TIRANA- A study carried in Berat and Permet shows the best alternatives of development with direct impact in tourism development and preservation of cultural heritage.

This study was carried in the framework of Integrated Urban Development and Tourism project, funded by the Albanian government and World Bank and implemented by the Albanian Development Fund. After a series of on-site visits and stakeholder meetings, the consultancy company proposed its development alternatives.

Berat has three development alternatives. The first is Berat as a regional administrative center and center of cultural activities. The second alternative foresees Berat as “green and blue”, environmentally friendly and healthy. The third alternative is based on Berat vision – a cultural heritage city and a regional tourism center. The three alternatives are based on the vision of strengthening the role of Berat as a UNESCO World Heritage city and creating a vibrant urban environment that enables economic development based on culture and tourism. For each of the alternatives are proposed packages of improvement interventions in the city's infrastructure. In this way, will be improved connectivity among Mangalem and Gorrice historical neighborhood, with the area along Osumi River and the urban areas around the Palace of Culture, City Library and squares

 

 

While Permet alternatives are as follow: The first is Permet as a regional center of trade and agro-business. Considering the natural resources of Permet, the second alternative is the development of Permet as an eco-tourism center for mountain and cultural tourism. The third alternative is based on cultural heritage and tourism as the main promoter of sustainable development. trashëgiminë kulturore dhe turizmin,  si nxitësit kryesor të një zhvillimi gjithëpërfshirës e të qëndrueshëm.

Permet’s vision for the exploitation of the city’s potential as a regional and tourist center, environmentally friendly is visible in the three development alternatives. Permet development alternatives are accompanied by investment packages aimed at revitalizing abandoned areas and transforming them into centers of sports, cultural and artisan activities; rehabilitation of panoramic views of modern city roads; rehabilitation of “Guri i qytetit” area; development of a footpath on the east cost of Vjosa, interventions in the historical neighborhood and access improvement to Leusa Church.

This study is developed by foreign and Albanian experts in the areas of urban development, transport, cultural heritage, tourism, environment, etc. It will be presented this week to key stakeholders: Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism and Environment, Berat and Permet municipalities that are direct beneficiaries. In cooperation with them, will be selected the alternative with the highest impact on the sustainable development of cities.

After concluding this phase the next step will be proposing investment packages based on a detailed technical, economic and social analysis.