“Tirana Walk 2021” is the latest project for the capital of tomorrow, which aims to transform the former Blloku area into a pedestrian zone, creating a redesigned urban space where citizens are the protagonists, not vehicles.

This project was presented today at Villa 31, in the presence of Prime Minister Rama. It is a collaboration between the Municipality of Tirana and the global network “WALK 21,” which promotes walking and supports citizens’ right to walk in a safe and welcoming environment, encouraging a cleaner, safer, and healthier lifestyle.

The project covers the three main streets of the block: Ismail Qemali Street, Pjetër Bogdani Street, and Brigada 8 Street. It also includes the intersections of these streets with Sami Frashëri Street, as well as some enhancements to Vaso Pasha Street.

Specifically, Brigada VIII and Pjetër Bogdani streets will be freed from parking rows, expanding sidewalk space to create a safer, more comfortable environment for pedestrians. The expansion of sidewalks will ease circulation, improve access for all, and create more opportunities for public spaces.

Meanwhile, Ismail Qemali Street, being a main road, will feature a bike lane and only one row of parking. Given its importance, parking will be allowed on one side only, balancing vehicle access while prioritizing pedestrians and cyclists.

Additionally, in front of educational institutions, safe squares will be created, providing easier and safer access for children. These spaces will reduce traffic risks, offering a more suitable environment for parents and students.

Prime Minister Edi Rama:

“Alright, just a few words about this project. I believe this is the right path. To be honest, the street behind me—when I was at the municipality many years ago—we attempted to pedestrianize it. That’s why the street, unlike others, is paved with tiles even in its body. The truth is that the project worked for a while, but certain forces in the government at the time reversed it. However, technically, the project worked, and from a traffic standpoint, it didn’t cause any significant issues.

That said, I believe if we reflect on the time during the pandemic when we were forced to fully pedestrianize certain areas, it became clear that even in such a scenario—though it wasn’t under normal conditions—nothing major disrupted daily life.

We should also move away from the misconception that widening streets will reduce traffic flow. This idea is completely untrue. In fact, the opposite is true for internal city streets. However, I’m not talking about major arteries that connect cities, but rather the internal streets of Tirana.

We must also continue to invest in underground parking spaces. This has already provided a reasonable relief, but the need remains high. The next step should be addressing double parking, which is a major issue. Tackling this problem will encourage people to leave their cars and walk more, leading to health benefits, especially given the rising rates of heart disease, obesity, and related conditions. Democracy has come with some negative consequences, including increased cholesterol and weight gain in Albania, partly due to the abundance of food and toxins.

I want to thank the designers and encourage the municipality to advance this project. I am also confident that, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior and the State Police, we will address double parking. This will help the project function more effectively. After all, if people start seeing a path as a place to park, thinking they can just pay a fine, we will face further problems. But these are solvable issues. The key is to move forward with the project and expand spaces where pedestrians, children, and the elderly are given priority.”

Thank you!