Inquiries on the liminality in between Raw material extraction sites and urbanized centers. Study case The quarry in the outskirts of Sofratike

Author: Blerim Nika
Affiliation:  Polis University

Abstract
Compared to the rest of the urbanized centers along Drinos valley Sofratikë is a particular case since it stands between a natural system, the historic site of Hadrianopoli, and an agriculture system. The former productive areas in Sofratikë have been one of the main sectors of economic growth during the communism period. The aftermath following the fall of the communist regime was catastrophic for the most part of the productive areas as they suffered major changes due to the abandonment after the closure of many productive activities. Abandoned for almost 30 years these productive areas suffered uncontrolled exploitation. The quarry sites before the 90-s were built in the outskirts of the urbanized center. With the fall of the communist regime these productive sites were reactivated by uncontrolled informal urbanization. The opportunities these areas present today are now a main objective for urban requalification. This paper aims to analyze and investigate how these former quarries can be repurposed and regenerated. The paper focuses on the relation between the raw material extractions facilities with urbanized centers on the one hand, and the natural system in which these are contained. This paper also measures the extent of the damage these sites have suffered in terms of their disconnection with the natural system.