Raising awareness of local decision makers on spatial planning through the treatment of informal settlements - Peja case

Session

Architecture and Spatial Planning

Description

Spatial and inclusive planning after 1999 has faced many challenges as a result of the inadequate professional preparation of local institutions in Kosovo. Lack of knowledge of inclusive approaches, non-contemporary methodologies used in the spatial planning process, emergent periods for reconstruction, lack of professional capacity, lack of budget and lack of political interest were just some of the challenges that spatial planning has faced in Kosovo municipalities. Strategic and inclusive planning approaches are not well accepted by local staff; on the contrary, the transition from conventional planning to strategic and inclusive planning was difficult and not easily acceptable.

The Municipality of Peja as a pioneer in taking steps to move forward from the conventional planning process to the strategic one has successfully succeeded in drafting the spatial plans in line with the Kosovo spatial planning legal framework, but the success story has not been complete. It took even more time, commitment and budget to continue the processes up to the urban regulatory level.

Following the recommendations and activities from the approved spatial development plans has forced Peja Municipality to approach the implementation process. The challenging approach to treat informal settlements, based on local human capacity and successfully finalizing the processes has made decision makers in Peja to continue to support spatial planning towards sustainable development.

The process of taxing informal settlements by the process of issuing construction permits has had a positive impact on budget fulfillment which are then converted into capital investment projects, financed by the municipality or co-financed with various international programs. The partnership built between local institutions and the community has helped local government design social, economic and environmental community-based projects that have been supported by the community during the design process and during project implementation.

After the projects were finalized the welfare and quality of life of the families increased, a pro-active community was built, local institutions built transparency in spending the local budget. A triangle of partnership has been built between the community, the municipality and international organizations that have co-financed the projects and this example has had a positive impact on the development of other urban areas in Peja.

Keywords:

Strategic, inclusive, conventional, municipality, informal settlements, capital investment project, neighborhood base planning, quality of life, pro-active community

Session Chair

Binak Beqaj

Session Co-Chair

Elvida Pallaska

Proceedings Editor

Edmond Hajrizi

ISBN

978-9951-550-19-2

Location

Pristina, Kosovo

Start Date

26-10-2019 11:00 AM

End Date

26-10-2019 12:30 PM

DOI

10.33107/ubt-ic.2019.223

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Oct 26th, 11:00 AM Oct 26th, 12:30 PM

Raising awareness of local decision makers on spatial planning through the treatment of informal settlements - Peja case

Pristina, Kosovo

Spatial and inclusive planning after 1999 has faced many challenges as a result of the inadequate professional preparation of local institutions in Kosovo. Lack of knowledge of inclusive approaches, non-contemporary methodologies used in the spatial planning process, emergent periods for reconstruction, lack of professional capacity, lack of budget and lack of political interest were just some of the challenges that spatial planning has faced in Kosovo municipalities. Strategic and inclusive planning approaches are not well accepted by local staff; on the contrary, the transition from conventional planning to strategic and inclusive planning was difficult and not easily acceptable.

The Municipality of Peja as a pioneer in taking steps to move forward from the conventional planning process to the strategic one has successfully succeeded in drafting the spatial plans in line with the Kosovo spatial planning legal framework, but the success story has not been complete. It took even more time, commitment and budget to continue the processes up to the urban regulatory level.

Following the recommendations and activities from the approved spatial development plans has forced Peja Municipality to approach the implementation process. The challenging approach to treat informal settlements, based on local human capacity and successfully finalizing the processes has made decision makers in Peja to continue to support spatial planning towards sustainable development.

The process of taxing informal settlements by the process of issuing construction permits has had a positive impact on budget fulfillment which are then converted into capital investment projects, financed by the municipality or co-financed with various international programs. The partnership built between local institutions and the community has helped local government design social, economic and environmental community-based projects that have been supported by the community during the design process and during project implementation.

After the projects were finalized the welfare and quality of life of the families increased, a pro-active community was built, local institutions built transparency in spending the local budget. A triangle of partnership has been built between the community, the municipality and international organizations that have co-financed the projects and this example has had a positive impact on the development of other urban areas in Peja.