Integrated Cross-Sectorial Plan of Tirana-Durres Area

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
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