First National Documents on Spatial Planning in Albania

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The NSP objectives are
based on the objectives of
sustainable planning of
the key European planning
documents, such as the
European Territorial Agenda
2020, Strategy Evropa 2020,
Territorial Vision of Europe
2050, etc.
The formulation of the Vision Statement was an outcome of a process supported by
experts of the priority sectors of national growth attached to the central institutions
and representatives of non-profit associations and organizations 3 . The Vision
formulation followed the methodology and process described by ESPON 4 on drafting
the Territorial Vision (TEVI) Europe 2050. The working group pursued two methods
to prepare the vision: i) based on scientific facts and information; ii) based on
values and guided by policies. Both methods were implemented independently, but
they fed into each other until the final result. This method enables a vision based
on the existing and planned policies, including their challenges, and underlines the
planning dimension as a process. The formulated vision maintains a strategic, longterm,
comprehensive, and coherent character.
The strategic planning was focused on the objectives and the policies of the plan.
The territorial strategic proposals were made based on five primary systems
organized into corridors, zones and centers. The underlying elements considered in
these proposals are as follows:
ʧ potential for economic and multidimensional development determined by the
location, size, accessibility, and connectivity;
ʧ identifying local character conditioned by specific geographical, natural,
historical, cultural, traditional features of economic, urban, and social development;
ʧ security measures for natural disasters and climate changes.
1.2 NSP strategic objectives
I. Multi-dimensional integration in the European context;
II. Creating and enhancing a strong and competitive economic position of Albania
in the Balkans and Mediterranean regions;
III. Physical and territorial integrity of the historical, cultural, natural, and urban
landscape throughout the Albanian territory;
IV. Increase and improvement of quality of life for people, by promoting economic
growth, removing spatial inequalities, access barriers to economy, infrastructure,
and knowledge;
V. Promotion of the “right to the city”;
VI. Preparing the ground for regional development.
1.3 Policies
Development of national infrastructure connecting Albania with pan-European
transport corridors;
Development of Albania as an interconnecting infrastructure and energy center
for the Balkans;
Smart growth of the urban system through polycentric, densifying, and
comprehensive development;
Promotion and access to natural areas and landscape features. Rational
3 For further information, see Annex 1 on the participation process.
4 ESPON (European Spatial Planning Observation) is a EU program with its initial objective of
taking concrete steps toward ESDP (European Spatial Development Perspective) implementation,
especially to improve knowledge, research and information on the territorial development and to
be prepared for the EU territory enlargement. Currently, the mission of ESPON 2020 is to continue
work for the consolidation of the Network of European Territorial Observatory, and strengthen political
provision and use of credible, regular and comparative data.