Industrial areas in Albania have had an important role for many years during the communist regime, but their industrial function declined after the 1990s. This study focuses on the industrial areas of Laç and Rubik, two small towns in Albania. The closing of some industrial activities in these towns has increased environmental pollution and health issues of their inhabitants due to the release of toxic substances in the territory. There were chosen these two towns to compare because: First, they are near each other and are part of the same District of Lezha; Second, they both are two ex-industrial towns which were created by the establishment of the industry, former Chemical and Metallurgical Combine in Laç and former Copper Plant in Rubik; third, in both towns the industry has caused environmental pollution in their vicinity, but mostly on the waters of Mat river; fourth, after the year 1990, when the industry that created them has stopped functioning, they have good possibilities to develop religious tourism. In both towns are two important and much-visited churches: the Church of St. Ndout, Laç and the Church of Shelbuemi in Rubik. Another reason is the lack of studies for the ex-industrial areas in Albania, especially for Laç and Rubik. The main aim of this study is to identify and assess the levels of pollution caused by ex-industrial building (actually not functioning) on land, air, water, and human health and to find the best way for their effective reuse and functional transformation.
The latest global developments have highlighted the importance of transport sector in the free trade economy and relation between states and people. After year 1990, Albania emerged from the long period of isolation with the collapse of communist regime which was replaced with democratic system and established the free trade economy. The importance of transport sector increased in the whole country and especially in Shkodra city. In this period most of the investments in the main cities of Albania and in Shkodra were to the construction sector, especially in the construction of road infrastructure. This paper aims to analyze the growth and development of transport sector in the last 28 years focusing on its evolution and the socio-economical and environmental impact in the city of Shkodra. Assesssing the importance and complexity of this topic, this paper first addresses the concepts of sustainable transport and then analyzes its indicators for Shkodra city as a case study, highlighting the dynamics of this sector in line with the main principles and objectives of sustainability. Through the analyze of the main indicators for sustainable transport in the case of Shkodra city we aim to determine whether its transport sector and service is moving toward sustainability or unsustainaibility. The planning and strategies for sustainable transport should aim to reduce the risks from air pollution, accidents, land use etc., and bring great benefits for every person. In this paper have been used different scientific methods: collecting and analyzing data on infrastructure from different institutions for many years; field interviews and surveys; comparison of the data from Shkodra city with other cities in Albania etc. The results from this study can serve as an input in the designation of local and national strategies for sustainable transport in the future.
Sustainable development is a priority of every strategic plan and of national and local policies which aim to achieve economic growth. In this context the municipality of Klos should make a complex analyze and inventory of all its natural, human and economic potentials as well of all the investments made till now and others which are planned for the future. Municipality of Klos is a new one, formed after the last Administrative and Territorial reform of Albania in 2015 and includes four administrative units: Klos; Gurrë; Suç and Xibër. Klos is a municipality which has in its administration 30 villages spread in an area of 357.5 km², while the town of Klos is the main urban area with a surface of 114 km². The relief of the town of Klos is mainly hilly and mountainous which sometimes are positive and supportive to the economic development and in other cases hamper it. This complex impact of the relief and other resources of the area should be treated carefully and taken in consideration by future policies and strategic plans. This paper aims to analyze most of the natural, human and economic potentials of the Municipality of Klos, focusing on its current economic development and the tendencies for the future. The main methodologies used in this paper are: collecting and analyzing data on infrastructure from different institutions for many years; field interviews and surveys; statistical data analyze and comparison, mapping etc. The results and recommendation from this paper can serve the local government to use better its resources and to have better economic development.
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