OMB no. 10 Intersecting Landscapes | Issue 1 & 2

This scientific journal publication is a research outcome of the Joint International PhD Program (Double Degree) between Polis University, Tirana Albania; and Ferrara University, Italy. For more than one decade (starting from year 2012) both universities are working together to coordinate their own research program and strategies, with a strong social responsibility dimension towards local communities and authorities especially in Albania (struggling to join EU), but also in Italy. The origin of such work stays with 2 initial document documented at https://press.universitetipolis.edu.al/omb-scientific-journal/ : i) Albania 2030, a Spatial Planning and National Development vision; and ii) The Regionalization of Albania – The Governance, Administrative and Territorial Reform that Albania needs on a Regional Level; both assisted by our research institute Co-PLAN Institute for Habitat Development. Since than our PhD Program has selected: a region, or a municipality, or a territorial thematic strip; and has been focused to elaborate further professionally and scientifically the developmental policies, plans and designs in favor especially to local authorities and communities in need. Albania has been reducing in population due to rapid decline of demographic trends, as well as emigration of brain and young people. So the main dilemma and question mark remains how to stop such process, and encourage a development trend that gives hope to local residents to better explore in a sustainable and resilient way the rich menu of the resources in their own local/regional territory. Combined this with growing trends of tourism, energy and agriculture it can bring back life to the abandoned peripheral regions, where most of resources stays. This is also a reverse process of massive emigration towards capital region Tirana. However, there is no Albania without the amazing peripheries and regions. Since then our program has provided at least visions for 9 regional puzzles , while 2 latest are under process. This is a direct contribution to society (Third Mission of Universities) that our universities and our PhD Program is materializing every year. Read more...

Introduction