Prime Minister Edi Rama said the planned investment in Zvërnec will combine economic development with environmental protection. He highlighted the role of landscape architect Dong Yugan, who has joined the project team.
Rama introduced Yugan during the Bread & Heart Festival in Tirana. He noted that the investors selected him to lead the landscape architecture component of the proposed development.
According to Rama, Yugan follows the work of renowned landscape architect Kongjian Yu and serves as a key adviser on the protection of the natural landscape in the Zvërnec project.
The prime minister praised the work of the international design studio Turenscape. He said the firm’s projects demonstrate how development can coexist with nature.
Rama argued that the proposed €4 billion investment could become a model for sustainable development. He stressed that the project aims to enhance, rather than damage, the natural environment.
He also said the project team brings together internationally recognized experts. In his view, their experience will help create a development that respects the landscape and strengthens Albania’s environmental reputation.
During his presentation, Yugan outlined his studio’s approach to climate adaptation and nature-based solutions. He emphasized that natural systems often provide more cost-effective solutions than conventional infrastructure.
The architect presented the concept of “sponge cities,” which use green spaces, terraces, wetlands, and water-absorbing landscapes to manage flooding and adapt to climate change.
He also showcased projects implemented in Chinese cities that reduce flood risks through ecological design rather than heavy engineering.
“We should not fight water,” Yugan said. “We should embrace it.”
According to Yugan, cities must transform hard concrete surfaces into living landscapes that absorb water and support biodiversity. He described landscape architecture as a profession that helps societies adapt to environmental challenges and climate change.
The presentation formed part of the Bread & Heart Festival in Tirana, where architects and urban planning experts discussed innovative approaches to sustainable development.
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