Land Distribution and Control in Urban Areas
Authors
Dr. Diana BARDHI , Tirana Metropolitan University, Albania
Dr. Emre CECEN, Tirana Metropolitan University, Albania
Abstract
The distribution and control of land in urban areas remains an ongoing challenge in the spatial
development of Albanian cities, particularly in the metropolitan area of Tirana. This study addresses
the dynamics of land use in the capital city, analyzing the interplay between property ownership
structures, informal urban development, and efforts toward integrated planning. Tirana, as the
largest urban center in Albania, has experienced rapid urban growth since the 1990s, accompanied
by high property fragmentation, uncontrolled construction, and difficulties in implementing urban
plans (Toto & Allkja, 2019). The research highlights challenges associated with the lack of coordination between local
authorities and private landowners, informal property registration, and the absence of effective
mechanisms for land readjustment or control. Through the analysis of planning documents and case
studies in Tirana’s urban periphery, the article argues that sustainable land control requires
institutional reforms, digitization of the cadastral system, involvement of local communities, and
policies balancing public interest with private property rights (Felstehausen, 1999; Stanfield et al.,
1998). This study contributes to the literature on Albanian urban geography, emphasizing the need
for a flexible, data-driven, and participatory approach to land management in urban areas.
Keywords
Property fragmentation, urban land management, land distribution, urban planning, informal
development
