Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke today at the international Walk21 conference in Tirana. He discussed government measures to expand public spaces and increase greenery in cities.

The 25th edition of the conference gathered experts from around the world to share ideas on promoting walking as a daily urban choice.

Rama traced Albania’s journey from dictatorship to the present day. He focused on efforts to free public areas from illegal structures. “Every day we reclaim space,” Rama said. “We want more trees and more green in our cities.”

He explained that new building permits now require contributions to the Green Fund. Developers must plant a specific number of trees, based on the area they build.

Rama recalled that 54 years ago Albania had no private cars — only about 5,000 vehicles nationwide. “Back then, only about 2,000 tourists visited each year,” he said. “This year, we will exceed 12 million.”

After the fall of the old system, people saw public land as private property, Rama noted. Illegal buildings spread everywhere, covering parks and blocking rivers.

Before 2000, Tirana had lost almost all its green areas. “Every patch of green was buried under illegal concrete,” he said. “Ninety percent of the trees you see today didn’t exist.”

As mayor in 2000, Rama led the demolition of over 10,000 illegal buildings. “We took back our city,” he said. “From the river alone, we removed 132,000 tons of concrete and planted 55,000 trees.”

Still, walking in Tirana remained difficult. “Every meter we win for pedestrians is a small victory,” Rama added. “It helps people slow down and enjoy their city.”

He said the government now targets temporary structures that block sidewalks and public areas. “These so-called temporary setups—tables, chairs, espresso stands—take over the streets,” Rama said. “We must remove them.”

/a.c/