Urban Development of Tirana after 90 years and its Environmental Problems

Abstract

The developments in the last two decades in Albania after the fall of communism are associated with major changes, both socio-economic and environmental. In the context of environmental change, Albania is one of the remaining countries with a wide range of problems that have constantly been in the focus of attention of not only the state institutions but also of the non-governmental organizations, which are operating in our country. Tirana is a city that is considering and dealing with its environmental problems. Tirana as the capital of the country has experienced such an extra ordinary transformation in more than two decades that has not been without its environmental costs. Human activities have transformed the environment in Tirana. Greater quantities of waste generated, especially of solid waste, are caused by the major construction boom. Considerable amount of clinical waste is disposed in urban waste in the places where hospitals and clinics are situated. Tirana’s clinical waste is burned in special places. As the economy of the city grows, this volume will increase. In this context, our paper will focus on a more extensive treatment of these problems, providing forecasts for the future as well as considering the measures to reduce the negative aspects of urban development to the levels required by the EU.