OMB no.2 Albanian Riviera
A Project of the Joint International PhD Program POLIS University Albania / Ferrara University Italy
Preface
BESNIK ALIAJ
Since the transformation which occurred during the 90s, Albania’s tourism has been growing fast, from 300,000 (in year 2000) to more than 3 million visitors per annum (2013). This increase has created a lot of hope regarding the economic growth of country, as tourism, along with agriculture and energy are considered pillars of the national economy. Therefore, the government has become increasingly focused on this sector, trying to provide more services and infrastructure to the strategic areas of interests, while attempting to reestablish a new ‘order’ regarding territorial planning and development as opposed to the spread of informality. n 2014, the Albanian government declared the coastal strip of the country a strategic corridor and placed it under temporary “freeze” in terms of development until the preparation of the National Territorial Plan, and the specific master plans for strategic areas like the Ionian Coast of Riviera (Sothern Albania). In the meantime, three international competitions have been opened, including: i) branding the new image of Albania; ii) redesigning the waterfront of the city of Vlora; iii) and planning the development of the Riviera region in the Sothern Ionian Coast of Albania. Other planning exercises have been also implemented in the metropolitan corridor of Durres-Tirana (Durana region), and the Northern mountainous region of the Albanian Alps. Polis University (U_POLIS) and the Institute for Habitat Development (Co-PLAN) together with their strategic partner Ferrara University Italy (UNIFE) have been cooperating during 2013 in the framework of research and practice agenda. Their specialized units Metro_POLIS (architecture and urban design) and SEALINE (planning and design of costal developments) have been working, focused on these subjects, trying to materialize the vision of POLIS/Co- PLAN and UNIFE on such high-interest issues for the country.
Our response to such needs has been addressed mainly in four lines:
1. undertaking a research and academic project finalized under the publication entitled Albania 2030 Manifesto – A national spatial development vision;
2. competing and being qualified up to the finals for the Riviera Planning and Development international competition. This was a project not simply in the framework of the competition, but also part of the research and International Workshop of the joint PhD program between U_POLIS and UNIFE;
3. competing and winning the first place in local team category in partnership with Sealine (UNIFE Departmental research center) for the Vlora Waterfront international competition. Now the project is under detailing and implementation;
4. undertaking a strategic vision for Saranda municipality in south Albania.
This process is summarized in this publication of the Research and Development Institute of Polis University / IKZH, Department of Applied Research with its unit Observatory of Mediterranean Basin / OMB.
Introduction
Albania 2030 / economic development based on turism
BESNIK ALIAJ
LORIS ROSSI
LUCA EMANUELI
Interdisciplinary exchanges
A new characterization of the Mediterranean landscape / itineraries, lines and natural podiums
LORIS ROSSI
A project for the Albanian coast.
ANTONELLO STELLA
LUCA EMANUELI, GIANNI LOBOSCO
LAURA PEDATA
Riviera competition
Re-active Riviera / competition description
METROPOLIS STUDIO
The contribution of cultural routes regarding the sector of sustainable tourism in Albanian Riviera
SONIA JOIJC
LUCA ROSSATO
ROBERTO PASINI
Riviera panoramic corridor a Gateway towards the South Albania Landscape
MARIO ASSISI
Re-use and Revitalization of Military Bunkers in the Albanian Riviera
EGLA LUCA
Landscape project / Large-scale project
ELENA DORATO
Albanian Riviera / urban form and landscape,the core elements for a future metanational Landscape
SAIMIR KRISTO
Slow road to Butrinti / Time-based reflections for an emerging touristic territory
LANG THORSTEN, GIANNI LOBOSCO
Taking measures regarding the invisible dimension of the landscape
JOANA DHIAMANDI
Albanian Riviera: Creative Tourism Transcending Local Expediency
ARTA JANUZI-CANA
The contribution of cultural routes Olive tree as a way of life in the Albanian Riviera
ERIDA CURRAJ
Vlora competition
HyperNatural Vlora / competition description
METROPOLIS / SEALINE
Saranda vision
Strategic Spatial Planning / A Vision for Saranda
SUST_LAB / LABORATORY OF SUSTAINABILITY
Conclusions
Conclusions and recommendations
BESNIK ALIAJ, SOTIR DHAMO, LORIS ROSSI, LUCA EMANUELI