbull
SHIJAK
Gjepalaj
Kashar
Paskuqan
TIRANË
Shëngjergj
Vaqarr
Farkë
Ndroq
Golem
Petrelë
Bërzhitë
Pezë
Kërrabë
Synej
KAVAJË
Baldushk
Luz i Vogël
ELBASAN
0 5
km
RROGOZHINË
LEGJENDA
Metropolis
Primary centre
Secondary centre
Tertiary centre
Specialized local centre
Local centre
Urbanized area
Informal area
Protected environmental area
Agricultural area
Forests
Landslide area
Flood risk area
Map 4.9 Urbanization restriction areas
163

EP6- Climate changes
Mitigation and adaptation measures to
climate change
This plan and reaching its objectives in
conjunction with sustainable development
can not be delivered without an integrated
approach to global and European views
on the impacts of climate change. The
5th Assessment Report 25 of the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change
states that the climate system warning is
unequivocal, and since the ‘50s, many of
the observed changes are unprecedented
in the decades before the start of the new
millennium.
Regarding Albania, although historical data
are limited, according to the Second National
Communication, 26 there is an increase in
temperature and a change in the frequency
and amount of rainfall throughout the year.
Based on the projections made for 2050, the
summer temperatures are expected to be 2.4-
3.1 degrees higher than the current average.
Moreover, the data from the recent years
have shown that Albania has started to feel
the effects of almost annual flooding, where
some of these floods have a more frequent
return period (Shkodra 2013, Fier, Lushnje,
Tirana 2015), as well as floods with occurrence
probability 1 every 1000 years (Shkodra 2010).
The basic principle of this policy is to support
the reduction of carbon emissions in the
future, consider the risks of flooding, erosion
and changes in the shoreline, encourage
reuse of the existing resources and the use of
renewable resources.
At the macro level:
1. Applying concepts and different methods to
guide spatial planning towards adaptation and
mitigation policies. For example: planning and
creating green corridors, as well as green and
multifunctional centres.
2. Strengthening the institutional and
organizational aspect of the governmental
structures in order to ensure inter-linkage
between planning authorities and other crosssectorial
authorities which have a role in
adaptation to climate change.
3. Establishing a comprehensive framework of
relevant legislation and regulations that ensure
the integration of elements of adaptation and
mitigation in spatial planning. For example:
smart and green economic growth.
4. Building the capacities (human and
financial) available to planning authorities to
develop and implement responses to climate
impacts.
5. Raising the awareness of policy and decision
makers on the impacts of climate change
and the importance of addressing these
impacts through concrete mitigation and
adaptation measures in the planning process.
For example, regarding the development of
the port of Porto Romano, which requires an
infrastructure sensitivity analysis towards the
phenomenon of sea level rise, and proposals to
achieve resilience of this infrastructure to the
expected rise in sea level.
6. Strengthening the knowledge, skills and
technical capacity related to infrastructure
adaptation to the effects of climate change
through instruction, education, training and
exchange of best practices.
At the local level:
1. During the planning of any new construction
or expansion of existing structures,
a sensitivity analysis of the provided
infrastructure should be conducted under
extreme weather conditions, and on the basis
of its results a plan of measures should
be developed to permanently reduce the
consequences of these phenomena.
25
http://unfccc.int/science/workstreams/cooperation_with_the_ipcc/items/8732.php
26
http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/natc/albnc2.pdf
164

2. Implementing measures to reduce
infrastructure vulnerability to extreme
weather conditions must become a
central management task for each kind of
infrastructure. The purpose of implementing
these measures should be based in particular
on reducing the damage caused to the weather
sensitive infrastructure users, in cases when
they cannot use it anymore.
3. Establishing clear guidelines on the
methodology, procedures and performance of
gathering the information on extreme weather
conditions, as well as on the planning and
implementing of measures to reduce the
vulnerability of the predicted infrastructure to
extreme weather conditions.
9. Monitoring the coastline and the amount of
sediments coming from the rivers.
10. Providing and allowing for a neccessary
space for the rivers in order to avoid floods.
11. Adapting the buildings at risk of flooding.
12. Displacing the population that has built in
the areas at risk.
13. Drafting plans to adapt cities to climate
change 27 .
4. Informing, educating and sensitizing the
general public on climate change and the
relevant effects. Raising awareness on climate
change among the residents takes a special
meaning in the administration of the territories
by the local units. The information should be
conducted by the municipalities and should be
associated with the preparation of maps that
indicate areas of natural hazards.
5. Rehabilitating, expanding and developing
water supply infrastructures, including
scenarios of climate change in this sector,
as well as managing water demand through
reuse, provision of new water resources, rain
water, desalination, etc.
6. Improving water efficiency, irrigation
infrastructure, variety of plants, drainage
systems, fertilization and soil moisture
retention, etc.
7. Constructing and protecting from floods,
by raising the levels of river beds and marine
dikes.
8. Managing the sea and river erosion.
27
Note: For more adaption and mitigation measures to climate change, see the Third National Communication on Climate
Change Report and the National Adaptation Plan. http://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/non-annex_i_natcom/application/
pdf/albania_nc3_13_october_2016.pdf
http://newsroom.unfccc.int/unfccc-newsroom/albania-submits-its-climate-action-plan-ahead-of-2015-paris-agreement/
http://www.mjedisi.gov.al/files/userfiles/Projekte/Projekti_Adaptimi_ndaj_Ndryshimeve_Klimatike_ne_Ballkanin_Perendimor.
pdf http://www.mjedisi.gov.al/files/userfiles/Projekte/Permbledhje_projektesh.pdf
165

EP7- Monitoring environmental quality
Air monitoring
A continuous monitoring of air quality in the
urban centres is achieved by measuring key
indicators of air quality at selected stations,
respectively in Tirana and Durres. The possible
measures, which will help in improving the
standards of air quality in these regions might
be: reducing the number of cars by promoting
the use of public transport as opposed to
private one, improving public transport,
promoting clean energy in the vehicles,
managing the road network, encouraging
cycling, increasing green areas, improving the
quality of fuels,etc. Traffic pollutants include
hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, particulate
matter and carbon monoxide.
We recommend to the competent authorities to
exercise their authority to protect underground
waters from possible massive or local
contamination that have been encountered
during the monitoring.
Biodiversity monitoring
The main threats to biodiversity are
climate changes caused by man, industrial
development, urbanization, illegal hunting,
fishing, soil erosion, energy, mining,
transportation and tourism. Protection of
biodiversity can only be achieved by accepting
and respecting the objectives and principles of
conservation and sustainable growth in sectors
related to biodiversity.
Land monitoring
Consolidation of areas threatened by
erosion (afforestation, wind shields, small
embankments, etc.) must be carried out. Land
use should not favor erosion or watercourse
(working in the transverse direction, minimal
work). Topographical interventions should
be conducted (construction of terraces and
retaining walls) and measures should be taken
to cover streams and riverbeds.
A modification of their profile should be
performed, modification of the discharge flow,
constructions to enable distribution of the flow
to different directions reducing its strength.
Water monitoring
Monitoring of waters in all the monitored
basins and aquifers should continue in all the
monitoring elements in compliance with the
laws and regulations for their monitoring.
It is recommended to perform drillings for the
completion and intensification of the hydrodynamic
monitoring network. These new
drillings should be carried out in safe places to
meet future needs for further development of
the region.
We recommend to implement restriction
and sanitary protection areas around the
exploitation drillings for the protection of
underground waters from superficial pollution.
166

Ishëm
Agroturizëm
Thumanë
Cudhi
KRUJË
Agroturizëm
Manëz
Bubq
Agroturizëm
Fushë Krujë
Nikël
Katund i Ri
Prezë
Agroturizëm
Zall Bastar
Agroturizëm
Sukth
Maminas
VORË
Bërxullë
KAMËZ
Zall Herr
Dajt
DURRËS
Xhafzotaj
Rrashbull
SHIJAK
Gjepalaj
Kashar
Paskuqan
TIRANË
Shëngjergj
Vaqarr
Farkë
Ndroq
Golem
Petrelë
Bërzhitë
Pezë
Kërrabë
Agroturizëm
Synej
Agroturizëm
KAVAJË
Baldushk
Luz i Vogël
ELBASAN
0 5
km
RROGOZHINË
LEGEND
Metropolis
Existing road infrastructure
Agroturizëm
Agro-tourism
Symbols
Station/touristic potential
Primary centre
Secondary centre
Tertiary centre
Specialized local centre
Local centre
Urbanized area
Intervention/expansion/rehabilitation
of the existing infrastructure
Proposed road infrastructure
Rehabilitation of the existing
rail infrastructure
Proposed rail infrastructure
Bicycle/hiking itinerary
Reservoir/lake
Protected area
Green wreath
Proposed protected area
Recreational water area
Airport
Port
Logistic centre
Multimodal hub
Secondary multimodal centre
Map 4.10 Combining infrastructure, urban centres and natural territories
167

5Strategic
projects
regulations

Contents
170
SP1. Economic development
182
SP2. Urban development
188
SP3. Rural development
198
SP4. Transport and infrastructure development
208
SP5. Environmental development

SP1. Economic development
Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
EP2- Regional
knowledge and
innovation network
Developing the regional
strategy on employment
and specialization
Specialized training and
education.
Vore, Shijak, Kamez,
Tirana, Durres
Access to skilled workforce (attract
young people and talents); regional
or national learning centres
focused on developing regional
development priorities, creating a
"knowledge network", network of
subsequent qualification and
certification; platforms for economic
development, harmonized for
cooperation between regional SMEs
and universities.
2017-2019
EP2- Regional
knowledge and
innovation network
Developing the strategy
on regional innovation.
Vore, Shijak, Kamez,
Tirana, Durres
Combine in a package for innovation
all the development stakeholders
from all priority regional areas;
research and development,
entrepreneurs and SMEs, universities
and institutes; access to global
networks and investment in
research and development (R&D).
2017-2019
EP2- Regional
knowledge and
innovation network
Establishing the
network of research
centres and technology
parks.
2 techno-poles in Tirana
and Durres
Establish an operational structure
with a regional steering board that
promotes and standardizes the
work of research centres; develop
links to innovation in products and
platforms with clear functions and
responsibilities between SMEs,
universities, entrepreneurs,
research centres and public
administration.
2017-2025
170

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Ministry of Education
and Sports;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Academy of Sciences;
Research and Development
Centres;
Chambers of Commerce
and Industry;
Regional businesses;
Universities.
Central government;
Regional Development
Fund 75%;
Municipalities 25%.
Public investment
Improving the level of regional
knowledge, for increased
opportunities for specialized
employment.
Creating more opportunities
for businesses, increasing
competition and the ability to
innovate, creating final
products linked to the global
value system. More welfare
across the region.
European Union;
Ministry of Education
and Sports;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Research and Development
Centres;
Regional businesses.
Central government;
Regional Development
Fund 75%; Municipalities
25%.
Public investment
Improving the level of regional
knowledge, for increased
opportunities for specialized
employment.
Creating more opportunities
for businesses, creating final
products related to the global
value system. More welfare
across the region.
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Ministry of Education
and Sports;
Regional SMEs and
Entrepreneurship
Board; Regional
municipalities; Chambers
of Commerce and
Industry; Universities;
Research and Development
Centres;
Regional businesses.
Central government
30%; Regional Development
Fund 20%;
Regional municipalities
20%; Regional SMEs and
Entrepreneurship Board
and Fund 30%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Improving the regional
competitiveness environment,
creating clear conditions to
attract FDIs and new talents.
Creating new categories of
regional employment.
171

Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
EP3- Develop SMEs
and entrepreneurship
A platform for the
identification, interaction
and monitoring of
the typological groups
according to the
categories of SMEs
population in the
following municipalities:
Vore, Shijak, Kamez,
Tirana, Durres, Kruje,
Kavaje, Elbasan.
Develop the map of SMEs and
establish support strategies based
on their profiles and portfolios
(Gazelles, Hidden Champions,
Phoenix). Identify the strengths of
economic development based on
the interaction of SMEs by typologies.
Establish an electronic platform for
permanent interaction based on
typologies and their interaction.
2016-2018
EP3- Develop SMEs
and entrepreneurship
Establishing online one
stop shop offices in each
municipality.
(E-business support)
Vore, Shijak, Kamez,
Tirana, Durres.
Support with online interconnected
digital services to facilitate
business procedures through the
One Stop Shop format.
Provide information and support
services for economic development
as well as global partnerships for
business opportunities in the
region. Provide orientation and
information to investors on
investment opportunities in
economic development areas
defined in the GLPs of the
respective municipalities.
2017-2019
EP4- Regional
incubators and
clusters
Establishing incubators
to support business and
entrepreneurship.
Durres (general
incubator and logistics);
Tirana (incubator of
business innovation and
creative industries);
Shijak (agro-incubator);
Kamez (sectorial-incubator).
Establish 4 types of incubators to
support entrepreneurship. Create
the necessary spaces in public-private
partnerships. Utilize
state-owned, low-rent or with
differentiated taxing assets for
developers.
Use territorial assets and define the
mixed functions of these structures,
near business areas, university
areas or research institutes.
Combine them with institutions
and other service areas.
2017-2019
172

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Regional businesses;
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Regional Development
Fund; Municipalities:
Vore, Shijak, Kamez,
Tirana, Durres, Kruje,
Kavaje,
Central government
Regional Development
Fund 70%; Municipalities
included in the
study
30%.
Public investment
Increasing opportunities to
better respond with services to
these structures as well as
opportunities to analyse
regional geographic clusters.
Providing differentiated aid
packages based on specific
needs for support services.
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Ministry of Finance;
Ministry of Innovation
and Public Administration;
Chambers of Commerce
and Industry;
Regional businesses;
Municipalities:
Vore, Durres, Shijak,
Kamez, Tirana.
Central government;
Regional Development
Fund 30%; Municipalities
70%.
Public investment
Improving the business
climate, ensuring efficiency
and reduction of risk from
bureaucracy thanks to unified
services. Effective interaction
on the status of regional SMEs.
Regional municipalities;
Regional Development
Agency 2; Ministry of
Urban Development;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Ministry of
Education and Sports;
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Ministry of Innovation
and Public Administration;
Chambers of
Commerce and Industry;
Regional businesses;
Research-Development
Institutes;
Independent
researchers.
Regional Development
Agency 2 - 20%;
Municipalities 20%;
Private businesses 60%.
Public investment
Private investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Developing innovative
businesses / entrepreneurships,
with specialized human
resources and with third and
fourth level education.
Creating global networking
opportunities. Creating
structured businesses that can
cope with global competitiveness.
Creating conditions to
spread innovation in the region
through young entrepreneurs
and regional SMEs.
173

Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
EP5- Territorial
economic development
Revitalizing the
economic pole Rashbull
– Shkozet, an economic
area focused on
logistics, services and
light industry.
Create the appropriate spaces to
support business, logistics and
light manufacturing industries.
Support with fast access, secure
energy, infrastructure, public
transport and service centre for
financial and legal procedures.
2017-2020
EP5- Territorial
economic
development
Revitalizing the Durres
port area, creating
various zones serving to
tourism and the city.
Create defined station areas for:
ferries / cruises / cargo / fishing
fleet / yachts and restoration
services for the fishing fleet and
yachts.
Create open harbour areas for
yachts and cruises.
Unlimited connectivity and access
to the city, interconnection and free
access to the area of the fishing
brand. Create direct access to
borderless tourists with restaurants,
hotels, and city centres.
Combine the revitalization of the
port with the revitalization of the
pedestrian waterfront and the
revitalization of the facades of the
buildings in this area.
2017-2020
EP5- Territorial
economic
development
Creating the economic
pole of creative industries,
combining
functions and business
services focusing on the
fashion, textile, image,
media and arts industries.
Combining functions of
institutions of knowledge,
culture and
business. Local cluster
of creative industries:
"Kinostudio",
Municipality of Tirana.
Create the pole of creative industries,
promote agglomerations of
these business typologies. Support
with infrastructure, green areas
and recreation areas.
Event spaces in cultural centres for
training in public institutions. Links
to the incubator projects of creative
industries.
Support with over and underground
physical infrastructure as well as
with digital infrastructure and
telecommunication.
Provide quick access to public
transport lines as well as the city's
strategic road axes.
2018-2021
174

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Municipalities affected
by these developments;
Regional businesses;
Chambers of Commerce
and Industry.
Regional municipalities;
Regional Development
Fund 70%; Regional
Development Agency 2-
30%.
Public investment
Higher efficiency in freight
exchange. Creating new
business cooperation opportunities
for new products.
Increased regional employment.
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Municipality of Durres;
Regional businesses;
Chambers of Commerce
and Industry.
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Regional Development
Fund;
Regional Development
Agency 2- 40%;
Municipality of Durres
20%; Business 40%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Quality services and increased
processing volumes due to
diversification of port service
functions.
Increased financial revenues
for local businesses and the
municipality of Durres.
Improved living conditions for
the residents in the urban
centre.
Municipality of Tirana;
Academia/Universities;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Ministry of Innovation
and Public Administration;
Regional businesses;
Chambers of Commerce
and Industry.
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Regional Development
Agency 2 - 20%;
Municipality 30%;
Donors 10%; Business
40%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Diversifying the service
portfolio in the creative
industry, launching products
for the global market.
Creating the climate of trust
and cooperation among
businesses. Opportunities to
attract FDIs.
Opportunities to attract
headquarters of global offices.
175

Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
EP5- Territorial
economic
development
Redeveloping the port of
Porto Romano; Establishing
the port of
energy and raw materials
in "Porto Romano",
Municipality of Durres.
Create new port facilities to support
the industry of raw materials and
logistics, supported by the railway
line for the movement of goods, raw
materials and access to public
transport. Support with physical
and digital infrastructure, over and
underground. Create buffer zones
to avoid environmental problems in
the areas of river estuaries.
2018-2025
EP5- Territorial
economic
development
Developing the innovation
pole: ‘Mother
Teresa’ Airport, Rinas.
Municipalities:
Vora, Tirana, Kruja.
Economic area in
support of innovation
and elite business.
Create a service pole for elite
business, innovation research
centres, supported by fairgrounds;
hotels for "Business class";
opportunities for an Olympic-National
Stadium; structures for elite
‘show-rooms’.
Strengthen the road and rail
connection with urban centres of
Tirana, Durres through multimodal
stations.
Develop support areas for recreational
and entertainment facilities
and links to regional bicycle routes.
Revitalize the spaces and structures
of the former Valias mine.
2018-2022
EP5- Territorial
economic
development
Revitalizing the
economic pole: “Kombinat”
– Vaqarr, Tirana.
Rehabilitating the
former industrial area of
the textile combine with
mixed functions.
Reconstruct mixed function areas in
the former Textile Combine
buildings to support the garment,
fashion, textile, creative entrepreneurship
and design industry.
Create low-cost rental facilities in
these structures that support new
businesses. Fast connection with
public transport. Revitalize residential
blocks in the urban area, with a
focus on promoting mixed functions
in the economic pole.
2018-2022
176

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure; Regional
municipalities; Regional
businesses; Chambers of
Commerce and Industry.
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Regional Development
Fund 20%;
Municipality of Durres
20%; Private Entrepreneurs
60%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Higher efficiency in services
and storage. Regional added
value in freight mobility (tons /
year). Better living quality in
the city, increased revenue
thanks to the diversification of
port hubs.
Municipality of Tirana;
Municipality of Vore;
Municipality of Kruje;
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Regional Development
Fund and Board;
Regional businesses;
Chambers of Commerce
and Industry.
Municipality of Tirana
20%; Municipality of
Vore 10%; Municipality
of Kruje 10%; Private
Entrepreneurs 60%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Developing elite business
support areas and innovation-based
economy.
Improving the business climate
and service tourism opportunities.
Diverting interurban traffic
from urban centres.
Creating a diverse climate in
support services for elite
businesses.
Generating opportunities for
business cluster with a focus
on innovation.
Municipality of Tirana;
Regional Development
Agency 2; Ministry of
Urban Development;
Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure; Ministry of
Economic Development,
Tourism, Trade and
Entrepreneurship;
Ministry of Innovation and
Public Administration;
Regional businesses;
Chambers of Commerce
and Industry.
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Regional Development
Fund 30%; Municipality
of Tirana 30%; Private
Entrepreneurs 40%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Improving the regional
employment climate.
Encouraging new ventures with
a focus on manufacturing
products in creative industries.
Polycentric city development
with mixed services, which
promote the use of public
transport.
177

Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
EP5 - Territorial
economic
development
Revitalizing the
economic corridor:
Kamez – Nikel.
Economic area with a
development focus on
services, light industry,
logistics and furniture
industry.
Create support areas for the light
industry and furniture manufacturing
businesses. Support with
business service offices, logistic
areas, power supply and public
transport stations. Create and
support employment areas in
garment industry, in public low-rent
assets, near public transport axes.
Develop incubators with a focus on
furniture industries for semi-products
and final products.
2018-2022
EP5 - Territorial
economic
development
Economic development
pole: Spitalle – ‘Porto
Romano’, Municipality of
Durres.
Economic area with a
development focus on
services, technology,
light industry and
logistics.
Strengthen the Spitalla pole with a
service area in light industry and
logistics. Support with power
supply, underground infrastructure,
buffer zones for gasification,
telecommunication and rail
networks for freight transport. Fast
and efficient access, with multimodal
stations, ports and regional
logistics centres. Develop supporting
infrastructures for the management
of flooded areas near this
axis.
2018-2023
EP4-Regional
incubators and
clusters
Establishing the
regional platform and
administrative structures,
related to the
development of 4
economic clusters,
technological parks,
technological and
economic areas and
research institutes.
Municipalities:
Tirana; Durres; Kamez;
Vore; Shijak; Kavaje.
Accomplish the cluster development
strategy, build operational
structures and platforms with
government agencies, businesses,
universities and research institutes.
Combine into one development
strategy the four cluster typologies:
Business Cluster - Technology Hub
and Innovation:
The pole Airport–Vore–Kashar;
Textile industry / garment industry
cluster:
The pole Kombinat, Shkozet, Tirana,
the pole Kamez, Kruje, Shijak;
Creative industry cluster:
The pole Kinostudio, Tirana, the
pole Durres, centre; Logistics
cluster:
Durres–Vore–Kruje–Kavaje.
2018-2030
178

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Municipality of Kamez;
Municipality of Kruje;
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Regional businesses;
Chambers of Commerce
and Industry.
Municipalities affected
by the project 40%;
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Regional Development
Fund 30%;
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Creating an added value for
specialized sectorial employment.
Creating opportunities for
regional brand development
for furniture products in the
Balkans.
Private Business 30%.
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Municipality of Durres;
Regional businesses;
Chambers of Commerce
and Industry.
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Regional Development
Fund 55%; Municipality
of Durres 45%.
Public investment
Attracting FDIs, increased
employment opportunities for
the region. Opportunities to
attract increased revenues to
the regional economic chain.
Opportunities to create the
main HUB of Corridor VIII.
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Ministry of Education
and Sports;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Regional Board for
Economic Development;
Regional municipalities;
Regional research
centres and institutes;
Universities;
Chambers of Commerce
and Industry;
Vocational Schools.
Central government;
Regional Development
Agency 2 - 40%;
Regional municipalities;
Regional Development
Fund 20%;
Regional businesses
and donors 40%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Diversifying the product range,
creating the regional value
chain in the global market,
improving the regional
innovation climate and the
local business climate thanks
to the increase in the production
range.
Increased opportunities to
attract foreign human capital
and foreign direct investments.
Increased opportunities to
attract global corporate
offices.
179

Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
EP6- Regional
branding and
tourism
Regional cultural-natural
itinerary: Cave of
Pellumbasi, Petrele,
Arbane, Peze, Gjokaj,
Preze, Cape of Rodon.
Creating the hiking
itineraries and bicycle
routes.
Develop an itinerary, which will
serve as a model for the development
of other regional itineraries.
Develop the basic infrastructure
and physical and digital information
infrastructure (GPS) for the
operation of the itinerary, establish
its management structures in
segments, supported by the
regional municipalities. Alternate
natural paths with historical and
cultural sites outside urban centres
as well as with regional water
basins.
Combine with festival areas and
recreational areas in rural centres.
2018-2020
EP6- Regional
branding and
tourism
Pilot Development
Project for areas
supporting adventure air
sports in the national
park of Dajti, Tirane as
well as in the hills of
Currila in Durres.
Create well-defined structures for
the development of the
parachuting sport in Tirana and
Durres, supported and linked to
hiking paths, for diversification of
nature tourism typologies equipped
with information infrastructure.
2018-2020
EP6- Regional
branding and
tourism
Bicycle routes for
off-road cycling: on the
river Erzen and Ishem
(Tirana-Shijak-Vore-Durres).
Create the infrastructure for the
development of mountain-biking.
Bicycle routes along the Erzen and
Ishem rivers (30 km), branching in
the hilly areas and interlinks with
the itinerary of the regional park
Ndroq-Vore-Cape of Rodon.
2018-2020
EP6- Regional
branding and
tourism
Cultural, historical
areas with functions
supporting business and
tourism development:
The Bazaar and the
historic neighbourhood
of Durres;
"Creative" neighbourhoods
in Tirana (intermediate
space between
Kavaja Street and the
Durres Street).
Develop historic areas in Durres
where handicrafts, souvenirs,
paintings and sculptures can be
traded, interrelated to tourism
support services such as bookshops,
cafeterias and other
functions such as hotel information
offices. Spaces in support of
creativity in Tirana. Support lending
to young artists in creative neighbourhoods.
Low rental spaces for
these types of businesses.
2020-2025
Table 5.1 Strategic projects: Economic development
180

Responsible entities
and implementers
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Ministry of Culture;
Institute of Monuments
of Culture;
Tour operators; Regional
municipalities;
Regional businesses;
Chambers of Commerce
and Industry.
Financial resources
and rates
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Regional Development
Fund;
Regional Development
Agency 2 - 20%;
Regional municipalities
40%; Regional
businesses 40%.
Implementation
method
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Expected impact and
assumptions
Developing the weekend
tourism and interconnecting
tourist sites will bring development
not only to urban centres
but also to rural areas,
diversifying business functions
and typologies.
Ministry of Education
and Sports; Associations;
Municipality of
Durres; Municipality of
Tirana;
Regional businesses.
Regional municipalities
100%.
Public investment
Increased opportunities for
regional tourism will increase
business opportunities to
benefit from the regional
tourism cluster.
Ministry of Education
and Sports; Associations;
Federations;
Regional municipalities;
Regional businesses.
Regional municipalities
30%; Regional businesses
70%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Encouraging physical activities
to improve public health and
support business activities in
eco-tourism.
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Culture;
Municipality of Durres;
Municipality of Tirana;
Regional businesses;
Chambers of Commerce
and Industry.
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Regional Development
Fund;
Regional Development
Agency 2 - 30%;
Regional municipalities
30%; Regional businesses
40%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Increased tourism attraction
and increased opportunities
for differentiated employment.
Support of innovation in the
creative sector.
181

SP 2. Urban development
Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
UP2 - Consolidation
of urban centres
Rehabilitating urban-rural
centres:
Farke, Preze, Petrele,
Arbane, Ndroq, Hamallaj,
Katund i ri, Sukth, Pjeze,
Berxulle, Bubq, Maminas,
Manez.
Rehabilitation project for urban and
rural centres. Improve infrastructure,
public spaces and facades of
main buildings, and create
service-based recreation areas.
Create pedestrian areas with
access to public transport and
public safety.
Implement -
ation period
2017-2019
UP2 - Consolidation
of urban centres
Rehabilitating centres
and main poles of urban
centres: Tirana; Durres;
Vore; Shijak; Kamez.
Improve public spaces and main
buildings, with a focus on
readdressing socio-cultural and
historical buildings.
Improve over and underground
infrastructure network, urban
design and furnishing. Add green
spaces and pedestrian areas to
create mixed functions in the use of
public spaces.
2017-2020
UP1 - Polycentrism
and hierarchization
of urban centres
Schools as community
centres in the region:
Municipality of Tirana;
Municipality of Durres;
Municipality of Shijak;
Municipality of Kamez;
Municipality of Vore.
Pilot projects to transform a school
into a community centre, for each
regional municipality. Provide new
facilities to develop social services
in the school premises, which help
in extracurricular education and
training for all age groups.
2017-2022
UP1 - Polycentrism
and hierarchization
of urban centres
Regional Hospital
Complex:
Municipality of Vore
Improve regional public health,
improve healthcare conditions,
providing a new national / regional
hospital efficiently accessible by
urban centres and supported by
green areas and efficient transport.
Area supported by university and
research centres.
2017-2024
182

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Municipality of Vore;
Municipality of Durres;
Municipality of Shijak;
Municipality of Kamez;
Municipality of Tirana.
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Albanian Development
Fund;
Regional Development
Fund 30%; Municipalities
40%;
Private businesses 30%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Diversifying the city centre
functions, improving the living
conditions for residents,
creating more opportunities
for local businesses and rural
residents to form sustainable
communities.
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Municipality of Vore;
Municipality of Durres;
Municipality of Shijak;
Municipality of Kamez;
Municipality of Tirana.
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Albanian Development
Fund;
Regional Development
Fund 20%;
Regional municipalities
30%; Private businesses
50%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Diversifying the city centre
functions, improving the living
conditions for residents,
creating more opportunities
for local businesses.
Ministry of Education
and Sports;
Ministry of Social
Welfare and Youth;
Regional municipalities.
Regional development
fund 20%;
Regional municipalities
70%; Donors 10%.
Public investment
Improving social conditions for
urban residents. Providing
extra-curricular and part-time
training facilities to support
the region with specialized
knowledge. Supporting the
businesses with efficient
workforce. Increasing opportunities
for cultured and developed
workforce at all times.
Ministry of Health;
Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure; Regional
Development Fund;
Municipality of Vore.
Central government and
donors 60%;
Regional Development
Agency 2 - 20%;
Municipality of Vore
20%.
Investime Publike
Improving the quality of health
services at regional and
national level. Specialized
healthcare service and
appropriate facilities, quick
access from every urban
centre.
183

Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
UP 3 - Integration of
informal areas
Pilot Project
Integration of communities
through redevelopment
of informal areas:
Kamez, Durres, Shijak.
Create pedestrian spaces and areas
through: redevelopment of urban
blocks; creation of common spaces,
elimination of barriers and walls
that restrict access and mobility.
Create shared green spaces and
socialization services. Access to
these centres with public transport.
Implement -
ation period
2017-2024
UP4 - Accommodation
and social
housing
Pilot Project
Developing housing
spaces for marginalized
groups:
Municipality of Tirana;
Municipality of Durres;
Municipality of Shijak;
Municipality of Kamze;
Municipality of Vore.
Develop housing spaces for
marginalized groups, construct
social houses / apartments.
Promote differentiated taxation for
businesses that develop comprehensive
housing schemes for the
community. Link to public transport.
2018-2020
UP4 - Accommodation
and social
housing
Residential areas with
mixed functions, in
urbanized areas in the
municipalities of:
Tirana; Durres; Shijak;
Kamez; Vore.
Establish residential blocks with
mixed functions that combine
employment, services and housing.
Apply a conditional development
instrument (30% social housing, of
which 20% is rented and 10% below
the market price value for families
in need). The potential development
format for rented premises is PPP.
Apply efficient energy schemes for
new housing blocks. Access to
efficient public transport.
2017-2025
UP5 - Comprehensive
regional
community space
Pilot Project
Urban gardens with
agricultural functions:
Municipality of Tirana;
Municipality of Durres
Generate opportunities for
residents in urban centres for the
construction of agricultural-urban
gardens. Integrated administration
and management of these green
spaces of urban blocks. Promote a
pro-active lifestyle and better
relationships with the nature.
Establish urban block management
schemes with private entrepreneurship
and administration.
2020-2022
184

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Regional Development
Agency 2; Regional
municipalities.
Regional Development
Agency 2 - 20%;
Municipality 0%;
Private Business 40%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Improving the living conditions.
Concentrating activities near
service poles in urban centres.
Sustainable communities and
improving security conditions
in these areas.
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Social
Welfare and Youth;
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Municipality of Tirana;
Municipality of Durres;
Municipality of Shijak;
Municipality of Kamez;
Municipality of Vore.
Central government
30%; Regional municipalities
40%; Private
Business 30%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Improving the living conditions
for the entire social group,
creating opportunities for
long-term integration into the
community, reducing service
expenses for this group,
reducing social and crime
problems.
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Social
Welfare and Youth;
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Regional municipalities.
Regional municipalities
30%; Private Businesses
70%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Solidifying urban centres,
creating the conditions to
concentrate functions, increasing
efficiency of services,
providing favourable conditions
for business and residents to
reduce the use of means of
transport. Increasing efficiency
of services.
Regional municipalities;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Ministry of Environment.
Regional municipalities
30%; Community 20%;
Private Business 50%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Creating an environment for
the community and friendly to
nature, creating communities
that protect the environment
and are responsible for it,
improving public health and
eco-friendly living.
185

Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
UP5 - Comprehensive
regional
community space
Recreational and sports
areas in urban centres:
Municipality of Durres;
Municipality of Shijak;
Municipality of Kamez;
Municipality of Vore.
Create sports fields in high density
urban areas through territorial
planning instruments, improve
sports facilities in local educational
institutions, and open them to the
community for use after the
institutional hours.
2020-2030
UP5 - Comprehensive
regional
community space
Creating pedestrian
areas with greenery and
mixed services:
Municipality of Tirana;
Municipality of Durres;
Municipality of Shijak;
Municipality of Kamez;
Municipality of Vore.
Encourage the mobility of pedestrians
in pedestrian axes that cross
between urban blocks. Create
pedestrian axes uninterrupted from
urban limiting barriers such as
dividing walls of spaces within
neighbourhoods and residential
blocks.
Define and develop axes with
limited road traffic at certain times
schedules.
2020-2030
UP6- Energy
efficiency in
buildings
Pilot Project
Improving energy
efficiency in urban
blocks:
Municipality of Tirana;
Municipality of Durres;
Municipality of Shijak;
Municipality of Kamez;
Municipality of Vore.
Retrofit facades of institutional and
social buildings in urban blocks and
promote the use of solar panels.
Create the legal conditions for the
development of PPP projects on
energy efficiency in buildings
through differentiated taxation,
promoting participation in
public-private partnership
2025-2030
Table 5.2 Strategic projects: Urban development
186

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Bashkitë rajonale;
Regional municipalities;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Education
and Sport;
Ministry of Social
Welfare and Youth;
Sport Federations and
Clubs; Community.
Regional municipalities
60%; Donors 10%;
Federations;
Sport Clubs 30%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Creating sports culture for
regional residents, promoting
an active lifestyle that reduces
costs in healthcare and creates
conditions to prolong life.
Regional municipalities;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Community; Local
Business.
Regional municipalities
70% Local business
30%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Socialization and vibrant
communities.
Improving urban mobility,
reducing traffic, improving air
quality and regional public
health.
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Community;
Regional Business;
Second level Banks
Credit System; Universities;
Research Institutes.
Regional municipalities
30%; Donors 10%;
Banks Credit System;
Residents;
Regional businesses
60%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Increasing energy efficiency in
buildings or other (institutional)
buildings with the aim to
turn into a model of improving
living conditions, low energy
consumption, employment
specialized in the construction
industry for energy efficiency.
187

SP3. Rural development
Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
RP2 - Consolidation
of rural centres and
services
Regenerating rural
centres:
Katund i Ri, Sukth,
Hardhishte, Peze,
Baldushk, Dajt,
Berzhite, Nikel.
A project for the regeneration of
centres in rural areas. Improve
public spaces with a focus on
readdressing historical-cultural
buildings for tourist purposes
(historical tourism, agro-tourism
etc.). Improve infrastructure in
areas of retrofitting interventions.
2017-2019
RP2 - Consolidation
of rural centres and
services
Developing public
services in rural areas:
Katund i Ri, Manez,
Rushkull, Hamallaj,
Sukth, Maminas, Jube,
Romanat, Ndroq, Peze,
Arbane, Vishaj, Baldushk,
Shen Gjergj, Nikel,
Thumane, Bubq,
Berxulle.
Improve public services in rural
residential areas, near urban-rural
regeneration areas. Create one
stop shop online services in public
administration offices.
Establish tourism information
offices in private business premises.
Develop certification centres
and vocational courses near the
unmanaged spaces in the territorial
assets of the municipalities;
create opportunities to use these
territories with different functions
depending on the programs.
2017-2020
RP5 – Development
of the food chain
Establishing regional
markets, infrastructure
of collection and
processing points of
agricultural products in:
Sukth, Hamallaj, Ndroq,
Peze, Maminas, Nikel.
Establish regional collection /
processing / trading centres of
local / regional products. Equip
these areas with logistic supporting
infrastructure. Developing dedicated
online platforms for the location
and services of these regional
centres.
2017-2020
188

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Municipality of Tirana;
Municipality of Vore;
Municipality of Durres;
Municipality of Kamez;
Municipality of Shijak;
Municipality of Kruje.
Regional Development
Fund 40%;
Regional municipalities
60%.
Public investment
Revitalizing rural centres,
improving the living conditions
for residents, creating more
opportunities for local
businesses.
Encouraging the densely
populated areas to form
economies of scale in rural
centres. Creating conditions to
not allow demographic
displacements of the population
from rural areas.
Municipality of Tirana;
Municipality of Vore;
Municipality of Durres;
Municipality of Kamez;
Municipality of Shijak;
Line Ministries;
Regional Development
Agencies;
Private Businesses.
Regional municipalities
40%; Regional businesses;
Donors 60%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Improving the living conditions
of local residents. Facilitating
the receipt of various services
in the rural area, previously
received in urban areas.
Creating the opportunities to
have a range of services in a
shared building, environment,
or area.
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Municipality of Tirana;
Municipality of Durres;
Municipality of Vore;
Municipality of Shijak;
Municipality of Kruje;
Local Community; Local
Business;
Regional Agriculture
Institutes.
Regional municipalities
20%; Businesses 80%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Organizing an efficient distribution
of products, production
and of marketing channels,
employment, specialization,
increasing the welfare of
farmers and regional
businesses.
Higher quality of life thanks to
quality and fresh food.
189

Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
RP1 - Territorial
zoning and
consolidation of
agricultural land
Using the unused land
in free natural areas,
such as:
Fushe-Draç–Rrotulla,
Manez–Karreç,
Ndroq–Vaqarr,
Linze–Priske e Madhe,
Qafe-Molle–Shen Gjergj,
Petrele–Dajt.
Manage natural-rural areas under
private administration for natural
reserves.
Target group: Local community,
which cannot use certain land
areas due to distance or inadequacy
for different cultivars, etc.
Develop support schemes for the
creation of natural reserves with
mixed functions aimed at the
formation of larger management
territories, by creating economies
of scale.
2017-2021
RP1 - Territorial
zoning and
consolidation of
agricultural land
Consolidating agricultural
land in rural areas,
in the municipalities of:
Durres, Shijak, Tirana,
Kamez, Vore.
Reduce the fragmentation of
agricultural land in rural areas.
Develop the legal acts to allow
exchange or merger of agricultural
lands by farmers and local entrepreneurs.
Develop pilot projects for each
municipality for the consolidation of
agricultural and natural land.
Establish the Municipal Property
Fund for the reallocation of the land
use rights of agricultural land.
Unite dispersed parcels and group
them under large farms or cooperatives.
The aim is to consolidate parcels of
agricultural land not less than 7
hectares.
2017-2025
RP5 - Development
of the food chain
Revitalizing the water
supply system for
agriculture, using
regional reservoirs in
the municipalities of:
Durres, Shijak, Tirana,
Vore, Kamez.
Rehabilitate water reservoirs,
improve the supply system,
pumping and drainage system,
deepen basins from solid waste and
rehabilitate irrigation channels
infrastructure.
Develop a joint regional management
scheme to control regional
water assets.
2018-2027
190

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Municipality of Tirana;
Municipality of Durres;
Municipality of Shijak;
Municipality of Vore;
Municipality of Kamez;
Municipality of Kruje;
Regional Agriculture
Institutes; Line Ministries.
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Ministry of Environment;
Regional Development
Fund 40%;
Regional municipalities
60%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Improving the unused natural
marginal environment.
Protecting the local flora
and fauna.
Raising awareness about
various protective and
promotional natural
campaigns. Zonal and
seasonal employment.
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Ministry of Justice;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Environment;
Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Regional municipalities;
Regional Agriculture
Institutes.
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Regional Development
Agency 2 - 40%;
Regional municipalities;
Donors 30%; Regional
businesses 30%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Improving rural living conditions.
Improving and ensuring
efficiency of the agricultural
farm production. Competitive
products in global markets.
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Ministry of Environment;
Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure; Regional
municipalities; Agriculture
University of Tirana;
Regional Agriculture
Institutes;
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Associations of agricultural
products.
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Regional Development
Agency 2 - 40%;
Regional municipalities
30%; Banks Credit
System 30%.
Public investment
Creating the necessary
conditions for the development
of quality and standardized
agriculture will create more
opportunities to sell products
across borders, thanks to new
standards.
191

Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
RP3 - Rural
economic development
and regional
agricultural poles
Developing agricultural
training offices in the
areas of:
Sukth, Marikaj,
Fushe-Preze, Ndoq,
Shen Gjergj, Dajt, Vore,
Peze.
Establish temporary support
information and training offices in
the field of agriculture, with a focus
on educating and certifying small
farmers with farms under 3 ha.
Develop programs with a broad
focus for all age groups in the
agricultural economy "From farm
to plate".
2018-2021
RP4 - Economic
development of
private farms and
cooperatives
Developing medium and
large rural farms.
Modernizing agricultural
farms in the
municipalities of:
Shijak, Vore, Durres,
Tirana.
Mechanize farms in the region
through their modernization with
efficient tools suitable for work
processes, which improve conditions
and efficiency in production
processes.
The target group are existing farms
with a development potential of
more than 15-30 employees.
Develop financial schemes in
partnership with the second level
banking system.
Use the local agricultural land fund
to promote the consolidation of
medium, non-family farms.
Specialize agricultural farms in bio
products to preserve more the
tradition of the area.
2018-2022
RP4 - Economic
development of
private farms and
cooperatives
Establishing private
cooperatives in rural
areas: Sukth, Shijak,
Zallherr, Farke, Peze,
Ndroq, Bubq.
Merge small specialized farms in
defined regional directions by
promoting voluntary initiatives
through farmers or PPP co-financing.
Merge small and medium-sized
farms to better compete and
improve and enhance the quality of
agricultural products in farms with
a surface area of over 7-10
hectares.
Use the common local agricultural
land fund for the development of
specialized cooperatives.
2019-2027
192

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Ministry of Social Welfare
and Youth; Regional
municipalities; Agriculture
University of Tirana;
Non-profit organizations;
Vocational Schools;
Associations of agricultural
products;
Successful businesses in
the relevant field.
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Ministry of Social
Welfare and Youth;
Regional Development
Fund 40%;
Regional municipalities
30%; Businesses;
Various donors
30%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Improving the working
conditions in agriculture,
improving agricultural
varieties, ways of cultivating
plants, breeding of animals
and poultry. Providing support
and education for the establishment
of bio farms, innovation
in agriculture, and
increasing profit from agricultural
activities in the area.
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Ministry of Social Welfare
and Youth; Ministry of
Economic Development,
Tourism, Trade and
Entrepreneurship;
Regional municipalities;
Agriculture University of
Tirana;
NGOs: Associations for
bio products; Farmers'
Associations.
Regional Development
Fund;
Regional municipalities
40%; Banks Credit
System 40%;
Regional businesses
20%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Improving work processes.
Providing local area products,
local brand. Employment and
income growth. Environmental
protection.
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Ministry of Social Welfare
and Youth; Ministry of
Economic Development,
Tourism, Trade and
Entrepreneurship;
Regional municipalities;
Regional Agricultural
Agencies;
Agriculture University of
Tirana;
Non-profit organizations;
Regional farms.
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Regional Development
Fund 30%;
Regional municipalities
20%; Banks Credit
System;
Local farms and
businesses 50%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Product regionalization, land
use consolidation, specialization
of work processes.
Increasing production,
employment, personal and
family income levels for
farmers. Simpler links with
other support segments like
other farms, banks, support
institutions.
Establishing the regional
food chain.
193

Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
RP5 – Development
of the food chain
Structuring the regional
food chain in: Tirana,
Durres, Shijak, Vore,
Kamez.
Pilot project in each municipality for
the development of regional food
chain between farms specialized in
certain processes such as cultivation,
processing, storage, transport,
etc., and agro-processing enterprises,
agro-incubators, logistics
and food certification institutions.
The aim is to cover the territory
with public and private services
operating in the field of agriculture,
to encourage the closure of the
regional food cycle: "Fast & Slow
Food".
2020-2027
RP6 – Rural regional
tourism
Agro-tourism:
Arbane, Peze, Ndroq,
Pjeze,
Zall Herr, Shen Gjergj,
Dajt, Petrele, Preze.
Create agro-tourism poles through
the combination of production
structures of bio products,
traditional inns and dishes, crafts,
event areas etc. Strengthen these
poles with support infrastructure
such as: natural hiking trails and
recreational spaces near the
historic centres. The aim is to
promote the cooperation of small
businesses operating in the
above fields.
2021-2027
RP8 - Transport in
rural areas
Covering rural centres
with public transport:
Sukth–Shijak–Pjeze,
Spitalle–Qerret–Katund
i Ri–Manez–Bay of
Lalezi,
Sukth–Xhafzotaj–Pjeze,
Nikel–Fushe-Kruje–Kamez,
Tirana–Peze–Ndroq–
Pjeze–Shkallnur.
Create interconnected stations of
public transport in rural areas with
the main urban centres, supported
by alternative means of transport.
Set up a public online system to link
timetables of these lines with those
of the multimodal centre system.
Develop schemes that support
mobility flexibility based on peak
maximum and minimum hours.
Develop bicycle mobility schemes
in short and medium distances, in
protected lanes and associated
with signalling.
2020 – 2027
194

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Regional municipalities;
Line Ministries; Agriculture
University of
Tirana;
Non-profit organizations;
Local agricultural
vocational schools;
Regional businesses.
Regional Development
Fund;
Regional municipalities
30%; Businesses which
are part of the regional
chain 70%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Quality assurance for the
product produced, thanks to its
certification at every step.
Products according to European
standards that lead to
export growth. Employment
and increased benefits for each
stakeholder involved in the
regional food chain.
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Ministry of Social Welfare
and Youth; Ministry of
Economic Development,
Tourism, Trade and
Entrepreneurship;
Regional municipalities;
Local Community;
Local businesses; Tour
Agencies; Public and
Private Schools and
Universities.
Regional Development
Fund;
Regional municipalities;
Line Ministries 40%;
Businesses;
Tour Agencies 60%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Creating tourist areas.
Specializing in the products
being offered.
Increasing the incomes of local
residents.
Local economic development
and sustainable communities.
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
The National Centre for
Traffic, Transport and
Regional Infrastructure
Monitoring; Regional
municipalities; Private
businesses.
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Regional Development
Fund 30%;
Regional municipalities
30%; Regional
businesses 40%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Linking rural areas to each
other and urban areas with
public transport facilitates
employment and life. Encourages
alternative and combined
employment between the city
and rural areas. Encourages
competition and lowers
regional product costs thanks
to regional competitiveness.
195

Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
RP9 - Environment
and renewable
energy
Developing agricultural
waste management
centres:
Tirana, Durres, Vore,
Shijak.
Protect the environment through
natural resources recycling (RRR)
and their use in the cyclical
economy of farmers and local
businesses. Create the facilities to
manage these wastes in a
controlled manner in regional
schemes. Reuse them in cycles and
support schemes for regional
cooperatives.
2025-2030
RP5 – Development
of the food chain
Establishing and
managing the agricultural
land irrigation and
drainage systems.
Revitalizing the system
of regional reservoirs:
Tirana, Kamez, Vore,
Kruje;
Durres, Shijak, Kavaje
Water supply for agricultural land.
Create the integrated resource
management systems. Connect in a
controlled system the regional
basins / reservoirs to continuously
support agriculture.
Clean river beds from sediments,
clean the discharge system and
pumping system.
2017-2030
Table 5.3 Strategic projects: Rural development
196

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Regional municipalities;
Various universities
and schools;
Non-profit Organizations.
Regional Development
Fund; Municipalities
40%;
Local/regional
businesses 60%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Cleaner environment and
reduced environmental
pollution. Raising the local
awareness (residents and
businesses) for a pro-environmental
economy. Opening up
new jobs for local residents.
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Regional municipalities;
Various universities
and schools;
Non-profit Organizations.
Regional Development
Fund 70%;
Regional municipalities
30%.
Public investment
Creating the favourable
conditions for farmers, through
fertile land managed with
services.
197

SP4. Transport and infrastructure development
Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
TP1 – Strategic
regional road
networks
Expanding the main
interurban road axis and
converting it into a
highway in the
segments:
Berxulle–Shkozet and
Thumane–Airport–Vore.
Connecting to the
North-South highway.
Expand the road section in three
lanes for each direction in the axis
Tirana-Durres. Create a freight lane
with information infrastructure,
security, underground infrastructure
for environmental factors
management, acoustic barriers,
lighting, overpasses in urban
centres and ecological overpass to
continue the managed regional park
managed in the Vora urban centre.
Establish managed entry and exit
points to connect with the secondary
road network in urban areas
and economic areas.
Complete the secondary highway
roads, for free of charge movement
in these segments, with limited
speed.
2017-2020
TP1 - Strategic
regional road
networks
Rehabilitating the
landscape road
Tirana–Ndroq–Shijak–Durres,
as a
secondary interurban
road.
Regenerate the regional landscape
tourist road.
Accompany with separate physical
lanes for bicycle mobility. Underground
infrastructure, security and
information infrastructure.
Divert the freight traffic and heavy
traffic from this axis.
Protect from urban development
with buffer zones, axial deviation in
the urban centre of Ndroq and
provide with information
infrastructure.
2017-2020
TP7 - Infrastructure,
Energy and
Telecommunication
Covering with physical
infrastructure the optic
fibre network and
antenna system for
telecommunications in:
Tirana, Durres, Vore,
Shijak, Kamez.
Develop and maintain the corridors
and stations for optic fibre
networks in the regional urban
centres. Connect to high speed
internet network the areas of
regional and national importance.
Cover urban and rural areas with
antenna system for portable
telephony.
2017-2025
198

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure; Ministry of
Economic Development,
Tourism, Trade and
Entrepreneurship;
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Ministry of Environment;
Regional municipalities.
Central government
50%; International
Banking System 50%.
Public investment
Fast access to employment in
the region, increased opportunities
for employment, efficient
and controlled transport of
goods, access to logistic
nodes.
Supporting the promotion of
mobility by alternative modes
of public transport.
Increased security for vehicle
movement, higher quality of
life and efficient transport of
goods at national and regional
Balkan level.
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Ministry of Environment;
Regional municipalities.
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure
20%;
Regional municipalities
affected by the project
60%;
Regional Development
Agency 2 - 20%.
Public investment
Added opportunities with focus
on agro-tourism and the
environment, increased access
to agriculture and remote
rural areas, increased opportunities
for natural recreation
(regional park).
Fast access to regional
agricultural products.
Developing rural economy and
businesses that protect
nature.
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Regional municipalities;
Ministry of Energy and
Industry.
Central government
70%; Local government
30%.
Public investment
Improvement in communication
and digitization will bring
increased opportunities for
information and reduction of
the need to move to one of the
urban centres. Increasing the
possibility of diversifying online
payment methods for services
provided in urban and local
centres.
199

Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
TP1 - Strategic
regional road
networks
Developing the highway
road axis North-South:
Thumane–Vore–Kashar–Nd
roq–Peze
1)Kavaje 2)Rrogozhine
Develop high efficiency links in the
movement of goods and people at
national and regional level.
Develop the north-south highway
axis, coupled with security and
information elements as well as
buffer zones that avoid the development
of urbanization and business
services.
2018-2026
TP1 - Strategic
regional road
networks
The main urban road
The road ring system:
Durres–Currila–
Spitalle–Shkozet
Complete the axial ring of the
automotive movement, coupled with
stations and public transport
infrastructure. Protect with buffer
zones from urban development,
preserve future expansion areas for
public transport with dedicated
lines.
2018-2022
TP1 - Strategic
regional road
networks
Secondary urban road
axis:
Spitalle–Katund i
Ri–Manez–Bay of Lalezi
Construct the two-lane road axis,
connect with the "Porto Romano-Spitalle"
corridor and the
Durres ring road system, accompany
with information infrastructure,
public transport infrastructure and
supporting infrastructure to avoid
damage to agricultural land.
Protect land from urban development
and business services with
buffer zones.
2018-2022
TP7 - Infrastructure,
Energy and
Telecommunication
Equipping with
infrastructure and
processing and cleaning
stations for liquid urban
waste disposal;
Tirana, Durres, Kamez,
Vore, Shijak.
Cover with complete infrastructural
network in wastewater management
from urban centres.
Eliminate the discharge of liquid
waste into the rivers of Ishem,
Erzen and their sub-branches.
Regionalized management of
industrial waste that flows into
these rivers.
2018-2030
200

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure; Ministry
of Economic Development,
Tourism, Trade
and Entrepreneurship;
Ministry of Environment;
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration.
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure
40%;
International Banking
System 60%.
Public investment
Increased access to mobility at
national and regional level, fast
connection of the urban
centres of Kavaja with the
metropolis and Fushe-Kruja.
Development opportunities for
rural areas and fast access to
agricultural products.
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure; Ministry
of Economic Development,
Tourism, Trade
and Entrepreneurship;
Regional municipalities.
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure
20%;
International Banking
System 30%; Regional
Development Agency 2 -
10%; Regional municipalities
40%.
Public investment
Fast access to rural areas from
urban areas, added value in the
sale of products, efficient
connection with peripheral
areas through public transport.
Facilitated transportation in
the urban centre and in the
coastal area.
Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure; Ministry
of Environment; Regional
Development Agency 2;
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Municipality of Durres.
Municipality of Durres
100%.
Public investment
Rapid connection of Durres
primary urban area to the rural
areas and tourist poles, natural
areas and agricultural areas.
Agricultural products efficiently
provided for global markets
as well as regional tourism and
regional slow-food guest
houses. Efficiency in services
for urban centres.
Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure; Ministry
of Finance; Ministry of
Environment; Ministry of
Economic Development,
Tourism, Trade and
Entrepreneurship;
Regional municipalities;
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Ministry of Energy and
Industry.
Banks Credit System;
Central government
80%; Regional municipalities
20%.
Public investment
Improving quality of river
waters, managing urbanized
areas to reduce infrastructural
costs.
Added opportunities to
improve the quality of
agricultural products.
201

Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
TP7 - Infrastructure,
Energy and
Telecommunication
Developing the energy
infrastructure: Determining,
realizing and
preserving the footprint
of territorial corridors in
electrification and
gasification, of urban
centres and national
and regional economic
areas.
Determining the priority
areas where to use
solar energy for each
municipality.
Develop and protect from urbanization
the energy line footprint by
means of buffer zones.
Developing and accomplishing the
controlled lines and station system
near national road networks outside
urban centres.
Creating branch nodes in light
industry areas in the primary
centres of Durres, Tirana, Vore.
2018-2030
TP3 - Railway
mobility
Developing the railway
line and transport
stations in: Tirana centre
(1 station/
boulevard) Multimodal
centre - Tirana
Fushe-Mezez; Tirana
Highway economic
development area
Kashar-Vore (possibility
for 1 station);
Centre of Vore–Maminas
(1 station);
The “Mother Teresa”
Airport (1 station);
Centre of Shijak–Sukth
(1 station);
Port of Durres and
Durres centre (1 station).
Reactivate the metropolitan railway
line, connect to the national rail
axes and the national economic
areas.
Develop a low environmental
pollution rail network for the
movement of people and goods
flows in the region.
Create security buffer zones and
multimodal stations in urban
centres, accessible by different
means of mobility. Reconstruct the
network maintenance infrastructure.
Create green areas as "buffer"
corridors and as barriers against
noise.
2018-2025
TP1 – Strategic
regional road
networks
Main urban roads
Ring Road System
"Greater Tirana":
Kamez- Arbri Road
(phase I); Bypass
Kamez–Vaqarr–Arbane–Petrele
(interconnection
with Corridor 8)
(phase II).
Complete the axial ring of the
automotive movement, coupled
with stations and public transport
infrastructure. Protect with buffer
zones from urban development,
preserve future expansion areas for
public transport with dedicated
lines.
2018-2022
202

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure; Ministry of
Finance; Ministry of
Environment; Ministry of
Economic Development,
Tourism, Trade and
Entrepreneurship;
Regional municipalities
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Ministry of Energy and
Industry.
Banks Credit System;
Central government
100%.
Public investment
Increasing the opportunities to
consume energy from diversified
sources.
Reducing the need to use
energy from local petrol
products.
Increasing environmental
quality and energy security for
all primary regional functions.
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure,
Ministry of Urban
Development,
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship,
Ministry of
Finance, Ministry of
Environment, Regional
municipalities.
International Banks
Credit System 80%;
Central government
20%.
Public investment
Independent movement of
public or private road transport
vehicles. Costs affordable by all
social groups, thanks to the
regional ticketing. Effective
access in time to employment
poles, thanks to dedicated lines
and connection of stations with
public transport means
exchange centres. Low
environmental pollution thanks
to the use of new technologies.
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Regional
municipalities.
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure
20%;
International Banking
System 30%; Regional
Development Agency 2 -
10%; Regional
municipalities 40%.
Public investment
Fast access to rural areas,
added value in the
products’sale, efficient
connection with peripheral
areas through public transport.
Added opportunities in employment,
efficient and controlled
transport of goods, access to
logistic nodes. Promotion of
mobility by alternative modes
of public transport. Increased
security for vehicle movement,
higher quality of life.
203

Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
TP2 - Multimodal
system and
interurban public
transport
Spatial poles and stops
for the multimodal
system:
Tirana - primary
multimodal node
(Fushe-Mezez); Tirana
centre - railway line and
bus station, (terminal
centre);
Tirana - economic
corridor Kashar–Vore,
(secondary station);
Kamez–Airport -
(secondary station);
Multimodal station the
“Mother Teresa” Airport;
Secondary multimodal
station Vore;
Secondary multimodal
station Shijak; Primary
multimodal station
Durres centre.
Establish a multi-modal centre
network connected to the ring
system and national and regional
strategic axes.
Logistic nodes, employment
corridors and national economic
areas.
Integrate regional mobility
networks with the public transport
stations system of urban centres.
Develop inter-urban parking areas
and quick access to tourist areas as
well as airport and ports.
Create a regional ticketing with
differentiated travel prices for
different groups of residents,
students and tourists.
2020-2025
PT4- Menaxhimi i
trafikut
Building an intelligent
regional transport
system, based in Vore.
Regional Flow
Management, Security
Control and Mobility
Data Management
Regional Office, based
on regional entry and
exit gates.
Create a network of "smart"
technologies in measuring and
managing urban and inter-urban
traffic flows for the information and
efficiency of using the regional
mobility system. Integrated
management of the scheduling
system for air, land, sea and rail
transport. Develop a digital
information infrastructure in the
primary axes.
Digital connection with emergency
centres for the management of
accidents.
Support the integrated system with
"digital" applications managed
online from the centre and which
provide information on due time to
the users.
2022-2027
204

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Regional
Development Agency 2;
Regional municipalities
affected by the project.
International Banking
System 50%;
Regional Development
Fund 30%;
Regional municipalities
20%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Linking to a single system of
different modes of transport
will reduce pollution; will make
services efficient thanks to the
economy of scale, will increase
employment efficiency opportunities
and increase regional
welfare and safety in mobility.
Reduced maintenance costs of
the regional road network.
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Regional
Development Agency 2.
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure
50%;
Regional Development
Agency 2 - 30%;
Regional municipalities
20%.
Public investment
Improving traffic flow and
traffic safety in primary axes.
Facilitation and efficiency on
the move thanks to the
information of the users in the
stations.
Exact schedules that enable
the exchange of various types
of public means of movement
within the same price thanks to
the regional ticketing. Low
environmental and air
pollution.
205

Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
TP5 - Freight mobility
Establishing freight
exchange nodes.
Regional logistics poles:
Port of Durres–Shkozet;
Port of energy Porto
Romano–Spitalle;
Pole Marikaj–Vore;
Economic corridor
Nikel-Fushe-Kruje;
Bypass pole Tirana–Kamez–Arbri
Road; Pole of
Greater Ring Road
Tirana (Farke);
Pole of Greater Ring
Road Tirana (Vaqarr).
Identify, maintain and develop
priority areas for processing and
management of goods, close to the
main axes of mobility, economic
areas and service poles.
Provide these areas with underground
infrastructure, energy,
telecommunication and connection
with the traffic management centre,
airport, customs system, ports and
rail transport system of goods.
2025-2030
TP6 – Bicycle mobility
regional itineraries
Developing regional
itineraries for bicycle
mobility.
Axis: Tirana centre,
Vaqarr, Peze, Ndroq,
Pjeze, Xhafzotaj, Shijak,
Sukth, Jube, Rrushkull.
Axis: Tirana, Farke,
Lunder, Gurre,
Percellesh, Cave of
Pellumbasi, Petrele,
Arbane, Vaqarr.
Axis: Tirana,
Paskuqan–Kamez, River
of Tirana, Laknas,
Valias, Berxulle, Preze.
Axis: Ndroq, Gjokaj,
Vore, Preze, Cape of
Rodon.
Axis: Durres, Currila,
urban park, Bisht Palle.
Bicycle travel itineraries outside
urban areas, tailored with dedicated
lanes, passing far away from
vehicle movement areas, for safe
and enjoyable bicycle mobility.
Create cycling ring routes along
waterways, rivers, lakes, coasts and
protected areas by linking important
natural, landscape, urban,
cultural and regional park
elements.
Develop bicycle stations that enable
renting and information on
natural-rural tours, along these
routes.
2025-2030
Table 5.4 Strategic projects: Development of transport and infrastructure
206

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Regional
Development Agency 2;
Ministry of Environment;
Regional municipalities.
Regional Development
Agency 2 - 20%;
Regional municipalities
20%; Regional businesses
60%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Efficient management of the
volume of goods. Exchange of
means for the transport of
goods, from the road network
to the rail network as well as to
the marine / sea, in controlled
and managed volumes.
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Ministry of Economic
Development, Tourism,
Trade and Entrepreneurship;
Regional
Board;
Regional Development
Agency 2; Regional
municipalities.
Regional Development
Agency 2 - 40%;
Regional municipalities
60%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Connecting natural areas with
ecological areas and tourist,
cultural and historical areas.
Enabling an active life for the
inhabitants of the region.
Creating more income for the
residents of rural and rural
touristic areas.
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SP5. Environmental protection and development
Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
EP1 - Conservation
of natural landscape
(natural and environmental
heritage)
Constructing urban
parks in the areas of:
Farke, Paskuqan,
Kashar, Kamez, Durres,
(Hills of “Currila”, Porto
Romano), Golem,
Rrushkull, Shijak.
Create green spaces with recreational
and entertainment facilities,
near urban centres. Support these
areas with river flood management
areas in case of flooding, "Room for
the River".
Cover the community with services
in support of recreation and
day-to-day tourism.
Fast access by public transport.
2017-2024
EP1 - Conservation
of natural landscape
(natural and environmental
heritage)
Natural park / managed
natural reserve: Hills of
Vaqarr–Ndroq–Vore–Cape
of
Rodon. Hills of Porto
Romano–Bisht Palle.
Establish management structures
at regional level, responsible for
implementation of projects,
management and monitoring of the
park. Create spaces with mixed
functions serving to recreation,
natural areas in support of wild
natural life, service areas of culture
and tradition. Natural tourism
supported by services and information
stations near the urbanization
areas of rural centres (Ndroq,
Gjokaj, Preze).
Establish a protected park near the
"Cape of Rodon" over 15-30 ha, for
the growth and management of
endangered regional living species.
Create the natural corridor
connecting the two parts of the park
in Vora (crossing over the
Tirana-Durres highway).
2017-2024
EP6 - Climate
change
Regeneration and
controlled management
of coastal areas: Cape of
“Bisht Palle”; Deltas of
the rivers Erzen and
Ishem; The Reserve of
Rrushkull; Emerald
Area Hamallaj; Cape of
Rodon.
Lagoon of Patoku
Municipalities Durres
and Kruje.
Regenerate the territories of
lagoons, river deltas, natural
reserves and coastal forested
areas.
Develop effective, defensive and
monitoring structures for these
territories in each municipality.
Controlled land use over the
tourist functions offered in these
territories.
2018- 2022
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Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Ministry of Environment;
Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure; Ministry of
Economic Development,
Tourism, Trade and
Entrepreneurship;
Ministry of Culture;
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Regional municipalities;
Regional Development
Board.
Regional Development
Agency 2;
Ministry of Environment;
Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure; Ministry of
Economic Development,
Tourism, Trade and
Entrepreneurship;
Ministry of Culture;
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Regional municipalities;
Regional Development
Board.
Regional municipalities
70%;
Regional businesses
30%.
Ministry of Environment;
Regional Development
Agency 2 - 30%;
Regional municipalities
20%; Regional
businesses 50%.
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Public investment
Private
investment
Public-Private
Partnership
Establishing a higher quality of
life and creating opportunities
to manage the extent of urban
centres.
Developing an active lifestyle
and enabling flood risk
management.
Improving the natural habitat,
connecting into a managed
natural protected area and wild
regional life management
system.
Improving the quality of life for
regional residents. Improving
the regional tourism climate
and developing opportunities to
empower the role of tradition
in the region.
Ministry of Environment;
Ministry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and
Water Administration;
Regional municipalities
Regional Development
Agency 2.
Ministry of Environment;
Regional Development
Agency 2 - 70%;
Regional municipalities
30%.
Public investment
Improving the environmental
conditions and protecting from
climate change.
Efficient management of tourist
flows by natural categories.
Protecting from urban
development.
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Priority / Policy Specific project Target group and how
to address it
Implement -
ation period
EP5 - Regional
waste management
Constructing regional
waste landfills, for the
municipalities of:
Durres–Shijak–Kavaje;
Tirana–Kamez–Vore.
Construct regional landfills for
regionalized waste management.
Establish structures for the
management of waste recycling
from source to site.
Establish hospital and industrial
waste treatment stations.
Create incentive schemes that
encourage recycling.
2019-2025
EP5 - Regional
waste management
Completing and
operating the plants to
process liquid urban
waste and treat wastewater
for the municipalities
of: Durres, Shijak,
Tirana, Kamez, Vore.
Set up or complete the liquid urban
waste management system.
Redevelop the liquid waste
processing infrastructure.
Prohibit the discharges of these
wastes into regional rivers. Create
a differentiated precipitation
management infrastructure for new
urban areas, in order not to
overload networks during maximum
flows.
2019-2025
EP2- Protection and
management of
surface and ground
water resources
Regenerating the rivers
of Ishem and Erzen and
their sub-branches.
Regenerate the river beds, develop
green corridors on both sides as
buffer zones, accompanied by
bicycle routes. Create "room" for
rivers near urban and rural areas to
protect from floods. Prevent liquid
and solid waste discharges into
these rivers.
2020-2030
Table 5.5 Strategic projects: Environmental protection and development
210

Responsible entities
and implementers
Financial resources
and rates
Implementation
method
Expected impact and
assumptions
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Ministry of Environment;
Regional municipalities;
Regional Development
Agency 2.
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Ministry of Environment
30%; Regional municipalities
70%.
Public investment
Higher environmental quality
and better living conditions,
Developing the circular
economy and a closed cycle
economy.
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructure;
Ministry of Environment;
Regional municipalities;
Regional Development
Agency 2.
International Banks
Credit System; Central
government 70%;
Regional municipalities
30%.
Public investment
Creating the conditions to
revitalize river beds, flora and
fauna.
Creating opportunities to
supply agriculture with water
from river beds.
Increasing environmental
quality for urban centres.
Creating quality bicycle routes
near these axes.
Ministry of Urban
Development;
Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure; Ministry
of Environment; Ministry
of Agriculture, Rural
Development and Water
Administration; Regional
municipalities; Regional
Development Agency 2.
Central government
20%; Regional municipalities
30%; International
Banks Credit
System
50%.
Public investment
Improving the environmental
conditions, improving the
quality of agricultural products
and improving the quality of
life.
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6Territorial land
use regulations

Contents
214
217
219
219
221
223
224
226
TR1- Urban centres consolidation
TR2- Sustainable urban neighbourhoods and blocks
TR3- Development of energy efficiency in buildings
TR4- Mobility in urban centres
TR5- Consolidation and regeneration of urban centres
TR6- Development of the regional agricultural poles
TR7- Corridors and areas of economic development
TR8- Development of poles with a touristic and
relaxing character
229
231
232
TR9- Regional strategic road networks
TR10- Infrastructure, energy and telecommunication
TR11- Protection and development of the spaces and
environmental ecosystem

TERRITORIAL LAND USE
REGULATIONS
TR1- Urban centres consolidation
The development of urban centres should
ensure inclusion and equality for each
social stratum, a controlled development
of the territorial and environmental
use, guaranteeing the conditions for a
sustainable development to the current and
future generations.
Municipalities should control urban
development, ensuring the necessary
conditions to provide compact urban
centres, equipped with efficient community
services, and guaranteeing equality of
service for all spaces and territories within
urbanized areas.
Compacting of centres should be based
on the process of urban growth and
development into compact controlled areas
that promote the concentration of mixed
functions, the formation of economies of
scale and densification, fast access support,
mobility and public services efficient for all
social groups.
The development of centres should
be controlled, avoiding the spread of
urbanization using instruments such as
densification, restrictive urban “green lines”
and legal and fiscal incentives for the use
of the territory. These instruments should
be used efficiently in order to guarantee
sustainability and control of urban sprawl in
peripheral (peri-urban) areas, to reduce the
ecological footprint of urban centres and to
use the territory more effectively in these
areas.
The municipalities of the region should
promote and develop urban centres (of all
levels) with a low ecological footprint, by
promoting services within urban areas,
increasing the density in priority areas
such as: regeneration areas, revitalization
areas, central business development
areas, transport-oriented areas. These
centres should promote the creation of a
critical mass, providing the minimum and
maximum density based on mixed-use poles
and development areas. Poles and areas
should be developed in such a way as to
address the needs of communities not only
in housing but also in employment, ensuring
neighbourhoods and residential blocks with
appropriate mixed areas, greenery, services
and recreation.
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The municipalities should focus on:
• reducing the response to the pressure of
land use for housing in peripheral and periurban
areas;
• increasing land use in agriculture and
support services in the peri-urban area;
• integrating tourism and recreation services
in peri-urban areas;
• preserving high natural and environmental
values in peri-urban areas;
• restricting urban development outside the
“green line”;
• promoting the development of “TOD”
(Transit-Oriented Development) and “CBD”
(Central Business District);
• using urban territory with high-density
mixed-use functions;
• promoting walking and bicycle mobility in
urban areas;
• short interurban distances less dependent
on vehicles, to reduce energy consumption
and CO2 emissions;
• reducing environmental pollution through
the growth of green areas;
• increasing living standards thanks to
efficient services for residents;
• reducing infrastructural and service costs.
Densification of centres
Smart urban densification should be
developed according to the multifunctional
neighbourhood and housing block model, with
high quality public and social spaces, based
on the historical and architectural values
of areas. Densification should ensure the
elimination of housing demand outside urban
centres to increase polycentricism among
poles of urban centres and increase the
quality of services and life in these centres.
Increased use of space for housing and
services should be oriented to verticality,
providing the necessary conditions for more
green community spaces, ecological transport
modes, and mixed functions in the use of
buildings in residential blocks.
Development should first be directed
towards promoting the use of spaces that
have completed construction but are still
empty, as well as the use and full efficiency
of second homes. The municipalities should
encourage the re-use of these unused assets
through legal/financial measures, local tax
systems or even public-private partnerships.
Subsequently, the development should be
directed towards “filling in the blocks” with a
poor urban structure, using instruments such
as regeneration or revitalization.
The development of new urbanization areas
should focus on the use of low fertility land,
near the over and underground connecting
infrastructure, coupled with public transport
access, to link employment areas to
settlements.
Municipalities should develop new conditions
for their urban development regulations, such
as the land permeability / penetrability
coefficient for urban blocks, to ensure
increased land absorption during precipitation
periods, thus guaranteeing higher efficiency
of the sewerage systems, as well as to reduce
the impact of catastrophes that may be
caused by flooding.
Development poles
“Regional development pole” - means a
territorial space that includes one or more
territorial structural units identified by
the ICSPs as the polycentric development
centres of the region, focusing on one or
several sectors. These territories, depending
on the primary focus, should be developed
through such instruments as redevelopment,
regeneration, revitalization, aiming at the
efficiency of the use of territorial resources,
and creating opportunities to use the territory
in two or more functions.
These spaces, when presenting the need for
revitalization with a focus on housing and
the community should be developed within
urban areas, to foster focus and efficiency in
services. Their development should not be
promoted outside the ring-road or bypasses
systems of urban centres, so as not to
create urban sprawl. These interventions
should create redevelopment opportunities
for buildings, territory as well as for
communities.
The strategic poles and areas of urban
densification should be supported by
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efficient public transport, with specialized
lanes that promote the possibility of use for
employment and tourism mobility.
Urban regeneration - means the process
and program of re-addressing an urban
area, aimed at restoring the efficiency
of the area, using such instruments as
readdressing facades, squares, public
space facilities and infrastructure. Urban
regeneration should be addressed as an
efficient solution for urban areas with high
density of housing, which are degraded or
with a poor urban development structure.
The use of the territory in these areas
should take into account the need for
future development of the area, providing
the necessary infrastructure development
facilities, lanes dedicated to public
transport, bicycle lanes as well as increased
space for services and pedestrian areas with
mixed functions.
These spaces and territories should clearly
indicate the boundaries of the regeneration
area, taking into account the increased need
for housing and employment development,
not just within this territory but also in the
surrounding bordering units.
Urban regeneration and the creation of new
urban poles should be encouraged by new
centres for public use such as:
• Socio-cultural facilities, creative centres,
exhibition centres, social-commercial
buildings, mixed housing blocks, postindustrial
areas (redevelopment to the
benefit of the community) or new parks for
recreation and entertainment.
• Public transport station areas, new
business oriented and/or high standard
education blocks.
• New areas for the creative industry,
development and re-addressing of buildings
with cultural-historical and architectural
values.
• Possibilities for pedestrian areas,
equipped with mixed services.
Urban revitalization means the process and
program of re-addressing/re-developing
the urban area and community, which aims
to develop and regenerate not only the
public spaces but also the communities.
By means of creating areas that promote
employment and services, the development
of communities is also ensured thanks
to the strategies of promoting the human
capacities of the area. Municipalities should
promote the use of such instruments as
PPP in developing these areas, which
represent an opportunity for re-addressing
in order to generate better living conditions
for the community.
Given that urban revitalization involves
regeneration, it is advisable to use it
as a development instrument for areas
previously defined in the general local
plans. This instrument should be used
in those territories that demonstrate
future development opportunities such as
degraded areas with a poor urban structure
or formal / informal areas with high density
housing, with buildings reaching more than
4-5 storeys.
Urban redevelopment means the process
of urban development that aims at the
reconstruction of this territory. This
process should be led by the municipalities
of the region in full compliance with the
territorial use plans (GLPs), previously
providing the necessary conditions to
set up the infrastructure and create the
necessary spaces for social and recreational
functions associated with green areas.
The municipalities of the region should
use this mode of development while taking
into account the geographic conditions
and the socio-cultural values that the area
represents. Land use should be developed
efficiently, based on the principles of
inclusiveness and sustainable development.
Developments for residential purposes
should reach higher intensities, which are
possible depending on the area’s character
and the accessibility of public transport and
infrastructure.
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The municipalities should promote the
use of such instruments as the Transfer of
Development Rights, Conditional Intensity,
or other legal and fiscal incentives for
territorial development. These interventions
should be consistent with the development
requirements of GLPs and they should
only be developed after the completion
of detailed local studies (DLP) for these
territories.
The development of “peri-urban”
areas should be directed away from
the urbanization pressure with primary
functions of using the territory for support
services for the rural and urban areas.
Land use in peri-urban areas should
be directed towards development with
functions in favour of the environment,
agro-tourism, recreational services and
urban agriculture. The municipalities of the
region should use differentiated taxation
and legal incentives to protect these areas.
Peri-urban areas should be defined in the
general local plans as development control
instruments supported by the “green line” of
urbanization restriction.
“Urban development expansion areas”,
regardless of the development focus,
when needed to emerge outside the
urbanization boundaries they must provide
such conditions that can guarantee the
continuity of the urbanized area. These
areas should be developed near the existing
centres, supported by services and access,
without compromising the use of high yield
agricultural land, forests, protected areas
and water systems. Their development
should be based on the mixed functions of
territorial use, avoiding the creation of gated
neighbourhoods or communities, such as
villas with limited use or second houses.
TR2- Sustainable urban
neighbourhoods and blocks
The main feature of fast growing urban
centres is urban sprawl. This mode
of development is associated with the
usurpation of large areas of free land,
causing serious problems in territorial use,
dependence on motor vehicles, low and
scattered densities, social segregation, and
so on. Similar urban development models
in residential areas have been accompanied
by speculations on territorial use and have
resulted in inefficient and fragmented
urban systems where the advantages of
urbanization and the concept of urban
centres are lost or minimized.
Future urban centres need to be built
according to a new form of urban and spatial
structure, where community life flourishes
and most of the current urban problems are
solved. UN Habitat proposes an approach
that comprises and redefines existing
theories of sustainable urban planning
to help build a new relationship between
residents of urban centres and urban space
and increase the value of urban land. This
approach is based on five principles that
support the three main features of urban
centres and blocks: compact, integrated
and interconnected.
Principles: 28
1. Suitable road space, with an efficient
transportation system. The road system
should cover 30% of the territory and a
minimum of 18 km of road length / km 2 .
2. High density with at least 15,000
inhabitants / km 2 or 150 inhabitants / ha.
3. Mixed-use of the territory with at least
40% of the ground floor area to be used
for economic functions and services in any
neighbourhood or urban block.
4. Social comprehensiveness (mixed
communities) with different availability in
the range of prices and the way of housing
ownership in each urban neighbourhood
or block, to accommodate residents with
different incomes; 20 to 50% of residential
areas should be for low cost housing; any
typology of ownership, tenancy should not
be more than 50% of the utilized total.
28
https://unhabitat.org/a-new-strategy-of-sustainable-neighbourhood-planning-five-principles/
217

5. Limiting land use for specialized
functions (unique), to limit the development
of blocks or neighbourhoods with a unique
function. Areas with a dedicated function
should not cover more than 10% of each
neighbourhood or block.
Objectives of the five principles to support
sustainable blocks and neighbourhoods:
1. Promoting high urban density, mitigating/
reducing urban sprawl and maximizing the
efficient use of land.
2. Promoting communities which are
sustainable, diverse, and socially equal and
sound (prosperous).
3. Promoting walking through
neighbourhoods and reducing dependence
from vehicle use.
4. Optimizing land use and providing an
interconnected road network which will help
create safe and efficient environments for
walking, biking and driving.
5. Encouraging local employment,
production and consumption.
6. Providing spaces, land surfaces and
diverse typologies of buildings, in such a
way as to meet the different housing needs
of the community and at such densities so
that local service support can be provided.
Key features of sustainable urban
neighbourhoods and blocks
The five principles promoted by UN Habitat
predict to promote sustainable urban
development by creating liveable and
efficient habitats. Urban centres must be
successful, convenient, liveable and safe.
Urban centres should bear the following
elements and features, which contribute to
the fulfilment of the five above-mentioned
principles.
1. Lively streets that support and promote
life on the street, allowing for various
activities, as well as facades and wide
roadways that reduce the presence and
relevance of private transport vehicles. The
five principles encourage high densities
and mixed use of the territory that serve
as a catalyst to create these roads. High
densities should generate services with
sufficient economic and commercial
demand, while the mixed use of the territory
should provide adequate spaces for services
and production. Urban centres, in line with
the 5 principles, should be able to connect
demand with supply and thus stimulate and
secure prosperity for the vibrant life of city
roads, which meet the material and spiritual
needs of the inhabitants, as well as to create
security and prosperity in these centres.
This is a key feature of sustainable urban
centres.
2. Blocks/neighbourhoods friendly to
pedestrians that promote walking, as
a measure to bring people into public
spaces, reduce overcrowding, and promote
economy and service interactions. Vibrant
roads encourage walking and biking, while
the road network enables the necessary
administration services to be easily
accessed on foot or by bike, ensuring safety
and time efficiency. High density, mixed use
of the territory and social blending as well
enable proximity to employment, housing
and services. Walking helps reduce vehicle
dependency, thereby mitigating traffic, air
pollution and resource depletion issues. It is
healthier to “walk than to ride a car”! Vitality
of city life is extraordinarily exacerbated by
pedestrians and services in favour of them.
3. Affordable in transactions, economic
activities, services and housing, promoting
short distances, reducing housing costs
and services for different user groups
in the society. The proximity brought by
the application of the “Five Principles”
helps in reducing the mismanaged time
and resources, thus providing lower costs
in the main services. The principle of
social blending should promote a rational
allocation of urban public resources and
provide adequate housing for groups
with different income through planning
regulations of urban centres, ensuring
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social equity and promoting economic
efficiency. An urban centre offering
affordable and inviting accommodation is
a good example of basic features for the
establishment of sustainable urban centres.
Development of energy efficiency in
buildings.
TR3- Development of energy
efficiency in buildings
Through the General Local Plans, Sectorial
Local Plans and Detailed Local Plans and
local regulations, the municipalities of the
region should initially develop areas and
standards to promote energy efficiency in
buildings.
The municipalities of the region should
initially increase the energy efficiency in
buildings with public and social functions,
aiming at the complete retrofitting of
buildings that enable the reduction of
electricity consumption, by using alternative
energy resources, and by improving the
infrastructure of internal network of
buildings.
The municipalities should lay down in their
development regulations high standards
of energy efficiency, and therefore all new
constructions must meet high standards of
energy efficiency. Simultaneously, the use of
green terraces with mixed functions, such
as condominiums, with dedicated spaces for
solar panels and support services, should
be encouraged. The municipalities of the
region should develop differentiating and
classifying standards for the development
of new housing blocks with “green/eco”
certificates, providing differentiated taxation
for the use of these assets.
TR4- Mobility in urban centres
Urban mobility plans should cover all forms
and modes of transport for all urban and
regional agglomerations, including the
mobility of private and public vehicles,
passenger and freight vehicles, whether
motorized or non-motorized, in motion or in
parking areas.
Urban centres should develop ring road
systems, multimodal poles of transport
mode exchange, associated with mass
parking areas near the main entry and exit
axes.
The municipalities should ensure efficiency
for public transport modes, providing
efficient networks and exchange links.
Public transport systems should guarantee
safety and efficiency in use, to ensure
massive movement flows. These networks
should be served with dedicated axes and
frequent exchange stations equipped with a
real-time information system.
The mobility networks of the centres should
combine extra-urban and urban mobility
flows, creating multimodal mobility nodes
in strategic poles linking ring systems and
primary regional axes.
The connection and harmonization of urban
mobility should incorporate clear schemes
and rules for:
• motorized movement of residents;
• urban logistics;
• mobility by public means;
• alternative ways of mobility without
environmental pollution.
Strategic poles and areas of urban
densification should be supported by
efficient public transport and specialized
lanes that encourage their use for
employment and tourism movement.
Public transport in urban centres
Urban centres should provide spaces
and networks dedicated to connecting
employment areas to residential areas
where dedicated lanes will increase the
efficiency of commuting in urban (primary)
strategic corridors, ensuring public
transport stations within distances of no
farther than 300 meters or / and no more
than 10-12 minutes walking distance.
Strategic corridors with mobility flows
of more than 30,000-40,000 passengers
per day on a one-way journey must be
accompanied by public transport with
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dedicated priority lines, while flows under
10,000 daily users should be supported by
alternative transport, such as a taxi, private
motorized vehicles and bicycles.
The municipalities should take measures to
identify areas for future development while
guaranteeing the protection of the spaces
for public transport corridors, preventing
urban development in these strategic
axes, ensuring buffer zones, providing
underground infrastructure in the main hubs
prior to the development of these networks.
Mobility in urban centres should be
developed not only towards motorized
vehicles, but it should also promote bicycle
mobility, ensuring the necessary road
infrastructure, mass parking areas, suitable
parking facilities during working hours and
bicycle rental stations.
The development of road axes should
provide the necessary protection to ensure
safe walking alongside the vehicles. Bicycle
lanes should be developed in such a way as
to guarantee information on the mobility.
Crossroads should be re-addressed to
support these mobility forms.
The municipalities should develop clear
regulations for the installation of bicycle
parking areas near employment centres and
public institutions.
The new urbanization areas should be
developed in such a way as to ensure that
space and buffer areas allow for the lanes
dedicated to public transport to cross
through in the future.
Regional biking itineraries
Biking itineraries outside urban areas
should be adapted with specialized lanes,
away from the movement of vehicles, to
make biking safer and more enjoyable.
It is suggested to develop ring-type biking
itineraries along waterways, rivers, lakes,
coasts and protected areas, connecting
important natural, urban and cultural
elements, and linking them to regional
natural parks.
Crossings near road infrastructure should
be designed in such a way as to guarantee
a high level of safety for bicycle users,
creating dividing barriers. Bicycle stations
in the urban centres should be attached to
stations providing other modes of transport.
Bicycle stations for long distance itineraries
may cover a range of not more than 6-8
km. They should provide opportunities to
exchange means of transport without having
to return the user to the initial point of
travel to deliver the traveling vehicle.
Pedestrian mobility in urban centres
Primary, secondary and local centres
should prioritize pedestrian mobility.
The municipalities should lay down the
conditions and development regulations to:
• Create rapid movement axes between
residential blocks for pedestrians by
eliminating barriers in housing blocks, such
as: removing dividing walls outside private
properties, eliminating interconnection
barriers between residential blocks.
• Pedestrian mobility should be based on
safe access during late hours, enabling
lighting and mobility opportunities for
disabled people.
TR5- Consolidation and regeneration
of rural centres
• Regeneration of rural centres will
be achieved by promoting the creation
of common spaces, eliminating spatial
boundaries (such as dividing walls, fences
and rails), creating zones and areas of
collective services for the community, and
creating more recreational spaces and
urban parks.
• Areas for the densification of urbanization
in rural centres should be part of the
urbanized areas of the local administrative
units. Untreated spaces in urbanized
areas should be encouraged for urban
densification through the application of
the territorial planning law or other land
management instruments. These areas /
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lands should emerge from the agricultural
land management fund or they should
be part of the urbanized areas map.
Concurrently, informal areas should also be
addressed after their allocation within the
ranges of urbanized areas in the GIS system
of the local administrative units.
• Housing demand in rural areas should
be directed to densification areas,
responding to the needs to fill in the
existing uninhabited spaces supported
by the regeneration poles of the centres
with spaces and social services. The
general local plans (GLPs) should ensure
and support development within local
settlements. Also, the reuse and efficiency
of existing buildings should be encouraged
wherever possible, rather than building
new ones.
The demand for development must
match the spirit of traditional and rural
architecture, creating harmonization
between these rural centres and not
prejudicing the rural character of the area.
New urban developments should to adapt
to the nature, not affecting the natural
silhouette, and should be developed with
local materials. Dimensions and forms of
new developments should be in harmony
with the existing developments, if the latter
bear cultural, historical and architectural
values.
• Construction of new residential areas in
rural centres should respond to the need
for development outside the urbanization
areas only after the full use of the urban
area according to the GLPs has been
completely achieved. It should be developed
by joining traditional areas to promote
employment, service and quality of these
centres, and by reducing infrastructural
costs. Demand development should be
directed towards non-agricultural land,
without prejudicing agriculture, water
environment and natural resources. Unable
to develop on non-agricultural land, demand
pressure should be directed to lands that
have lost the fertility for agricultural use.
• Holiday homes may have a positive or
negative impact on rural areas. Located and
adapted to rural areas, these residences can
structurally develop the poor rural areas
from the economic point of view, but may
also have negative effects on permanent
residents. A balanced approach to supply
holiday homes with infrastructure (which
may include individual holiday homes,
housing schemes, clusters or tourist
accommodation) should be reflected in the
development plans, taking into account the
identification of potentials for holiday homes
in order to adapt to the development of
these units.
The development should be appropriate
and should not damage the landscape. The
municipalities should take measures to
manage waste and future infrastructure on
these structures, forcing the development of
independent, self-financed private schemes
to meet additional seasonal needs.
Areas with characteristic houses, with
traditional and monumental architecture
The protection and preservation of identity
in these areas should be a priority, to
prevent the loss of values and to guarantee
the development potential of the tourism
economy. For the new developments near
the areas of historical and cultural value,
the regulation on cultural heritage, which is
addressed in the sectorial legal framework,
should be observed, while the territorial
planning regulations should be respected
regarding areas around them.
• Municipalities, through regulations, should
ensure that the typologies of development
in those areas that represent cultural,
historical and architectural values can be
developed in such a manner as to have
only positive impact on the use of these
resources.
• Based on the characteristics of each
village, new constructions should be
adapted to the urban planning and
architecture of the village (number of
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floors, horizontal extension size / building
footprint) and should maintain a suitable
density according to the urbanized area.
The municipalities should ensure that these
buildings respect the building traditions
(colours, materials and techniques) and
architecture.
• Housing residences and buildings
developed for touristic purposes should
be mixed within the neighbourhoods and
permanent residential areas.
• It is not advisable to create new tourist
nuclei in territories without public
infrastructure, sewerage, water supply,
electricity, motorways, and similar to them,
which are the core to the operation of a
settlement.
Use / Consolidation of agricultural land
The municipalities of the region, based
on the general local plans (GLPs), should
take into account the different development
possibilities for the rural territories. This
approach requires different responses,
in terms of rural spatial contexts, for
the purpose of economizing the use of
agricultural land, housing space, and
services provided.
The municipalities should prioritize the use
of agricultural land, based on the following
typologies:
Rural areas under strong urban influence,
peri-urban areas mean peripheral
urban areas under high influence from
urbanization, where urban development and
urban pressures have a strong impact on
land use.
The development and use of land in periurban
areas should be directed towards
their use as buffer zones to curb the
expansion of urbanization through such
instruments as:
• green line, restricting urbanized areas;
• economic and legal incentives, which
should be used to prioritize these areas
to the benefit of rural development with
services such as regional markets, urban
agriculture, agro-tourism, recreation
and services serving to the sustainable
development, etc., in order to promote
interaction between urban and rural areas.
Areas under strong rural influence,
agricultural areas, mean areas with a focus
on agricultural development, where the
main revenues derive from agriculture. The
use of land in these territories should be
oriented away from the pressure of urban
activities. The municipalities of the region,
through the General Local Plans (GLPs),
should prioritize agricultural activity in
these territories, avoiding the birth and
sprawl of urbanization. Planning conditions
and regulations should allow only the
development of activities related to these
functions.
Rural marginal, agricultural areas, which
have a poor agricultural development
structure or dispersed urbanization
development, should be developed with
a focus on the opportunities to support
agriculture, as agricultural and natural
reserve areas. Benefits will be enabled
through the use of large land areas, mainly
on nature-focused functions, such as
reserves or spaces serving to environment
and eco-tourism, spaces provided for
cultivated forests, orchards, and areas
supporting agriculture with necessary
space for cultivated species requiring large
territories.
Free natural areas and protected natural
areas are the peripheral part of the
influence of urban and rural pressures.
These territories should be protected and
preserved from urban developments.
The interconnection and service of these
areas with urban areas should focus on
recreational functions and natural tourism.
The services and infrastructure of these
areas should be accompanied by information
boards as well as temporary services in
function of natural tourism.
It is suggested to apply the minimum
coefficient of use of these spaces to protect
the ecosystems. Areas with a focus on
environmental protection should include:
river deltas, wetlands, water systems and
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esources, coastal forests, mountain ranges
and peripheral hills.
Management of agricultural land
It will be carried out through the
“consolidation” instrument to create a
competitive agrarian sector, focusing on
developing the fragmented land plots, for
agricultural use in rural areas.
The line ministry and the municipalities of
the region should develop programs and
projects based on this instrument, to create
opportunities for unification of agricultural
land parcels, promoting agglomerations with
similar services, with the aim of creating
arable land areas with the same product in
5-7 ha. Initially, it is recommended to carry
out initial pilot projects, to then develop
complete consolidation programs, for
the management of agricultural land at a
regional scale.
The municipalities of the region should
establish and develop the agricultural
land management board and fund,
with predefined use budgets. The most
effective way of building this rural
development instrument is full and
comprehensive consolidation, but there
are other opportunities, such as simplified
consolidation or consolidation of voluntary
groups. The municipalities are encouraged
to develop pilot projects in advance, and
then apply consolidation to a large scale.
TR6- Development of the regional
agricultural poles
Agricultural farms are the main actors to
promote economic activities in rural areas.
Handling their size and location should allow
farmers to be able to change production
activities according to their needs.
The municipalities should prioritize
investments, including economic
developments in territorial poles with mixed
functions as needed. The development
of these poles should be based on the
predetermined conditions of use of the
territory.
The functions of the areas for activities are
as follows:
Peripheral (peri-urban) areas should be
used for activities specialized in rural-urban
agro-tourism, urban agricultural services,
and markets or services that can help to
connect urban areas with rural areas.
The use and development of these territorial
spaces should be led by the municipalities
through differentiated, fiscal or legal
policies and regulations for uses that focus
on the creation of the aforementioned
activities.
Rural areas should be developed on a
clear network interaction vision of the
agricultural industry, to create an economy
of scale in agriculture. The municipalities
are suggested to use development tools
such as: consolidation and management
of agricultural land, establishment and
development of the agricultural land fund
and board, public-private partnership,
cooperatives and regionalization of the
agricultural production.
The municipalities are recommended to
promote:
• The development of network and
distribution infrastructure of food products
such as points of collection, processing,
packaging and storage and distribution of
products in the markets of urban centres.
• The development of recycling
infrastructure, creating a network of points
of composting, recycling and reuse of
natural waste, to promote the creation of
a closed-cycle rural economy at local and
regional level.
• The regeneration of the irrigation system
infrastructure for the agricultural land.
The regional municipalities should develop
joint projects to develop integrated regional
irrigation systems. These systems should be
protected with buffer zones and monitored
for pollution over and underground, as well
as for urban constructions in their proximity.
The development of irrigation and drainage
systems should be renovated beginning
from the redevelopment of the reservoir
pumping system, cleaning of the reservoirs
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still active, cleaning of the discharge outlets,
of the irrigation / drainage channels and
their centralized control systems, and the
construction of the controlled and certified
water wells.
TR7- Corridors and areas of
economic development
Economic corridors, as continuous linear
areas with concentration of economic
activities, are an integral part of the
Tirana-Durres region. The municipalities
of the region should promote and develop
geographic agglomerations to accommodate
regional enterprises.
The future development of these territories,
within and outside urban centres, should
be oriented towards quick access to road
and railway axes, which have already been
established. However, the development
must be such as to prevent the sprawl of
urbanization in continuous linear strips
using only the first strip of road corridors,
but develop consolidated territorial poles.
The provision with support areas inland
should be promoted by building second and
third strips that will serve to develop future
services, and to create the possibility of
interoperability between them for services
and infrastructure. The aim is to concentrate
the functions of the services, to prohibit the
linear sprawl along the entire motorway, to
create strips / barriers with green dividing
areas, and to strengthen natural areas near
these territories. The GLPs of the regional
municipalities, Tirana, Durres, Vore, Kamez,
Shijak, should reflect these supporting
territories for business structures.
In order to enable the achievement of the
above-mentioned, the municipalities of the
region should provide future businesses
with spaces of good quality, size and range
appropriate to their nature. Depending on
the advantages of each urban centre and
their hierarchy (according to the definitions
of GNP and ICSP), these LGUs should
ensure:
• A development of competitive and
attractive areas for central business
districts, industrial and technological parks,
SMEs development areas, which can attract
and accommodate different businesses with
specific needs;
• Service offices that cover business needs
for administrative services;
• Over and underground infrastructural
networks, mobility and energy efficiency,
water, gas, sewerage networks etc.;
• An effective public transport system that
provides the possibility to combine different
modes;
• ICT telecommunication networks that
guarantee fast connections and exchanges
globally;
• A high quality natural urban environment
enriched in natural and physical assets, with
interconnections and mobility modes that do
not create pollution and negative impact;
• The regional municipalities should
consider and propose ways to avoid
increased risk from natural factors
and natural disasters in these areas.
The proposal is to develop special
infrastructures to support and protect
these strategic investments of regional and
national relevance.
• The General Local Plans (GLPs) of the
regional municipalities should anticipate
and present the proposed economic
development areas and the respective buffer
zones for future expansions.
“Specific development area” - It is a
functional territorial unit that includes parts
of one or more local self-government units
within a development pole with features
similar to urban agglomerations. These
territories, when presenting a development
potential with a focus on economic
specialization, should be accompanied by
quick access, ensuring transport axes and
efficient exchange nodes.
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They should be supported with the
necessary infrastructure such as: lanes
dedicated to public transport, sewerage
networks, water supply, electricity grids,
gasification networks and fast connections
to ICT infrastructure.
The use of the territory in these areas
should be developed with a mix of services
that guarantee economies of scale, security
and sufficient recreational conditions for the
users. Space development should be such
as to ensure the continuous use of the area
throughout the day, providing mixed support
functions.
Fairs and massive event areas should
be developed near the primary nodes
of transport mode exchange such as
multimodal centres, central or secondary
stations, creating increased opportunities
for mass flow and providing the necessary
parking spaces for all needs. These
territories should ensure security and
diverse functions in the use of the territory,
guaranteeing the development of various
typologies of events at the same time.
Shopping centres must be developed
within the boundaries of urbanization and
transport ring-road systems. They should
serve as new poles for attracting and
developing new urban areas supported by
efficient transport.
National port areas, being the strategic
entry gateways, should guarantee quick
access of goods and vehicles in the region.
These areas need to be equipped with
modern infrastructure to cope with the
increased volumes of passengers and goods
in the future. These port areas should
ensure such a development that addresses
the community’s needs for a healthy and
sustainable environment, ensuring the
processing of primary commodities and raw
materials outside urban centres.
Stationing areas should be developed with
space for storage and flow management,
relying on reserve areas for capacity
increase in relation to flows by 2030.
The port management space for passenger
flows, tourists and cruisers and yachts,
should create open access to the city,
increase the attractiveness of the port city,
and develop the local economy.
They should generate access and stationing
for:
1. Passengers station, for the anchorage of
small and medium-sized travel vessels;
2. Tourist station, for the anchorage of large
cruise ships;
3. Service and processing port area, for the
anchorage of cargo containers;
4. Port service area, for the anchorage of the
fishing fleet;
5. Port tourist area, for the anchorage of
yachts.
TR8- Development of poles with a
touristic and relaxing character
The establishment and development of
tourist poles should be accompanied by
quality services in physical and electronic
infrastructure. Tourist areas and poles
should first be equipped with infrastructure
that enables fast access to public transport
and connection to multimodal mobility
means. These poles should be supported
with tourism and economy incentives based
on development typologies, geographic,
socio-cultural and environmental conditions.
The aim is to develop tourist poles through
the connection of geographic, physical,
human and cultural potentials based on:
• The regeneration and development of
natural, historical-cultural territorial
assets serving to tourism, by providing
security and quick access to residential
settlements; efficient road and / or rail
physical connections, massive underground
or over-ground parking areas, public
transport and electronic infrastructure to
access the global market; efficient services;
information infrastructure (information
office) and certified tourist guides.
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• The promotion of tourist areas by
organizing cultural and social events
and converting historic buildings into
museum centres, cultural environments
and exhibition areas. This requires the
revitalization of socio-cultural buildings
by regenerating facades, connection to the
energy grid, use of ventilation systems and
alternative energy supply (solar panels) to
increase energy efficiency. It requires to
develop business centres near the economic
development poles, as well as to create
fairs, events and conferences, supported by
fast access and quality hotels certified in
these services.
• The development of business, fairs
and conferences tourism should be
accompanied by supporting functions in
the service of economy and recreation,
to develop poles with different functions,
accompanied by appropriate infrastructure,
public transport, parking areas, quality and
certified hotels, security and information
services.
Stadiums, fairs centres and massive
event areas should be equipped with all
service infrastructure, be connected to the
multimodal transport network, parking
areas and security services;
• The organization of diverse open festivals
and events that promote culinary, culture,
folklore, tradition and the history of urban
and / or rural centres. These activities
should enable the connection of services
provided with the functions of urban and
rural centres to create economies of scale,
security and maximum efficiency.
• The establishment of areas of a
youthful, artistic and creative character,
promoting culture and art, revitalizing
buildings, pedestrian areas, infrastructure
and information points, and developing
managerial resource capacities to
deliver services focusing on culture, art
and tradition. For example, “creative
neighbourhoods” that promote the diffusion
of culture through music, painting, poetry
and applied art should be established in
conjunction with local human capacity
building, craft promotion areas and areas
serving to culture and heritage.
Their establishment and development
should be supported by programs based on
public-private partnerships, accompanied by
management boards and management and
monitoring administration.
• The recreational and entertaining poles
in urban areas such as waterfronts, urban
squares and green resting areas in tourism
service should be provided with support
services for information, safety, medical
assistance, fast access and public transport
in function of massive holiday areas, taking
into account the massive flows of domestic
and foreign tourists at peak seasons. The
aim is to solidify and interconnect tourist
packages that create economies of scale
and a critical mass for tourism services.
Tourist areas and poles must first be
equipped with infrastructure, enabling quick
access and multimodality in transport.
These areas need to be supported with
tourism services, as well as massive parking
to cope with the tourist flows.
• The tourism in natural and rural areas
These coastal, plain, hilly or mountainous
poles and / or areas should be developed in
harmony with the environment, preventing
the development of urbanization in free
or protected natural areas. They should
maintain and develop services in support
of the characteristics and natural features
of the area. The development of naturefocused
tourism, in addition to the use of
natural resources, should be supported
by both recreational and agro-tourism
functions.
Natural tourist areas should be connected
through natural paths or green corridors
with recreational areas near urbanrural
centres, with natural monuments,
historical-cultural sites outside urban
centres, agro-tourism inns and peri-urban
or rural recreational assets.
The municipalities need to develop the
green corridor infrastructure along the
river beds, equipped with off-road biking
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and hiking infrastructure. These mobility
axes should be developed in such a way
as to provide safe mobility and low impact
on nature. The services provided in them
should be combined with service packages
in the rural areas and cultural heritage of
the region. The development of physical
infrastructure in green corridors should
be combined with areas that promote
heritage and culture. Mobility in these
axes should be equipped with physical
and virtual information infrastructures. To
develop these infrastructures and services,
the municipalities need to develop publicprivate
partnership projects.
• The development of structures in
function of tourism, hotel or other massive,
temporary or permanent service functions
should not undermine the rural character
of the development, based on the principles
of protection of five territorial systems,
while maintaining the distances provided
in the Law and regulations, and terms and
conditions of exercising the activities in
these predetermined territories.
The services and activities should be
developed in line with the legislation in
force on the use of these territories. These
activities should be based on business
development models that protect nature,
such as low-impact tourism activities,
ecotourism, agro-tourism, outdoor sports,
outdoor hiking, air sports and so on.
These services should be accompanied
by information centres, guides, support
infrastructure to the benefit of security and
monitoring.
• The coastal tourism areas
Massive beach areas should be equipped
with space and support infrastructure in
service of vacationers and coastal tourism.
The municipalities can use instruments
such as public-private partnerships or longterm
leases to develop and implement these
services. The services in these areas should
be based on:
- The Law on Integrated Management of
Water Resources and sectorial strategies
of line ministries; Law on Tourism and
regulations and guidelines of the line
ministries and municipalities on the criteria
of exercising the activity of a beach station.
- The capacities and potentials of the
densities to use and exploit the coastal area,
as well as all physical, territorial and human
potential.
- The measurement of entry-exit mobility
flows between the beach areas and
the primary axes, at the maximum and
minimum peak of use.
- The capacities of holiday beds in hotels;
the capacity of the resting seats at the
beach, in m 2 / person within the area holding
capacity.
- The parking areas of the beaches should
be located behind the forested natural or
artificial areas, not in agricultural territories
or protected natural areas. They should be
based on the analysis of coastal use flows
by vacationers. Vehicle parking facilities
for public beach users should be shared,
monitored and served with municipal
infrastructure or services managed by
municipalities or through public-private
partnerships (PPPs).
- The transport of tourists from public
parking to the sandy coast should be
done with non-polluting means or create
opportunities for outdoor walking and
bicycle routes. Public parking facilities can
provide bicycles and electric cars for daily
use.
• The development of tourism structures
should create synergies with existing
residential areas, taking into account
architectural, traditional and rural values,
as well as the need to create sustainable
employment and economies in these
territories. The development of tourist
structures in coastal areas should not
damage the forests and the green wreath
of the Adriatic coast. They should be
oriented towards inland development.
The municipalities should avoid the
creation of tourist areas developed on
such urbanization models as “closed
communities” (temporary settlements with
seasonal holiday homes). These structures
should provide mixed services in function of
the development of tourism, recreation and
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local employment. The development of these
structures should be in line with the legal
provisions on the use of the territory as well
as with the functions defined by the ICSP,
based on the applicable sectorial laws. They
should be developed in areas over 2 meters
above sea level, to avoid the risk from floods
and natural disasters. This suggestion
applies to free territories near the coast,
and not to traditional urban centres.
In the first strip of the coast, 100m from
the coastline, it is suggested to accomplish
services in one to two-storey structures,
with low environmental impact materials,
made of wood or other temporary materials.
The services that are necessary and
indispensable to be provided within the 100
m strip of the coastline are: toilets, dressing
rooms, showers, bars, kiosks, fast-food
restaurants, first aid healthcare centres,
order and security services, emergency
surveillance centres, environmental-friendly
sports facilities, support structures for
marine tourism for temporary anchorage
of boats, parking areas with camping
infrastructure and sleeping stations /
accommodation, unpaved parking areas for
vehicles etc.
The second strip from 100 m to 200 m from
the coastline should be developed with
permanent structures and infrastructure,
which serve to the public interest, such as
constructions for tourist accommodation,
hotel, recreation and services etc. These
structures should be developed with
materials that respect the traditional
architecture of the surrounding areas,
with high contemporary standards. The
development of their infrastructure should
be carried out by private investors who
undertake the initiative of development.
The infrastructure of these structures,
electricity, water supply, sewerage and waste
should be under strict monitoring (once a
month during the tourist season and every
three months during the rest of the year) by
municipalities, regional agencies as well as
by relevant structures for the protection of
the environment and consumer.
These developments in service of tourism
should link activities with beach areas,
through unpaved natural paths, providing
pedestrian routes, biking and electric
vehicles in service of the community and
users. The municipalities should develop the
interconnection of public parking areas with
tourism areas.
The development of separate non-complex
tourist structures should guarantee the
use of territory with mixed services, not
just houses for weekend tourism use.
They should be developed in concentrated
areas with complementary functions in
service of tourists and the community. Their
development in terms of height should not
exceed the coastal green wreath.
The development of tourist elite structures
in the free natural areas at the coast
should be directed towards investments
that manage territorial spaces larger than
5 hectares, with holding capacities in line
with the opportunities for development of
the area’s tourism. These structures should
have a mixed use of the territory, with
additional complementary functions such
as recreation, sports, tourism, cultural and
artistic services and multi-purpose hotels.
The height development of these structures
must be in harmony with the landscape
silhouette and must be developed with
materials that create compliance with the
local environment and architecture. These
structures should provide sufficient space
to accommodate tourists during the tourist
season.
Restriction of development along the
coastline.
The coastline is dynamic (in constant
movement) and, therefore, measured every
2 years by the relevant institution of the
Albanian Geological Survey.
In order to protect the water system, ICSP
defines:
• The Blue Line, which aims to: - protect
against prohibited uses of the coastal strip
area, determined under sectorial legislation
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on the protection of water resources;
- monitor the activities for economic
exploitation in the coastal strip area; - river
flows, regeneration of natural corridors that
accompany their flow.
• To recognize and protect the values of the
natural landscape of the territory stretching
from the coastal line to the ridge of the first
hilly mountain strip.
TR9- Regional strategic road
networks
The strategic road networks will be
strengthened to promote the efficiency
of linking the region to national and
international axes, enabling rapid and
efficient access. These axes should provide
the mobility necessary to avoid seasonal
traffic, extra-urban transit traffic crossing
the region, and create rapid access to urban
centres links with regional employment
areas.
The municipalities in cooperation with
the line ministry should take measures to
protect and conserve the territory, on the
footprints of the strategic road axes, to
reduce the expropriation costs and to not
allow development and construction along
these footprints (100 meters on both sides of
these axes). Informal developments affected
by these corridors should not become part
of the legalization process. Formalization
of these structures increases the costs of
expropriation.
The municipalities of the region, in the
territories of the strategic road axes
as well as in the ring systems of urban
centres Tirana, Durres, Kamez, should
not allow the development of commercial
centres or similar structures that generate
uncontrolled developmental poles outside
these axes. The development of these
structures should be directed towards urban
areas within cities / urban areas, to help the
local economy and local business.
The development of economic development
technological areas or regional economic
poles should have quick access to these
axes through secondary connection
roads. The municipalities should promote
the creation of clustered business and
service areas within these boundaries
for the efficiency of land use. Services
and businesses should focus on common
areas with access branches from these
strategic axes and should be interconnected
to secondary access roads. The mobility
of vehicle flows into strategic road axes
should be related to the transport strategies
of the regional municipalities, to create
harmonious circulation at key regional
points.
The ring systems of the regional urban
centres should be accompanied by parking
areas at the interconnection points with
the regional strategic axes. Parking areas
should be equipped with infrastructure and
services that enable the change of the type
of vehicle, and should create the necessary
conditions for rapid interconnection with
public transport towards urban centres.
The territories where these strategic road
axes cross through should be protected with
buffer zones such as: greenery or areas with
compulsory use for agriculture, whereas
urban development near these axes should
be avoided.
The strategic road axes should provide safe
and efficient mobility based on security
norms to ensure elimination of problems
in the map of “hotspots” of regional road
accidents. The strategic road axes should be
diverted from protected natural areas and
should minimize acoustic effects for urbanrural
areas and wildlife habitats.
Multimodal system and interurban public
transport
The quick mobility system to and from
the regional urban centres is based on
the creation of efficient transport lines,
with clear urban and interurban stations,
enabling exchanges between different
means of transport through multimodal
“hubs”.
The interconnection of urban centres should
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e strengthened through the integration of
various modes of public transport, based
on rail-travel, supported by bus lines with
multimodal stations.
To achieve this goal, the municipalities of
the region should promote:
• The development of compact and efficient
urban centres served with public transport
systems, with high connection capacities
between urban poles and entry gateways,
supported by parking areas to cope with
extra-urban flows.
• The integration of all systems and services
in the transport network. Support with
public transport the tourist, employment,
education and services areas.
• The improvement of opportunities and
diversification of choice in mobility, to
reduce travels in private vehicles for
employment purposes.
• The promotion of high densities in public
transport nodes in urban centres.
• The protection / preservation of areas to
be reserved for the development of public
transport corridors in the future:
- the municipalities should take measures
to identify the footprints of future axes and
forbid urban expansion on these territories;
- establish buffer zones and provide the
underground infrastructure in advance to
the main nodes of flow exchange, in order to
precede the development of networks.
• The planning and definition in the general
local planning documents of increased
densities in housing and services in the
territories surrounding the strategic nodes
of the mobility hubs, to enable the controlled
development of these areas in the future.
Multi-modal nodes should be planned
and mapped, from each municipality in
cooperation with line ministries, close
to the main axes in interconnection with
high density populated areas, equipped
with infrastructure beforehand. In these
proposed areas development and unplanned
construction should be strictly prohibited, in
order not to increase potential expropriation
costs in the future. The general local
plans should determine these nodes in
advance as high density areas, where
development shall be permitted only after
their construction (transport infrastructure)
has been completed. It is recommended that
in the territories around these poles, GLPs
present land management instruments,
such as conditional development. The
interconnection of these areas with the
interurban public transport networks
emerges as an obligation of the general
local plans for each municipality.
Railway mobility
Railway mobility should be developed in
relation to the mobility of individual vehicles
for interurban trips, taking into account the
following several conditions:
• Multi-modal stations should be placed in
the primary access axes of urban centres,
becoming accessible to all social strata,
and to achieve a full flow management.
Each urban / rural centre should create the
multimodal mobility poles, based on the
combination of strategic axes of regional
mobility, urbanized, tourist areas, economic
development technological areas and
recreation areas.
• The hierarchy of multimodal stations
should respond to the hierarchy and
functions of urban centres: metropolis,
primary centres, secondary centres, tertiary
centres and local centres.
• The railway stations should provide
opportunities for the exchange of transport
modes, such as parking for individual
vehicles, taxis, rental cars, bicycles etc.
• The development of physical infrastructure
should ensure rapid movement, restrictive
spaces such as physical barriers and
acoustic barriers.
It is suggested to build green belts along
these axes, and it is also recommended to
230

avoid the legalization process for structures
and buildings located within the railway
mobility operation range.
• Railway mobility should enable the
exchange of travel routes both for freight
and passengers.
It is recommended that the development of
freight transport lines should be phased in
time, initially by preserving and protecting
with buffer zones the territories where these
lines can develop and then establishing
links with the port areas as well as with the
economic areas.
Development of secondary and local
road axes in rural areas
The development of new secondary road
axes in rural areas should be in line with the
needs of the community, tourism and land
use set out in the general local plans.
The reinforcement and development of the
breadth of their sections should be in line
with the sectorial laws in force, ensuring
an effective connection for communities,
tourist structures and use to the benefit of
agriculture.
Construction of axes, which only serve to
private investments, should be carried out
by the developers themselves, guaranteeing
the necessary conditions in order not to
prejudice the use of agricultural land as well
as of the protected land and water areas.
Local road axes serving to agriculture
should be developed in the form of rings, in
order to guarantee the easy circulation of
agricultural vehicles. They should be based
on the sectorial legislation in force, and
should provide opportunities for connection
to agricultural pole areas and local and
regional waste composting spots.
RT10- Infrastructure, energy and
telecommunication
The development of water supply and
sewerage, energy and telecommunications
infrastructure should be oriented towards
an integrated development of utilities,
coordination of civil works and co-use, with
an environmental-friendly development
approach, based on the sectorial strategy
and the “Dig once” principle, to minimize
costs.
Underground infrastructure should cover the
needs of communities, based on population
projections and tourism flows.
Defining and protecting groundwater
that will serve as future potential for the
supply of urban areas should be a priority
of regional municipalities to protect and
maintain the damages and impacts that
urban development can bring.
The underground infrastructure system
should be based on strategic investments,
on the hierarchy of centres, on their
new developments, on all typologies
and regional poles defined as a priority.
Coverage with these types of services
should precede urban development, giving
priority to densification and concentration
of investments, as well as to reduction of
maintenance costs.
Urban developments in low-density ruralnatural
areas, such as residential buildings
unconnected to urban centres, should be
supported to create joint areas of water
supply and sewerages by alternative
methods, not connected to the network,
such as certified water wells and sewerage
system with certified / ecological and
periodically controlled septic tanks.
Information communication
technology / ICT
• The telecommunication network services
should support economic areas and
urban centres with fast internet access
to develop e-economy opportunities.
Urban centres should be covered with
fast telecommunication connection
infrastructure, while the integration of
networks into common infrastructural
corridors should be coordinated among
231

egional municipalities and line ministries.
• The integration and connection of
secondary and tertiary urban centres in the
national optic fibre network should be at the
attention of central and local authorities.
• Regional municipalities should cover
with ICT infrastructure and services all
their subordinate institutions, which should
exercise public functions, to enable the
establishment of integrated systems of
services in electronic networks.
RT11- Protection and development
of the spaces and environmental
ecosystem
Green infrastructure is a comprehensive
term that involves the protection,
management and enhancement of
environmental resources in urban, periurban
and rural-natural areas. Green
infrastructure includes natural areas and
green spaces in both urban and ruralnatural
environments. It is presented as
a natural physical environment, within
and between urban centres, as well as
between local residential centres. This open
infrastructural network includes: parks,
gardens, forests, green corridors, rivers,
streams and trees along the roads, etc.
The development of green infrastructure
should focus on identifying, expanding
and improving existing green areas, while
ensuring a networking of these territories.
Their development should be based on the
protection, creation and interconnection
of natural areas, parks and protected
environmental areas. Specifically
connecting, through green corridors, natural
areas at the urban, regional and national
levels, both existing and proposed. Park
networks should serve as a catalyst to revive
the characteristics and situation of the
natural habitat, but also the living conditions
of the residents in the metropolitan region.
The connection into a network should be
based on the geographic characteristics of
the terrain, where water and hilly areas will
be connected together with forested areas,
to create interconnected natural systems.
The water system and river network should
be protected with buffer zones, thus
generating the necessary space to create
green corridors along the rivers.
These green protective strips should not
only serve as supporting elements for the
water system, but at the same time should
provide opportunities for the mobility of
living creatures in the region.
Their creation should be developed on clear
territorial itineraries, supported by functions
in support of regional green infrastructure,
such as river rooms. These corridors can be
equipped with off-road biking and outdoor
walking infrastructure. These mobility axes
should be developed in such a way as to
provide safe mobility and low impact on the
nature.
The services provided in them should be
combined with service packages in rural
areas in view of the development of the
environment, tourism, historical and
cultural heritage of the region. The mobility
in these axes should be equipped with
physical and virtual / electronic information
infrastructure.
The services in these territories should be
based on the effective sectorial and crosssectorial
legislation on territorial use.
Initially, it is recommended that local
authorities identify strategic intervention
points within public or private owned
territories and then improve links between
them.
Moreover, local authorities should put in
place the mechanisms provided by the
territorial planning system. Where there
is a possibility to create interconnecting
corridors, government authorities should
intervene using schemes that promote
the use of these territories as natural
environments with service functions, such
as recreation or ecotourism.
232

The municipalities are suggested to use
unused urban spaces to develop urban
green infrastructure. Green spaces serving
to the environment and ecosystem will
be created, which will serve to reduce
infrastructural costs in the sewerage
network. These environments should serve
to protect the territory from flooding as well
as to improve the conditions of dealing with
climate change.
Suburban gardens, residential areas and
parking lots should be made available to the
development of this infrastructure, creating
the necessary network to bring the natural
ecosystem within urban centres.
233

7Monitoring
implementation,
evaluation and
indicators

Contents
236
7.1 The legal context of plan monitoring
237
7.2 Monitoring indicators

Monitoring implementation,
evaluation and indicators
The monitoring and evaluation process is the
last step of the plan. It is mandatory for each
plan to be associated with the monitoring and
evaluation process. The plan is drafted by
formulating objectives, policies and projects,
while monitoring and evaluation of projects
are designed to ensure that these objectives,
policies and projects will be realized over a
certain period of time.
7.1 The legal context of plan
monitoring
Article 6, paragraph 3 of Law No. 107/2014
“On planning and development of the
territory”, as amended: the Council of
Ministers shall be acquainted on annual
basis with the Monitoring Report on the
implementation of the goals and objectives
stated in the General National Plan, national
sectorial plans and detailed plans for areas
of national importance, and shall take the
measures as appropriate.
Paragraph 4: The Council of Ministers shall
regularly coordinate and harmonize sectorial
policies and strategies of the relevant
ministries.
Paragraph 5: The Council of Ministers
shall coordinate the collection of reports on
the strategic development of each sector,
according to the area of responsibility of each
ministry. These reports shall be submitted to
the Ministry responsible for the planning and
development of the territory within 6 months
from the beginning of the process of drafting
or revising the General National Plan.
Article 9, paragraph 3: the NTPA shall be
responsible to prepare:
b) the monitoring report on the implementation
of the goals and objectives stipulated in the
General National Plan and in the detailed
plans for areas of national importance, on an
annual basis.
Article 10, paragraph 1: the Ministries shall
be responsible to:
g) prepare on an annual basis, the monitoring
report on the implementation of the goals and
objectives stipulated in the General National
Plan and detailed plans for areas of national
importance, for their area of responsibility, and
submit it at the NTPA.
236

Article 15, paragraph 3: the Council of
Ministers shall, by means of a by-law,
determine the content, structure and
procedure for drafting, implementing /
detailing and monitoring the implementation
of the plans.
Article 12 of DCM No.671, dated 29/07/2015,
paragraph 1: the authority responsible to draft
the planning document shall be responsible
for monitoring its implementation, according
to the respective action plan, approved as part
of the planning document.
Article 12, paragraph 2: the process of the
planning documents implementation shall also
be monitored by the Agency in coordination
with the authorities responsible for planning.
Article 21, paragraph 1: the GNP document
shall contain, at least: f) the indicators to
monitor the implementation of the GNP.
Article 25, paragraph 1 of the DCM No. 671,
dated 29/07/2015: the monitoring of the
implementation of GNP shall be carried out
by the responsible authorities in the process
of drafting the plan, in line with paragraph
3 of Article 6; paragraph 1 (d) of Article 8;
paragraph 3 (b) of Article 9 and paragraph 1
(c), (g) of Article 10 of the Law.
Article 8, paragraph 1 of the Law No.
107/2014: the Ministry, in line with the
provisions of this law, shall be responsible for:
d) the coordination of the objectives of central
planning authorities in the General National
Plan and detailed plans for areas of national
importance.
Article 25, paragraph 3 of the DCM No. 671,
dated 29/07/2015: the General National Plan
shall be implemented through the national
sectorial plans, detailed plans for areas of
national importance, general local plans,
strategic investments and development pilot
projects, under its action plan.
Article 28, paragraph 1 of the DCM No.671,
dated 29/07/2015: the document of the
National Sectorial Plan shall contain at
least: gj) the indicators to monitor the
implementation of the NSP.
Article 32 of the DCM No.671, dated
29/07/2015: “On the approval of the
Territorial Planning Regulation”, paragraph
1: the monitoring of the NSP implementation
shall be carried out by the authority
responsible for drafting the plan, in line with
paragraph 1(c) and (g) of Article 10 of the law.
Article 10 of the Law No.107/2014, paragraph
1(c). The Ministries shall be responsible:
c) to take measures on the implementation
of the national planning and development
documents;
g) to prepare in an annual basis, the
Monitoring Report on the implementation
of the goals and objectives stipulated in the
General National Plan and detailed plans for
areas of national importance, of the area of
responsibility, and to submit it to the NTPA…]
Article 32, paragraph 2: the monitoring of the
implementation of the plan shall be carried
out based on the action plan and monitoring
indicators document, approved as an integral
part of the planning document.
Article 32, paragraph 3: the National Sectorial
Plan shall be implemented through the
sectorial plans at regional level, local plans
and local sectorial plans, as well as pilot
projects and capital/strategic investments
under the action plan and its regulation”.
7.2 Monitoring indicators
The Integrated Cross-sectorial Plan of the
economic area Tirana-Durres is a dynamic
plan, which does not end with the closure
of the planning process, but is a continuous
process until the conclusion of the period
that the plan is active. Through monitoring it
is possible to check the compliance between
the objectives and projects stated in the plan
with their implementation, as well as the
identification of positive and negative factors
affecting the process of implementation.
It is necessary to establish mechanisms for:
- monitoring progress and changes in the
region;
237

- identifying new and emerging problems;
- monitoring the implementation of results and
the plan strategies;
- periodically revising the status in order to
make changes in the strategies and priorities
where necessary.
An informative basis of territorial policies
consists of dynamic, qualitative and efficient
indicators, capable of capturing change over
time. It should ensure an innovative approach
to monitoring the performance of the Plan and
the initiatives of auxiliary policies for achieving
strategic objectives.
The monitoring of indicators from responsible
institutions must have a frequency of not
more than 2 years. The indicators have been
selected based on the objectives and strategies
of the Plan.
The evaluation of this plan will have a 5-year
frequency. The evaluation process of the plan
will be carried out by the relevant ministries
and their subordinate institutions, which shall:
• determine the effectiveness of the
intervention;
• identify and measure the positive
and negative impact, as well as make
recommendations for improvements;
• strengthen the financial responsibility;
• promote a culture of learning, focusing on
the improvement of services/products;
• promote the replication of successful
activities;
• draw lessons/recommendations at the
academic level to improve the process of
drafting/planning interventions in the future.
The main topics of strategic goals, whose
performance will be monitored, are listed
below in the table 7.1. While the tables 7.2,
7.3 and 7.4 detail the way of indicators’
measurement, the responsible authorities,
their expected results, etc.
Economic welfare
Goal 1
Carry out the economic development
strategy that supports
ICSP, based on the functions of
the economic areas and the
polycentric system of natural,
rural and urban centres.
Goal 2
Expand the scope of activities of
SMEs concentrated in the
economic areas, poles and
corridors at the different levels
of urban centres to be used as
efficient cooperation hubs and
employment centres.
Urbanization, population
and housing
Goal 1
Integrated management of
urban expansion and the spread
of urban areas, in accordance
with the principles of GNP and
ICSP on the consolidation of
centres and conservation of the
natural agricultural and
environmental system.
Goal 2
Provide housing, employment,
recreation and a quality of life
adequate to the needs of the
community of the region.
Infrastructure and
environment
Goal 1
Provide an integrated regional and
international access by air, land,
sea and an efficient and sustainable
railway system, for people
and freight, while preserving the
environment.
Goal 2
Achieve the objectives of regional
environmental quality through the
coordination of spatial plans and
other important environmental
strategies (i.e. water and air
quality, climate change and
waste).
Goal 3
Increase the capacity of regional
innovation and entrepreneurship
in line with the objectives of the
plan.
238
Goal 3
Promote sustainable travel
options for better access to
areas of housing, employment,
recreation.
Table 7.1 Strategic themes
Goal 3
Certainty that the regional
development advances in a way
that protects, preserves and/or
enhances the quality of the natural
environment, in line with the
national and European legislation.

Indicator
Monitoring
authority
Expected
results
Monitoring indicators
2020 2025 2030
Measuring
unit
Population (aged 30-34
years old) with higher
education (and PhD
degrees) by sectors of
the economy.
MoES
MoSWY
MoEDTTE
Diversification of
products and typologies
of SMEs,
increased efficiency of
SMEs for innovation.
Absolute
value
The number of projects
from researchers / PhD
candidates in total.
The number of studies
that have an impact on
regional and economic
development links.
MoF
MoES
MoEDTTE
INSTAT
The quality of
education and
innovation from
researchers as a key
factor to regional
competition.
Absolute
value
The number of employees
in the professional
sector and ongoing
certifications.
MoSWY
INSTAT
MoEDTTE
This represents the
share of the work of
"apprenticeship" in
the overall market for
unique and special
products.
Absolute
value
The number of SMEs
and their geographical
location by municipality;
their operations within
the global market of
products, services and
sales.
MoEDTTE
LGU
INSTAT
Increased product
offer in the global
markets,
increased and
diversified regional
employment.
Absolute
value
The locations and
quantity of agricultural
farms according to the
typologies:
small, medium, large by
municipality;
cooperatives and
“BIO” farms.
MARDWA
MoEDTTE
MoSWY
This indicator seeks
to measure the new
investments that will
be carried out in the
agricultural sector
and the share of the
regional diversification
of agricultural
products.
Absolute
value
The number of regional
clusters established;
The stakeholders;
The geographical
interaction of stakeholders
INSTAT
MoEDTTE
Regional competitiveness
and interaction
of regional firms with
regional institutions
and researchers.
Absolute
value
The number and
location of incubators /
business accelerators
and interactive stakeholders.
MoEDTTE
MoES
INSTAT
MoIPA
Better business
climate for investors
and for the dissemination
of innovation in
the region.
Absolute
value
Coordinates
The number of enterprises
supported by
incubators according to
the operating areas.
The number of these
successful enterprises
after 3 years.
MoEDTTE
MoES
INSTAT
MoIPA
This indicator seeks
to measure the
surviving, supported
businesses based on
the regional economy
and the contribution
to innovation
clusters.
Absolute
value
Ratio
Nr.of
successful
after 3
years/
total nr.
239

The number and
location of incubators /
business accelerators
and interactive stakeholders.
MoEDTTE
MoES
INSTAT
MoIPA
Better business
climate for investors
and for the dissemination
of innovation in
the region.
Absolute
value
Coordinates
The number of enterprises
supported by
incubators according to
the operating areas.
The number of these
successful enterprises
after 3 years.
MoEDTTE
MoES
INSTAT
MoIPA
This indicator seeks
to measure the
surviving, supported
businesses based on
the regional economy
and the contribution
to innovation
clusters.
Absolute
value
Ratio
Nr.of
successful
after 3
years/
total nr.
supported
Employees in the age
group 20-64 by sector,
per municipality
INSTAT
LGU
To reach 85% at the
regional level;
Diversification of
transmitted regional
knowledge.
Absolute
value
Gross added value /
person by municipality
Bank of
Albania
MoF
LGU
GVA growth leads to
increased production
and economic
welfare.
ALL/
person
The number of
residents who receive
online digital services
and number of financial
operations.
INSTAT
LGU
The number of
households with
access to the
network, covering the
whole territory with
telecommunications
network and the
approach to digital
economy.
Absolute
value
The number of tourists
for service tourism
(MICE tourism) by
ICSP’s sectors.
MoEDTTE
LGU
INSTAT
Regional
Board
Indicative of the
diversification of
tourism product and
services.
Absolute
value
The number of weekend
tourists over the
municipal and regional
activities.
LGU
INSTAT
MoEDTTE
Regional
Board
Indicative of the
diversity of regional
activities and attractions.
Absolute
value
Surface areas, locations
and functions of tourist
areas for each LGU,
urban areas,
rural areas
LGU
INSTAT
MoEDTTE
Regional
Board
Indicative of the
diversity of regional
activities and attractions.
Absolute
value
The number of economic
areas and the ratio of
the surface of these
areas to the total area.
LGU
INSTAT
MoEDTTE
Regional
Board
Indicative of the
diversity of territorial
distribution.
Absolute
value
%
Table 7.2 Economic welfare
240

Indicator
Monitoring
authority
Expected results
Monitoring indicators
2020 2025 2030
Measuring
unit
Total population
according to the
centres hierarchy:
men, women,
birth/death ratio.
INSTAT
LGU
Change in the
population trend, in
particular the
urban/rural ratio.
Absolute
value
Birth /
death ratio
The ratio urban/rural
population per LGU, by
gender.
INSTAT
LGU
It helps to understand
the development
trend towards
urbanization and
urban economic
development.
Movements from
rural to urban areas.
%
Dependency ratio
(young age / old age)
INSTAT
LGU
Rate of regional
dependency.
%
The number of population
unable to work, in
social assistance.
INSTAT
LGU
MoH
The change in the
level of regional
health welfare.
%
The ratio of change in
the urbanization level in
km2 / the total area of
the LGU
INSTAT
LGU
MoUD
Indicator of the urban
sprawl in the urban
centres of the
territory.
%
Number of houses/buildings
sold or
for rent
INSTAT
LGU
Change of trend in
housing
Absolute
value
Unoccupied houses/second
houses, by
municipality
INSTAT
LGU
MoUD
Decrease the level of
unoccupied houses by
2030.
Create housing
conditions for all age
groups.
Absolute
value
%
The number of social
houses by municipalities
and the fulfilment
of needs based on the
total needs of the LGU
MoSWY
LGU
MoUD
INSTAT
Assessment of social
assistance to people
in need.
Absolute
value
%
The number of new
buildings, the ratio of
land use and mixed use
functions of the areas.
LGU
MoUD
INSTAT
MoEDTTE
Assessment of the
concentrated
activities and the ratio
of the quality of life
towards the environment
in urban areas.
Absolute
value
%
The ratio of agricultural
land/the total area of
the LGU, according to
the typologies of use.
LGU
MoUD
INSTAT
MARDWA
Assessment of the
concentrated
activities and the ratio
of quality towards the
use of agricultural
land.
Absolute
value
%
The number of public
services for all the
categories of urban
centres according to
the typologies
LGU
Line Ministries
INSTAT
Assessment of the
quality of service
towards the quality of
life in urbanized
areas.
Absolute
value 241

The ratio of agricultural
land/the total area of
the LGU, according to
the typologies of use.
LGU
MoUD
INSTAT
MARDWA
Assessment of the
concentrated
activities and the ratio
of quality towards the
use of agricultural
land.
Absolute
value
%
The number of public
services for all the
categories of urban
centres according to
the typologies
LGU
Line Ministries
INSTAT
Assessment of the
quality of service
towards the quality of
life in urbanized
areas.
Absolute
value
Table 7.3 People, urbanization and housing
Indicator
Monitoring
authority
Expected results
Monitoring indicators
2020 2025 2030
Measuring
unit
Mobility through private
vehicles for employment
purposes.
INSTAT
MoTI
MoEDTTE
MoSWY
LGU
Decreased use of
vehicles by 30% and
diversification of the
individual transport
modes.
Absolute
value
Mobility by means of the
railway line
Tirana-Durres.
MoTI
LGU
The trend of transport
modes to be used
until 2030
Absolute
value
Exchange of transport
modes in the regional
multimodal hubs.
MoTI
LGU
Promote the use of
public transport.
Regional tickets for
public transport.
Absolute
value
The new axes of urban
and interurban transport
in rural and natural
areas for vehicles and
bicycles.
MoTI
LGU
Highly efficient
mobility in the
metropolitan area.
Absolute
value
The volume of interurban
and urban public
transport traffic.
MoTI
LGU
Increased use of
public transport.-
modes.
Absolute
value
The volume of transport
traffic for private
employment trips.
MoTI
LGU
INSTAT
Reduced use of
private transport
vehicles.
Absolute
value
Volume (entry-exit) of
freight in the region
according to regional
land, maritime and air
gates.
MoTI
MoEDTTE
INSTAT
The trend of freight
mobility in the region.
Absolute
value
The number of new
gates and ancillary
structures for their
empowerment.
MoTI
MoEDTTE
LGU
INSTAT
MoEI
Specialization and
diversification of
regional maritime
gates.
Absolute
value
Coverage with energy
and regional telecommunications
infrastructure
242
MoTI
MoEDTTE
LGU
INSTAT
MoEI
Infrastructure
coverage of regional
areas, corridors and
poles.
Absolute
value

The number of new
gates and ancillary
structures for their
empowerment.
MoTI
MoEDTTE
LGU
INSTAT
MoEI
Specialization and
diversification of
regional maritime
gates.
Absolute
value
Coverage with energy
and regional telecommunications
infrastructure
MoTI
MoEDTTE
LGU
INSTAT
MoEI
Infrastructure
coverage of regional
areas, corridors and
poles.
Absolute
value
Expansion of the
surface of protected
areas
MoE
Development of
regional environmental
protected areas.
ha
The status of water
bodies (groundwater,
rivers, lakes, etc.)
The number of
interventions for the
revitalization of these
structures.
The number of monitoring
centres.
MoE
LGU
MARDWA
Generation of the
quality of water
resources for
agricultural use and
environmental
development.
Evaluation
according to
the legal
status
Absolute
value
Renewable energy
generation
MoEI
MARDWA
According to the
directive 2009/28/EC,
renewable resources
should contribute in
16% of the total
consume.
Unmanaged waste MoE Reduction of unmanaged
waste in line
with the EU directives
MWs
%
The ratio of urbanized
area/total area in
regional urban centres
MoUD
Indicative in deterring
urbanization on
agricultural land.
%
Mortality due to air
pollution by LGUs
MoH
LGU
Measures to reduce
environmental
pollution, mainly in
the areas of Tirana
and Durres.
Absolute
value
The number of active
urban wastewater
management centres
MoE
MoH
MoUD
MoTI
MARDWA
Achieve the objective
of impeding the flow
of wastewater into
regional rivers.
Absolute
value
The number of active
industrial waste
management centres
MoE
MoH
MoUD
MoTI
MARDWA
Measures to reduce
environmental
pollution, mainly in
the areas of Tirana
and Durres.
Absolute
value
The number of active
urban solid waste
management centres.
MoE
MoH
MoUD
MoTI
MARDWA
Measures to reduce
environmental
pollution.
Absolute
value
Table 7.4 Infrastructure and environment
243

Bibliography
List of Laws and DCMs
• Law No. 107, dated 31/07/2014 “On Planning and Development of the Territory”, as amended;
• Law No. 115, dated 31/07/2014 “On the Administrative-Territorial Division of Local Government
Units in the Republic of Albania”;
• Law No. 9244, dated 17/06/2004 “On the Protection of Agricultural Land”;
• Law No. 8752, dated 26/03/2001 “On the Establishment and Functioning of Land Management and
Protection Structures”;
• Law No. 10257, dated 25/03/2010 “ On some amendments and addenda to the Law No. 8752,
Dated 26/03/2001; “On the Establishment and Functioning of Land Management and Protection
Structures”;
• Law No. 9244, dated 17/06/2004 “On the Protection of Agricultural Land”;
• Law No. 9693, dated 19/03/2007 “On the Pastoral Fund”;
• Law No. 111, dated 15/11/2012 “On the Integrated Management of Water Resources”;
• Law No. 10440, dated 07/07/2011 “On Environmental Impact Assessment”;
• Law No. 10257, dated 25/03/2010 “On some amendments and addenda to the Law No. 8752,
Dated 26/03/2001; “On the Establishment and Functioning of Land Management and Protection
Structures”;
• Law No. 10440, dated 07/07/2011 “On Environmental Impact Assessment”;
• Law No. 107, dated 31/07/2014 “On Planning and Development of the Territory”, as amended;
• Law No. 111, dated 15/11/2012 “On the Integrated Management of Water Resources”;
• Law No. 115, dated 31/07/2014 “On the Administrative-Territorial Division of Local Government
Units in the Republic of Albania”;
• Law No. 8752, dated 26/03/2001 “On the Establishment and Functioning of Land Management and
Protection Structures”;
• Law No. 9244, dated 17/06/2004 “On the Protection of Agricultural Land”;
• Law No. 9693, dated 19/03/2007 “On the Pastoral Fund”;
• DCM No. 671, dated 29/07/2015 “On the Approval of the Territorial Planning Regulation”;
• DCM No. 408, dated 13/05/2015 “On the Approval of the Territorial Development Regulation”;
• DCM No. 410, dated 27/06/2012 “On the Definition of the Rules and Procedures for Changing the
Land Resources Categories”;
• DCM No. 709, dated 29/10/2014 “On the approval of the Cross-cutting Strategy on Rural and
Agricultural Development 2014-2020”.
List of Directives, Resolutions and Agendas
• The Water Framework Directive (2000/60 /EC), dated 23 October 2000;
• The Drinking Water Directive (98/83 / EC), dated 3 November 1998;
• The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271 / EEC), dated 21 May 1991;
• Full Cost Coverage Principles under COM (20000) 477;
• Resolution: Millennium Declaration at the Millennium Summit;
• Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, UNDP;
• Territorial Agenda of the European Union 2020, Ministerial Meeting, EC, May 2011.
244

List of plans, master plans, programs, reports, studies and manuals for the Urban System:
Urban System
• Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, UNDP;
• Territorial Agenda of the European Union 2020, Ministerial Meeting, EC, May 2011;
• Policy Paper on Territorial Planning and Development in Albania 2014-2018, Ministry
of Urban Development;
• European Strategy for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, “Europe 2020-
Strategy”, European Commission, March 2010;
• Cross-cutting Strategy and Reform in the Field of Property Rights 2012-2020;
• National Strategy on Waste Management 2010, Ministry of Environment, Forests and
Water Administration;
• Cross-cutting Strategy on Regional Development, approved by DCM No. 773, dated 14/11/2007;
• Sectorial Strategy on Tourism 2007-2013; Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and
Entrepreneurship;
• Ministry of Urban Development, 2014, Draft-National Strategy on Tourism 2014-2020.
• Policy Paper on Territorial Planning and Development in Albania 2014-2018, Ministry of Urban
Development
• Committee on Spatial Development 1999 ESDP European Spatial Development Perspective
Towards Balanced and Sustainable Development of the Territory of the European Union. Published
by the European Commission http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docoffic/official/reports/
pdf/sum_en.pdf;
• ESDP Towards Balanced and Sustainable Development of the Territory of the EU, May 1999;
Project for Territorial Scenarios and Visions for Europe, January 2012;
• Ben Rebah Maher, Plumejeaud Christine, Ysebaert Ronan, Peeters Didier, 2011 Modeling territorial
changes and time series database building process: empirical approach and applications. ESPON .
http://www.ums-riate.fr/webriate/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/db_tr_time_series.pdf;
• Territorial Agenda of the European Union 2020, Ministerial Meeting, EC, May 2011;
• Minas Angelidis Gabriella Karka Kostas Santimpantakis Epameinondas Tsigkas Vivian
Bazoula.2013 Analysis of the availability and the quality of data on western Balkans and
Turkey ESPON 2013 https://www.espon.eu/export/sites/default/documents/toolsandmaps/
espon2013database/3.2_tr_neighbourhood.pdf;
• Marianne Guérois, Anne Bretagnolle, Hélène Mathian, Antonin Pavard. 2014. The functional
urban areas database . Functional Urban Areas (FUA) and European harmonization. A feasibility
study from the comparison of two approaches: commuting flows and accessibility isochrones.
ESPON 2014 https://www.espon.eu/export/sites/default/Documents/Projects/ScientificPlatform/
ESPONDatabaseII/M4D-DFR_TR-FUA-construction_20140630.pdf;
• Mediterranean Action Plan. 2010. Mediterranean strategy for sustainable development. A
Framework for Environmental Sustainability and Shared Prosperity. UNEP https://planbleu.org/sites/
default/files/upload/files/smdd_uk.pdf;
• PAP/RAC Tirana,2007 National report on current policy, procedures, legal basis and practice
of marine spatial planning in albania European Union http://www.pap-thecoastcentre.org/pdfs/
albania%20web.pdf;
• PAP/RAC Wedel/Hamburg, 2007. Best practice in marine spatial planning description of four case
studies in europe and overseas. Final report. European Union
http://www.pap-thecoastcentre.org/pdfs/msp%20best%20practices%20web.pdf;
245

Kai Bohmet Philippe Doucet Tomasz Komornicki Jacek Zaucha Dariusz Swiatek 2011 How to
strengthen the territorial dimension of “europe 2020” and the eu cohesion policy / report based on
the territorial agenda 2020. European Union http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docgener/
studies/pdf/challenges2020/2011_territorial_ dimension_eu2020.pdf;
• Metrex 2005 Interim report on the polymetrexplus project. Towards a polycentric metropolitan
europe Framework for a polycentric metropolitan europe. PolyMETREX http://www.eurometrex.org/
docs/polymetrex/interim/en_polymetrexplus_interim_report.pdf;
• Espon 2014. A vision for the European territory in 2050 espon territorial scenarios and vision for
2050.European Union https://www.espon.eu/
• Roger Milego, Maria José Ramos 2013. Disaggregation of socioeconomic data into a regular
grid and combination with other types of data. ESPON 2013 http://www.ums-riate.fr/webriate/wpcontent/uploads/2014/04/db_tr_grids.pdf;
• United nations development programme 2011 Bureau for crisis prevention and recovery disaster
risk reduction and recovery team capacity for disaster reduction initiative. Disaster risk reduction
capacity assessment report for Albania http://seekms.dppi.info/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/
albania-drr-cap-ass-report-hachim-final.pdf;
• Espon 2014. version 28/02/2014 Grosee growth poles in south east europe final report European
Union https://www.espon.eu/export/sites/default/documents/projects/targetedanalyses/grosee/
finalreport/ final_report_grosee 22_12_14.pdf;
• Minas Angelidis Gabriella Karka Kostas Santimpantakis Epameinondas Tsigkas Vivian
Bazoula.2013 Analysis of the availability and the quality of data on western Balkans and
Turkey ESPON 2013 https://www.espon.eu/export/sites/default/documents/toolsandmaps/
espon2013database/3.2_tr_neighbourhood.pdf;
• Marianne Guérois, Anne Bretagnolle, Hélène Mathian, Antonin Pavard. 2014. The functional urban
areas database . Functional Urban Areas (FUA) and European harmonization A feasibility study from
the comparison of two approaches: commuting flows and accessibility isochrones.
ESPON 2014 https://www.espon.eu/export/sites/default/Documents/Projects/ScientificPlatform/
ESPONDatabaseII/M4D-DFR_TR-FUA-construction_20140630.pdf;
• Kai Bohmet Philippe Doucet Tomasz Komornicki Jacek Zaucha Dariusz Swiatek 2011 How to
strengthen the territorial dimension of “europe 2020” and the eu cohesion policy / report based on
the territorial agenda 2020. European Union http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/docgener/
studies/pdf/challenges2020/2011_territorial_ dimension_eu2020.pdf;
• Metrex 2005 Interim report on the polymetrexplus project. Towards a polycentric metropolitan
europe Framework for a polycentric metropolitan europe. PolyMETREX http://www.eurometrex.org/
docs/polymetrex/interim/en_polymetrexplus_interim_report.pdf;
• Espon 2014. A vision for the european territory in 2050 espon territorial scenarios and vision
for 2050.European Union https://www.espon.eu/export/sites/default/documents/publications/
territorialvision/espon_vision-scenarios_2050.pdf;
• Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, UNDP;
• Territorial Agenda of the European Union 2020, Ministerial Meeting, EC, May 2011;
• DURANA Albania’s New Sustainable Image https://issuu.com/polisuniversity/docs/durana;
• Policy Paper on Territorial Planning and Development in Albania 2014-2018, Ministry of Urban
Development;
• Study: Tirana-Durres region - assessment of urban planning instruments, CoM, NTPA, OSCE,
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December 2014. Prepared by: Ariela Kushi, Valbona Koci;
• Iris Kuqi Dritan Shutina 2011. Strategjitë kombëtare zhvillimi rajonal në Shqipëri - sfida e
zhvillimit apo e integrimit COPLAN (Iris Kuqi Dritan Shutina 2011. National Strategies on Regional
Development in Albania – the challenge of development or integration COPLAN)
https://makingpolicieswork.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/zhvillimi-rajonal-per-qellime-lokale-dhete-integrimit.pdf;
• ESDP Towards Balanced and Sustainable Development of the Territory of the EU, May 1999;
• IABR/UP, 51N4E, TUDelft dhe Fabric, The Metabolism of Albania, Atelier Albania and NTPA, 2014;
• Migration in Albania, INSTAT, May 2014;
• E. Shameti, E. Dhuli, T. Jahja, Albania communes and municipalities typology, INSTAT, 2014;
• Cross-cutting Strategy and Reform in the Field of Property Rights 2012-2020;
• Cross-cutting Strategy on Regional Development, approved by DCM No. 773, dated 14/11/2007;
• The General Local Plan, Municipality of Tirana;
• The General Local Plan, Municipality of Durres;
• The General Local Plan, Municipality of Vore;
• The General Local Plan, Municipality of Kamez;
• The General Local Plan, Municipality of Shijak;
• Draft-project of Informal Areas Tirana, Kamaz, Durres, Shijak, Vore;
• Territorial Strategy, Municipality of Durres 2015-2030 working paper - February 2016;
• Territorial Strategy, Municipality of Tirana 2015-2030 working paper - February 2016;
• INSTAT 2015 Femra dhe meshkuj në shqipëri, Women and men in Albania 2015
http://www.instat.gov.al/media/295842/femra_dhe_meshkuj_n shqip_ri 2015.pdf;
• INSTAT 2012 Censusi i popullsisë dhe banesave 2011 (Population and Housing Census 2011)
http://www.instat.gov.al/media/177354/main_results population_and_housing_census_2011.pdf;
List of plans, master plans, programs, reports, studies and manuals for the regional economic
development:
• INSTAT Structural Survey of Economic Enterprises, 2014
http://www.instat.gov.al/media/323150/asn_2014.pdf;
• INSTAT Structural Survey of Economic Enterprises, 2013
http://www.instat.gov.al/media/282665/asn_2013.pdf;
• INSTAT Results of Structural Survey of Economic Enterprises 2012
http://www.instat.gov.al/media/228221/asn.pdf_2012.pdf;
• INSTAT Results of Structural Survey of Economic Enterprises
http://www.instat.gov.al/media/228221/asn.pdf_2012.pdf;
• INSTAT Produkti i brendshëm bruto 1996 – 2008 (Gross Domestic Product 1996 – 2008)
http://www.instat.gov.al/media/333561/publikimi i pbb_1996-2008_.pdf;
• INSTAT Prodhimi i brendshëm bruto sipas rajoneve statistikore, 2014 (Gross Domestic Product by
Statistical Regions, 2014)
http://www.instat.gov.al/media/335972/pbb_rajonale_2014-shqip_njoftim_per_media_final11.pdf;
• INSTAT The Supply-Use and Input-Output tables in Albania, 2012 http://www.instat.gov.al/
media/323618/tabelat_e_burim-perdorimeve_dhe_input-output_n shqip_ ri 2012.pdf;
• INSTAT Regional Accounts in Albania, 2013
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http://www.instat.gov.al/media/322393/llogarite_rajonale_ne_shqiperi_2013.pdf;
• INSTAT The Supply-Use and Input-Output tables in Albania 2009 – 2011
Http://www.instat.gov.al/media/280637/tbp_2009-2011.pdf;
• European Commission in Brussels, on 16/10/2013 swd (2013) 414 working paper of the
Commission’s staff, Progress Report 2013 for Albania that accompanies the Communication of the
Commission to the European Parliament and Council;
• Ministry of Urban Development, Draft National Strategy on Tourism 2014-2020, Tirana 2014;
• Sectorial Strategy on Tourism 2007-2013; Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and
Entrepreneurship;
• Economic Reforms Program 2016-2018;
• Draft Medium-term Framework Budget 2015-2017, Ministry of Finance, General Directorate of
Budget, 2014;
• Program of the Government of Albania 2013-2017;
• Program of the Government of Albania 2013-2017, Tirana 2015;
• Economic Reforms Program 2016-2018;
• Draft Medium-term Framework Budget 2015-2017, Ministry of Finance, General Directorate of
Budget, Tirana 2014;
• bröcker, johannes, dohse, dirk, soltwedel, rüdiger Innovation clusters and interregional
competition. Springer (eds.) Http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783540009993;
• Physica-Verlag Heidelberg ISSN: 1431-9667 Technology, innovation and policy series of the
fraunhofer institute for systems and innovation research. Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and
Innovation Research(ISI) http://www.springer.com/series/3217;
• SEE project 2009 The catalan clothing industry european cluster mapping project “identifi-cation,
analysis, and monitoring of business clusters in europe” Design Wales http://www.seeplatform.eu/
images/file/case%20study%20pdfs/catalan%20textile%20clusters%20
-%20see%20case%20study.pdf;
• Jari Kolehmainen 2003 MIT Working Paper IPC-03-009 Territorial Agglomeration as a Local
Innovation Environment: The Case of a Digital Media Agglomeration in Tampere, Finland MIT
Industrial Performance Center or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Https://ipc.mit.edu/
sites/default/files/documents/03-009.pdf;
• Maxwell Stamp 2012-2013 Guidelines for cluster development. Prepared for the ministry of
economy, labour and entrepreneurship (mele), and the central finance and contracting agency (cfca),
government of the republic of croatia. http://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/
• Gerald carlino, william r. Kerr nber working paper no. 20367 issued in august 2014 Agglomeration
and Innovation NBER Program http://www.nber.org/papers/w20367;
• Conference for Ministers responsible for SMEs and Industry Ministers Bologna, Italy, 14-15 June
2000 Enhancing the competitiveness of smes in the global economy: strategies and Policies / OECD
http://www.oecd.org/cfe/smes/2010176.pdf;
• Organisation for economic co-operation and development paris. Technology Incubators: nurturing
small firms Copyright OECD, 1997 http://www.oecd.org/sti/inno/2101121.pdf;
• Marchese, M. & J. Potter (2010), “Entrepreneurship, SMEs and Local Development in Andalusia,
Spain”, LEED Working Paper Series, LEED programme, OECD http://www.oecd.org/regional/
leed/46970408.pdf;
• Centre for strategy & evaluation 2010 Benchmarking of business incubators, European
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commission enterprise directorate general. http://www.cses.co.uk/upl/File/Benchmarking-
Business-Incubators-main-report-Part-1.pdf;
• Krzysztof Zasiadly, Senior USAID MEP 2012 Business incubator model business road map 2020
macroeconomic USAID http://www.macro-project.net/cms/uploads/bi_model_030712_for_edc.pdf;
• ChapterKhalil_Olafsen. 2010 Enabling innovative entrepreneurship through
business incubation. Worldbank http://siteresources.worldbank.org /
INFORMATIONANDCOMMUNICATIONANDTECHNOLOGIES/Resources/ChapterKhalil_Olafsen.pdf
• The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank 2010 Information
and Communication Technologies, a world bank group strategy http://siteresources.worldbank.org/
extinformationandcommunicationandtechnologies/resources/ sspwithannexes.pdf;
• Unitet Nations 2012 Government of albania and united nations programme of cooperation 2012-
2016 progress report 2014 http://www.al.undp.org/content/albania/en/home/library/poverty/unalbania-progress-report-2014.html;
• J. Guerrero, L. Marti Selva, R. Medina, 2005, Economic Impact of Western Mediterranean Leisure
Ports, Universidad de Valencia;
• Choe, Kyeong Ae Roberts, Brian H. 2011. Competitive cities in the 21st century cluster-based local
/ economic development / urban development series Urban development
http://abclusters.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/cluster-based-local-economic-development.pdf;
• Thomas A. Christensen, Thomas Lämmer-Gamp Gerd Meier zu Köcker 2012 let’s make a perfect
cluster policy and cluster programme smart recommendations for policy makers, Innovation +
Technik GmbH Nordic Innovation
http://www.cluster-analysis.org/downloads/Clusters_web_singlepage_06092012.pdf;
• INNO Germany AG 2010, Clusters and clustering policy: a guide for regional and local policy
makers © european union,
http://cor.europa.eu/en/archived/documents/59e772fa-4526-45c1-b679-1da3bae37f72.pdf;
• OECD local economic and employment development (leed) working papers 2012/14 http://www.
oecd-ilibrary.org/industry-and-services/oecd-local-economic-and-employment- development-leedworking-papers_20794797;jsessionid=1qinnbww6wm7u.x-oecd-live-03;
• Mercedes Delgado, Michael E. Porter, Scott Stern 2014 Defining Clusters of Related Industries.
NBER. http://www.nber.org/papers/w20375.pdf;
• David A. Lewis, Elsie Harper-Anderson, and Lawrence A. Molnar 2011 Incubating success.
Incubation best practices that lead to successful new ventures University of Michigan Institute for
Research on Labor, Employment, and the Economy, University of Michigan https://www.inbia.org/
docs/default-source/research/download-report.pdf?sfvrsn=0;
• Christian A. Oberst 2012- 2014 A methodology approach to delineate functional economic market
areas with an iterative three-step spatial clustering procedure. Oberst university of muenster cawm
discussion paper no. 55
https://www.eonerc.rwth-aachen.de/global/show_document.asp?id=aaaaaaaaaahdpxu;
• Oxford Research AS 2008 Cluster policy in Europe a brief summary of cluster policies in 31
European countries. Europe innova cluster mapping project http://www.clusterobservatory.eu/
system/modules/com.gridnine.opencms.modules.eco/providers/getpdf.jsp?uid=100146;
• Gianni Guastella, Francesco Timpano 2015 Knowledge externalities, agglomeration and regional
development in the eu: motivating place-based regional intervention ISSN: 0173-7600 (Print) 1613-
9836 (Online)
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http://www.siecon.org/online/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/guastella-timpano.pdf;
• The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 2010. Global good
practice in incubation policy development and implementation. infoDev. https://www.infodev.org/
infodev-files/resource/infodevdocuments_834.pdf;
• Arnoud Lagendijk and David Charles, CURDS 2010 “Clustering as a new growth strategy for
regional economies? A discussion of new forms of regional industrial policy in the UK.Final version
published in: cluster-analysis and cluster-based policy. New perspectives and rationale in innovation
policy-making. Paris: oecd www.ru.nl/publish/pages/514805/lag99-oecd.pdf;
• The brookings institution metropolitan policy program summary of publications 2006 Making sense
of clusters: Regional competitiveness and economic development. A discussion paper prepared for
the the brookings institution metropolitan policy program Https://www.brookings.edu/research/
making-sense-of-clusters-regional-competitiveness-and- economic-development/;
• ROBERT G. PICARD 2008 Media Clusters: Local Agglomeration in an Industry Developing
Networked Virtual Clusters http://www.robertpicard.net/pdffiles/mediaclusters.pdf;
• Instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA-II) Indicative strategy paper for Albania (2014-2020)
http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/pdf/key_documents/2014/20140919-csp-albania.pdf;
• Yi Niu Chengri Ding Gerrit J. Knaap 2013. Employment Centers and Agglomeration Economies:
Foundations of a Spatial Economic Development Strategy. International School of Economics and
Management, Capital University of Economics and Business, Beijing, China .National Center for
Smart Growth, University of Maryland, College Park. National Center for Smart Growth, University of
Maryland, College Park.
http://smartgrowth.umd.edu/assets/documents/research/niudingknaap_
employmentcentersdraft_20130419.pdf;
• Sir Tom McKillop, Diane Coyle, Ed Glaeser, Jonathan Kestenbaum. 2013 The Case for
Agglomeration Economies. Manchester Independent Economic Review. http://www.
parisschoolofeconomics.eu/img/pdf/overman3-pse-meedm.pdf;
• Arthur bayhan. 2010 Business incubator process: a policy tool for entrepreneurship and enterprise
development in a knowledge – based economy. Competitiveness support fund http://pdf.usaid.gov/
pdf_docs/pnadt103.pdf;
• Western Balkans regional r&d strategy for innovation country paper series albania http://www.
worldbank.org/content/dam/worldbank/document/eca/western-balkans-r&d-albania. pdf;
• WBC-INCO.NET Innovation Infrastructures: Albania FINAL VERSION July 22, 2011 D8.48 / 1;
Report on the mapping of the wbc innovation infrastructures albania
https://wbc-rti.info/object/document/7238/attach/1albania_public_final_v02.pdf;
List of plans, master plans, programs, reports, studies and manuals for the infrastructural
system, transport and energy:
• Sustainable Transport Plan Albania (STPA), ERBD, Draft Final, February 2016 (Draft-Plan for
Sustainable Transport in Albania, February 2016);
• First Five-Year Review of Albanian National Transport Plan (ANTP), ERBD, Draft final report part
I-II-III, 2010 (A summary of the first 5 years of the Albanian National Transport Plan, June 2010);
• Ministry of Public Works and Transport, 2011, National Sectorial Strategy on Water Supply and
Sewerages Services 2011-2017;
• National Strategy on Energy 2013-2020;
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• Natural Gas Master Plan for Albania and the Identification of Primary Projects in the Area of
Natural Gas; Draft Report of the Strategic Environmental Assessment, European Western Balkans
Joint Fund (EWBJF), March 2016;
• Recovery Plan for the Sector of Energy-Reform on Electricity, Ministry of Energy and Industry,
February 2015;
• National Agency of Natural Resources, Renewable energies, Study for Albania, 2014.
• Study on the development possibilities for port areas 2007-2017, Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructure;
• First Five-Year Review of Albanian National Transport Plan (ANTP), ERBD, Draft final report part
I-II-III, 2010 (A summary of the first 5 years of the Albanian National Transport Plan, June 2010);
• IABR/UP, 51N4E, TUDelft dhe Fabric, The Metabolism of Albania, Atelier Albania and NTPA, 2014;
• J. Guerrero, L. Marti Selva, R. Medina, 2005, Economic Impact of Western Mediterranean Leisure
Ports, Universidad de Valencia;
• Natural Gas Master Plan for Albania and the Identification of Primary Projects in the Area of
Natural Gas; Draft Report of the Strategic Environmental Assessment, European Western Balkans
Joint Fund (EWBJF), March 2016;
• Recovery Plan for the Sector of Energy-Reform on Electricity, Ministry of Energy and Industry,
Tirana, February 2015;
• European Strategy for Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, Europe 2020-
Strategy, European Commission, March 2010;
• National Strategy on Energy 2013-2020;
• Sustainable Transport Plan Albania (STPA), ERBD, Draft Final, February 2016;
• A. Cappato, et.al, 2011, Cruises and Recreational Boating in the Mediterranean, Instituto
Internazionale delle Communicazioni, UNEP Plan Bleu;
List of plans, master plans, programs, reports, studies and manuals for the Agricultural System
and rural development:
• The CAP towards 2020: Meeting the food, natural resources and territorial challenges of the future,
COM(2010) 672 final;
• Cross-cutting Strategy on Rural and Agricultural Development, 2014-2020, Minsitry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and Water Administration, Council of Ministers, 2013;
• Sectorial Strategy on Agriculture and Food (SSAF), Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer
Protection, 2007-2013;
• Agriculture Statistics INSTAT 2014/Ragional Statistical Yearbook, chap.13, Tirana 2014;
LAW No.9817, dated 22/10/2007 “ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT”
• Cross-cutting Strategy on Rural and Agricultural Development, 2014-2020, Minsitry of Agriculture,
Rural Development and Water Administration, 2013;
• Sectorial Strategy on Agriculture and Food, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection,
2007-2013;
• Strategy on Rural Water Supply and Sewerages for the Republic of Albania, Ministry of Territorial
Regulation and Tourism, General Directorate of Water Supply and Sewerages;
• E. Shameti, N. Lecini, A new urban-rural classification of Albanian population, INSTAT, 2014;
• The CAP towards 2020: Meeting the food, natural resources and territorial challenges of the future,
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COM(2010) 672 final;
• DCM No. 709, dated 29/10/2014 “On the approval of the Cross-cutting Strategy on Rural and
Agricultural Development 2014-2020”.
• ESPON 2012 Polycentric urban development and rural-urban partnership - thematic study of
interreg and espon activities.INTERACT. European Union http://www.espon.eu/export/sites/default/
documents/projects/espon2006projects/ esponinteractstudies/polycentricurbandevelopment/frinteract-poly-jan2007.pdf;
• Annette Piorr Joe Ravetz Ivan Tosics. 2012 Peri-urbanisation in europe towards european
policies to sustain urban-rural futures Plurel Synthesis Report http://www.plurel.net/images/peri_
urbanisation_in_europe_printversion.pdf;
• European Institute for Urban Affairs, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Tampere,
Metropolitan Research Institute, Budapest, Institut Français d’Urbanisme, Université Paris-Est,
University College, London. 2012. SGPTD second tier cities and territorial development in europe:
performance, policies and prospects final report | version 30/06/2012 ESPON https://www.espon.eu/
export/sites/default/Documents/Projects/AppliedResearch/SGPTD/SGPTD_ Final_Report_-_Final_
Version_27.09.12.pdf;
• Albania & Macedonia: a gap analysis fruits, vegetables and natural ingredients a custom research
presentation compiled for sippo by euromonitor international december 2012 http://aida.gov.al/
images/publikime/docs/euromonitor_sippo_workshop_tirana_12_2012.pdf;
List of plans, master plans, programs, reports, studies and manuals for the Environment, Natural
and Water System:
• The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271 / EEC), dated 21 May 1991;
• The Drinking Water Directive (98/83 /EC), dated 3 November 1998;
• The Water Framework Directive (2000/60 /EC), dated 23 October 2000;
• Directive No. 1386/2013/EU, The 7th Environment Action Programme;
• Draft Strategy on Water Resources Management, March 2016;
• National Strategy on the Sector of Water Supply and Sewerages 2011-2017, Ministry of Public
Works and Transport, General Directorate of Water Supply and Sewerages, The performance of
sewerages service in Albania, 2011;
• Strategy on Water Supply and Sewerages Sector, World Bank, June 2003;
• Draft Cross-cutting Strategy on Environment, 2015-2020;
• National Environmental Agency, Report on the Environment Situation 2014
• EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020;
• Strategy on the Development of Protected Areas – NAPA (2016-2020);
• National Strategy and Action Plan on the Aarhus Convention Implementation, Ministry of
Environment, Tirana 2005;
• Strategic Plan on Biological Biodiversity 2011-2020 and AICHI Targets;
• Report: Performace and gaps in the preservation of nature, biodiversity and protected areas,
2009-2013 (Ministry of Environment);
• Report on the Environment Situation 2014, Ministry of Environment, NEA;
• Report on the Environment Situation 2011, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Water
Administration, FPA.
252

Directorate of Biodiversity, Performace and gaps in the preservation of nature, biodiversity and
protected areas (2009-2013), Tirana 2013;
Strategy on the Development of Protected Areas – NAPA, MoE (2016-2020);
• Water Regulatory Entity, Report on the performance of Water and Sewerage Entities, 2014;
• F. Hoxhaj, E. Abazi, K. Zaimi, E. Vako, Development of Hydrological and Hydraulic Study of
Regulation of Skadar Lake and Bojana River Water Regime, Academy of Sciences Albania, 2015;
• National Strategy on Waste Management 2010, Ministry of Environment, Forests and
Water Administration;
• National Strategy on the Sector of Water Supply and Sewerages 2011-2017, Ministry of Public
Works and Transport, May 2011;
• IABR/UP, 51N4E, TUDelft dhe Fabric, The Metabolism of Albania, Atelier Albania and NTPA, 2014;
• IGR AG dhe IC Consulenten, 2013, Water Supply and Sewerage Master Plan for Albania, Albanian
Ministry of Public Works and Transport(MPWT), General Directorate of Water Supply and Sewerage;
• European Community Commission, Implementation of the National Plan on the Approximation of
Environmental Legislation in Albania, National Plan on Waste Management, 2014;
• Master plan on water supply and sewerages for Albania, Ministry of Public Works and Transport of
Albania, General Directorate of Water Supply and Sewerages, January 2013;
• E. Kuliçi, et al. Monitoring the Albanian coastline dynamics and assessing the geoenvironmental
impact at a 1:50000 scale, supporting the integrated management of the coastal area, Directorate of
Geology, Sector of Coastal Area, 2015
• Ministry of Environment and UNDP, Coastal and marine protected areas in Albania, 2015;
• Ministry of Environment, Draft Strategy on Fishing and Aquaculture Development 2007-2015,
Tirana 2007;
• Ministry of Public Works and Transport, National Sectorial Strategy on Water Supply and
Sewerages Services 2011-2017, Tirana 2011;
• Ministry of Environment, Draft Cross-cutting Strategy on Environment 2015-2020, Tirana 2015;
• N. Pano, Water Resources of Albania, Academy of Sciencies of Albania, Tirana 2015;
Full Cost Coverage Principles under COM (20000) 477;
• Strategic Plan on Biological Biodiversity 2011-2020 and AICHI Targets;
• Report on the Environment Situation, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Water Administration,
FPA. Tirana 2011 and 2014, Tiranë 2011 dhe 2014
• Annual report on the situation of the water-sewerages sector and the activity of the Regulatory
Water Entity, and the performance of the water and sewerages entities 2009-2014;
• Report on the Performace and gaps in the preservation of nature, biodiversity and protected areas
2009-2013, Ministry of Environment;
• National Strategy and Action Plan on the Aarhus Convention Implementation, Ministry of
Environment, Tirana 2005;
• EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020;
• Albanian Geological Survey, Marine Dynamics Sector, “Monitoring and assessing the Albanian
coastal area dynamics (for its integrated management), mainly of beaches and river deltas at a
1:50.000 scale”, Annual report, Tirana, March 2016;
• UNDP and the Ministry of Environment, Strategic Plan for Marine and Coastal Protected Areas
(SPMCPAs), Institute of Nature Conservation in Albania, 2013;
253

Appendix
Representatives of the institutions that participated in the
consultations during the drafting of the Integrated Cross-Sectorial
Plan of the Economic Area Tirana-Durres
NTPA and MoUD
1. Adelina Greca
2. Nertil Jole
3. Deni Klosi
4. Ledio Allkja
5. Doris Alimerko
6. Anisa Qorri
7. Bledi Dimo
8. Shpendi Balilaj
9. Eleana Beruka
10. Ismail Broli
11. Piro Anastasi
12. Taulant Dano
13. Mikel Tanini
14. Eduart Lika
15. Ernest Shtëpani
16. Ermir Nasi
17. Ela Dobi
Different experts
Date 14/05/2015
1. Eduart Cani
2. Merita Meksi
3. Frida Pashako
4. Valbona Koçi
5. Elios Kovaçi
6. Alket Islami
7. Genc Veizaj
8. Mirela Koçollari
9. Edvin Kasimati
10. Florian Hasko
11. Ditjon Baboçi
12. Julian Papaproko
14. Aldo Merkoçi
15. Julian Bejko
Director General of NTPA
Director of Territorial Development Policies, MoUD
Head of Directorate, NTPA
Head of Sector, NTPA
Specialist, NTPA
Head of Directorate, NTPA
Head of Sector, NTPA
Specialist, NTPA
Specialist, NTPA
Specialist, NTPA
Specialist, NTPA
Head of Sector, NTPA
Specialist, NTPA
Specialist, NTPA
Head of Sector, MoUD
Specialist, MoUD
Specialist, MoUD
Regional Environmental Centre
Biologist, Giz
Epoka University
Epoka University
Architect
Aerial photographer
Businessman
Archeologist
Rally Albania
Lawyer
NTPA
NTPA
Civil Society
Faculty of Social sciences, UoT
Ministry representatives
Date 30/07/2015
1. Silvamina Alshabani
2. Elton Orozi
3. Eriola Sojati
4. Zef Çuni
5. Arta Dollani
MoE
MoEDTTE
MoEDTTE
MoC
ICM
254

6. Skënder Doda
7. Jeta Skënderaga
8. Lilika Radovicka
9. Besiana Llazani
10. Eriglent Dupi
11. Altin Fuga
MoI
NCA
MoTI
MoTI
MoJ
MoE
Universities, assocciations and different organizations
Date 01/10/2015
1. Eranda Janku
2. Rediana Sokoli
3. Elfrida Alliu
4. Sokol Dervishi
5. Qerim Ismeni
6. Jurtin Hajro
7. Alban Qelepiri
8. Skerdilajd Anagnosti
9. Andrian Vaso
10. Rajmonda Lajthia
11. Shkëlqim Bumçi
12. Diana Jolija
13. Gerta Ismailaja
14. Kol Dedaj
15. Reis Mulita
16. Rudina Toto
17. Jorida Muço
18. Andreas Faoro
Polis University
MoUD
FCE
Epoka University
NGO
Epoka University
IC Consulenten
IC Consulenten
IC Consulenten
Vizion +
Institute of Building Consulting
MoUD
MoUD
Assocciation of Appraisers
Marin Barleti University
CoPlan/PLGP
MoUD
UNlab
Faculty of Architecture and Urbanistics
Date 08/10/2015
1. Gjergj Islami
2. Daniel Qamo
3. Dritan Çaro
4. Endrit Tuzi
5. Armand Vokshi
6. Doriana Bozgo Bleta
7. Dorina Pllumbi
8. Denada Veizaj
9. Etleva Bushati
10. Florian Nepravishta
11. Klaud Manehasa
12. Llazar Shyti
13. Petri Ilo
14. Agron Lufi
15. Ani Tola Panariti
16. Elian Stefa
17. Arben Biçoku (Albanian Assocciation of
Architects)
18. Maksim Mitrojorgji (Albanian Assocciation
of Architects
European University of Tirana
Date 08/10/2015
1. Elvin Meka
2. Mimoza Durrësi
3. Engjëll Pere
4. Mateo Spaho
5. Selami Xhafa
6. Hysen Muçiku
7. Oltjana Zoto
8. Indrit Baholli
9. Përparim Fuga
10. Ertila Druga
11. Ermela Kripa
12. Drita Kruja
13. Otjela Lubonja
14. Lorena Licenji
255

POLIS University
Date 09/10/2015
1. Dritan Shutina
2. Ledjan Bregasi
3. Elvan Dajko
4. Sotir Dhamo
5. Eranda Janku
6. Dea Buza
7. Imeld Sokoli
8. Besmira Dyca
9. Ani Shtylla
10. Enejda Çela
11. Fabjola Meçaj
12. Silvi Jano
13. Gerti Delli
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Date 09/10/2015
1. Ylli Xhaja
2. Ilir Bejleri
3. Azem Lala
4. Viktor Delia
5. Luigj Aleksi
6. Fatos Pustina
7. Luan Bregasi
8. Robert Ruci
Albanian Tourism Agency (ATA)
Date 12/10/2015
1. Florjan Domi
2. Armand Ferra
3. Matilda Naso
4. Laura Payne
5. Eduez Likaj
6. Ervin Bytyçi
Harmonia HG sh.p.k
Albania-Holidays sh.p.k
Albania Tourism Assoc
Outdoor Albania sh.p.k
Hotel Leondar (Llambi Fani sh.p.k)
Hotel OAZ-ATA
Confindustry
Date 14/10/2015
1. Gjergj Buxhuku
2. Donika Meshi
3. Fjorida Demko
4. Eva Laro
Agricultural University of Tirana
Date 15/10/2015
1. Andjan Maci
2. Fatbardh Sallaku
3. Bari Musabelliu
4. Shpresim Domi
5. Leonidha Përi
6. Natasha Hoda
7. Etleva Dashi
8. Veth Tabaku
9. Ervin Toromani
10. Valta Hoxha
Municipalities of Tirana and Durres regions
Date 21/10/2015
1. Ditjon Baboçi
2. Nevin Bilali
3. Devis Agaraj
4. Mirlinda Shqarri
Municipality of Tirana
Municipality of Tirana
Municipality of Tirana
Municipality of Tirana
256

5. Elda Maçi
6. Muhamet Kruja
7. Gjergj Papavasili
8. Alban Demirxhiu
9. Arber Tola
10. Bledar Koskija
11. Aida Dedja
12. Anila Haxhi
13. Fatmir Ejupi
14. Adlei Likmeta
15. Ermal Lama
16. Adhurim Qehajaj
17. Erald Abazi
18. Maks Kona
19. Dëshira Qato
20. Elvis Rroshi
21. Dorian Allmeta
22. Sabina Dauti
23. Mirsida Shahini
24. Jonida Goga
25. Silvana Beja
26. Klajdi Dinellari
27. Klaudio Ruçi
28. Andi Pistoli
Municipality of Tirana
Municipality of Tirana
Municipality of Tirana
Municipality of Vore
Municipality of Kamez
Municipality of Kamez
Municipality of Kruje
Municipality of Kruje
Municipality of Durres
Municipality of Durres
Municipality of Durres
Municipality of Durres
Municipality of Rrogozhine
Municipality of Kavaje
Municipality of Kavaje
Municipality of Kavaje
Municipality of Kavaje
Municipality of Shijak
Municipality of Shijak
Municipality of Shijak
Municipality of Shijak
MoUD
MoUD
MoUD
Faculty of Geology and Mining
Date 29/10/2015
1. Shkëlqim Daja
2. Thoma Korini
3. Çerçis Durmishi
4. Përparim Alikaj
5. Gafer Muka
6. Altin Karriqi
7. Irakli Prifti
8. Spartak Kuçaj
9. Luan Arapi
10. Emiljan Gjura
11. Shaqir Nazaj
National Coastal Agency
Date 09/11/2015
1. Auron Tare
2. Gentiana Troplini
3. Bardhok Frroku
4. Besmir Cako
5. Ermal Sina
6. Anisa Avduli
7. Juliana Petani
8. Jeri Skenderaga
9. Dorine Sinani
10. Gentjan Marishta
11. Blerim Hoxha
12. Emirjan Hate
13. Fatjona Cinaj
Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure
1. Eva Brinja
2. Florenc Meço
3. Bujar Kotri
4. Shkëlqim Gjevori
5. Renata Teta
6. Arjan Korpa
7. Thimjo Plaku
257

Ministry of Energy and Industry
1. Agim Bregasi
2. Dritan Spahiu
3. Arben Dhima
Ministry of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade and Entrepreneurship
1. Eno Hoti
2. Artur Pilkati
Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Water Administration
1. Lauresha Grezda
2. Irfan Tarelli
3. Esat Hasani
Directorate of Agricultural Production and Commercial
Policies
Directorate of Water and Land Administration
Directorate of Irrigation and Drainage
Foreign experts
1. Wilhelm Schulte
2. Meine Pieter va Dijk
3. Gianni Brizzi
4. Luc-Emile Bouche-Florin
5. Foteini Stefani
6. Cezar Morar
7. Olov Schultz
GIZ
IHS Erasmus University Rotterdam
World Bank
Council of Europe
Council of Europe
Council of Europe
Council of Europe
Foreign collaborators
1. IABR
2. Iabr/UP
3. PLGP USAID
4. 51N4E
5. GIZ
6. FABRIC
7. TUDelft
8. PBL Netherlands Environmental Assesment
Agency
9. Kingdom of Netherland Enterprise Agency
258

Additional Maps
261
Map of economy
262
Map of tourism
263
Map of urban system
264
Map of agricultural system
265
Map of infrastructural system
266
Map of natural system
267
Map of water system
268
Integrated map of systems
259

CIP Katalogimi në botim BK Tiranë
RoA. Ministry of Urban Development, National Territorial Planning Agency
Integrated cross-sectorial plan of Tirana-Durres area/
RSH. Ministria e Zhvillimit Urban/Ministry of Urban Development, AKPT/NTPA;
udhëheqëse Eglantina Gjermeni. – Tiranë : Pegi, 2017
278 f. ; me il. ; 26.4 x 19.8 cm. – (Shqipëria 2030 : integrated,
competitive, destination)
ISBN 978-9928-248-35-0
1.Regional planning 2. Development projects 3. Territorial planning
4. Strategic planning 5. Cross-sectorial plan 6. Sustainable development
711.2(496.5)