Il territorio di Divjakë, paesaggi in competizione

Abstract

In recent decades, Divjake region, on the Albania Mediterranean coast, has been subject to an increasing demand for local economic development. Different transformation perspectives and contrasting tourism development strategies are competing on this fragile but dynamic region. The cooperation program Urban Lab, recently undertaken, aims at the provision of a realistic and innovative strategy as an alternative to mainstream programs of mass-tourism seaside development, which are largely dependent on international investments.
As a general objective, Urban Lab, promotes environment protection and tourism development on the coast and in the lagoon area. A range of actions triggers innovation in socioeconomic development through a participative planning process while reinforcing local resources. In this perspective, an urban laboratory with the active involvement of young people, civil society and institutions is foreseen. The innovative approach entails the association between a territorial project, reframing local landscape, and an educational program addressed to local residents. The research program, thus, positions itself at an intermediate level between the reception of society needs or expectations and the reconstruction of a legitimate and participated planning practice.