“Territorial Development in Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe – ‘Places That Do Not Matter’ and Inner Peripheries”

Home , Dajti, Kavaja Street, Polis University, Skanderbeg Monument, Skanderbeg Square, Sulejman Pasha Mosque

Network Conference of Spa-ce.net

“Territorial Development in Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe – ‘Places that do not matter’ and inner peripheries”

POLIS University 26 - 27 September 2019, Tirana, Albania

Table of Contents 1. Program Overview & Detailed Programme ...... 3 1.1 Detailed Agenda ...... 4 1. About Tirana, Albania ...... 8 3. Albania`s Planning and Development Background: An Exciting Context to Explore ...... 11 3.1 A brief outline on the state of planning in Albania ...... 12 4. About Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development and POLIS University ...... 13 4.1 Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development ...... 13 4.2 POLIS University, The International School of Architecture and Urban Development Policies ...... 14 5. Arriving in Tirana and moving to the City Centre ...... 16 5.2 To and from U_Polis ...... 17 6. What we suggest ...... 18 6.1 Accommodation ...... 18 6.2 Restaurants ...... 20 7. Sightseeing in Tirana ...... 22 8. Weather Forecast for Tirana...... 24

1. Program Overview & Detailed Programme Societal actors strive to achieve sustainable territorial development by reducing territorial disparities and fragmentation, promoting growth and competitiveness, and building socio-ecological resilience. In so doing, these actors take advantage of interdependencies between institutions and people in a network society, and promoting more social collaboration. In this process, power dynamics, social heritage and unequal knowledge contribute to the creation of various territorial constructs, where some places are more advantageous than others, and some remain peripheral or lose importance. This inequality has given rise to scientific and policy discourses on ‘places that do not matter’ and inner peripheries. Inner peripheries, a seemingly confusing term, has gained attention due to increased awareness on the multitude of features (in addition to the territorial dimension) that less advantageous and less developed places have, together with the diversity of factors that contribute to creation of peripherality. In this framework, the definition of peripherality varies between socio-economic marginalization, low access to markets and services, and weak human resources, to locational features and geographical and/or socio-economic remoteness and/performance. This broad definition may lead inner peripheries to become indistinguishable from lagging areas. However, accessibility to economic potential and especially to services of general interest, associated with well-being of residents, is key to classifying areas as inner peripheries. “Places that do not matter”, is a rising metaphor to characterise territorial constructs and urban areas, where human and economic capital have for some time been on a declining path, through depopulation and emigration, brain drain, diminishing and/or low/negative growth of industries and agricultural activities. Places may ‘lose importance’ because of internal socio-economic processes, but also because government’s policies may result, deliberately or not, into the establishment of inequalities on the territory, and formation of inner peripheries, and lagging areas. Understanding dynamics and interlinks between these internal and external factors, and the features of the resulting inner peripheries and ‘places that do not matter’ is of importance to institutions (formal and informal) and policymakers for drawing and implementing efficient policies and targeted instruments for territorial development.

1.1 Detailed Agenda

Day 1: Thursday, 26 September 2019

09.00 – 09.30 Arrival at POLIS and Registration 09.30 Opening and Key Notes Prof. Dr. Besnik Aliaj, POLIS University, Tirana, Albania Prof. Dr. Maros Finka, Slovak University of Technology, Institute of Management, Department of Spatial Planning, Bratislava, Slovakia

10.00 – 11.30 Session 1: Development strategies and actions in inner peripheries Moderation: Prof. Dr. Šećerov Velimir, University of Belgrade Faculty of Geography, Department of Spatial Planning

o Regional Inner Periphery and Energy Efficiency Prof. Dr. Stojkov Borislav, University of Belgrade Faculty of Geography, Department of Spatial Planning Prof. Dr. Šećerov Velimir, University of Belgrade Faculty of Geography, Department of Spatial Planning Dr. Pucar Mila, Institute of Architecture and Urban and Spatial Planning of Serbia Prof. Dr. Filipović Dejan, University of Belgrade Faculty of Geography, Department of Spatial Planning o Innovation in Inner Peripheries, the Case of Albania Dr. Elona Karafili, POLIS University, Albania o Lusatia – a Place that Does not Matter? Rethinking Development Strategies in Eastern Germany Dr. Peter Wirth, Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development

11.30 – 12.00 Coffee Break 12.00 – 13.30 Session 2: Social and Spatial Dimensions in Inner Peripheries Moderation: Dr. Rudina Toto, Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development, POLIS University, Albania o Perceived Peripherality in Szczecin, Poland Dr. Peter Nientied, IHS-Erasmus, Rotterdam, Netherlands and POLIS University, Albania Katarzyna Stachowiak-Bongwa, Netherlands

o Challenges of Spatial Typologies in the Centre-periphery Setting of Albanian Municipalities MSc. Kejt Dhrami (PhD Candidate), Co-PLAN, POLIS University, University of Ferrara o Teenagers in Urban Space and Urban Life: Policy Gaps and Planning Chances in Sofia Peripheries Urb. Mila Yolova (PhD candidate), University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Sofia, Bulgaria Prof. Dr. Arch. Elena Dimitrova, University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Sofia, Bulgaria

13.30 – 14.30 Lunch

14.30 – 16.00 Session 3: Socio-economic Inequalities and Spatial Planning Moderation: Dr. Dritan Shutina, Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development, POLIS University, Albania

o Addressing Peripherality through Spatial Planning – the Case of 36 Albanian Municipalities MSc. Fiona Imami (PhD Candidate), Co-PLAN, POLIS University, University of Ferrara and Esmerina Hidri, Researcher, Co-PLAN. o Disparities – We need them Dr. Ing. Christian Walloth, Walloth Urban Advisors Sprl, Brussels, Belgium o Territorial Disparities and Polycentricity in Albania Dr. Rudina Toto, Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development, POLIS University, Albania

16.00 – 18.30 Study Tour A multifaceted Tirana: Periphery – Centre – Periphery

Day 2: Friday, 27 September 2019 09.00 – 11.30 Session 1: Governance and Politics of Peripheriality Moderation: Prof. Dr. Šećerov Velimir, University of Belgrade Faculty of Geography, Department of Spatial Planning o Tourism Governance and Peripherality MSc. Aida Ciro (PhD Candidate), Co-PLAN, POLIS University, University of Ferrara o Regional Agencies’ Approach to Spatial Planning, Development and Protection of Urban and Rural Peripheries 5

Assist. Prof. Dr. Angel Burov, University of Architecture Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Sofia, Bulgaria Assist. Prof. Dr. Irina Mutafchiyska, University of Architecture Civil Engineering and Geodesy, Sofia, Bulgaria Urb. Mila Yolova (Phd Candidate) Urban planning department, Faculty of Architecture, Sofia, Bulgaria o Linkages Between Decentralization and Local Economic Development in Albania, After the Implementation of the Territorial Reform Dr. Merita Toska, Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development, POLIS University MBA Anila Gjika, Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development, POLIS University o Addressing Peripheriality Through Regional Development – Policy Challenges in Albania MBA Anila Gjika, Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development

11.30 – 12.00 Coffee Break 12.00 – 13.00 Session 2: Concluding remarks and future perspectives Moderation: Prof. Dr. Šećerov Velimir, University of Belgrade Faculty of Geography, Department of Spatial Planning Prof. Dr. Maroš Finka, Slovak University of Technology, Institute of Management, Department of Spatial Planning, Bratislava, Slovakia Prof. Dr. Borislav Stojkov, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Geography – Department for Spatial Planning, Serbia

Organised by: Spa-ce.net – Network of Spatial Planning and Research Institutes in Central and Eastern Europe Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development, Dresden, Germany SPECTRA CE EU at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava POLIS University, Tirana, Albania Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development, Tirana, Albania

For more information feel free to contact the Spa-ce.net conference coordinators:

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Matej Jaššo Prof. Dr. Artem Korzhenevych SPECTRA CE EU and UM STU Leibniz Institute of Ecological Vazovova 5, Urban and Regional Development 81243 Bratislava (Slovak Republic) Weberplatz 1, Email: [email protected] 6

01217 Dresden (Germany) Email: [email protected]

Dr. Rudina Toto Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development Rr. Bylis 12, Highway Tirana-Durres 5th km, Kashar, Tiranë, 1051, Albania Email: [email protected]

1. About Tirana, Albania

Figure 1 - Tirana City Center by E. Janku

The story of how this city came to be known by the name of Tirana varies between authors and historical periods. The first of these variations claims the name originates from Tyrkanos Castle, which was believed to be located near the city and shares a similar sounding name. Meanwhile, another variation maintains that Tirana originates from the Latin word “tyros” and the Greek word “turos,” which meant “dairy country.” This latter theory is best supported by historical sources which point out that the Illyrians (early inhabitants of the western Balkans region) were capable agricultural breeders whose sheep’s cheese was popular throughout the area and even abroad. The name Tirana is again mentioned several times in Venetian documents, while Marin Barleti, the historian of the national hero Skanderbeg, spoke of "Big Tirana" in the 16th century while describing it as a field between Kruja and Petrela, upon which the capital now lies today. Less supported versions of events claim Tirana was named by Sulejman Pasha, a notable historical figure who established some of the first markings of urban settlement in the city. While this theory may satisfy some historical narratives, it remains largely unsupported as there exist mentions of Tirana’s name from before 1614 and the time of Sulejman Pasha. The first signs of settlement in Tirana date back to the first century (AD) in the southwest part of the city near the natural spring, Shëngjini. It was here where the famous Tirana Mosaic was stumbled upon by excavation workers in 1972. Archaeologists believe this mosaic to have initially belonged to a rural dwelling, known as a vila rustica, before being replaced with another structure in the third century. This new structure was divided into two parts, a residential section (pars urbana) and an agricultural production section (pars rustica). Later in the fourth century, the building was once again reconstructed as a church. Close by in the church of Shën-Gjin, it is believed that Skanderbeg would marry Donika Muzaka in the 15th century. Still, despite its age, the mosaic itself remains on display today for visitors to admire.

The next major signs of historical settlement in Tirana come from Tirana Castle, whose main fortifications were constructed during the early Byzantine period in the fourth through sixth centuries. Excavations of the castle took place in 2001 and 2008, which discovered that the early reminiscences of the castle were constructed under a Justinian Emperor in New Epirus located in the province of Durrës, which would have also included Tirana at that time. A portion of the surrounding castle walls that are seen today belong to more recent reconstructions of the castle, namely by Ahmet Pasha Bargjini, whose fortifications were built on top of the ruins of the old castle in the second half of the 18th century. After reconstructing the castle, Ahmet Pasha Bargjini later fell into the hands of the Toptani family from Kruja. During this period, the fortress became the object of a multi-year war between the Toptani rulers of Kruja and Bushatlli rulers of Shkodra. Nearly two decades later, in 1817, the castle experienced a five-month long siege, which had dire consequences for both the castle and the surrounding city. Unfortunately, the reconstruction effort headed by the Toptani family after the siege was short lived. By 1832 the castle was demolished by the orders of the new Grand Vizier, Mehmet Reshit Pasha, who ordered the demolition of all castles. Today, a portion of the northern wall and its southern tract is preserved, admirably being intertwined with the surrounding modern infrastructure. In between these two main periods of time wherein Tirana Castle was constructed - and reconstructed - Tirana experienced rule under an Angevin consul, particularly in the 12th century. Several centuries later, in the 15th century, Skanderbeg would deploy the largest part of the army in Tirana in his famous rebellion against the Ottoman Empire. Tirana is thought to be where this occurred partly because the area was more suitable for setting up camp tents for his soldiers. Tirana’s history as a modern city began in 1614 when Sulejman Pasha Bargjini, a rich feudal from the village of Mullet, built four main buildings: a mosque, a Turkish bath, a bakery, and some inns. These buildings thus became the center of the new town. While this marks a historical significant milestone, Kaplan Pasha's tomb, rather than these new buildings, is the only trace of reestablishment of the city. Even so, there is written evidence of this early modern version of Tirana, which was often described as a beautiful city with vibrant colors, a developed city life, and elegant mosques that were most notable for their interior decoration. Moving forward, Tirana experienced a variety of political alignments throughout the 20th century starting on February 11th, 1920 when Congress in Lushnja declared Tirana to be the provisional capital of Albania. Later, on January 31st, 1925 its final status as the capital was taken on. In the same year of 1925, under the first president of Albania, Ahmet Zogu, the Italian architect Armando Brasini was chosen to lead the first regulatory plan for the city of Tirana. Albania was later proclaimed a Democratic Kingdom in 1928 by a constitutional assembly, effectively turning the role of president into the role of king and making Ahmet Zogu now King Zog I as it remained until 1939. Soon the constitutional assembly approved the New Penal Code and a year later, the Albanian Civil Code. As the Second World War approached, Tirana soon became a center of anti-fascist resistance with the Communist Party of Albania being established by November 1941. The battle for the liberation of Tirana from its German invaders would later become the bloodiest in Albanian history, but on the morning of November 17th 1944, after 19 days of war, Tirana was finally liberated. Upon the end of the war, Albania became heavily influenced by Stalin and the Soviet Union which was reflected in the significant changes made in Tirana's appearance as the city came to adopt more Stalinist styles of architecture until the early 1990s. At this time, Tirana was called the Capital of Congresses as every five years delegates from all over the country would organize in the city. The spaces where these congresses took place are nowadays important city attractions such as: the University of Arts, the Palace of Culture, and the Palace of Congresses. 9

Today, Tirana is a city that grows and changes every day as the center of political and administrative life of Albania. Housing almost all state institutions, diplomatic representatives, and becoming the largest center of education in the country, Tirana remains vital to the country’s prosperity. Tirana is a city filled with hotels, restaurants, bars, pubs, youth and artistic centers that provide an active and diverse cultural life for locals and foreigners alike. The city continues to be an important center of national and international activities, such as seminars, conferences, festivals, spectacles, and more, making it a well-known and inviting city. (Extracted from the official municipal website: www.tirana.gov.al )

3. Albania`s Planning and Development Background: An Exciting Context to Explore

Albania and the Western Balkan countries constitute an interesting planning and development model, with plenty of common similarities as well as particularities and peculiarities. These countries have experienced half-a-century of socialist socio-political regimes and centralized market-economy, with Albania representing the most severe case of that system. Albania was totally isolated from the rest of the world, from a social and economic perspective. During those 50 years a very contextual model of modern planning and architecture developed in all of these countries. The quality of urban development varied among countries, based on the professional capacities of urban planners and architects, as well as on the ruthlessness of the political system towards the community and the intellectual layer of the society. The change of the system into a market economy and pluralist-democratic system of governance was quite dramatic for Albania, with recurrent moments of civil unrest, a rapid development pace and a prolonged transition period. Social-political and economic developments have left a remarkable sign on the territory. An initial period (1990- 2004) of informal land developments to afford the housing needs, next to privatization of land and resources, was followed by a land development pattern (plot based, speculative, bypassing planning or not preceded by planning and infrastructure), which raised informality at level of societal mentality and living model. To date, Albania faces critical issues of agriculture land fragmentation; more than 400,000 informal buildings built on agriculture land as well as in the urban core; a prolonged and politicized legalization process; speculation on land prices and paradoxically high prices of the real estate; low quality of public space; a very vivid construction industry, mainly in the housing sector, though demand has declined especially in the last 10 years; an unceasingly reforming planning system, with 3 different laws in 20 years and several bylaws and legal amendments, mainly driven by the interests of limited groups, or promoted by donors. The other western Balkan countries are experiencing similar challenges, but again their severity is significantly higher in Albania because the overall development level (poverty, GDP, economic sectors, social capital and institutional capacities) of the country was lower and in early `90s Albania went through a shock therapy, which destroyed any possible good legacy of the previous system. On the other hand, probably due to the very challenging context, Albania has gone through very dynamic and progressive planning reforms at institutional and legal level. There have been attempts to fully decentralize and then partially recentralize the planning system, while the new legislation has accommodated innovative instruments for guiding land developments, such as financial instruments to finance public infrastructure with private investments, etc. Nevertheless, while the legislation has progressed there have been strong clashes between the legal platforms and the acceptance at professional level. This is due to the misbalance between capacities and proposed planning instruments by law. The latter have been developed with the support of the donor-funded projects, which is also a reason for having quite progressive laws, without reflecting the local context or the capacity to absorb it. Again, the situation in neighbour countries has been more stable, probably with a slower pace of development or less legislative progress, but with a better reflection of the local context and capacities. In overall, the Western Europe and USA planning approaches were the key models being imported in each of the western Balkan countries.

3.1 A brief outline on the state of planning in Albania Albania had its first law “On Urbanism” in 1992. The law was drafted based on the experience of the urban planners before 1990, referring also to some international legislation examples, without managing to respond to the ever rapidly changing urban reality of Albania. As a result, in 1998, the Parliament passed a second law “On Urbanism”. The latter provided for a first time a division of responsibilities on urban planning between the national and local government, thus contributing to the implementation of the governance decentralization strategy. It is important to notice that in Albania planning has always been a shared function between the two levels of the Government, without managing to achieve a full decentralization. The 2nd planning law was significantly improved compared to the 1st and it was revised 10 times to adapt to the reality and social interaction. However, it did not incorporate instruments and provisions that could address the private land market and market economy. As a result, not only it did not cope with informal land development, but it also led towards a model of “plot-based” land development that is unfortunately persistent to nowadays, regardless of the institutional reforming efforts. In 2009, the Parliament passed a new law on “Territory Planning”. This law and its subsequent bylaws marked a milestone event in the planning profession in Albania. The law brought along major changes, such as: (i) From merely urban planning it expanded its scope to territorial planning, thus embracing a comprehensive planning approach (alike spatial planning) for urban, natural, rural and agricultural areas, aiming at integrating the sectorial policies on the territory; (ii) It emphasized the principles of sustainable development, comprehensive planning, area-based planning instead of plot-based, institutional cooperation and coordination and participatory planning; (iii) It introduced the concept of development permit, instead of the solely building permit it existed before; (iv) It introduced a number of land development financial instruments such as land readjustment, betterment fees, bonus FAR, etc.; (v) It constituted planning as a mandatory step before land development taking place. The law was rather progressive, with a totally new terminology, and borrowed several provisions from other European laws for planning. The law was prepared with the support of the World Bank and preceded by a policy paper prepared with the support of USAID. The attitude of the stakeholders towards this law was very controversial and its acceptance was very low. The new terminology and concepts and the change of status quo regarding the land development practice were the main reasons for the stakeholders to reject the law and make several attempts (mainly through the bylaws) to amend it and bring back some of the previous law provisions. This law was prepared with donor support, but its authors did not spend enough time to adapt the law so that it could fit with the local context. It was deemed as too advanced for the time. In 2014-2015, the newly elected government revised the law with the intention to make it user-friendlier and to contextualize it. The new law “On territory planning and development” provided a better link between planning and development and brought clarity on a significant number of provisions and processes that the previous law could not achieve.

4. About Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development and POLIS University

4.1 Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development is a pioneering and leading know-how non-profit organisation in the field of city-making and good governance. Co-PLAN has a long-standing experience and an extensive research portfolio in the realm of local government service provision; capacity development, development strategies; informal settlements integration, preparation of urban regulatory plans; environmental assessments, territorial management, preparation of strategic plans, etc. In addition, over the years Co-PLAN has been involved in strengthening of civil society, as a cross-cutting approach. The activity of Co-PLAN is built upon four key expertise areas, namely: (1) Territorial Governance and Spatial Planning; (2) Decentralization and Local Regional Development; (3) Environmental Management and Planning; (4) Research and Policy Influencing. Co-PLAN fulfils this mission through means of pilot activities and advisory services financed by national and international institutions and direct involvement with communities, local government units and other non- governmental organizations in the field of urban and regional management, environmental management, and municipal finance. We are based in Tirana, Albania, and have developed a solid- project-outreach-network at a national, regional, and international level, including many of the Local Government Units in Albania, numerous organizations in the Western Balkans region, Europe, and beyond. Key facts: - Working with municipalities and communities, promoting best values and good governance since 1995; - Approximately 200 projects implemented in Albania, the Western Balkans region, and internationally: - Extensive research portfolio in the realm of local government service provision; capacity development, development strategies; informal settlements integration, preparation of urban regulatory plans; environmental assessments, territorial management, preparation of strategic plans, etc. Some of these projects include: Planning and Local Government Project; LevizAlbania; Regional Development Program III; Regional Development Program I and II; Municipal Financial Data Platform; Social Sustainability and Citizen Engagement - Urban Partnership Program II; Monitoring Municipal Budgets for the municipalities of Fier and Shkodër; Integrated Support for Decentralisation, etc. - Established partnerships with over 80% Local Governments across the country, as well as regional and central government actors; consolidated network of partners locally, regionally and internationally. - A number of capacity development projects (over half the project portfolio) specifically aimed at increasing Local Government Authorities’ skills in improved public service provision, strategic planning and project acquisition. - Experience with several donors including: EU, World Bank, USAID, SDC, ADA, Italian Cooperation, Open Society Foundation, Cordaid, Novib, GIZ, etc. - A team of 22 in-house professional experts, with the majority having acquired post-graduate studies abroad, and an additional consolidated pool of varied expertise to tap into as needed. - Embedded in POLIS University, a strategic partner, having the possibility to tap into the infrastructure (laboratories) and human resources available at the university. 13

- Implemented projects ranging from 10,000 to 5 million Euro, all implemented with the same dedication and accountability. - High employee retention rate at the range 90 percent range.

4.2 POLIS University, The International School of Architecture and Urban Development Policies POLIS University, The International School of Architecture and Urban Development Policies is a young, yet ambitious and engaged high education institution, quality research-led university, supporting a focused range of core disciplines in the fields of architecture, urban planning, design and environmental management. With its forerunner approach, POLIS aims at building a critical mass prepared to face the development needs and patterns as well as Albania’s aspiration to develop by EU standards. Established in 2006, POLIS offers a focused range of disciplines on a bachelor, master and PhD level, supported by a growing body of applied and scientific research. The University, whose reputation as a leading academic institution in the country was reconfirmed by the report of the Commission for National Reform for Higher Education and Scientific Research in 2015, counts three faculties, namely the Faculty of Architecture and Art Design, the Faculty of Planning, Environment and Urban Management, and Faculty for Research and Development. Besides accreditation and quality assessment processes within the country, POLIS has been subject to quality evaluations by international standards, more specifically the PhD program is annually accredited by the Italian authorities, whilst the study program in Urban Planning and Management obtained the quality certificate by the Association of the European Schools of Planning – AESOP. In institutional level POLIS has been certified by the ISO standards 9001:2008 and 9001:2015, and it is currently undergoing an institutional accreditation conducted by the British Quality Assurance Agency QAA. In support of the teaching activities, POLIS regularly invests in a growing suitable and up-to-date physical infrastructure, such as thematic laboratories, auditoriums, etc. Research and Academic Excellence: At POLIS University we believe that independent, scientific research and stronger higher education Institutes, can significantly contribute to the development of Western Balkan countries. Our institution provides knowledge, technology and leadership for people in four core disciplines: architecture, urban planning, art and design, and environment. Through applied and scientific research POLIS develops and promotes scientific excellence and innovation, instrumental to the development processes in the country. Whilst through academic teaching it enhances creative and comprehensive competence. Today POLIS offers a focused range of study programs including Bachelor, Master and Doctoral programs, such as: undergraduate studies in Environmental management, Urban Planning, Architecture and Art-Design, followed by the post-graduate scientific and professional masters in Environmental Management, Structural Engineering and Energy Efficiency, Urban Social Development and Human Resources, Public Administration, Real Estate Development and Heritage Restoration and Conservation; a joint Masters in Business Administration (MBA), and doctoral programs, in Architecture, and Urban Planning. About 50% of the study programs, especially on a Master and PhD level, are offered in cooperation with a foreign partner, such as: IHS - Institute for Housing and Urban Development Policies, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Lawrence Tech Detroit, USA; University of Ferrara, Italy, etc., including the MBA program, which has been drafted and is currently being implemented as a joint degree between IPAG Business School, Paris, France and POLIS. Research constitutes an inseparable component of each of these programs, be it on bachelor, master or PhD level, as a natural response to the institutional needs, as well as a response to the current needs and priorities of the social, political and economic context in Albania.

Over the years, the university has developed a growing collection of own publications based on in-house research such as the periodical publication of thematic policy-papers ‘Policy followers or Policymakers!’ linking research with policy-influencing, and the scientific periodical journal on matters of architecture and urban planning ‘Forum A+P’. The Research and Development Unit objectives, priorities, fields of interests, expected results and partners, are aligned and organized into a Research Agenda, which has contributed to efficient management of research processes within POLIS University. POLIS University is also the initiator and home to two landmark annual events, such as Tirana Architecture and Design Weeks. For at least 3 weeks every year, these international events place Tirana under the spotlight of contemporary developments and discourses in the field of architecture, urban planning, art design, and environmental issues, intended to contribute to current domestic issues, such as major reforms, national discourses, etc. Most recently, POLIS has contributed substantially to the process of Territorial Administrative reform, and the discussion on Regional Development, contributing with qualitative well-researched analyses and proposals such as Albania Manifesto 2030”, “The Regionalization of Albania”,etc.

5. Arriving in Tirana and moving to the City Centre

To Tirana by plane: Tirana International Airport (known as Rinas Airport) is located in the northwest of Tirana, near the village of Rinas. The distance between the airport and the city center is 17 kilometers. The Rinas Express Bus, as a daily service from the Airport to the city center of Tirana. The bus departs every hour, fixed hours, behind the Palace of Culture. The fee is 300 ALL/single trip. Car rental companies: A total of eight rental companies are located at Tirana Airport. Taxi Services: There are several Taxi such as: - Speed Taxi - Tel: +355 4 222 2555, - Merr Taxi - Tel: 0800 5555 - ATEX Tax - Tel: +355 67 5000 300 - Green Taxi - Tel: 0800 2000

To Tirana by car: Land border points - Border Crossings between Albania and Greece: Through Kakavija, the southern border point, you may enter in Gjirokastra Through Kapshtica, the southeastern border point with Greece, you may enter in Korça Through Qafë Boti (Bot's Neck) - Konispol connects to Filat Through the Three Bridges, connects Përmeti with Konica - Border Crossing between Albania and Montenegro: Through Hani Hoti and Murriqan, you can access Shkodra Through Ulcinj on the southern border with Montenegro you can access Shkodra Now you can access Vermosh, from where you can connect to the Kelmendi area in Albania and Plava and Guci in Montenegro - Border Crossing between Albania and Macedonia Through Qafe Thana, cross border point is connected with Pogradec, Elbasan and Librazhd Through Tushemisht cross border point, to southeast of Ohrid Lake, in direction of Pogradec; Through Bllade, in the direction of Peshkopia or Bulqiza and Burreli; Through Gorica the road heads north of Prespa Lake. - Border Crossing between Albania and Kosovo Vërmica Qafë Prushi Qafë e Morinës

5.2 To and from U_Polis

Public transport alternatives: 1. Busses from Tirana city centre (departing at Piaca behind the National Museum) to Vora town, stopping in front of U_POLIS. (you can ask for the “Vora Bus”, fee per single trip to U_POLIS is 50 ALL) Distance from Tirana City center to U_POLIS is 7.8km; Distance from U_POLIS – Rinas Airport is 11.7km.

6. What we suggest

6.1 Accommodation Accommodation facilities and capacity: When it comes to accommodation, the city is well served. There is a wide range of accommodation facilities in the city varying from luxury to the most affordable ones. A list of recommended hotels is provided below: Table 1. List of recommended hotels No. Hotel Indicative Website Address EUR/Night Single & Double, +Breakfast 1. Hotel Plaza Tirana 140; 190 http://www.plazatirana.co m/sq/ Rruga 28 Nentori, 1001 Tirana 2 Hotel Rogner – 180; 190 http://www.hotel- Blv. “Deshmoret e Europapark europapark.com/ Kombit”, Tirana 3 Hotel Tirana 100; 120 http://www.tiranainternatio Sheshi Skenderbej Tirane, International nal.com/ 4 Hotel Mondial - 100; 140 http://www.hotelmondial.co m.al/ Rr. Muhamet Gjollesha, 1023, Tirana Tirana 5 Sky Hotel Tirana 90; 108 http://www.skyhotel-al.com/index- Rruga “Dëshmorët e 4 1.html Shkurtit”, Nr.5/1; Sky Tower, Tirana 6 Hotel Grand 120; 160 http://www.grandhoteltiran a.com/ St. Ismail Qemali, Nr. 11 Tirana, Tirana 7 Hilton Garden 70; 110 https://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/ 146 Bulevardi Gjergj Fishta, in Tirana Tirana, 1001, Albania

8 Hotel Sokrat 73; 112 www.hotelsokrat.com Rr. e Elbasanit, 81, Tirana

9 Hotel President 110; 150 http://www.xheko- Rr. 4 Shkurti, Tirana imperial.com/al/rooms_suite s.html 10. Doro Hotel 75; 90 http://hoteldorocity.com/ind ex.php "Muhamet Gjollesha" Street, Md.38 H.1.; PO 1023 Tirane

11 Hotel Theranda 70; 90 http://www.therandahotel.c om/ Rr.Andon Zako Cajupi - Tirana Tirane 12 Hotel Broadway, 90; 110 http://www.hotelbroadway- Rr.Emin Duraku 8 Tirana Tirana al.com/alb/index.html 13 Hotel Diplomat *- 100; 120 http://www.diplomatfashion Rruga "Irfan Tomini", Tirana .com/ Tirana 14 Luna Hotel 60; 70 http://albania- Rruga Sami Frasheri Nr.4 Tirana hotels.edialtour.com/hotel/h otel/hID/252/gj/gj2/title/Hot el-Luna- Tirana-Albania 15 Palma Hotel 55; 60 http://www.hotel- Rr.Sami Frasheri Nr 2 palma.com/ Tirana 16 Hotel VilaPark 80; 90 http://www.vilaparkhotel.co Kodrat e liqenit Tirana m/ 17 City Hotel 50; 75 www.hotelcitytirana.com Rruga "Mustafa Matohiti" Tirana 1001, Albania 18 Hotel Kruja 35; 50 www.hotelkruja.com Rr. Mine Peza, Tirane 19 Hotel Iliria 80; 110 http://www.iliriahotel.com/ Rr. Elbasanit, Tirane 20 Hotel Tafaj 50; 60 http://www.tafaj.com/ Rr. Mine Peza, Tirane 21 Hotel Nirvana 60; 80 http://www.travel- Kavaja Street nr.59, Tirana tirana.com/Hotel_Nirvana_Ti rana 22 Tirana 12 http://www.tiranahostel.co Rruga Elbasanit 85, Tirana, Albania Backpackers m/Tirana%20Backpacker%20 Hostel Hostel/Tirana%20Backpacker %20Hostel.html

* Preferential rates offered to Co-PLAN: 55 EUR/night – Standard double room (single use), breakfast included. For reservations use code: #CoPlan2019

Figure 2 - A selection of hotels in the urban Tirana

6.2 Restaurants

Fine Dining: 1. Umami Restaurant - Rruga Ismail Qemali Pallati 12/1near Liceut Artistik, Tirana 1001, Albania. Phone: +355 69 694 5555 2. Otium Restaurant - Rruga Brigada VIII, pallatet Agimi, Tirana 10001, Albania. Phone: +355 4 222 3570 3. Padam Boutique Hotel & Restaurant - Rr. Mustafa Matohiti, Vila Nr. 2,, Tirana 1000, Albania Phone: +355 4 450 4913 4. Melograno Restaurant Bulevardi Zhan D'Ark | Near Foreign Affairs Ministry, Tirana 1000, Albania Phone: +355 69 606 6111

Local Cuisine: 1. Delicatezze di Mare Rruga -Reshit Collaku 3, Tirana 10001, Albania Phone: +355 67 200 8040 2. Era Blloku - Rruga Ismail Qemali p 13 / 2, Tirana, Albania Phone: +355 69 406 6662 3. Mullixhiu* - Shetitorja Lasgush Poradeci | Diga e Liqenit Artificial, Tirana 1000, Albania Phone: +355 69 666 0444 4. Fish House - Bulevardi Gjergj Fishta | Rr. Reshit Collaku, Tirana, Albania Phone: +355 69 204 8518

Moderately Priced: 1. Ballkoni I Dajtit - The edge of Dajti Mountain Accessed via the 'Dajti Ekspres' cable car, Tirana SH47, Albania Phone: +355 67 401 1021 2. Fishop* - Rruga Qamil Guranjaku | Near junction with Rr Pjeter Budi, Tirana, Albania Phone: +355 4 560 9064 3. Amor Restaurant - Rr. Komuna Parisit | Prane Stadiumit Dinamo, pallati i postes Shqiptare., Tirana 1022, Albania Phone: +355 69 268 4952 4. +39 Food & Club - Rruga Ibrahim Rugova, Tirana, Albania Phone: +355 69 330 8496

Conveniently Priced: 1- Deliziosa Pizzeria & Restaurant Rr. Brigada 8, Nr. 9 | Perball Checkpoint Charlie Pub, Ish Blloku, Tirana 1001, Albania Phone: +355 68 877 1050 2- The Rooms Restaurant - Rruga Sami Frasheri | 100 Meters From Wilson Square, Tirana 1001, Albania Phone: +355 69 358 7887 3- Bar Restaurant Bio - Rruga Arben Minga | P. 46/9 shk 1, Tirana 1001, Albania Phone: +355 69 666 6411 4- Pasta Mia - Rruga Ibrahim Rugova , Pallati 4 | di fronte all'ambasciata Svizzera, Tirana 1001, Albania Phone: +355 4 452 2537

* Highly recommended.

7. Sightseeing in Tirana

1- The Skanderbeg Square and Skanderbeg Monument This square was named Scanderbeg’s Square on the 26th of November 1937. It was projected in a round shape and with a round fountain in the middle, while the dominating building was the old City Hall which was destroyed in 1980. The monument of George Kastriot Scanderbeg was placed there on the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the death of our national hero. Now, Scanderbeg Square is an open space dedicated only for pedestrians. Layed with stone from all regions of Albania and fountains that repurpose rainwater, this project is meant to be a center piece for the city; uniting Albania as a country with the use of trees, plants, and greenery from every zone in Albania. 2- The Clock Tower The Tirana Clock Tower began to be built by Haxhi Et'hem Beu in 1822 and was completed with the contribution of rich families of Tirana. Initially, the height of the tower was 30 m and the clock consisted of a clock winding up mechanism and a brass bell, whose number of pips indicated the time because there were no field and clock hands. Until 1970 the tower was the highest building in the capital city. The Clock Tower is the symbol of the Municipality of Tirana and together with the Et'hem Bey mosque represents a unique architectural ensemble. 3- The Haxhi Et’hem Bey Mosque This is the only still existing mosque out of eight mosques that were built in Tirana in XVIII-XIX century. Its foundation was laid by Molla Bey at the end of the century XVIII, and the chapel was completed by his son Haji Et’hem Bey in the first quarter of the XIX century. The chapel was finished in 1236 'h (1820-1821). 4- The National Historical Museum The National Historical Museum was opened on the 28th of October 1981 and is the largest museum in Albania. It occupies a total area of 27.000 m2 of which 18.000 m2 is used for exhibitions. The museum is unique in its construction following a symmetrical plan with a main courtyard. The National Historical Museum is known for its large mosaic on the facade. The Museum exhibits over 6200 museum artefacts belonging to a relatively long period of time; ranging from IV millennium BC to the second half of XX century. 5- Bunk’Art 1 This museum is set up in the premises of the former anti-atomic shelter of the Interior Ministry. The Interior Ministry tunnel was built between 1981 and 1986 and can be considered one of the last "major works" performed by the communist regime. This bunker in the then-code called the "Pillar Object" consists of 24 rooms, one apartment reserved to the Interior Minister and a large hall dedicated to interconnection. Like many other bunkers of this size, this is also built to cope with a potential chemical and nuclear attack. 6- The Museum of Secret Surveillance: " House of Leaves" Starting in the 1950’s, here it was placed as the branch of technological-scientific of the State Security, which primarily was known for its use of electronic interceptions to control telephones and the postage system of foreigners until the State Security fell apart in 1991. The State Security, also known as the secret

police, was used to oppress the population and eliminate factions and opposition inside the Communist party. It was used to maintain the totalitarian regime. Today, with a project funded by the Ministry of Culture, the House of Leaves has turned into a museum to shed light on the Albanian society system, under a regime that attempted to have total control over the bodies and souls of the people. 7- House Studio Kadare House Studio Kadare is a place where you can get an idea of Kadare's work. It is a place where you can encounter the writer’s work and recognize its infinite ramifications in the times, in literature, and in his readers. This scope includes both aspects of how the writer came to shape his work and how it was diffused, received, criticized and conveyed beyond its own culture, and how it continues to be ‘understood’. The apartment was, of course, the writer’s place of work (atelier), but now it will be the point of departure for Kadaré’s work as an agent of postwar culture. It will continue to open up a perspective on how literary thought takes shape, how it interacts with its audience(s), and how it changes as it moves through geography and time. 8- The installation "The Cloud” by Sou Fujimoto One of the most popular works of public art installation "Reja" (Cloud), designed by well-known Japanese artist Sou Fujimoto is installed in front of the Gallery of Arts in Tirana."The Cloud" has an area of about 541 square meters and the maximum height reaches up to 7 meters. "The Cloud" operates as an independent space, with a full schedule of activities, built in cooperation with local cultural partners, individuals, educational institutions, communities, etc. The pavilion is intended as a free social space and therefore Fujimoto has described it as a transparent ground, a delicate structure, three-dimensional and each unit is made up of steel rods.

8. Weather Forecast for Tirana.

Thundery showers and light winds are forecasted for Thursday, September 26th, so please pack for rainy weather.

Figure 3 - Source: BBC Weather accessed on September 23, 2019

Fortunately, the weather for Friday, September 27th, is forecasted as sunny with a gentle breeze.

Figure 4 - Source: BBC Weather accessed on September 23, 2019.