Department of Strategy and Donor Coordination

3.4 Urban, rural and regional development
Urban development policy focused on improving the legal framework on urban planning and on preparation
and approval of urban development plans, industrial works, tourism areas, etc.
With regard to tourism, the increasing number of tourists and tourism revenue resulted from investments
in tourism infrastructure, particularly in roads, water supply and sewerage. Furthermore, promotion of
Albania’s tourism image was aimed at consolidating the country’s position in the European tourism market
and beyond. New tourism products were greatly encouraged, e.g. rural tourism including ecotourism, agrotourism,
mountain sports tourism and cultural tourism. Cultural heritage policy aimed at giving the country’s
assets a tourism potential. Important investments were committed for the rehabilitation of urban objects of
tourism and heritage values.
In regard of rural development, farm consolidation was encouraged with the establishment and strengthening
of farmer associations, introduction of agricultural technology, improvement of marketing and upgrading
of vocational education of farming operators, providing opportunities for market entry, and building on the
development promotion policy as the most efficient form of mitigating poverty in rural areas. Considerable
investments were committed for highways and secondary roads and an appropriate system of road asset
management and priority investment policy making were created.
Agricultural development and increased exports resulted from a significantly higher agricultural and agroindustrial
production. Agro-processing technology investments are growing, bringing improved level and
quality of technology. More investments are being made in the milk processing industry. Imports of agricultural
and livestock products decreased by round 15 per cent this years, while agricultural exports increased by 30
per cent. Flexible policy and monitoring of price chronology in the regional and international markets led to
the adaptation of instruments that help in the production and sale of agricultural products.
3.4.1 Spatial planning
Indicator: Proportion of municipalities with urban regulatory plan according to planning law
With regard to spatial planning, finalisation of the urban planning law was the focus of 2008. This law aims to guide
the sector towards a market-oriented modern approach and to establish a control system that facilitates sustainable
development. To this purpose, a series of consultations took place during 2008 and the draft law was reviewed
several times before endorsement by the CoM and submission in parliament for approval in February 2009. The
new law on territorial planning provides the legal and institutional framework for spatial harmonisation of public
and private interests through efficient orientation of private developers and investors, and by simultaneously
effectuating coordination of horizontal competences and of vertical decision-making structures.
The new law aims to ensure compatibility of development planning and control responsibilities to the legislation
of decentralisation, and division of competences between the central and local government. Some responsibilities
related to urban planning and managements will be transferred to the local government to ensure efficient use of
planning instruments and control mechanisms. The new law is expected also to institutionalise public participation
and consultation, and to provide more transparency in planning and granting of construction permits.
Urban regional and partial studies were conducted country-wide during 2008 to identify potential investments
for new energy sources, to encourage tourism development, build industrial works with private investment, clean
up environmental hot spots and revise (reassess) previous studies. Table 3 reports an overview of decisions issued
by the National Territory Adjustment Council (KKRRTRSH) in 2008, particularly the studies approved for the
construction of renewable energy plants and industrial works.
In the period ahead, efforts will focus on completing with the necessary bylaws the new law on territorial
planning 12 , as a fundamental step to guide the sector. Moreover, further to implementation of the law a National
Agency on Territorial Planning will be established and the National Plan on Territorial Adjustment initiated, to
ensure orientation towards integrated and sustainable development in the entire country. Each city should prepare
regulatory plans to precede development, particularly in regions with economic potential.
12 Law No. 10119 “On territorial planning”, dated 23.04.2009
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