Public Space and Urban Identity Tracing the Shifts of Epidamn Boulevard, Durrës
Authors
MSc. Arjola SAVA, Department of Architecture and Design, POLIS University, Tirana, Albania,
Abstract
This research aims to investigate the transformation of one of the main axes of public, social,
and cultural interactions in Durrës, the “Epidamn” Boulevard. Since its inception as a
boulevard, it has undergone a series of functional and symbolic changes, influencing not only
the urban shape but also the social life of its inhabitants. These changes were mainly dictated
by political approaches, which were reflected directly in the public space. Through these
morphological and comparative analyses of the boulevards across historical periods, this study
identifies how public spaces are shaped and oriented by the relationships between built
structures and public space. At the centre of this study is the evaluation of how urban and
architectural interventions have influenced the shape and morphological aspects of public
space.
The findings suggest that “Epidamn” Boulevard serves as a pure reflection of the dynamic
urban development of Durres, while also serving as a case study to better understand the
relation between the urban form, local identity, and influence from political jurisdictions. By
looking at how both form and function have changed, this research underlines not only the
sustainability but also the fragility of urban public spaces as they evolve. In addition to these
contextual observations, the study draws on existing literature about public space and urban
form – most notably Kevin Lynch’s ideas on the image of the city, along with other works that
examine boulevards and similar urban environments. Building on these theoretical
perspectives, the focus here is to situate Durrës within a wider debate on urban form and
spatial change, while stressing the importance of keeping the identity of Mediterranean cities
intact in the face of fast urban growth and fragmented planning. By analyzing changes in form
and function, this research highlights the sustainability and vulnerability of urban public spaces
through their transformations.
Besides these contextual analyses, this study also relies on literature about public spaces and
urban form, including Kevin Lynch’s theories on the image of the city and other research that
had in focus the same topic as boulevards and public spaces. While grounded in these
theoretical frameworks, this study aims to place Durrës within a broader discussion on urban
form and spatial transformation, focusing on maintaining the identity of Mediterranean cities
facing rapid urban growth and fragmented interventions.
In conclusion, the research proposes a regenerative approach that balances the preservation
of historical and cultural values with the improvement of public access and reorganization of
public space as a vital key component in civic life.
Keywords
Epidamn Boulevard, historic transformation, public space, urban identity, urban morphology
