“This country has a Constitution and I am convinced that the Constitution and laws and citizens’ desire to see their city look better will prevail over every other will,” said Basha, answering to question over the possibility of the project being cancelled by the new government
TIRANA, July 1 – The Municipality of Tirana says seven international companies have prequalified for the extension of the capital’s boulevard, a Euro 61 million project funded by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and the Qatar government. The seven companies which the municipality has not made public yet are expected to submit their financial bids within 30 days to implement the project designed by UK’s Grimshaw Architects.
“Apart from doubling the length of the main Tirana boulevard, the project will also increase green areas in the city becoming the largest project in the capital in the past 80 years. The project’s implementation will develop one of the capital’s most underdeveloped areas creating new jobs, developing areas, appreciating properties, increasing the community’s capacities to access financing and increase tax revenues,” says the municipality in a statement.
The project is funded under a Euro 54 million loan by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development and a Euro 7 million grant by the Qatar government.
Asked by journalists if incoming Prime Minister, former Tirana Mayor Edi Rama, could cancel the project on the extension of the Tirana boulevard, Basha said there was no legal possibility. “This country has a Constitution and I am convinced that the Constitution and laws and citizens’ desire to see their city look better will prevail over every other will,” said Basha.
Since last April when the Socialist Movement for Integration left the ruling Democratic Party coalition to join the opposition Socialist Party in a coalition for the June 23 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies have lost the majority in the Tirana municipal council and have to rely on consensus in order to approve decisions.
Speaking about the Tirana boulevard project earlier Basha said “The first step will be undertaken in the next few weeks with the transfer of high voltage lines, and the railway station.”
The project’s first stage, worth Euro 7 million, envisages extending the Zog I boulevard 1,700 meters beyond the train station including a huge parking space at the current train station.
In May 2012, London-based Grimshaw Architects was announced the winner of an international design competition to extend the boulevard in Tirana beating another British architectural studio in a prolonged competition.
The Grimshaw project foresees the construction of three main squares, the Palace of Justice, the commercial and culture squares, across the 1.7 km new boulevard. The winning project will extend the Zogu I boulevard at the train station by another 1.7 kilometres to the Tirana River, Paskuqan, suburban Tirana, and develop a 133 hectare area and the 6.7 km river.
Tirana Mayor Lulzim Basha says the extension of the boulevard and the rehabilitation of the Tirana River would set up a new economic zone, creating thousands of new jobs and improving the quality of life.
USD 240 million for 2013-2015
In the closing days of 2012, with only the votes of the right-wing councilors and their allies, Tirana’s municipal council approved the 2013 budget, worth USD 80 million, and its new urban regulatory plan after two decades.
The Municipality of Tirana approved a USD 240 million budget for the next three years, when investments in infrastructure, support to businesses and employment will be the key priorities. Introducing the draft budget, Tirana Mayor Lulzim Basha said the 2013-2015 mid-term budget is worth USD 240 million of which USD 80 million will be spent only in 2013.
A special grant has also been envisaged to support the opening of new businesses for young people aged until 35.
The 2013-2015 mid-term budget foresees the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 73 km of roads in apartment blocks, the construction of 128,250 m2 of green areas and recreational facilities, ten new sports facilities, 10,000 m2 in parking space, a sewerage collection system of 3.5 km, the planting of 25,000 trees, lighting, and the extension of public graveyard space by 2 hectares.
After 23 years, Tirana also has its new urban regulatory plan. The municipality says the urban plan will guarantee sustainable development for a modern European capital although chaotic developments for the past 20 years have already left their irreparable mark. Compiled after Lulzim Basha took over as Tirana Mayor, the new urban plan extends in two municipalities and 6 communes, envisaging seven development poles for Tirana.
Development poles are expected to be established with the extension of the current boulevard, at the hospital area, the Student campus, in the South-West area, the Aviation field, and the Kombinat and Kamza suburban areas.
Opposition leader and former Tirana Mayor, incoming Prime Minister Edi Rama has described the new urban development plan as “catastrophic and damaging Tirana’s future.”
