2 nd INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HOUSING, PLANNING, AND RESILIENT DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY TOWARDS EURO-MEDITERRANEAN PERSPECTIVES – BOOK OF PROCEEDINGS

The International Scientific Conference on Housing, Urban Planning, and Resilient Territorial Development: Toward Euro-Mediterranean Approaches was held on October 16th -17th, 2025, in Tirana, Albania. Organized by POLIS University in collaboration with the Academy of Sciences of Albania and supported by national and international partners, including the University of Ferrara and Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development, the event brought together researchers, academics, policymakers, and professionals to address key challenges in urban development, with a focus on resilience and sustainability in the Euro-Mediterranean region. The first day of the conference took place at the Academy of Sciences, while the
second day was hosted at POLIS University. The conference explored five main themes:

I. Architecture and the City, which investigated the typological and morphological
dimensions of urban form, the evolution of collective and individual housing types,
the relationship between architectural design and urban identity, and the role of
historical and cultural heritage in shaping contemporary cities;

II. Urban Mobility and Resilient Cities, which addressed traffic congestion, infrastructure
challenges, and public transportation, while also promoting the redesign of public
spaces – such as streets, squares, and pedestrian zones – to improve accessibility and
mobility; it also explored the integration of digital technologies like GIS, AI, and
simulation tools to enhance planning, automation, and infrastructure management;

III. New Housing Models, which examined innovative approaches to affordable and
social housing in response to demographic shifts and technological change, along
with energy efficiency strategies, passive energy systems, and the application of new
sustainable materials and construction technologies;

IV. Demography and Economy, which focused on macro-regional and national dynamics
impacting territorial development, including urban governance, disaster risk
reduction, and the rise of smart and inclusive cities; it also explored how emerging
technologies – such as AI, VR, and the Metaverse – along with social enterprises and
circular economy practices, could foster more equitable and adaptive urban systems;

V. Urban and Natural Environment, which analyzed environmental degradation in urban
settings, including air, water, and soil pollution, and promoted nature-based
solutions, ecosystem-based planning, and adaptive strategies to enhance
environmental sustainability and climate resilience.