11/06/2026
Metropolitan Seminar – Day 2!
Following the end of communism in 1991, Tirana has experienced rapid growth. With its economic, demographic and urban development, the city is fully fulfilling its role as the capital. Urban sprawl, transport planning, water management (particularly access to drinking water) and environmental protection (waste management) are among the key challenges facing this metropolitan area, as highlighted by Genci Kojdheli, Director General for Integration, Strategic Planning and Economic Development at the Municipality of Tirana Bashkia Tiranë, in his opening remarks for the day.
💧 Water management: towards regionalised management of water resources, risk management and the upgrading of water infrastructure. Implementation of projects co-financed by international donors such as AFD to strengthen drinking water supply and sanitation infrastructure in Durres. A discussion with Arben Musaj, Project Coordinator – foreign-funded project financed by AFD, National Agency of Water Supply and Sewerage of Albania (AKUK) and Clémence Gagnaire, Project Officer, AFD - Agence Française de Développement
🏙️ Waste management: Tirana produced 14.52 kg of waste per capita per day – a challenge for waste collection and treatment managed by Eco Tirana, the public operator responsible for waste management in Tirana, the result of cooperation between three municipalities – Vicenza, Verona and Tirana – presented by Diego Testi, Managing Director of Eco Tirana . At the same time, initiatives are exploring the prospects and potential for circular economy and waste recovery in Albania, as exemplified by Lulzim Baumann, founder of Recycling Albania
🚗 Mobility: The reorganisation of transport in Tirana-Durrës is centred on three key areas: 1) the consolidation of public transport networks (buses) and their digitalisation, 2) the development of soft mobility (bicycles), and 3) inter-municipal connections. A discussion with Rixhin Qoshja, sustainable urban transport advisor at GIZ Albania, Olsi Cara, Director of Certification and Licensing for Road Transport at the DPSHTR, and Ph.D. Floreta Kertusha, Head of the European Integration and International Aid Department, Municipality of Durrës.
The in is organised in partnership with the Municipality of Tirana Bashkia Tiranë, the National Territorial Planning Agency and the Ambassade de France en Albanie, with the support of the Campus groupe AFD - Agence Française de Développement and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs