The Structure of Tirana from 1614 to 1943 Continuities, Discontinuities and Relation with Western Cities
Authors
Dr. Genti AVDIJA, Department of Architecture and Engineering, POLIS University, Albania
Abstract
This work explores the structural changes of the city of Tirana from its beginnings around the XVII
century to the end of World War II, putting them in relation with the development and paradigms
of the development and planning of the western civilisation urbanisation. In the development of
Tirana in this period we have individuated three different phases of development of the city. In the
first phase the development is characterised by the ottoman influences. In the second, that
coincides with the creation of the state and the becoming of Tirana the capital of Albania, we can
denote a certain tendency to westernisation. And lastly, the consolidation of the urban structure
during WWII, under the Italian influence. The development of Tirana is not a linear development,
but is characterised by fractures as a result of a complex interaction of cultural, political and
geographic factors. These fractures contain elements that disappear, and elements that persist that
characterise the structure of the city today. The development itself oscillates between spontaneity
and plan, morphology and typology, urban and territorial. It is important to note that certain urban
elements introduced during this period still persist in the structure of the city to this day, and
therefore characterise the city. Precisely these elements should constitute a starting point for the
future development of the city. The research output is a perspective on the development of Tirana
until 1945 that extrapolates the urban elements of development and relates them with western
cities. The relation of planning and urbanism in Tirana with the western civilisation is very peculiar,
because of the early ottoman influence and the late application of western urban design principles.
Lastly, the Italian plan (1939-1943) constitutes the first complex structuring of the city, and the last
substantial structural modification of today.
Keywords
Urban structure, medieval city, modern urbanism, resilience
