Albana Kociu: Albania calls for greater attention to sustainable urban development

The global housing crisis currently affects approximately 3 billion people, including 1 billion residents of informal settlements, Albanian Deputy Prime Minister Albana Kociu said at the WUF13 Leaders' Summit in Baku, Report informs.

She noted that the topic of urban and community development is particularly relevant today.

"Behind these figures are individuals: families living in insecurity, children growing up without necessary services, and societies facing natural disasters without adequate protection. No country-rich or poor-is immune from this. Housing is not a secondary issue, but a key element of human dignity, equality, and social stability," Kociu said.

She noted that for Albania, this issue is not an abstract one.

"When Albania emerged from the communist bloc, our cities bore the marks of neglect, disorganization, and isolation. In the early 2000s, Tirana began to reinvent itself through a simple but important intervention-bringing color back into public spaces. This was not only a visual transformation, but also a lesson in how cities build citizen confidence and a sense of belonging," the deputy prime minister emphasized.

According to her, about 10 years ago, Albania launched a large-scale urban revitalization program, encompassing all 61 municipalities in the country.

"Many at the time considered it merely cosmetic changes. However, the program became a turning point for the renewal of public spaces, waterfronts, historic centers, parks, and city services. This helped make our cities more livable and better prepared for new economic opportunities," Kociu noted.

She added that while approximately 4.1 million foreign tourists visited Albania in 2015, this figure exceeded 12.4 million in 2023.

"The growth in tourism is driven by many factors, but improving cities, public spaces, and strengthening urban identity have become part of this national change," the deputy prime minister said.

Kociu recalled that the 2019 earthquake presented a serious challenge for the country.

"It reminded us that housing is more than just a roof over our heads, but protection, dignity, and the first line of defense in disasters. After the earthquake, Albania followed the principle of 'building back better,' rebuilding not only homes but also schools, public services, and entire communities. This experience showed that recovery is not simply about replacing what was lost, but about addressing existing shortcomings," she added.