Doris Andoni MSc. in Urban Housing Management General Director National Housing Agency Albania FORMALIZING THE INFORMAL IN ALBANIA: POLICIES AND APPROACHES
Informal settlement a model of urban sprawl
Urban sprawl Characteristics: Single-use zoning; Low-density; Car-dependent communities; Spatial Mismatch (due to job sprawl and limited transportation)
The disadvantages of urban sprawl LOSS OF ARABLE LAND DEGRADATION OF FARMER FAMILIES;
The disadvantages of urban sprawl LOW AIR QUALITY BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION;
The disadvantages of informal settlements
Informal Settlements in UNECE region UNECE, 2009; Self-made Cities
Reasons, extension, typologies and policies to address INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS - ALBANIA
Source:: INSTAT Albania
Source:: INSTAT Albania
Extension of informal housing in Tirana region 700000 600000 598000 500000 400000 300000 200000 100000 270000 350000 1990 2001 2011 0 &Tirana population doubbled in 20 years Source: Strategic Plan for Greater Tirana, Feb 2005,ULMP
Tirana Beginning of transition 1990 Source: John Driscoll (IIUD) Unprecedented Rural-Urban migration led to very high demand for housing Private sector GDP contribution grew from 10% to 75% (1992 to 1996) Kamza Municipality (north of Tirana) grew 10-fold (1994 to 2000) Investment in housing supported by remittances Informal neighborhoods lacked clear title, basic infrastructure etc. Tirana - Since the 1990s Source: John Driscoll (IIUD)
Informal Settlements in Albania - Typology Informal development are of different typology, based on the level of the violation: a) Illegal occupation of public or private land. Usually are found in areas without a study, not urbanized, rural areas (case of Bathore, Kamza etc..); b) Illegal / irregular transaction of land from persons that does not hold a title and construction without permission; c) Construction without permit on its own land; d) Construction with permit with regular land transaction, but infringement of the permit - mostly in urban areas; e) Extension of existing buildings without permit; f) Changes in the facades of the existing buildings (closure of balconies, windows, etc..)
Informal Settlements in Albania - Approaches Approaches in Albania: a) 1993 1994 demolition; b) 1995 2003 WB up-grading project; state ignoring c) 2004 First law on LEGALIZATION (Investment in infrastructure through capitalization on land); d) 2006 A new law political decision to support fast urbanization e) 2007 2015 the law was amended 8 times
Informal Settlements in Albania 270,000 self-declarations in 2006 100000 90000 80000 70000 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0 Source: ALUIZNI (Central Govt. Agency for Registering Informal Areas)
IMPACT OF LEGALIZATION
Some achievements of ALUIZNI in 2011 Field survey completed for 178,934 informal objects, qualified for legalization; Elaboration of technical and legal documentation for 137,000 informal buildings; Completed the preparation of legalization files for 63,278 informal properties; Completed procedures for the transfer of land property for 85,700 informal buildings Completed procedures of compensation for 3,432 owners Completed procedures for transferring the ownership for 300 properties in touristic villages Granted the legalization permit for 8,318 informal buildings;
Only 10% of buildings are legalized between 2006 and 2015 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Number of self-declarations Number of permits issued (until 2015)
1996 Source: John Driscoll (IIUD) More than 13000 ha of land occupied 2007
100000 90000 80000 70000 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 Number of self-declaration increased by 8% between 2006 and 2015 0 2006 2015 Source: ALUIZNI (Central Govt. Agency for Registering Informal Areas)
Increased housing stock 450000 400000 350000 13% 33% empty homes 300000 250000 200000 150000 97% BEFORE '90 1991-2005 2006-2011 100000 50000 0 TOTAL BUILDINGS FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES
Some conclusions Informal urban and housing development is part of a wider informality Legalization didn t help to formalize the system Legalization should be followed with measures to stop further developments: Demolitions Develop urban plans Simplifying administrative procedures