Learning from ‘La Riviera’ LAURA PEDATA

Author:  PhD researcher Laura Pedata
Affiliation: Polis University, Tirana  Albania

Background
Judging from the entries to the International Urban Design competition dedicated to the Albanian Southern Coast-Strip launched by Atelier Albania in October 2014, the most common trend among most teams was the desire to preserve the landscape of the entire Riviera and the interventions set forth in the proposals were very discreet, almost imperceptible. The only tangible sign expressing a conscious will to manage, through planning and design actions, the improvement of the urban condition in the old settlements and stimulate the economy for the entire region, was the proposal to introduce “land art” elements, new street furniture and road signage. Similarly, the results and the general opinion of the jury and experts showed a commitment to non-intervention. In short, no matter despite the political pressure to boost the economy through the development and strengthening of tourism along the Albanian Riviera and the related need to improve infrastructures and services, most planners, designers, architects and landscape designers that took part in the competition and presented a proposal, took a stand in favor of minimum impact-intervention.