This are some of the newest pictures from tirana. Most of the chnages came with the new mayor who started painting communist apartment buildings in different bright colours. The movement grew.
http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album21/Pamje_nga_Tirana.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Kryeqyteti.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Horizont.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Lumi_i_Lanes.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Kullat.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Gjelberimi_po_behet_pjese_e_Tiranes.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Kryeqyteti_i_Shqiperise_001.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Tek_Vila_IV.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Rr_Kavajes.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Bulevardi_Zhan_Dark.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Rrugice_ne_Tirane.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Selia_Kuvendit_te_Republikes.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Dusk_in_Tirana.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Hotel_Sheraton.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Rr_A_Toptani.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album21/Kulla_e_sahatit.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/bashkiatirane/12_1.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Perpara_Parlamentit.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Parku_i_Rinise.sized.jpg


http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Perkrah_Akademise_se_Arteve.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Myslym_Shyri.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Shqiperia_Sot.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Perkrah_Lanes.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Tek_Shallvaret.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/After_the_Rain.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Vjeshta_ne_Kryeqytet.sized.jpg





http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/bashkiatirane/18_2.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album21/Rruga_Zogu_i_pare.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album21/Tek_Kodrat_e_Liqenit.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album21/Kryeqyteti_Shqiperise.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album21/Rruget_e_Kryeqytetit.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album21/Sky_Tower.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album21/Bashkia_Tirane.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album21/Mars_2004.sized.jpg



http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album21/Reklamat.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album21/Lidhja_e_Shkrimtareve.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album21/Perballe_Kinema_Millennium_I.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album21/Rruga_e_Kavajes.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Lana_River.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Piramida_Center_City.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Rr_Myslym_Shyri.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Parku_Rinia.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/The_Rush_Hour.sized.jpg


http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Shetitorja_Deshmoret_e_Kombit.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Goverment_Buildings.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Pallati_i_Kongreseve.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Skulpture_G_e_Arteve.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album21/Perendimi.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Vjeshta_ne_Tirane.sized.jpg


http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Midnight_in_Tirana.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Cowboy_Pub.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Tirana_City.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Tirana_International_Hotel.sized.jpg

First, sorry for the misprononciation of Tirana on the title of this thread.

In 2003, the master plan proposed by a French architectural company was approved by the gov. and the mayor. The plan includes increasing the level of river Lana, a metro, the Skenderbej square reserved only to pedestrians, six
85 meters maximum towers around the Skenderbej area etc.

Skenderbej Square:

http://www.albmuzika.com/img/tirana_archstudio_sheshi.jpg

http://www.tirana.gov.al/common/images/tirona.jpg

River Lana, books would be sold on the bridges:

http://www.albmuzika.com/img/tirana_archstudio_lana.jpg

The University Square

http://www.albmuzika.com/img/tirana_archstudio_universiteti.jpg

The plan is already starting to come toralization with the building, which will strt this year of one of the six towers around the skenderbej area. It will have 25 floors, 85 meters, 5 underground parking floors, and will be connected to two buildings. It will contain apartments, stores, restaurant, and offices.




http://www.tirana.gov.al/common/images/danezi1.jpg

http://www.albforumi.com/blendi/hlt.jpg



http://www.albforumi.com/blendi/hlt2.jpg

http://www.albforumi.com/blendi/hlt1.jpg

http://www.albforumi.com/blendi/hlt3.jpg

http://www.albforumi.com/blendi/hlt4.jpg

Some believe it is too big for the area, however my opinion is that since it is very thin, and unique, it will fit fine. The five other ones around the area won't also make it look imposing.

:eek2: judging by the pics, at least half the country drives mersedes and the country has been democratic-capitalistic for at least 50 years :D that's the perception I would get not knowing that it's Tirana

wow! i am totally stunned! i had no idea that the city was sooo beautiful! :eek2:

thebackdoorman, very nice job, and welcome to the forum. please, tell us where you are from? wait...is it tirana? :D

Wow!:eek: Some really nice pics, and a beautiful city. Very nice projects as well. Maybe one adventurous day I'll drop by and see it for myself.:cheers:

thebackdoorman, what is the population of tirana? :cheers1:

Tirana does look very nice.

Tirana is really progresiing and has already improved alot, but alot, alot more has to be done. We that visit it once a year can feel the diference.

As for the population, no one knows for sure. When the comunism fell in 1990, it was 200 - 250,000 but after that huge waives of people have come mostly from the north, but since 1997 a huge number from the south as well. Some say to be at least 800,000 people.

I like it... impressive.
Although, the color-thing they have going on, nope... doesn't boil my water.

But people look more then ok, and it looks , although not that big, like a 'live-able- city.. :)

Some of the colours are just too skittle like! Too bright in my opinon.

Cool pictures from Albania! Tirana is awesome

I think much more then 50% of cars are Mercedeses. I heard its something like 90.

very nice pics and a good projects.

Altind it seems that Albanians don`t ruin renovatyed stuff? I mean if the building is repainted noone will come with spray to draw something.

Tirana looks really nice, really....

I think much more then 50% of cars are Mercedeses. I heard its something like 90.

very nice pics and a good projects.

Altind it seems that Albanians don`t ruin renovatyed stuff? I mean if the building is repainted noone will come with spray to draw something.

I can say that Mercedes are around 50 - 60%, 30 -35% are other German cars like BMW, Audi and VW and 10 - 15% are other makes. This is totally different from what you see on other former comunist, EE countriest, for 2 reasons:

1. We do not produce cars locally
2. Most Importantly: During the comunism, Albania was the only country where private ownership was forbitten in almost all the forms, so no private vehicles were allowed. Back then you could see only buses, commercial trucks, a few taxis and some other cars belonging to institution and of course, for us in Tirana: "many" Mercedes belonging to the Comunist Regime Elite. We grow up admiring them so people wants them now. Of course it helps that Mercedes back then were tough and exellently built, perfect for the extremely and not maintained roads, back in early '90s and till recently.

FIATs, Peugeouts, Opels, Fords all came and gone, only Mercedes and Golfs remained strong.

As for the spraying, it isn't our thing and you rarely see them on building facades. If you see one, 90% is a election-related slogan, such vote for this or that political party and/or candidate.

Check the left-bottom corner of this picture:

http://www.albforumi.com/blendi/hlt2.jpg

and then the right-bottom on this one:

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Tirana_City.sized.jpg

Some of the colours are just too skittle like! Too bright in my opinon.

That is the only way to cover the crappy facades of those soviet/sino era ugly commie-blocks.

If you can't make them beutyfull, make them fancier .... :cheers:

Wow, I have to say I'm really impressed... Tirana looks like it's in much better condition than I thought it would be. Are these areas just the nice parts or is the whole city pretty much this way?

The GDP/head figure for Albania is extremely low, where does the money come from?

^ Something in between.

As for the funding, is not that things don't get done becouse of lack of funds. The lack of political will, corruption and miss-managment, are what stop the progress.

For example all the high schools and universities in Tirana were repaired and upgrade with UN and Soros's money (there was a thread opened some months ago here with HS pictures). The same can be said for other improvements.

The master plan that was presented for Tirana (part of it was shown on post No. 2) was right away rejected by the oposition as worthless and they accused the Goverment for corruption and so on. If they win next year's elections, I'm sure they'll cancel it, force Tirana's Mayer to resign (by cutting funds), stop the progress in the city and return (possibly) Tirana on the waisteland it become in the '90s when they were in power. If I tell you that every inch of greanery in the city was destroyed and builded upon (crappy things BTW). Whould you belive that?

Hello and thnx for the welcome. I do not live in Tirana, although i spend my summers there, currently I am in Boston. I have read that the population of the city of Tirana is about 360000 in the original borders of the city, and about 520.000 with surrounding areas. The market actually used to be more owned by Mercedes until lately that more cars were introduced, (now i belive its about 50% mercedes) however most of Mercedes were old models from the 80's. Closer to the centre the more-well-to-do people live, but as you move away the city becomes less and less well-kept. The money for the changes comes from the city budget which increased through re-organization of taxes, advertising spaces (advertiseiment seems to have become big in the last two years), and loans. Not that much money is actually needed since all the projects that the city has taken upon are pretty much cleaning, fixing roads, painting, and increasing the green areas. It's not that they have started building a new stadium or a new expessway, metro or anything of that sort.
The painting thing has also had many critics in Albania, however I think its better than the way they were before.

the projects look really good, and about that 85m building, do you know whether or not works have started on it?

Damn.....:runaway: is Albania pushing to join the EU? I thought it's like one of the poorest countries in Europe...

Economy

Main article: Economy of Albania

Albania is one of Europe's poorest countries, with half of the economically-active population still engaged in agriculture and a fifth said to be working abroad. The country has to deal with a high unemployment rate, corruption up to high government levels and organised crime.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albania

well yes, but the accession won't be for tommorow ;)
In maybe 10 years, the economy will have grown...
and I thought that Moldova was the poorest :?

Why don't you say the whole story of Albania. No railway connections, the lack of public roads and the massive corruption. It is a said story, Albania, with thousands of people crossing the Adriatic, etc...
Still I think that smth could be changed, but the change can only come from inside. The europeans we will not di the job for you. You say it is a democratic country, I say that 8 years ago the country was close to a civil war because of the corrupt politicians and the system.
Anyway, the direction of Albania today is the right one.

Albania DO have railway connection. It is even connected with Montenegro by rail. However it is underutilised.

How you come to the conclusion that Albania have no public roads? Have you visited the country and were forced to move around in a horse or donkey pulled cart??? Or you make comparission with the rural aereas of your own country???

The country almost went to civil war on 1997 becouse of the collapsing of the investment piramide schemes where people lost more then 1 billion dollars of their savings.

If you think Moldova is e better place to live then Albania, GOOD LUCK to you.

I don't think Cornelliu was intending on insulting Tirana or anything.........

dont touch the river, it already looks very nice :)

Albania is not exactly poor, their GDP is growing quite fast and at a good rate, Albania has a very positive looking future.

Well it seams that more people are willing to work this days, not just moving that lazy asses from a bar and coffie shop to another, as it used to be.

The collapsing of the pyramid schemes, despite the enourmous dammagge they coused on people's life, saving and properties, at least made people realise that you have to work to make money, not just invest in scams and do nothing.

Wow, it's impressive... Hardly can't believe that's Albania. Can't you post some pics of other cities (for example Durrës, or Shkoder) to get an impression.

And indeed, Moldova is said to be poorer that Albania, but imo it's very hard to compare those countries anyway.

I would say that Albania is doing a great job these last years! Maybe some of us don't want to admit that (maybe becose it mostly muslim country or...), but that's the fact. I must say that I'm not really surprised with all these fotos, but I was surprised some time ago when someone (maybe Altind?) posted some pictures of Tirana, I thought it's one small, dirty, black and white city. But it's not!


By the way, Altind Carnut, some time ago I said something not so nice to you. Maybe you remember...anyway, I'm sorry.

^ As you said, it was some times ago, so lets leave it to the past.

Back to subject: Other cities and towns are really lacking behind, exept Vlora, Saranda in the South and some parts of Durres. Those places needs a Mayer like Tirana have, a man that isn't affraid of change.

WOW, looks surprisingly welcoming and well maintained, very exotic and resort-like atmosphere... Send that mayor over to Sofia, he's obviously good at achieving something out of nothing. and o boy, do our commies need a repaint!
Albania's developing at a really quick and positive pace, U have the highest GDP growth in EE, same applies to population growth. Go Albania!
btw, could you post some more pics of that Enver Hoja mausoleum, I really have a thing for soc buildings of the type

Edi Rama, Mayor of Tirana, elected World Mayor 2004
By Tann vom Hove, Editor

http://www.citymayors.com/mayor2004-pics/rama_225x.jpg

Edi Rama, Mayor of Tirana, has been elected World Mayor 2004. In an annual international competition organised by City Mayors, Mr Rama was not only strongly supported by his own community in the Albanian capital, but also by thousands of voters in other European countries and North America...

http://www.citymayors.com/mayor2004/edirama_2004.html

Hello everyone
I was born in Tirana although i live in the States for many years.
I remember the city quite well back in the Communist days.
It was tipical communist city with soviet influenced architecture.
Now the city has really changed since 1990.
It is believed that Tirana as a whole (including all its boroughs) is around 1 million people.
It has a great landscape as a city.
The narrow Lana river runs through it.
You can oversee the beautiful Dajti mountain from Skenderbeg Square.
And on the East side of the city you have the very pleasant Tirana Lake built by the Commies.
It has many parks and great bars and night clubs.
Acctually , a lot of tourists that visit the city are surprised at the quality of the Clubs.
Very upscale.
Although , most of Tirana needs quite a lot of immprovement.
It is very pleasant to live during the Spring but i wouldnt recomend you visit during the Summer as it is very hot and dusty.
We have a few foreigners who permanenty reside in the city.
It is believed that in Tirana live around 8.000 chinese , perhaps more.
Also , you have italians , greeks , turks and a few western europeans who have been living in the city for the last decade or so.
It is a relatively young city.
It only became the Capital in 1920 , although it was established back in the early 1600's.

I recomend everyone to visit Tirana once.
It will be interesting to see.
And there are very beautiful girls :)

Also , a beautiful city in Albania is Saranda.
It is close to the border with Greece.
Very cool city to go with your girlfriend or wife.

Some Saranda pictures
http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album12/Saranda_1.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album12/Saranda_01.sized.jpg

At night
http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album16/56588409Ojiwje_ph.sized.jpg

God, there are best city mayor awards out there, I guess Tirana is on a very good track for the future.

Albania is developing very fast and that is very good, hope to see Albania in EU soon

nice projects nice city too :okay:

Saranda is worth of visiting...it looks like it's somewhere in Greece. I'm interested to see some pictures od everyday life in Tirana or any other city, if anyone have them?

^ Saranda is just across the border with Greece actually and the Corfu island is just miles away.

Corfu is nice, Saranda looks great, Durres is nice too.

Wow, as far bak as i can remember there was always news about how much war and strife Albania was in (duringf the 90's on Aussie TV) Now i am so please to see parts of it look beautiful!

and as for the colours, it looks cool to me! :D haha

I'd say it has been a place of beauty for a long time, only it might not have been that open to the world during the communist times.

Wow, as far bak as i can remember there was always news about how much war and strife Albania was in (duringf the 90's on Aussie TV) Now i am so please to see parts of it look beautiful!

and as for the colours, it looks cool to me! :D haha

Acctually , the war was going on in Kosovo.
We did have a civil war in 1997 when many people died.
The year 1997 really brought the country like 5 years back.
It took a while for things to start rolling again.

Saranda is really pretty.
It used to be called Honeymoon City.
Most couples used to spend their Honeymoon in Saranda.
And they grow amazing oranges.

As far as Tirana goes , i believe that the ouskirts of the city will be a major concern in the future.
A lot of illegal construction took place in the mid 90's thus ruining the structure of the city as a whole.
They will all be brought down but it might cause a big fuss as it did a few months back in Bathore area.

I like the job Edi Rama has done so far in the downtown areas.
The city can be a nice attraction in the next 10 years or so.
They really want to give the city a parisian image.
Full of parks , cafe's and bookstores....there is no intention whatsoever to make it with highrise buildings.
According to the french plan a few months back , the high rise buildings will be concentrated away from Skenderbeg square.
They want to give the square breathing room.
I am looking forward to this new danish project as was posted above.
It might look a modest project but it will certainly fit the image of the city in the future.

Just as a thought, to the Albanian forumers: When do you see Albania in the EU?

P.S. My critical view was rather a friendly advice. Do not take it personally.

Just as a thought, to the Albanian forumers: When do you see Albania in the EU?

P.S. My critical view was rather a friendly advice. Do not take it personally.

In 10 years propably.
EU is good only for the Economy.
As far as politics go , you will have to do as they say.
Sound much like a Modern version of Communism :bash:
It would however better the country's image.That's for sure.

I'd say the country's image is largly improving now.

CIA predicts that Serbia, Bosnia and Albania will not enter EU until 2020 at least. In other words - never. Though its just one of their "scenarios".

Yeah, I saw that on B92. Bosnia is supposed to be joining by about 2007/8.

2007/8? lol not even Croatia can join by then

CIA predicts that Serbia, Bosnia and Albania will not enter EU until 2020 at least. In other words - never. Though its just one of their "scenarios".

With today's progress, I agree. However things might change and the process might speed up.

Yeah, I saw that on B92. Bosnia is supposed to be joining by about 2007/8.


I was also thinking that 2007-2008 was going to happen, but really...When you look at the economy which is also advancing at a fast rate, and then the polotics are getting better...Well, slowly! ;) I'd expect that Bosnia and Herzegovina enters the EU at around 2012. That would be the most practical answer to the question.

As for Singidunum's information, I really doubt Bosnia and Herzegovina joining in at 2020 (at least), since that is a really far time in the future, and B&H is not that far at all from the EU when talking about the economic standards.

:cheers1:

You say that EU is good only for the economy but as far as politics is concerned you will be enslaved. But do you really think that you are a strong and independent country now?? Outside the EU?? For small and weak countries, EU is a blessing, as it was, in fact, for the rest of CEE countries. the EU opens up to you, funds your infrastructure, monitores the governemnent - for your sake, and brings credibility to the investors. It is a chain of successes that brings other successes.

However, I am confused to give a date. The next countries set to join in 2007 are Romania and Bulgaria (that negotiated 7 years). Croatia and Turkey will start the negotiations only this year. It could take between 3-5 years for Croatia and 7-12 years for Turkey. As far as Western Balkans, I am not that sure that there is a political will now to accept new countries. This enlargement was costly enough. They might want to wait a bit. I would be rather pessimistic. because remember, EU enlargment is about politics, not economy. And now there is Ukraine on the table. We will see how this enlargement goes.

Ukraine should enter by 2012, but that's off the topic of the thread.

stunned to see how vibrant the city is now!
That's such a far cry from the few pictures of tirana i used to see during my searches on the net a few years ago where it seemed to be pretty lifeless from streets perspectives.
It looks so attractive i would certainly consider visiting - a real pleaser too to know the people look at ease now - Bravo!

Better to see the pictures at SSC than internet search engines.

Now that we badly need them, they do not accept us.
I think that by the time the european Union is going to want us to join them, we will not be needing them.

You say that EU is good only for the economy but as far as politics is concerned you will be enslaved. But do you really think that you are a strong and independent country now?? Outside the EU?? For small and weak countries, EU is a blessing, as it was, in fact, for the rest of CEE countries. the EU opens up to you, funds your infrastructure, monitores the governemnent - for your sake, and brings credibility to the investors. It is a chain of successes that brings other successes.

However, I am confused to give a date. The next countries set to join in 2007 are Romania and Bulgaria (that negotiated 7 years). Croatia and Turkey will start the negotiations only this year. It could take between 3-5 years for Croatia and 7-12 years for Turkey. As far as Western Balkans, I am not that sure that there is a political will now to accept new countries. This enlargement was costly enough. They might want to wait a bit. I would be rather pessimistic. because remember, EU enlargment is about politics, not economy. And now there is Ukraine on the table. We will see how this enlargement goes.

EU is good for the economy but when Albania becomes quite big and a very good economym the EU could decrease the growth considering it is a joint economy, this might be a 'turn away' towards foreign investors looking to invest in Albania.

Hi everyone
While reading this morning Albania's main daily newspaper Shekulli i came accross this photo at its main page:

http://www.shekulli.com.al/newsfoto/06022005_1.jpg

This is supossedly the second project for the Downtown area surrounding Skenderbeg square and it was made by a belgian firm.
It is going to be 85 meters tall , exact height as the danish project.
As i said before , no building would be taller than 85 meters in downtown area.
It looks very interesting and very fitting.
I would bring more photos from this if i found any.

Nice looking contemporary architecute, good job Football Rules!

watch what i foudn online, a plan for reorganisation of tiranas city centre

http://stefan-vogt.info/neue_mitte_tirana/vue%20globale.jpg
http://stefan-vogt.info/neue_mitte_tirana/plan%20masse.jpg
http://stefan-vogt.info/neue_mitte_tirana/plan.jpg
http://stefan-vogt.info/neue_mitte_tirana/maquette1.jpg
http://stefan-vogt.info/neue_mitte_tirana/maquette2.jpg
http://stefan-vogt.info/neue_mitte_tirana/nuit.jpg
http://stefan-vogt.info/neue_mitte_tirana/pers-place.jpg
http://stefan-vogt.info/neue_mitte_tirana/place.jpg

:eek:

The pictures Stevan brought here are those of the French project.
This is what they are planning to make the city look like in around 25-30 years.
Acctually , if the idiot politicans dont screw anything up i would say it can be acheived within that time frame.
Notice all the green areas , exactly like i said , they wanted a parisian type image for the city.
Tirana today is already green but they intend to push for more
I wonder what will happen with the National bank as that is one very ugly looking communist building :bash:

This was supposedly a project for a Trade center in Kavaja Street but i have no clue what has happened with it.

http://www.architecture-studio.fr/images/TIR1/grand/pers1.jpg

that is a very strange project. it looks like it is bent at the top of the building. i like tirana, it looks very nice. there are a lot of buildings that seem to be commie blocks that are colored, which seems to be a good idea to hide the gray they usually give off. :)

does anyone have any information on the tallest building in tirana? i tried to look up on emporis and it said that the city only has 250.000 population. this seems to be alittle too small for this city, so the buildings aren't probably very updated either.

currently it states there is a tirana international hotel which is 16 floors, and then there are twins which are 2X15 floors.

is my information correct, or are there any new buildings?

that is some incredible projects!
and Stevan, you found Golden information!

I hope they built the trade center.
http://www.architecture-studio.fr/images/TIR1/grand/pers2-2.jpg
I remember the idea of that project coming immediately after the city planning, but it somehow got lost.
Also, the vodafone tower/sky bar too has 16 floors and a new office building, it had the label European Business Center however i believe they changed name, has more than 15 floors but not sure quite how many (not over twenty)( the picture is on first thread but my browser is too slow for me to see which one it is). I believe this last building is currently the highest one in Tirana. Also, there are many apartments buildings which were built at 15+ floors, however they are not as tall as Tirana International or much taller because Tirana InTernational's first to floors are very large since they include conference rooms and restaurants.

Some new pictures
http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/tirana1/images/Catite_dhe_gradacelat_jpg.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/gentib/images/PALLATE_TE_REJA_TE_BLLOKU_jpg.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/tirana1/images/diga_te_liqeni2_jpg.jpg

http://www.forumihorizont.com/attachment.php3?postid=42072
http://www.photo-hendel.de/tirana/images/prevs/prev11.jpg

http://www.forumihorizont.com/attachment.php3?postid=42074

The artificial lake of tirana:
http://www.forumihorizont.com/attachment.php3?postid=73493

Empty Streets:
http://www.forumihorizont.com/attachment.php3?postid=73492
http://www.forumihorizont.com/attachment.php3?postid=73494http://www.forumihorizont.com/attachment.php3?postid=73930http://www.forumihorizont.com/attachment.php3?postid=81416

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/2734tirana_pamje_naten.jpg

I wrote some new pictures above however they are about two years old.
Right now there is an 8 floor limit on new apartment buildins, and on some neighborhoods, like ish-blloku where the communist officials lived it is illegal to built one of any height.

The rebuilding:

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/bashkiatirane/16_2.sized.jpg

Some of those apartments are over 15 floors, but i am not sure if they survived. This whole are dissapeared and there were actually news about destroying floors on some aprtments who had gove over their limit.
http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/bashkiatirane/18_7.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/bashkiatirane/19_2.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/bashkiatirane/19_6.sized.jpg
http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/bashkiatirane/19_7.sized.jpg

how it looked later:
http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/bashkiatirane/18_9.sized.jpg

very nice, it seems to be progressing very quickly. :) so, i'm not sure if anyone has answered me yet, but what is the tallest building over there.

those are very nice pictures, yet i am confused for what reason they would want to knock down apartments that are over the limit. i personally think that is not fair for the people that live on the top floors that are over the limit. :(

the trade centre is very nice. :) i hope to see more projects in tirana. :yes:

those are very nice pictures, and hopefully later on we will see more.tirana seems to be going at a fast pace. :)

i read in an article on this forum about the traffic being a very bad situation. is that true, it also compared it to belgrade. it might have been skopje, i am not sure.


what is albania's economy doing at the moment? is it growing at a fast pace, or is it slowing down and weekening?

^faster than you can say vrooooom! :D
It's among the fastest growing I believe, but the problem is that it isn't the only thing that grows... or rather is being duplicated, so the gdp per capita doesn't really move much ;)

OMG

Before
http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/bashkiatirane/19_6.sized.jpg

After

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/bashkiatirane/18_9.sized.jpg

this is just INCREDIBLE :eek:

those are very nice pictures, and hopefully later on we will see more.tirana seems to be going at a fast pace. :)

i read in an article on this forum about the traffic being a very bad situation. is that true, it also compared it to belgrade. it might have been skopje, i am not sure.


what is albania's economy doing at the moment? is it growing at a fast pace, or is it slowing down and weekening?

Whoa, why d have a mexican a lot of interestes about Balkan :) But it s nice, of course.

Somehow, your posts reminds me on Timur Taljanovics posts, it seems timur found a fellow on this forum :)

anyway, welcome here !!!

^well it's good that they have each other now

I think the tallest actual building in Tirana is 20 floors high which is Tirana International Hotel
I heard they were planing on building a 54 stories high building close to city center but i hardly believe the city would allow it , only if it was far from Skenderbeg square
Population of the city itself without the boroughs is at least 750.000 people.
Perhaps a lot more including tourists and students from other parts of the country.
The whole is around 1 million.
The statistics about the city being 250.000 date back in year 1990 but that was 15 years ago.
Today in Tirana you see buildings that you would not see in a lot of places like that weird looking Gas station
The clubs in the city are simply mindboggling , people that build these already hire a very expensive architect for the design beforehand.
Image is everything.
Most of these places are owned by filthy criminals and drugdealers and our scumbag prime minister is a part of it
I really think they need to renovate the Zoo in the city cause it lools like crap.
They need to extend it and they certainly need to improve the infrastructure in that part of the city.

One thing: The National Bank Building in central square is not a comie. It was build by Italians in the late '30s but I don't remember if it was before or during the occupation.

I don't think is ugly though. The Palace of Culture by the other hand is both comie and ugly :puke:

This was supposedly a project for a Trade center in Kavaja Street but i have no clue what has happened with it.

http://www.architecture-studio.fr/images/TIR1/grand/pers1.jpg
Looks nice with the quasi-dome, I hope it gets built.

OMG

Before
http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/bashkiatirane/19_6.sized.jpg

After

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/bashkiatirane/18_9.sized.jpg

this is just INCREDIBLE :eek:

You know what is incradible: The fact that till early '90s the "river" was looking exactly like the second picture also.

Basically it has just returned to look like it should and like it had. Same story with many public parks across the city.

Greenery near rivers look brilliant.

You know what is incradible: The fact that till early '90s the "river" was looking exactly like the second picture also.

Basically it has just returned to look like it should and like it had. Same story with many public parks across the city.

Jepp, that is just scary what urban mafia can do, especialy in balkans :( it s shame to destroy such nice parks, but it s good it s back to the roots now :okay: :)

This is great project. fantastic design
http://www.architecture-studio.fr/images/TIR1/grand/pers1.jpg

btw, could you post some more pics of that Enver Hoja mausoleum, I really have a thing for soc buildings of the type

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Piramida_Center_City.sized.jpg

This is the only photo i know of good quality of the Former Enver Hoxha Museum.
No one talks about this building anymore but i think it is one of the most (if not the most) beautiful buildings in the city.
It was built in 1985 , it was designed by Enver Hoxha's son in law i believe.
Today it is called International Museum , it is right in the heart of the city on Boulevard of the Martyrs in front of those 2 towers posted above.

I have been inside plenty of times and is pretty cool.
They organise exhibitions of sorts , it is used mainly for cultural events.
It is all marble as you can see
Very immpressive architecure and look
We need more of these types of unique buildings in Tirana :)

I'm really surprised by this changing city !!!!
These avenues, parks and new projects are fantastic !
I like the lake of Tirana and the italian arquitecture of the Skënderberg square-.

Mirupafshim !!!!!!

I'm really surprised by this changing city !!!!
These avenues, parks and new projects are fantastic !
I like the lake of Tirana and the italian arquitecture of the Skënderberg square-.

Mirupafshim !!!!!!

Lol
Thanks for the kind words
Lana river is very cool.It gives the city a different dimmension.
I love the little bridges where you walk on the other side.
Another place i love in the city are The Pools
I have no pics of them but the Pools also known as Pishinat are a really awseome place

Although i must add that i am very impressed with what the Mayor of Tirana has done for the city. However though.. many suberbs in Tirana, aswell as most of Albania still lay in ruins.. the country still remains the poorest in Europe after Moldova. Its good to see the city of Tirana looking nice, but the quality of living in Albania is still the lowest in Europe and somthing really needs to be done to change this, not just in Albania but the rest of the Balkans.

Nice pictures!!
I m happy to knowing that Albania 's economy growing.
In Albania Italy is the only Country who is making something since the end of communist regime of 1989, is helping with money, a lot of bilateral projects, so today Albania is really a State arrived to normality thanks to Italy can’t forget in Italy there also are many emigrates from that Country.
__________________

Nice pictures!!
I m happy to knowing that Albania 's economy growing.
In Albania Italy is the only Country who is making something since the end of communist regime of 1989, is helping with money, a lot of bilateral projects, so today Albania is really a State arrived to normality thanks to Italy can’t forget in Italy there also are many emigrates from that Country.
__________________

The only country?? I am afraid you have forgotten ( i hope not in purpose) Greece which is also the second largest economic partner of Albania after Italy.

btw Capitan, are you Albanian by any chance? or do you have anyone close to you that is?
in any case, this Former Enver Hoxha Museum looks really good, too bad there's no good pics, I wouldn't mind seeing its very own thread, or at least a soc building thread

Greece and Italy are our closest economic partners
I have to add that Germany has contributed a lot in Albania the past 15 years
They are another key financial supporter who dont get enough recognition

Although i must add that i am very impressed with what the Mayor of Tirana has done for the city. However though.. many suberbs in Tirana, aswell as most of Albania still lay in ruins.. the country still remains the poorest in Europe after Moldova. Its good to see the city of Tirana looking nice, but the quality of living in Albania is still the lowest in Europe and somthing really needs to be done to change this, not just in Albania but the rest of the Balkans.

You make a good point
Tirana is very immpressive but other cities are a disaster
The living standard in Albania is very low compare to most of Europe
Northern Albania is the poorest region
It can be an incredible tourist destination because we have stunning mountain scenery but it is very underdeveloped
Albania always used to be refered as the Switzerland of the Balkans because of its great landscape but this is not the case
I showed pictures of our mountains in another thread and they are a jewel that we really do not put into use
Eastern Albania has some really immpressive mountains as well

I was just reading an article and it said that Tirana is very polluted due to the cars and the petrol etc...how much of this is true?

It also said that running water isnt constant in the suburbs and the streets arent named?

personally i love this city (what i have seen of it) and i hope Albania can work through its biggest problem...corruption

can someone please fill me in on the issues outlined above? overexaggerated or real? thx

I was just reading an article and it said that Tirana is very polluted due to the cars and the petrol etc...how much of this is true?

It also said that running water isnt constant in the suburbs and the streets arent named?

personally i love this city (what i have seen of it) and i hope Albania can work through its biggest problem...corruption

Most of it is true

is the government doing much about it? how about this Edi Rama fellow?

is the government doing much about it? how about this Edi Rama fellow?

Edi Rama is the mayor of Tirana since 2000
Before that he was Minister of Culture and Sports for 2 years
He is a painter who used to live in Paris in the mid 90's
He has great vision about the city and that's why he won best Mayor of the World in 2004


The governmet is basiccally City Hall
Neccessary measures have already been taken
In Tirana's richest area called Blloku you have no cars pass there after 5 pm
After the renovation of the square you will have no cars pass by there either
It will be immproved down the road

thats very good to hear but how about street names, flowing clean water and air pollution as well as garbage services?

sorry if i sound um..negative...im jsut very curious coz the city looks pretty

thats very good to hear but how about street names, flowing clean water and air pollution as well as garbage services?

sorry if i sound um..negative...im jsut very curious coz the city looks pretty

Poor suburbs such as Bathore have this problem regarding water supplies
I dont know about garbage service , they have this in the city.
Street names are there as well
How do you think mail is delivered???
The problem is that some streets have no names because the signs have been taken off by some idiots
Above all any information or article you read about the city is not updated.

yes i am sorry, it is dated 2002, my apologies

Yesterday was announced that the new Parlament building in Tirana will be built in Donika Kastrioti st.
The acctual Parlament building will be turned into an extension of the park that surrounds it and it will have underground parking
Fantastic idea in my opinion
It is said the project for the new parlament building will be really modern
I have no picture of any project as of yet but i will post it in the future

very nice pictures. keep them comig! greetings to Albania!

Yesterday was announced that the new Parlament building in Tirana will be built in Donika Kastrioti st.
The acctual Parlament building will be turned into an extension of the park that surrounds it and it will have underground parking
Fantastic idea in my opinion
It is said the project for the new parlament building will be really modern
I have no picture of any project as of yet but i will post it in the future

That's sound great. The current building is ... well, outdated. BTW where is Donika Kastrioti Str. I'm not living there since 7 years and i lost count of the new names they're giveing to most of the principal streats. :D

That's sound great. The current building is ... well, outdated. BTW where is Donika Kastrioti Str. I'm not living there since 7 years and i lost count of the new names they're giveing to most of the principal streats. :D

I havent been there in a while either
Donika Kastrioti st. is right there by the old library , right next to the acctual parlament building , is not that distant.
I love the area where the actual parlament resides , that is such a cool place and the park is going to be even bigger.

This is according to Balkanweb just a few hours ago:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nisi sot ne Tirane, konkursi nderkombetar per projektin Arkitektonik te kompleksit urban ne kryqezimin e rruges se Elbasanit me Bulevardin deshmoret e kombit. 4 studio, 3 te huaja MDVR hollandeze, Valerio Olgiati e Zvicres dhe Mario Bellini Italise, si dhe nje shqiptare, "Njesia e planit rregullues", kane prezantuar projektet e tyre per kompleksin urban qe perfshin ndertimin e 3 objekteve prej 5 deri ne 7 kate. Kreu i Bashkise se Tiranes, Edi Rama celi konkursin, rezultati i te cilit do te jepet ne mbremje. Nje juri nderkombetare prej 12 personalitete te arkitektures, do te perzgjedhin firmen fituese. Studimi urbanistik i qendres se qytetit te Tiranes, paraqet idene per nje kompleks elegant, ne forme ovale, ndersa te dy krahet ne bashkim me objektin, krijojne nje oborr te brendshem qe perben perfundimin e rrugices kembesore. Ky kompleks ka nje fasade te rendesishme qe ballafaqohet ne jug me Kalane dhe ne parlamentin, si dhe ne veri, me qytetin modern te se ardhmes. Ne projekt jane parashikuar edhe vendparkimet 3 kate nentoke, aktivitetet tregtare, zyrat , rezidenca hoteliere, si dhe zone sherbimesh. Arkitekti Maks Velo, vlereson projektet e prezantuara sot nga 4 firmat pjesmarrese. Ky eshte konkursi I trete per rregullimin e qendres se Kryeqyetit pas atij te dy kullave ne ish monumentin e Enver Hoxhes si dhe kulles tjeter prane monumentit te Kapllan Pashes.

Very good job
They are moving at fast speed with the projects
This particular one is very key , it links one of the main streets of Tirana , (the Elbasani street where most of the embassies are located) with its main boulevard.

According to Balkanweb from 8:30 pm news flash , the dutch firm won
It's in albanian but i will try to translate

Fitoi konkursin nderkombetar per projektin arkitektonik te kompleksit urban ne kryqezimin e rruges se Elbasanit me Bulevardin " Deshmoret e Kombit" studioja hollandeze M.V.R.D.V. Ne kete konkurs moren pjese 4 studio nder te cilat vetem nje qe shqiptare, studioja " Njesia e planit rregullues". Ky konkurs u cel nga kreu i bashkise se Tiranes Edi Rama nderkohe qe studioja fituese u zgjodh nga nje juri nderkombetare te perbere prej 12 personaliteteve te arkitektures. Projekti parashikon ndertimin e nje kompleksi te gjere tregtar me tre objekte me lartesi 5-7 kate, dhe me nje oborr perpara, qe tregon simboliken e nderthurjes se modernes me traditen shqiptare. Nder kushtet kryesore qe percaktohen per zbatim ne projektin fitues, jane qe objektet te jene ovale, perfshi tre kate te nendheshme parkimi si dhe mjedis te bollshem gjelberimi

Studio M.V.R.D.V from Holland won the competition for the project linking Elbasani st. with Tirana's main Boulevard
It is expected to be a trading complex with 3 buildings around 5-7 floors each with a court on the front
It will also have 3 underground parking floors and of course green all around the area
I have no pictures of this but it sounds a modest project in a very important part of the city.

nice!

Very good job
They are moving at fast speed with the projects
This particular one is very key , it links one of the main streets of Tirana , (the Elbasani street where most of the embassies are located) with its main boulevard.

General Election's Year. :rofl:

Check this out :)

http://www.shekulli.com.al/newsfoto/18032005_1.jpg

That is some fantastic project
It looks so interesting in my opinion
If i find larger pictures i will post them here

General Election's Year. :rofl:

I think the socialists will still win
Nano is just cooler politican even though corrupt

How does a country rid itself of corruption?

How does a country rid itself of corruption?

Judicial system is the key
Ours is so weak and that is why you have corruption

Projects that did not win

Italian project

http://www.tirana.gov.al/common/images/italiani%20.jpg


Swiss project

http://www.tirana.gov.al/common/images/zvicerani%20.JPG


I believe they made the right choice with the dutch project.
City Hall has not released the full project yet but when it does i will post it here.

Source: City Hall (http://www.tirana.gov.al)

They just released it.
It's not that clear from this picture but you get the idea :)

http://www.tirana.gov.al/common/images/holandezi2%20.jpg

I am not sure how the Dutch project looks, but i kind of like the Italian one.
The Dutch project has a nice form, but we do not know in what it will be dressed.

I also like the Italian building, the dutch building looks alot like the museum doesnt it?

I like the dutch project better
It is such a unique object and it will look very cool when it will be built , hopefully within 2 years.
It's unique kinda like the Museum but different of course
The italian project wasnt all that special , i wasnt crazy about it
The swiss one was horrible

This project is very impressive! Tirana is a very nice city, and I hope the best for the country, Albania. :)

http://www.shekulli.com.al/newsfoto/18032005_1.jpg

Does anyone have any construction pictures of this project?

Football Rules - Why don't you make a thread in the City Updates forum for Tirana? It seems that it has some nice projects there...

Im beginnin to really really like this city, i must visit it some day!

have u got any pics of street level? perheaps taken by you to show us the real tirana? i would be soooo happy to see them :) thanks

This project is very impressive! Tirana is a very nice city, and I hope the best for the country, Albania. :)

http://www.shekulli.com.al/newsfoto/18032005_1.jpg

Does anyone have any construction pictures of this project?

Football Rules - Why don't you make a thread in the City Updates forum for Tirana? It seems that it has some nice projects there...

I thought the same thing when i first saw it
It looks like a white blanket over 3 buildings of 5-7 floors each
It will look spectacular when they built it

Construction has not begun yet
It will start between spring and summer i think

Im beginnin to really really like this city, i must visit it some day!

have u got any pics of street level? perheaps taken by you to show us the real tirana? i would be soooo happy to see them :) thanks

You can see some pictures of street level in this thread
I will see if i can find more new pictures :)

The danish project is underway i think
The place where it will be built which is right in center of Skenderbeu square where Hoxha monument used to lay , i know for a fact that 1 year ago they were digging a big hole and you could see it from live camera of the city that Balkanweb had the time
I think they were making it ready to get work started quickly with the project but they were just waiting for city hall to give them the green light as to which project will be built there :cheers:

http://www.tirana.gov.al/common/images/danezi1.jpg

I thought the same thing when i first saw it
It looks like a white blanket over 3 buildings of 5-7 floors each
It will look spectacular when they built it

Construction has not begun yet
It will start between spring and summer i think


Cool, thank you for answering my questions. :) Remember what I recommended, you should make a Tirana Projects Thread in City Updates soon, it seems that you people have a good 10 projects that need to be shown more...

Looks like work on renovation and restructure of Rinas Airport (hate calling it Mother Theresa airport :bash: ) is underway and so far 83 million dollars have been invested on the project.
I have no idea how it is going to look.
Ministry of Transportation website is not very insightful with its projects.

Some more pics of Tirana (August 2004) :)

http://kulturserver-hamburg.de/home/illyria/photos_albanien_august_2004/tirana_10.jpg

http://kulturserver-hamburg.de/home/illyria/photos_albanien_august_2004/tirana_08.jpg

http://kulturserver-hamburg.de/home/illyria/photos_albanien_august_2004/tirana_06.jpg

Blloku , one of the most exclusive parts of the city.This is where most of the commie politicans used to live.It has underground tunnel where they use to keep their secret meetings.The little 3 story house you see on the right is where Enver Hoxha used to live.Now they use it as a motel for tourists.

http://kulturserver-hamburg.de/home/illyria/photos_albanien_august_2004/tirana_12.jpg

http://kulturserver-hamburg.de/home/illyria/photos_albanien_august_2004/tirana_13.jpg

Overlooking Student City from Elbasani st.
http://agapeoesterreich.at/albanien/qs.jpg

More of beautiful Tirana ....

http://mishilo.image.pbase.com/u16/eurus/large/21911471.DSCN0583.jpg

http://mishami.image.pbase.com/u16/eurus/large/21911094.DSCN0626.jpg

http://k43.pbase.com/u13/eurus/large/21854085.DSCN0585.jpg

http://mishappa.image.pbase.com/u13/eurus/large/21851202.DSCN0504.jpg

http://misheli.image.pbase.com/u13/eurus/large/21850473.DSCN0507.jpg

http://mk23.image.pbase.com/u13/eurus/large/21850707.DSCN0648.jpg

http://k43.pbase.com/u13/eurus/large/21850645.DSCN0546.jpg

http://users.utu.fi/tatata/images/Albania/Tirana2.jpg

Very nice pictures, and I expect to see many more from the beautiful city of Tirana. :yes:

Thanks for the kind words Mimica

I should note that the Clock Tower is one of the most important objects of the city.
It was built in 1829.

The beautiful Skenderbeu statue was built in 1968 i believe.Exactly 500 years to the death of our great leader.

Another interesting thing to note about Tirana is that by the lake lay the ruins of a very old roman amfitheater.
Not many people actually know of this.
It's used mainly for concerts or cultural events.Very cool because it is surrounded by trees.

I really like the colours and the scenery. Soo mediterranean.... :)

The danish project is underway i think
The place where it will be built which is right in center of Skenderbeu square where Hoxha monument used to lay , i know for a fact that 1 year ago they were digging a big hole and you could see it from live camera of the city that Balkanweb had the time
I think they were making it ready to get work started quickly with the project but they were just waiting for city hall to give them the green light as to which project will be built there :cheers:


If you're interested, here's a Slovenian proposal for that skyscraper you posted:
http://www.sadarvuga.com/images/cms/41b7c0f1-4013-46b3-81dc-1b12d5d94071
It was designed by Sadar Vuga, I posted some of their work in some older threads already..

Thanks for the pic Edolen1
Slovenija was represented with Sadar Vuga in the previous competition and acctually the belgian firm won the competition.

http://www.shekulli.com.al/newsfoto/06022005_1.jpg

This project is in the opposite side of danish one.
The slovenian project looks very cool but i guess they had to make only one choice.

Here is a couple of images (according to french masterplan) of how Tirana could possibly look in 20 years or so:

http://tirana.gov.al/common/images/Picture2.jpg

http://tirana.gov.al/common/images/Picture3.jpg

http://tirana.gov.al/common/images/sheshi%20skenderbej1.jpg

One of the pictures were posted earlier in this thread by Stevan.
The other 2 are new.

From looking at these pictures , it is quite obvious that the square wont look exactly like this.
For one , the building shown next to the clock tower looks entirely different then the belgian project which won the competition for that particular building.
Also , the museum on the left you can see on the last picture , it wont look like that.
They havent made a plan for the design of the new museum.
The opera palace will look totally different than the one shown in the picture above.
Nothing dramatic is shown in these pics with the exeption that they have added a few high rises.
The strusture of the square and most of the buildings are already there.
So i can most deffinitely see the renovation of Skenderbeu Square be achieved within 10 years or less.

The latest project designed by dutch firm MVRDV has just been released in more detail:

http://www.mvrdv.nl/000_toptani/img/mvrdv_tirana_000.jpg

http://www.mvrdv.nl/000_toptani/img/mvrdv_tirana_003.jpg

http://www.mvrdv.nl/000_toptani/img/mvrdv_tirana_005.jpg

http://www.mvrdv.nl/000_toptani/img/mvrdv_tirana_83-n.jpg

http://www.mvrdv.nl/000_toptani/img/mvrdv_tirana_interrior.jpg

The roof looks so weird
It has many windows and is painted in green to reflect the scenery around it
It looks very beautiful
Ironically , it will be built in the opposite side of the International Museum , far left from this picture over the bridge , possibly a bit further back but not distant from the museum.

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Piramida_Center_City.sized.jpg

If you look closely at the project, you can see that it has openings in all sides.
Basiccaly is not closed , you can walk in and get out from the other side.
That is very interesting.

Just to give a better idea as to where exactly this will be built if you look at the picture below , you can see in the other side of the street(far left) opposite from International Museum.
Its shape reflects that of the museum somehow , they have similarities.
I can see it fit well in this location.

http://www.tifozatkuqezi.com/foto/img/040904greqia_aero/shqiperigreqi4.JPG

Are these skyscrapers in the picture? I see four cylinder type buildings, and I was wondering how tall they are going to be. :)

http://www.mvrdv.nl/000_toptani/img/mvrdv_tirana_000.jpg



Football Rules - I was wondering when you were going to make the Tirana Construction Update thread in General European Discussions forum? Please send me a private message telling me your decision. :)

I will open a thread in that forum with these projects.
Perhaps today or tomorrow.
Thanks again for insisting on this , it could be seen by more members because not many members come to our forum.

The cylinder type buildings are just samples on the picture that are not part of the project.
If you look at french project that Stevan posted earlier in the thread , you will notice that the highrises are in such position that they have a lot of breathing room and are quite distant from each other.
You will not see highrises next to each other in Tirana.
Since the begining they made it clear that Tirana will be a Paris of Balkans type of capital city.
Of course this is a exageration to compare it with Paris but i think Tirana resembles Paris more than any other city in the Balkans.
I should add that Enver Hoxha went to university in Paris and that some of Ministry Buildings in Main Boulevard have french style.

Of course Edi Rama lived in Paris so that's where he got most of his ideas.
So , you already have that french influence in the city.
It's just a matter of applying it in reality.

I will open a thread in that forum with these projects.
Perhaps today or tomorrow.
Thanks again for insisting on this , it could be seen by more members because not many members come to our forum.

The cylinder type buildings are just samples on the picture that are not part of the project.
If you look at french project that Stevan posted earlier in the thread , you will notice that the highrises are in such position that they have a lot of breathing room and are quite distant from each other.
You will not see highrises next to each other in Tirana.
Since the begining they made it clear that Tirana will be a Paris of Balkans type of capital city.
Of course this is a exageration to compare it with Paris but i think Tirana resembles Paris more than any other city in the Balkans.
I should add that Enver Hoxha went to university in Paris and that some of Ministry Buildings in Main Boulevard have french style.

Of course Edi Rama lived in Paris so that's where he got most of his ideas.
So , you already have that french influence in the city.
It's just a matter of applying it in reality.


When you say, "Tirana's highrises are usually very spread out", I don't think that is the smartest thing. As in Sarajevo, they of course are building many offices that are 6-7 floors, and glass facade all over the city, but the highrise offices, such as the Unitecs, or others are all placed in the downtown area to create more of a "office centre" type of scene. I believe that that is smarter, and hopefully Tirana will adopt the idea...

When you say, "Tirana's highrises are usually very spread out", I don't think that is the smartest thing. As in Sarajevo, they of course are building many offices that are 6-7 floors, and glass facade all over the city, but the highrise offices, such as the Unitecs, or others are all placed in the downtown area to create more of a "office centre" type of scene. I believe that that is smarter, and hopefully Tirana will adopt the idea...

That's not how the masterplan is designed.
Highrises will be built paralel to each-other , not next to each other.
They will be distant.
The way Tirana is designed , you cannot have scyscrapers next to each-other.It will not fit the image of the city.
You see , is not about having big high rises and as many as possible.
What is important is that when you look at the city from skycam , it looks like a painting that is done right.
Like i noted earlier , they want to give the city as much breathing room as possible.
It is hard to explain unlesss you really see the city for yourself and study its structure. :cheers: :cheers:

I see...Very interesting. The way that most cities are designed in Europe, it's build where you can. :D For example, in Sarajevo. I doubt they would place a skyscraper somewhere into the distance, it is all in the downtown area...

I see...Very interesting. The way that most cities are designed in Europe, it's build where you can. :D For example, in Sarajevo. I doubt they would place a skyscraper somewhere into the distance, it is all in the downtown area...

A lot of people were upset that the french project won.
They wanted to have scyscrapers everywhere :runaway:
But , that is not how Edi Rama sees it.

City Hall even rejected the german plan to built a 45 story tower where the danish project is located.
They said it was too high :eek2:

You notice , Paris is one of the few cities in Europe that doesnt build scyscrapers on top of eachother.
It's because it has a different type of beautie that cities such as Frankfurt dont have.

Tirana lake :)

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Our_Central_Park.sized.jpg

Can you believe that we have such a beautiful lake in the heart of our capital?
You would think a capital city would consist of only streets , parks and buildings but a lake???
I guess the commies didnt go wrong here
This lake is a jewel for our capital.It defines its beautie and is another big reason why Tirana is such a green city :cheers:

A greenish scene by Dajti Mountain , the other natural jewel of Tirana :)

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album25/Ne_Malin_e_Dajtit.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album25/Ne_Malin_e_Dajtit_001.jpg

A lot of people were upset that the french project won.
They wanted to have scyscrapers everywhere :runaway:
But , that is not how Edi Rama sees it.

City Hall even rejected the german plan to built a 45 story tower where the danish project is located.
They said it was too high :eek2:

You notice , Paris is one of the few cities in Europe that doesnt build scyscrapers on top of eachother.
It's because it has a different type of beautie that cities such as Frankfurt dont have.

I've realized that Tirana is very green. :yes:

For the fact about the French design winning, I suppose that would be better for a city the size of Tirana. :) Is there a real downtown in Tirana?

I've realized that Tirana is very green. :yes:

For the fact about the French design winning, I suppose that would be better for a city the size of Tirana. :) Is there a real downtown in Tirana?

Absolutely
Tirana downtown is huge
Its main Boulevard (Dëshmorët e Kombit) starts from Tirana University and ends up all the way to Skenderbeu square and it continues with the different name (Zogu i zi) all the way down to the Train Station
It is a very big boulevard.
You can see in my avatar how wide it is and how it extends.
The city was designed as a capital before it became one.
It is also flat which is great.It doesnt have hills so is very convenient.
I will post more photos of street scenes later on
:cheers: :cheers:

Absolutely
Tirana downtown is huge
Its main Boulevard (Dëshmorët e Kombit) starts from Tirana University and ends up all the way to Skenderbeu square and it continues with the different name (Zogu i zi) all the way down to the Train Station
It is a very big boulevard.
You can see in my avatar how wide it is and how it extends.
The city was designed as a capital before it became one.
It is also flat which is great.It doesnt have hills so is very convenient.
I will post more photos of street scenes later on
:cheers: :cheers:

Good to hear, but are there any other cities in Albania that are worth mentioning?

Ok
Here are more photos of this Green City and some other street scenes as well :)

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Panorame_nga_Qyteti.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Blloku.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Green_City.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Kryqezimi_me_M_Shyri.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Tirana_2004.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Blloku_Naten.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Megjesi_ne_Qytet.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Artistic.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Bulevardi_Bajram_Curri.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/September_in_Tirana.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Skulpture_ne_Hyrje_te_Liqenit.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/The_Albanian_Capital_City.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Kryeqyteti_i_Shqiperise.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Universiteti_i_Tiranes.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Parku_ne_Tirane.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/People_of_Tirana.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Kinema_Millennium_II.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Tetor_2004.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/People.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Kulla_e_Sahatit.sized.jpg

http://www.shqiperia.com/foto/albums/album23/Gjelberimi_po_behet_pjese_e_Tiranes.sized.jpg

Good to hear, but are there any other cities in Albania that are worth mentioning?

I have said it in another topic that Saranda is a very beautiful southern coastal city.
A big tourist attraction but also expensive as well.

Durrës (second largest city) has plenty to offer since is a big city as well.It's around 350.000 people and has a very cool seacoast.The Vollga Strip is the main one.It needs a lot of immprovement though.

Vlora is a very nice coastal city as well.Over 100.000 people with great beaches and is really developing its tourism in recent years.

Northern Albania is still in poor shape.They havent made much progress with the rest of the country.

So , besides Tirana , you have a few other places worth visiting but i wouldnt want to live in any of them exept Saranda :cheers:

I have said it in another topic that Saranda is a very beautiful southern coastal city.
A big tourist attraction but also expensive as well.

Durrës (second largest city) has plenty to offer since is a big city as well.It's around 350.000 people and has a very cool seacoast.The Vollga Strip is the main one.It needs a lot of immprovement though.

Vlora is a very nice coastal city as well.Over 100.000 people with great beaches and is really developing its tourism in recent years.

Northern Albania is still in poor shape.They havent made much progress with the rest of the country.

So , besides Tirana , you have a few other places worth visiting but i wouldnt want to live in any of them exept Saranda :cheers:

Interesting information, thank you. :)

BRAVO TIRANA! :)
I am new in this thread and positively surprised. Keep it this way.


Girokaster (Argyrokastro) (a small city that has maintained much of its traditional architecture and ruins, including an old castle)
http://www.yiannina.net/30-4-2003/argyrokastro.jpg

(from www.mpa.gr)
TWO GREEK COMPANIES INTERESTED IN BUILDING A TIRANA CASINO
Tirana, 5 April 2005 (19:00 UTC+2)

The joint venture of the Greek company “Club Hotel Loutraki SA” and the Austrian “Casinos Austria International”, on one hand, and “Hyatt Regency Hotel & Tourism Hellas SA”, on the other, have entered the second phase of an international tender for a license to operate a casino in Tirana.

“Club Hotel Loutraki SA” General Director Antonis Stergiotis stated that the casino will be built at the center of Tirana near Tirana International Hotel and will cover a space of 1,280 square meters while it is estimated to create about 300 jobs. Initially, the investment will reach 19,5 million euros out of a total of 25 million euros, which will be the direct investment of “Club Hotel Loutraki SA” in Tirana.

According to the Albanian mass media, the “Hyatt Regency Hotel & Tourism Hellas SA” bid provides for the construction of a casino in Tirana's Rinia region near the Taiwan Bar.

A decision on which of the two contenders will receive the license will be issued by the responsible Offers Assessment Commission of the Albanian Ministry of Finance.

Gjirokaster is a beatiful city, I am actually from there, although if not some money are immediately invested, some of those buildings will collapse. Some already have. Even in the picture you can see broken glasses, and I remember that a couple of years ago, one of those houses burned down. Too bad since some of those houses are 200 years old, very detailed, and at about 15 meters. It is probably one of the few cities (Berat, Korca, Shkodra maybe to some extent, too) that can show the past of architecture in Albania, especially since many cities were butchered by communist architecture.

As for the casino, I think it is not a bad idea considering the economic situation of the country, but I think it would have been better if it was made a little bit further than Tirana. Maybe, instead of five casinos, just one or two, so the clients will be concentrated and the investment will be worth it, and make it north or east of Tirana, so that area can become more developed. Not close to Librazhd but maybe Pogradec, or Peshkopi? Also, that area is rather beatiful, so it might also attract winter and mountain tourism. Make another maybe in Saranda?

Football, do you know the purpose of the buildings that will be built in Toptani
street. Also, don't you think that if they put all skyscrapers in order the city will look a little bit too made up. I recognize that the French idea was to make Tirana a nice place to live, however maybe a little bit of chaos will give it more character?

Gjirokastra is certainly a beautiful city in the south.
Like Backdoorman said , government needs to invest in this city to preserve the old architecture that give the city its charm
Berat is a museum city and if Gjirokastra isn't already i think it should be as well.


Football, do you know the purpose of the buildings that will be built in Toptani
street. Also, don't you think that if they put all skyscrapers in order the city will look a little bit too made up. I recognize that the French idea was to make Tirana a nice place to live, however maybe a little bit of chaos will give it more character?

It will be a business center , something like that.
I hear they will even give out apartments for rent , i am not so sure ....

Regarding the Scyscrapers in the city , i strongly disagree.
Tirana is such a lovely city and if you built scyscrapers like Warsaw is doing , it will lose all its charm
I think it is a splendid idea the way the city is being planned
Scyscrapers are not that attractive in my opinion
What is attractive is beautiful architecture and that's what you are seeing in Tirana today

I agree with you on the casinos
Tirana should not have casinos
I believe the casinos should be built in places like you mentioned Pogradec or Peshkopi etc,etc
I heard they will built a casino in the beach of Velipoje
I think that's a fantastic idea.It will boost tourism in that area

According to the Albanian mass media, the “Hyatt Regency Hotel & Tourism Hellas SA” bid provides for the construction of a casino in Tirana's Rinia region near the Taiwan Bar.


No way
They are going to built a casino by Parku Rinia? :eek2:
This will be horrible for the city
Casinos dont belong in Tirana at all let alone in the downtown areas :no:

^ Agreed.

Tirana 12 April 2005

Finally today it was the announcement (ministry of national economy ) of the winner of the international competion for the construction and operation of the first casino in Tirana. The company is HYATT REGENCY HOTEL & TOURISM HELLAS S.A. The company will build a casino at the region "RINIA" , "TAIWAN BAR" very close to the city center.
The owners of "TAIWAN BAR" will hold 49% of the stocks.
The new casino will be ready in the record time of 3 months and will cost 17-19 million Euro.
The investment will create 400 new job positions.

Tirana 12 April 2005

Finally today it was the announcement (ministry of national economy ) of the winner of the international competion for the construction and operation of the first casino in Tirana. The company is HYATT REGENCY HOTEL & TOURISM HELLAS S.A. The company will build a casino at the region "RINIA" , "TAIWAN BAR" very close to the city center.
The owners of "TAIWAN BAR" will hold 49% of the stocks.
The new casino will be ready in the record time of 3 months and will cost 17-19 million Euro.
The investment will create 400 new job positions.


Only 3 months? :eek2:

That's immposible , plus what are they going to do with Taiwan?
I hear that Parku Rinia will all be part of this project which is completely the worst thing that can happen to the city
How does Edi Rama let this happen , it boggles my mind?
This will not be the first casino in Tirana , it would be the first major casino but Tirana has many small casino joints
In my opinion that should have an open casino , or a building made in glass where you can see through from the streets
That's the only thing that might make this project attractive for the city

This is what reporter.gr writes :

13:42 - 12 April 2005 - Hyatt Regency officially announced it has been awarded the 15-year exclusive casino licence in Tirana, Albania.

According to the announcement, operations will begin in approximately 6 months, while Hyatt’s joint venture will invest €20m. Recall that Hyatt participated in the tender through a joint venture with a 51% stake via its 60% subsidiary Gaming Investment Overseas SA (the remaining 40% of this company belongs to Laskarides family).

A local company that owns the premises to host the casino holds the 49% balance of the joint venture. Hyatt will have exclusive control over management of the operation via its 100% subsidiary United Reserve SA

In another homepage i found that they will be ready in three months (that is really too less time). Anyway still there is few announced about how it will look and what will be the connection with TAIWAN BAR.
By the way the other company who finally lost (CASINO LOUTRAKI ) wanted to built it in the hotel TIRANA INTERNATIONAL.
But with 20 mil. you can still do many nice things :)

This is what reporter.gr writes :

13:42 - 12 April 2005 - Hyatt Regency officially announced it has been awarded the 15-year exclusive casino licence in Tirana, Albania.

According to the announcement, operations will begin in approximately 6 months, while Hyatt’s joint venture will invest €20m. Recall that Hyatt participated in the tender through a joint venture with a 51% stake via its 60% subsidiary Gaming Investment Overseas SA (the remaining 40% of this company belongs to Laskarides family).

A local company that owns the premises to host the casino holds the 49% balance of the joint venture. Hyatt will have exclusive control over management of the operation via its 100% subsidiary United Reserve SA

In another homepage i found that they will be ready in three months (that is really too less time). Anyway still there is few announced about how it will look and what will be the connection with TAIWAN BAR.
By the way the other company who finally lost (CASINO LOUTRAKI ) wanted to built it in the hotel TIRANA INTERNATIONAL.
But with 20 mil. you can still do many nice things :)


We will see how it will look when they built it
This company has really got a great deal here for 15 years
It's the most exclusive part of Tirana without a doubt , right in the very heart of the city by Main Boulevard
It is by far a very smart investment

Yes although i know Tirana only from photos , i guess you are right its the best place, very smart.
Football for you :) (from albanian.com)
Besnik Sula, the Albanian partner and owner of Taiwan-Parku Rinia, the building where the casino will be located, said the casino will be open by the end of October and cover one floor of the building, located in downtown Tirana.

Well, this is Taiwan

http://kulturserver-hamburg.de/home/illyria/photos_albanien_august_2004/tirana_08.jpg

Its owner also owns Football Club Dinamo.
As you can see, it's an amazing location.

Rozafa is one of the casinos in Tirana today

http://www.albaniafoto.com/albums/userpics/10001/tirana0072.JPG

Hey this is a perfect place! :) i like it!!
And it seems like the place will attract more people!
I think that the park will not be affected , perhaps the only change will be the expansion of the first floor. And since it is in the center it will be a must place to visit (and combine it with gambling) for the visitors of the city !

This is a recent photo
Mother Theresa Statue in Mother Theresa Square close to Sheraton Hotel

http://miqesia.dk/billeder/Tirana-0412-18.jpg

she looks like a ghost that's going to jump on that bearded guy with the green hat :D
the hotel looks nice though, any pics of the Sheralton?

she looks like a ghost that's going to jump on that bearded guy with the green hat :D
the hotel looks nice though, any pics of the Sheralton?


:hilarious :hilarious
No joke
Notice when they raised the Statue a few months back , you had balkan presidents in Tirana that day
I believe Parvanov of Bulgaria was there but is not shown here
You can see Cervenkovski and Mesic , also Svetovic but he is hidden

Skopje's monument is much nicer....very modest, like Teresa was herself:yes:

http://img112.echo.cx/img112/1236/tereza14na.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)

Sheraton Hotel is by far the best Hotel in Tirana in my opinion, easily beating Tirana International and Rogner
You can see more of it in this link (http://www.sheratontirana.com/index1.asp)

Skopje's monument is much nicer....very modest, like Teresa was herself:yes:

http://img112.echo.cx/img112/1236/tereza14na.jpg (http://www.imageshack.us)


Too bad she wasnt macedonian
The place where they have located this statue in Skopje looks like a neighborhood in a poor suburb
What were they thinking?

oh yes, the interior looks really good and luxurious.
the restaurant Metropolitan look superb...
but I guess it's also the most expensive right?

oh yes, the interior looks really good and luxurious.
the restaurant Metropolitan look superb...
but I guess it's also the most expensive right?

I think Tirana International is more expensive but i am not quite sure
Here is more luxurious in my opinion

^ All those hotels sucks ... (well I compare whith where I live)

Wow, very subtle and so patriotic haha

:D

Great news
A new mega project is coming in the next few weeks
It will be located right behind Opera building which is basically in Skenderbeu Square
According to newspaper Korrieri , behind the Opera building will be built 3 towers of 85 meters height
They are all being designed as we speak by major architectural firms from all over the world
It could be 2 but they are saying possibly 3 towers of 85 meters (maximum 28 stories) that would serve as business centers with underground parking included.
Also , the company in charge of the project "Iliria Holdings" is saying that this project could easily be finished in 24 months
200 million euros will be invested so far
More about this in the comming days

What im interested to know is, where does Albania find the money to modernise Tirana to such an extent!?, when the rest of the country suffers in curruption,crime and poverty!

Also, about mother Teresa, yes she was an Albanian.. but she was from Skopje. BTW she has more in common with the macedonians in the city of Skopje then with the Albanians, since she was a Christian and 99.9% of the albanians in macedonia are Muslims and do not really care much for who she was.

What im interested to know is, where does Albania find the money to modernise Tirana to such an extent!?, when the rest of the country suffers in curruption,crime and poverty!

That is your opinion
Money comes from investors.

Also, about mother Teresa, yes she was an Albanian.. but she was from Skopje. BTW she has more in common with the macedonians in the city of Skopje then with the Albanians, since she was a Christian and 99.9% of the albanians in macedonia are Muslims and do not really care much for who she was.


What is Skopje?
A city in Western Macedonia where in it live 250.000 albanians
She was just another one of them comming from a poor family
What does religion have to do with anything regarding her etnicity?
You are ignorant

Mother Tereza was converted I think, but even if she was born from a Roman catholic family, it doesn't made her a Slav. Relegion has nothing to do with nationality not to mentioned that Slavs of the South are Orthodox, way distinct from the Roman catholics.

When she was born, Skopje was the capital of one of 4 Albanian vilayets under the Otoman Empire.

She was not Mecedonian and she had nothing in common with them!!!!

She was not Mecedonian and she had nothing in common with them!!!!
Sure since her father was a Vlach, Bojaxhiu is a Vlach surname, and her mother an Albanian.

Please, I would like you two to stop fighting! I am really intested in Tirana lately, and I don't want to have to read through all these fighting posts to get to the information. :yes:

:cheers1:

please ignore GM's comments, he is here just to inflamme the forums, you can all see it by just checking out what kind of posts he's been sending on the greek forum, nothing constructive

Sure since her father was a Vlach, Bojaxhiu is a Vlach surname, and her mother an Albanian.

:hilarious

Bojaxhi = Wall painter in albanian
Bojaxhiu = The wall painter

Gonxhe = Rose bud in albanian

The vowel "u" equals "the" , notice in some of my posts i say "Skenderbeu" with a "u" in the end!

I believe this is enough explanation to put aside your wild vlach theory

Let's concetrate in the topic and talk about the projects in the city rather than Mother Theresa :)

I agree! *thumbs up*

Quote Football Rules : What is Skopje?
A city in Western Macedonia where in it live 250.000 albanians
She was just another one of them comming from a poor family
What does religion have to do with anything regarding her etnicity?
You are ignorant
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Okay my friend relax, i Know that mother Teresa was Albanian, i dont deny that she was, all i said is that she was Catholic unlike the other Albanians in Skopje who were and are muslims.
Before you speak of ignorance, go and check some census data on Macedonia and Skopje. Skopje has 500 thousand People, of which 80 thousand albanians (where did u get 250thousand from? ohh l know, u made them up).
Another thing, stop calling macedonians "slavs" because we are macedonians and nothing else.
3tmk, my intentions are not to start fights, actually i am happy that Tirana is looking nice, as for my arguments with the greeks- wouldnt u be doing the same if they constantly spat on your identity?
Anyways, no hard feelings... lets get back to pics of Tirana.

Bojaxhi = Wall painter in albanian
Bojaxhiu = The wall painter
:nono: ...in turkish, dear neighbour of mine, from turkish boyaçi = painter
This word exists among practically all nations once under Ottoman rule.
Serbian and Macedonian = Bojadzija
(Would you say that the MK swimmer Atina Bojadzi is Albanian maybe ?)
Romanian = Boiagi (and Boiagiu exists also in Romanian and Arumanian)
It exists too in Armenian...
Gonxhe = Rose bud in albanian
Sure since her mother was Albanian, no reason for her not to have an Albanian firstname.
The vowel "u" equals "the" , notice in some of my posts i say "Skenderbeu" with a "u" in the end!
As in Romanian and Arumanian :|
I believe this is enough explanation to put aside your wild vlach theory
No it isn't.
Let's concetrate in the topic and talk about the projects in the city rather than Mother Theresa :)
I have my truth, you have yours, we won't change our minds so OK enough with the OT.

:cheers:

Leave mother Teresa alone.. she saw herself as belonging to the world.
Lets not question her identity now, maybe her surname has an aromanian background maybe it doesnt, however though all her relatives state that she was albanian so relax everyone.

She was Albanian man it is well known :) no offence to Macedonia and Albania

Dutch embassy in Tirana .... i love the architecture of this building

http://www.minbuza.nl/custom_buttons/CAM_B02ED8BD09D64DC78B6C8DB39337C393X1X61039X03.jpg

Tirana's Pools known as Pishinat is a very cool place

http://www.albaniantourism.com/galeria/fotot2/max/56.jpg

Tirana is looking good, hell, it even looks better than Queanbeyan!

I'm really sad that this thread has turned into a debate thread. Hopefully it can turn around, and become what it used to be. :)

http://www.arts.bg.ac.yu/rektorat/studije/interdisc/images/tirana.jpg

New project for Selita area ... Immpressive!

http://tirana.gov.al/common/images/selita.jpg

Urban Development project by Lapraka

http://tirana.gov.al/common/images/lapraka.jpg

By Don Bosco

http://tirana.gov.al/common/images/don_bosco.jpg

Urban development by M.Gjollesha st.

http://tirana.gov.al/common/images/gjollesha.jpg

Very nice project, I was wondering since you were giving us only rendering lately, mabye you could take some more pictures of Tirana, and it's projects. :)

Very nice project, I was wondering since you were giving us only rendering lately, mabye you could take some more pictures of Tirana, and it's projects. :)

I would love to but i dont live there
I am trying to post new pics relating the projects but so far unsuccesfully
Usually by this time of year you have new pics of Tirana posted on major sites and i will post them as soon as possible

I have a poor quality photo of Film Studio in Tirana

http://k41.pbase.com/u32/eurus/large/22317466.DSCN0598.jpg

Another older image by Lana

http://www.albanianspirit.com/album/TiranaTheCapitalCity/photos/photo4.jpg

2003 photo

http://www.n.ethz.ch/student/bstump/travel/pics/europe/tirana1.jpg

Aha ... roman amphitheater by Tirana Lake

http://k41.pbase.com/u32/eurus/large/22317466.DSCN0598.jpg

I would love to but i dont live there
I am trying to post new pics relating the projects but so far unsuccesfully
Usually by this time of year you have new pics of Tirana posted on major sites and i will post them as soon as possible

Where are you currently living, and when will you be visiting Tirana?

Where are you currently living, and when will you be visiting Tirana?

I live in The States
I was hoping to go back home this summer but it doesnt look likely
Perhaps the begining of the New Year

It must be expensive to travel from USA to Albania?

About $500 to just go. Might go there is summer, was there a year ago.
The city still has many problems but it also has a very nice feel to it. The best thing is the cafe culture as there are many students in there too. It is also especially good looking in the morning, about 5'oclock, since it looks clean and the air is very fresh. Cafes are open even then.

And the best time of the year to visit Tirana is right now , spring.
You can get a round trip ticket for 800 dollars although i dont know if this is possible during summer time when it's tourism season.

I live in The States
I was hoping to go back home this summer but it doesnt look likely
Perhaps the begining of the New Year


Do you plan to live in the Albania when your older, or just visit it once in a while?
Do you have any pictures of Albania's airports? I'm interested to see some more pictures of the countries airport and airline. :)

I will deffinitely want to live in Albania in 10 years from now
Tirana is a great place to live , i would love to buy a house in the seacoast as well , have it as weekend getaway
It's great fishing on the weekend :D

As for the airport , check out my new topic MImica:)

I will deffinitely want to live in Albania in 10 years from now
Tirana is a great place to live , i would love to buy a house in the seacoast as well , have it as weekend getaway
It's great fishing on the weekend :D

As for the airport , check out my new topic MImica:)


I'm happy to hear that you would like to move back to Tirana, since it's really a nice place. Also, thank you for the new topic, I must have missed it. :)

wow, tirana turns out to be a beautiful city according to those pics....how come we haven't heard about it?the sterotypes of albania are mostly that it's one of the poorest country in europe, but now i see that it's far from the truth....i notice great development here, and i think tirana's mayor has done some piece of great job...what impresses me the most ,is that he invites the best european architects to design buildings here, and i think that's the key of the city's appearance.i'm stunned with projects by mvrdv and plans about the downtown area....i also admire taking care of public spaces in tirana- lots of beautiful squares and parks ,pavements even are very nice detailed...this city impresses me a lot ...wish to have more of this approach in warsaw

What worries me is that while Edi Rama has done e great job and is indeed the man who contributed most to the development of the city since ages, it is really difficult for me to imagine another mayor who can keep up his good work. He is a great man and history will honor him for giving the city back to its people and saving it from the urban masacre of the early '90.

I think Edi Rama will stick around till 2009 , at least that's what he has said.
Then , you might see him run for Prime Minister , something he wants badly.
Edi Rama is an icon in Tirana and Albania.
He is more famous than the President.His cool personality is what makes him so likeable.He doesnt talk too much when he gives interviews.
He is one of those politicans who will be remembered for a long time.

Wow , I see a few new nice projects in Tirana. I think that Tirana in the nearest years will be more and more development.