The Mitigation of Traffic in Tirana through the Formal Reconceptualization of the City
A Project of the Joint International PhD Program IDAUP POLIS University Albania / University of Ferrara Italy
POLICY BASED VOLUME Issue 1/ 2025
Preface
Prof. Dr. Besnik ALIAJ
POLIS University, Tirana
Since 2006, POLIS University has been established to respond to the evolving planning and development needs in Albania and the wider Balkan region, particularly in the context of rapid and often unstructured urbanization. This transformation has been especially evident in the capital region of Tirana, where dynamic growth has generated both opportunities and complex urban challenges. From its inception, POLIS University has been closely linked to its mother organization, the Co-PLAN Institute for Habitat Development, which has played a fundamental role in shaping the university’s applied and practice-oriented approach. By integrating Co-PLAN’s extensive experience in bottom-up planning methodologies, community engagement, and on-the-ground implementation, the university has ensured that pragmatic, realistic, and context-sensitive planning practices are not only preserved but continuously advanced. Furthermore, insights and lessons learned through international cooperation at the local level have been systematically incorporated into both teaching and research activities. In this regard, POLIS University has assumed a leading role in capacity building within the fields of urban planning, urban management, and city sciences in Albania. A significant milestone in this trajectory has been the establishment of dedicated research units, alongside the development of an international joint PhD Program, which together have strengthened the university’s research profile and contributed to advancing a comprehensive city-research agenda. Over the past two years, this academic and research framework has been further reinforced through the organization of a series of studios, workshops, and collaborative activities. These initiatives have actively engaged MSc students, PhD researchers, and academic staff from POLIS University (Albania) and University of Ferrara (UNIFE, Italy), fostering a dynamic environment of interdisciplinary exchange and co-creation. One of the most significant achievements of this process has been the successful integration of both local and international students, researchers, and professors, working collectively on real-life urban challenges and problematics directly relevant to Tirana and the Albanian context. The continuity and sustainability of such collaborations already represent a key strength and a notable success story. At the same time, the outputs generated through these processes are not only academically rigorous but also innovative and thought-provoking. Read more...
Introduction
Urban Form as a Panacea: Formal Reconceptualization of the City to Solve the Traffic Problem in the Case of Tirana
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Llazar Kumaraku, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Skender Luarasi
Interdisciplinary exchanges
Tirana Traffic: The Mitigation of Traffic in Tirana through Regional Perspective
Prof. Dr. Besnik Aliaj, Assoc Prof. Sotir Dhamo, PhD
The Structure of Tirana from 1614 to 1943. Continuities, Discontinuities and Relation with Western Cities
Genti Avdija
Fragmented Densification and Urban Form in Contemporary Tirana
Jonila Prifti
Impact of rapid private motorisation growth on Tirana’s traffic. Possible solutions and international success stories
Luca Lezzerini, Andia Vllamasi
Workshop report
Stitching Together Unity and Mobility for Shkoza
Arjola SAVA, Andia VLLAMASI, Sindi DOCE, Giulia ALBINI, Nicola PIO DI TOMMASO
The Mitigation of Traffic in Tirana through the Formal Reconceptualization of the City Case study of Kashar area, Tirana.
Alma GJONAJ, Fulvio PAPADHOPULLI, Ersi RRYÇI, Morika KAKINUMA DEANGELIS, Tommaso Paolo Emiliano RANDAZZO
Proposals for Infrastructure and facilities
Counter-Geometries: An Alternative Urban Lens to Address Congestion-Driven Singularities in Tirana
Fulvio PAPADHOPULLI, Sadmira MALAJ
Exploring the Feasibility of Using GANs for Traffic Mitigation Reimagining Urban Planning for Tirana's Emerging City Center
Andia VLLAMASI
Navigating Urban Complexity: The Role of City Information Modeling, Enhancing Urban Planning Through Digital Integration
Giulia ALBINI
A vision for Tirana’s Traffic Mitigation: Theoretical Approach to Traffic Decongestion through Decentralization
Tommaso PAOLO EMILIANO RANDAZZO
Proposals for the protection and conservation of biodiversity and the Environment
Green Transition and Urban Requalification: Cost and Benefit Analysis of an Integrated Urban Project in Paskuqan
Ogerta GJIKNURI
Integrated Energy Methodologies for Urban Ecological Transition Transforming Kombinat into a Model of Renewable Energy Communities
Karla CAVALLARI
Proposals for landscapes and heritage
Integrating Heritage Conservation and Sustainable Urban Redevelopment Balancing Preservation and Modernization in the Historical and Urban Context of Kombinat – Tirana
Riccardo ALTOBELLO
Proposals for settlements, public spaces and dwelling
Towards new heights: The Impact of High-Rise Developments on Tirana’s Urban Transformation
Erjon ÇOBANI
The Role of Urban Mobility in Shaping City’s Image and Boosting Tourism. The Case of Tirana
Vjola ZIU
PROJECT BASED VOLUME Issue 2/ 2025
Interdisciplinary exchanges
Tirana Traffic: Designing Regional Mobility for Tirana via Rail Traffic System.
Assoc Prof. Sotir DHAMO (PhD) Prof. Dr. Besnik ALIAJ
From Abandonment to Interpretation: The Industrial Heritage Tour as a Tool for Safeguarding Albania’s Industrial Past
Erida CURRAJ
Strengthening Tirana’s Infrastructures to Reduce Traffic Congestion Possible solutions, best practices and success stories
Luca LEZZERINI
Workshop report
The continuity of Tirana boulevard through Paskuqan Lake
Ogerta GJIKNURI, Vjola ZIU, Chiara MARCANTONIO, Chang Zhuo, Irisa KALO
West Node Kombinat: A Metaphor for Connectivity
Karla CAVALLARI, Riccardo ALTO- BELLO, Luca FORMIGARI, Erjon Çobani, Megi Dajko
Proposals for Infrastructure and facilities
Decentralizing Traffic Congestion in Tirana’s Urban Centre Re-interpreting spontaneous commuting as a tool for sustainable growth in Kashar
Morika KAKINUMA DEANGELIS
Paskuqan Lake’s Regeneration as a Pathway for Decentralizing Traffic and Revitalizing Tirana’s Urban Fabric. Integrating Heritage, Ecology, and Mobility in Albania’s Capital
Zhuo CHANG
Access to Historic Buildings and Traffic Flow in Tirana. Analysing Congestion and Urban Mobility Solutions
Alma GJONAJ
Proposals for the protection and conservation of biodiversity and the Environment
Beyond Kombinat. A Morphological Approach for a Sustainable Development of the Erzen River Valley
Luca FORMIGARI
Integrated and Multilevel Knowledge. Digital Approaches for Sustainable Planning and Heritage Conservation
Chiara MARCANTONIO
Proposals for landscapes and heritage
Industrial areas and historic villages: two sides of the same coin? Proposals for enhancement and regeneration through urban strategies
Nicola Pio DI TOMMASO
Proposals for settlements, public spaces and dwelling
Temporal Morphologies: Bridging Historical and Contemporary Patterns in Shkoza’s Urban Design
Arjola SAVA, Dejvi DAUTI
Conclusions
Conclusion – Proposals for Traffic Mitigation
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Skender LUARASI, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Llazar KUMARAKU
