Integrated Cross-Sectorial Plan of Tirana-Durres Area

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).
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