Prime Minister Edi Rama attended on Thursday the presentation of the five projects submitted as part of the international “Tirana Fountain Tower” competition.
During his remarks, Rama responded to criticism regarding urban development and construction projects in the capital, stressing that no one is forcibly removed from their home to make way for private investments.
The Prime Minister also rejected claims that construction takes place without rules and defended the presence of foreign architects in Albania, describing the country as an “open university of architecture,” where local professionals have the opportunity to develop their skills alongside internationally renowned experts.
“It has never happened in Albania that someone has been forcibly removed from their home in order for a private investment to be developed, nor has any private individual been denied the right to decide whether or not to develop a project.
As for those occupying properties who are part of the legalization process, the law is very clear in their case as well. We have never sided with the property owner or the developer. There are guarantees in place whereby a rental contract is provided for a certain number of years and paid for by the developer until the citizen enters the housing programs administered by the municipality.
The truth is completely different. We have had discussions about development and the obstacles that have emerged in urban and architectural development, but that does not mean that in Albania we build without rules or do things that would be unacceptable or prohibited in other countries.
In fact, there is something that is very clear to me: the jealousy of mediocre people and of those who cling to nationalism and passports, who focus on the fact that they are part of the local community rather than on their profession, their arguments and their ability to compete. Meanwhile, many Albanian architects and young professionals are part of this transformation and are working alongside foreign architects.
This makes Albania a country where local architects have greater opportunities than in many other countries to grow professionally and to work with architects who are currently at the highest level of architectural thought and practice. Today, Albania and Tirana are the largest open-air university of architecture.
Today, architects have the opportunity to meet, learn from and work directly with masters of the profession,” Rama said.
The post “Tirana Fountain Tower” Competition, Rama Responds to Critics: We Do Not Forcibly Remove People from Their Homes for Private Projects appeared first on Euronews Albania.
