A new paradigm for local infrastructure to enhance the potential of Finiq and its surrounding

A new paradigm for local infrastructure to enhance the potential of Finiq and its surrounding

Author: Laura Ferrari
Affiliation: University of Ferrara

Abstract
The main aim of this report is to promote an innovative approach for Municipalities, engineers and designers showing instruments and methodologies to envision a new paradigm for the future of those areas that area suffering emigration of population and lack of infrastructures. A specific case study has been identify in the village of Finiq, located in the South of Albania - and topic of the 8th International Workshop of Tirana – which, due to the isolation of its population, related to historical and geo-morphological characteristics, is registering a constant shrinking of the inhabitants in search of occupational and educational facilities. Within the development of the investigation Finiq has been first evaluated at local scale – estimating the needs of the inhabitants – and secondly it has been systemised with the sur- rounding villages: Aliko, Mesopotam, Vrion. This approach led to an implementation of the interconnection within the villages as necessary action to overcome the isolation of all the inhabitants. This analysis has been the starting point for the definition of the strategy to adopt as an opportunity to develop an innovative structure for the management of mobility, local resources and energy use, to increase the touristic attractiveness of the site and to provide the inhabit- ant with a strategic and widespread infrastructure. To be truly effective, the mentioned approach includes an active participation of the citizen/ user, who becomes the main actor and prosumer of his own infrastructure and whom, through an adequate information program, becomes able to modify and align his own behaviors to this new one paradigm. The outcome of this report has the characteristics to be implemented and replicated in other context with similar issues, not only by designers but also by public administrations or private stakeholders that have to confront with similar social and demographic issues, putting an end to the systematic abandonment of the areas and to unlock their economic and demographic development.

Keywords: Renewable, energy, isolation, Municipality, photovoltaic, electricity.