TIRANA, July 10 /ATA/ Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo today presented the “Urban Renaissance 2.0” programme, a package of investments and reforms aimed at strengthening cooperation between central government and local authorities.
Speaking at an event attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama, Demo described “Urban Renaissance 2.0” as an ambitious programme that goes beyond infrastructure projects and seeks to address some of the structural challenges that have shaped territorial development over the past three decades.
“Urban Renaissance 2.0” is much more than an investment programme. It marks a new level of cooperation between central and local government, aimed at addressing structural challenges and creating greater development opportunities for citizens,” Demo said.
Demo said the programme had a clear economic focus, as it would create the necessary conditions and infrastructure for sustainable development in sectors such as tourism, local economies, agriculture and innovative entrepreneurship.
Minister Demo said the programme had been developed in consultation with mayors and combines several areas of responsibility through 11 key intervention pillars.
One of these pillars focuses on museums showcasing local identity. Demo said there are currently 83 museums across the country, while municipalities have put forward 125 new proposals, including 22 projects that are ready to be implemented. The support scheme aims to create 70 new municipal museums by 2030, with a focus on preserving local traditions, history and cultural identity.
Another pillar highlighted by Demo is parking management, which he said should not be viewed solely as an infrastructure issue, but also as a tool for improving accessibility, supporting tourism, managing urban spaces and increasing local revenues.
“Some 76 parking areas with development potential have been identified, along with more than 10,000 parking spaces that could create new economic opportunities for municipalities,” he said.
Demo said planned legal reforms would provide municipalities with greater flexibility to access financing from commercial banks and support new models of local economic development, including parking projects and joint ventures.
The programme also envisages the regeneration of former industrial areas, turning abandoned sites into new drivers of local economic growth. According to Demo, 148 priority areas have been identified for intervention, with 68 of them currently no longer in operation.
“Urban Renaissance 2.0” also focuses on improving the quality of architecture in public buildings, with the aim of creating structures that are more functional, energy-efficient and better integrated into the urban identity of cities.
Demo also highlighted the importance of supporting start-ups and innovative entrepreneurship, noting that Albania ranks fourth in Europe for annual growth in this sector, while around 85% of start-ups are concentrated in Tirana.
Another key pillar of the programme is the development of smart cities and urban security. According to Demo, the initiative will establish a new framework for municipalities, covering areas such as safety in schools and kindergartens, the protection of public spaces, the management of construction waste, and security at beaches and tourist sites.
“The aim is for every municipality to have more tools to build local economies, improve quality of life and provide better services for citizens,” Demo said.
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