Integrated Cross-Sectorial Plan of Tirana-Durres Area

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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