Reimagining the Future of the Lake Prespa Region

Abstract
This report is a result of the workshop held by the PhD students, and provides a report of the Lake Prespa region, a distinctive transboundary area encompassing Albania, North Macedonia, and Greece. The project seeks to transform Lake Prespa into an abstract infrastructure network creating connections among places, utilizing its natural and cultural resources to generate sustainable tourism, improve cross-border connection, and strengthen socio-economic resilience. The study used a landscape-focused methodology, to analyse Lake Prespa and its surrounding landscape as an interconnected common. This approach proved essential in establishing a comprehensive, state-of-the-art assessment of the area, enabling a clearer understanding of the spatial relationships among key features distributed around the lake. The research underscores the significance of digital infrastructure and real-time data systems in improving tourist experience and facilitating long-term regional planning. Proposed interventions encompass the establishment of cross-lake corridors, nature-inspired mobility solutions, and multipurpose public spaces that embody the region's cultural legacy and ecological importance.
This proposal envisions Lake Prespa as an interconnected ecosystem that serves as a cultural and traditional commons, disregarding political boundary divides and positioning the lake as a pivotal node within the broader network of the Western Balkans. This vision aligns with regional objectives for sustainable development and cross-border collaboration, establishing a framework for integrating conservation with economic advancement in transboundary areas.

Keywords
Cross-Border Connectivity, Landscape Segmentation, Sustainable Tourism, Infrastructure networks, Cultural and Natural Heritage