Tirana_ toward a (non) resilient city of the future Re-shaping mobility and bring back “La raison d’être of the city”

Abstract
The rapid transformation of Tirana has intensified mobility pressures while disappearing its “locus”. Despite recent interventions—partly removal of on-street parking, expansion of bicycle lanes, and increased parking fees—private car dependency persists. The same humanity has developed in the digital era, the “self-correcting mechanisms” should be explored in reshaping mobility and bringing back to life “la raison d’être” of our walkable Mediterranean city.
We need to provide options. Mobility should be gender inclusive, for women and gender minorities have a better and safer life. So, we can embrace and implement a new philosophy of city planning. Bus stations can be the urban catalysts. We need switch mode areas, so come by car, take the bike at the station, use a bus later on, or get in a shared car again. As Carlo Ratti would state: “Welcome to the era of free choice of transportation means”.
The research question guiding the study is: How can gender inclusive and micro mobility reshape public space, foster walkability and impact the future of a vivid and yet breathing city?
The central hypothesis proposes that resilience in mobility is achieved through the “urban mobility artefacts” — multimodal nodes where public transport, shared vehicles, and pedestrian networks converge — supported by digital platforms enabling flexible choice. Such catalysts become the landmarks of social interaction re shaping mobility habits and public space.
Methodologically, the study combines theoretical analysis of resilience and mobility paradigms with actual urban context. It critically examines the relationship between infrastructural connectivity, and social impact, emphasizing how micro-mobility nodes and bus stations can function as safe social spaces being the “new urban artefacts”, for behavioral adaptation and spatial regeneration.
The paper contributes to the theory by conceptualizing mobility integration as a cultural and spatial strategy for reclaiming the heart of the city: accessibility, proximity, and social interaction.

Keywords: new urban artefact, transportation means, micro mobility, gender inclusive