1. Introduction SWOT analysis, or assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to a municipality is a basic, straightforward model that provides direction and serves as a basis for the preparation of a relevant urban development strategy and municipality development urban plan. A municipality level SWOT analysis has been prepared in this document based on an assessment of the status of various sectors of the municipality through assemblement of different reports and information provided by public and private institutions, and direct contacts in the city. SWOT analysis provides information that matches the municipality’s resources and capabilities to the physical, social, economic and political environment in which it operates. It should be viewed as a dynamic part of the management, planning and development process. It involves the portrayal of information about internal and external factors that have or may have an impact on the evolution of the municipality. Once this is completed, SWOT analysis determines if the information indicates something that will assist the municipality decision-makers in accomplishing their objectives (a strength or opportunity), or if it indicates an obstacle that must be overcome or minimized to achieve desired results (weakness or threat) in the urban development of the municipality. 2. Geography Pogradec lies in the south-eastern part of Albania, along the shores of Lake Ohrid, the deepest in the Balkans. It is located on the southeastern of Albania at the border with Macedonia, 140km from the capital city of Tirana. Pogradec is situated 720 meters above the sea level and it is located at 40°54'9" North, and 20°39'9" East. Together with Korce, Kolonje and Devoll are part of the Korce County. Pogradec District is composed of 7 communes and 74 villages having a total population of around 91,802 in 2008. Figure 1. Geographical Location of Pogradec Tirana 140km Rinas Elbasan 157km 86km Durres Librazhd 168km 62km Hani Hotit Perrenjas 286km 24km Pogradec Municipality Shkoder Qafe- 251km Thane 20km Muriqan 262km Tushemish 5km Vlore Korce 210km 41km Sarande Kapshtice 286km 73km The city is surrounded by mountains and hills on the southern and western side, and the lake is in the eastern and northern side of the city. From an administrative and territorial perspective, Pogradec has a total area of the district of 725 km², and is bordered by Korce District in South and Southeast, Gramsh District in West and Librazhd District in Northwest. The district of Pogradec is composed of: - Hollow of Pogradec, which include the city and the villages at the margin of lake until the beginning of the hills, having a 6km length and 3km width. - The Mokra region, which is divided between the Upper and Lower Mokra. - The antemountain region at the foot of Thate Mountain and partly the region of Gore. 2 3. Climate Referring to the Albanian climatic division, this zone takes part on the hilly Mediterranean zone, which is characterized by cold winters and fresh summer. The annual mean of air temperature vary from 7.5°C to 12°C, while the maximum absolute registered is 39.6°C (July) and the minimum absolute one -14.5°C (January). The annual precipitation mean vary from 600 to 890mm. Given the existence of topographic variation, as mountain reliefs, the lake and the valleys, there are diverse microclimates as well, including alpine. The driest month is July and the wettest months are November and December. The micro-climates immediately around the city are very favorable for farming, and thus development of local agribusinesses is seen as very important for the city’s economic development. In the altitude of more that 1000-1300m it is an alpine climate with the cold winter and warm summer. Few snowfalls are registered in the winter period, and the rest is more rainfall during the autumn and spring. 4. History Pogradec important and favorable position in the region is supported by early historical sources, which indicate presence in the area mainly due to Lake Ohrid location. According to the history, the shores of the lake were inhabited as early as 6000-2000 BC. The Illyrian tribe of the Enkelei inhabited the areas near Pogradec. Drilon, the name of the river that flows into the lake near Tushemisht, is mentioned in early texts of antiquity. The hill overlooking Pogradec is the site of old castle ruins dating back to 5th century. On the top of the hill overlooking Pogradec there is an ancient Illyrian fortress believed to have been known as Encheleana. In the Middle Ages this fortress was reconstructed and the place was renamed by the Bulgarians, who invaded Southeastern Albania at this time. The name of Pogradec comes from them “Pod Grad” – “The place beneath the fortress”. During the 18th century under Turkish occupation, the town became an administrative centre, but was largely destroyed during the World War I and World War II; however a number of characteristic houses have been preserved as cultural monuments. One of the first Albanian language schools was started in Pogradec. The town was a favorite summer escape for many communist government officials. After communism collapsed, the once popular lakeside resort town went into a state of decay and disrepair, with minimal investment undertaken. The urban development that took place was generally chaotic and unappealing. However, private investors and government, interested in bringing Pogradec to its' former glory, have begun pouring in money to the town. Hotels are being built or renovated and refurbished, and infrastructure is improving throughout. Lake Ohrid and its surrounding area was in 1980 declared by UNESCO as a place of worldwide natural and cultural heritage. 3 5. Physical infrastructure and social services Pogradec’s geographical position is a key for the city. Historically Pogradec has connected the central, eastern and southeastern regions of Albania. One important communication arteries pass through Pogradec - the highway linking Tirana, Elbasan, and Korce, and one railroad line linking Tirana and Pogradec. Figure 2. Corridor VIII East – West Corridor presentation These arteries along with the already finished Qafe Plloç – Korçë road and projects in process: reconstruction of Qafë Thanë - Lin – Pogradec road, new road of Qukes – Qafe Plloç (37km), and plans for linking railroad connect between Lin (Pogradec) – border – Struga (Macedonia) reinforce Pogradec position as a transportation hub linking Albania with Macedonia and Greece. The demographic changes that occurred in Pogradec during the period of transition increased the need for physical infrastructure. It also placed greater pressure on the Municipality to fulfill needs for economic, social, and cultural services, services that are the exclusive responsibility of local government. The changes of the last 18 years have disrupted whatever equilibrium might have once existed between public services and 4 citizen needs, affecting the standard of living for the residents of Pogradec. While the level of urbanization has increased, the overall quality of urban life has fallen1. Urban growth and sprawl have also increased the need for public transportation in Pogradec. According to the data provided by the District Police Directory, the number of total vehicles in Pogradec in 2008 was 2,685, a 2% increase from 2,629 vehicles registered in 2006. A public transportation system doesn’t operate in the city of Pogradec, but private operators are connecting the city with surrounding villages and other cities. The challenge of improving the service is actual. There is an increasing trend on the use of individual vehicles, constituting the largest part of the city vehicles’ fleet (more than 75% of the total number of vehicles). The city cleaning service covers 100% of population and is contracted out by the Municipality. The quality of the service is somehow satisfactory and Pogradec city is considered as a clean city. The quality of this service is a strong supporting factor for internal marketing and opportunity for development of a good touristic product of the city. According to a survey conducted by Me, Women organization in April-May 20092, 60.5% of the respondents declared that were satisfied with the cleaning service, a 10.5% increase from 2007 evaluation. According to another question regarding the cleaning of the roads, 52.5% of the respondents are happy, a better evaluation from 43% registered in 2007. Railroad system. Pogradec is the last station of Tiranë-Durrës-Elbasan-Librazhd- Pogradec railroad network. The railroad system has deteriorated significantly and is now at a minimal level. The railroad station is in very poor condition with broken equipment and poorly utilized system. Inter-city passenger train travel is extremely limited due to uncomfortable accommodations and reduced schedules. 6. Water and Sewage Services Switzerland and German bank KfW have financed the modernization of the water supply system and build a new sewage treatment plant in Pogradec and its suburbs, which can now enjoy clean water around the clock - where before this was only possible less than ten hours a day. Pogradec is now one of the cities of Albania where homes and businesses are furnished with water 24 hours per day, even on summer. The interventions are part of the environmental protection programme “Lake Ohrid - Water Supply and Sewage Disposal in Pogradec" which aims to reduce the discharge of sewage into lake Ohrid, making a substantial contribution to reducing environmental pollution and to maintaining the water quality of Lake Ohrid. 1 Migration in Albania, Research Publication, INSTAT 2001 2 Me, Women organization is a local NGO which has conducted a survey on a total representative sample of 200 citizens interviewed in Pogradec on April – May 2009 to assess the perception of citizens on municipality performance. The survey is repeated after a two year period from April-May 2007 when the new mayor come to power.