These are changes that one would not expect from a mature city, because the renewal essentially affects the city center. There, both ordinary and historic buildings are being replaced by tall buildings. And with the aim of stopping urban expansion and making Tirana much greener. The idea: compress the city from the inside to create green areas in the areas that remain free.
What is remarkable is that all this is happening in the capital of one of Europe’s poorest countries, where gross domestic product (GDP) per capita is around a third of the EU average. According to municipal authorities, dramatic reconstruction is necessary: Tirana, with its current population of around 420,000 people, is growing by around 30,000 people every year, so the question is how this can be planned sustainably, he said. the socialist mayor Erion Veliaj. About the project.
ORF/Valentin Simettinger Busy construction activity surrounds Skanderbeg Square in the center of Tirana (photo was taken at the end of January)
Loss of history and higher prices?
As you walk through the city center, newly constructed buildings quickly catch your eye. Given this – and the fact that historic buildings have also been transferred – critics of the project fear that the city will be divided between developers without consulting the population, which will end up changing everything beyond recognition. Not only is history being lost, but housing prices are rising.
The rapid change is evident in Skanderbeg’s central square, where just a few years ago there were still many cars driving around. The square was created during the Italian occupation – it is characterized by a mix of 1930s Italian modernism and Soviet architecture. The concrete surface of the square has been preserved, but now only pedestrians cross the created pedestrian zone.
ORF/Valentin Simettinger Some spectacular buildings are being built in the center of Tirana – but there is also criticism of the city’s restructuring
Demolition amid noisy protests
And when you look around, you quickly notice new, more sophisticatedly designed skyscrapers and newly restored buildings. An impressive and, in the eyes of many, important building, has been missing since May 2020; it was demolished in a clandestine operation – despite widespread protests. The Teatri Kombetar was designed in 1939 by Italian architect Giuglio Berte and initially served as a facility for the Italian army before becoming the national theater in 1947.
Renowned artists and architects vehemently criticized the demolition – not only for the protection of the monument, but also for the questionable bidding, the evasion of competition law and the plans for the new theater far from the center. The building was occupied by activists for two years before the demolition team arrived late at night and without warning. The fact that all this happened during the pandemic was apparently no coincidence.
Architect wants to bring forests to cities
The starting signal for the renovation of the center was given in 2016 – at that time the plans were announced under the formula “Tirana 2030”. Urban planners argued that the influx and associated new development after the end of communist rule gave the city character, but it lacked order and structure. Italian architect Stefano Boeri designed a forest ring concept that would surround the city center.
APA/AFP/Adnan Beci The reconstruction of the pyramid will be completed soon – previously it was dedicated to the dictator Hoxha, now it will be a cultural and educational center
Boeri is considered an advocate of opulent greenery – he achieved international fame with matching designs and projects. In Milan, for example, his “Bosco Verticale” (Vertical Forest) was created, essentially consisting of two spectacularly green skyscrapers. In China, Boeri is behind even more comprehensive projects: futuristic-looking “forest cities” will be created, large districts that are both city and forest.
City wants to maintain access to space
It is clear that there is almost no municipal funding in Tirana; the city’s coffers do not allow this. Consequently, the offer to property developers and owners means that they can build (preferably upwards in accordance with the concept), but the open spaces surrounding the properties must be left to the city for use as public space. However, critics say developments so far do not meet established criteria.
ORF/Valentin Simettinger The spectacular facade of the Albanian national stadium – designed by Italian architectural firm Archea Associati
Aside from many renderings, there is no detailed plan of what the redesigned center will look like. Opponents argue that it is impossible for the public to understand in detail how the city will develop. And there are also concerns about where the money for all the projects will actually come from. According to experts, the country has become a hotbed for money laundering.
Opportunity for the Italian mafia?
And Italy is also expected to play a role in this area: anti-mafia prosecutors in Italy discovered that the mafia organization ‘Ndrangheta had recognized the new building in Tirana as an opportunity to launder money. The Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF), an international institution that monitors money laundering, has placed Albania on the “grey list”.
This means that the country is considered highly vulnerable to money laundering due to systemic deficiencies. Of all things, the real estate sector was classified as particularly worrying. And the Albanian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) stated in one of its reports that “significant real estate investments with unknown sources of funds” were observed, which it classified as “suspicious”.
Progress in the fight against money laundering
However, local politicians consider that such processes are largely systematically avoided, with reference to increased national precautions against money laundering. In fact, the Council of Europe recognizes positive steps for Albania in a recent report. Measures have been taken to correct deficiencies in relation to administrators subject to anti-money laundering requirements.
At the same time, efforts are being made to facilitate authorities’ access to information on beneficial owners. Regulation and inspection measures for notaries and real estate agents have also been reinforced, according to the current Council of Europe report. Licenses can now be revoked if money laundering legislation is violated.