RECONSTRUCTING A CITY IN THE INTERESTS OF ITS CHILDREN: TIRANA, ALBANIA, 2015–2019 SYNOPSIS Gabriel Kuris drafted this case study When Erion Veliaj became mayor of Tirana, Albania, in based on interviews conducted in 2015, he inherited a fast-growing city with unchecked Tirana, Albania, in April 2019. construction and traffic that threatened the health and well- Case published July 2019. being of all citizens—especially the youngest and most vulnerable. Overcoming public distrust and budgetary shortfalls, Veliaj’s administration worked with private donors and international experts to quickly construct parks, playgrounds, nurseries, schools, and pedestrian spaces. At the beginning of the mayor’s second term in July 2019, the city was poised to adopt new models for streets and neighborhoods redesigned to serve the interests of infants, toddlers, and their caregivers. ISS is program of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs: successfulsocieties.princeton.edu. ISS invites readers to share feedback and information on how these cases are being used:
[email protected]. © 2019, Trustees of Princeton University. This case study is licensed under Creative Commons: CC BY-NC-ND. Urban95 Early Learning INTRODUCTION Over a series of mornings in early 2019, city planners, architects, engineers, and other municipal officers met in the gymnasium of a newly renovated school to rethink their city—Tirana, Albania—through the eyes of a child. Gathered around tables laid with scale maps of two primary schools and their environs, the group sketched out plans to make the city’s neighborhoods safer, healthier, and more comfortable for infants, toddlers, and caregivers. Where would benches and trees best provide for shady rest or snack breaks? Was it possible to calm the traffic? to lessen noise? to reduce danger? What kinds of objects or terrain would prompt children to Figure 1: ITC workshop, Credit Gabriel Kuris think and to play? (Figure 1) Such questions seemed counterintuitive in a cash-strapped government facing many urgent concerns.