Post-communist Transformation of Cities in the Countries of the Old Eastern Block: Tirana city between regeneration and renewal

Abstract

Exploring the spatial transformations resulted by the urban renewal and regeneration processes are under discussion in Albania. The present research is based on two pillars: the urban transformation, renewal and regeneration in post-socialist cities and the international competitions held for the regeneration of Tirana city centre. Within this framework by conducting a general view on the renewal and regeneration concepts, the paper aims to asses the level of transformation in the city and the role that political, social and economical factors played on the morphological changes. Thus research points that Tirana is still between regeneration and renewal though the good will of citizens and governors “A New European Capital City”.