The transformative efforts to modernize the capital’s infrastructure are currently underway. One of the projects currently being implemented involves Avni Rustemi Square, located just 500 meters from the main square of Tirana. Built in 1935, the square has been a Category II cultural monument since 2007.

The square serves as a vital link between the New Bazaar and the inner ring road of Tirana through the streets Hoxha Tahsim and Tefta Tashko-Koço, making it an area of great importance for the city’s development, acting as a key cultural and social hub.

The ongoing project includes a two-story underground parking facility with a capacity for 210 vehicles. Additionally, the facades along the entire Luigj Gurakuqi street are being rehabilitated to create a renewed atmosphere that encourages community interaction and provides more space for both citizens and tourists.

Prime Minister Edi Rama visited the construction site today, accompanied by Deputy Mayor Anuela Ristani.

“We are working on the parking project at Avni Rustemi Square, as the Bazaar has been reopened and we’ve had many visitors. We had a public parking area here that didn’t meet the needs at all, and it became clear that the need for an underground parking facility to avoid occupying public spaces was immediate. So, we will have 210 parking spaces on two levels. On the first and second levels, there will be 8 spaces for people with disabilities, with all necessary accessibility features, accessible elevators, and corresponding ramps. The work is divided into two segments so that traffic is not blocked, and this is the first half of the excavation and work. Once the first segment is covered, we will proceed with the second phase of the excavation and work,” she explained, adding: “All the standards apply not only to the parking but also to a review of the facades along Luigj Gurakuqi street. Apart from the cultural heritage sites that have been addressed, the rest of the facades will be covered not only with cladding but also with the unitary part.”

For his part, Prime Minister Rama said that the parking issue will take priority, especially in tourist areas.

“We need to reassess the strategy and, together with the Development Fund, which has carried out several successful projects, like the one in Berat, we are working on a national project for parking, particularly in tourist areas. We need to collaborate between the municipality and the Fund to reassess the strategy, understand where the main critical points are, where we can and should intervene, and then look at the funding for the intervention so that it’s quick and covers as many needs as possible because parking is becoming a major issue. Meanwhile, on the other hand, we must definitely implement the rule we discussed; double parking must be considered a road blockage and subject to other actions in the Code, even going into the Penal Code. Only by doing this can we discourage more cars, ease the situation for pedestrians, and encourage more walking,” said the Prime Minister.