Mapping the City - a creative approach on Tiranë

LAK NAS

Përralla e peshkut

the fish tale

The complex “ Univers City “ used to be fish tank 40 years ago where people went fishing. There were different kind of fish, like carp, catfish, Chinese fish, mullet fish.

Years later, when the water dried up, they started to build the complex , and what’s more interesting, is that one of the buildings is inside where a fish tank used to be. We also met some old people around the neighbourhood and they told us that this complex was like a “Little Paris” for them. We are using fishing nets as installation to create some shadow places where a bit of sunlight goes through as in lakes , and we are also using the type of fishes as a mosaic.In order to remember what used to be there and not lose the track of this history.

Famena Xhafaj, Elia Çoçja & Armela Gjongecaj

Destinacioni i fundit

last destination

Ani DIne, Eraldo Brahimi & Ardit Kabashi

The idea is to connect the three areas as to develop a future in every section of life and to give that part of Tirana a new identity. We believe the new train station as an old missing part of the area will bring the memories of once called train but with the new technology and opening of a new era.

Mos me ushqe

When we throw plastic away, it never truly goes ‘away.’ It just goes somewhere else.” -

Annie Leonard

PLAY

pomegranate

Shegë

Mr. Toçi shared how in his culture the act of sharing pomegranates is a gesture of goodwill.

Shega Zeneli, Eneda Jaupi & Kenlin Lleshi

Ingredients

- 2¼ cups cake flour

- 2 teaspoon baking powder

- ½ teaspoon baking soda

- ½ teaspoon salt

- 1 cup butter (2 sticks) room

temperature

- 1½ cup sugar

- 3 large eggs separated

- 1 cup whole milk

- 2 teaspoon vanilla

3. Pour the resulting liquid into a pot and put it on fire.

4. Pour the sugar and let it boil. While boiling, we squeeze the lemon

5. Take it off the heat, let it cool and put it in a glass bottle to store it.

2. We take their juice by separating them with the help of a cloth to separate the juice from the kernels.

1. Peel the pomegranate seeds and throw them in a grinder with a little water

Laknas Syrup

- 3 cups pomegranate juice

- ⅓ cup granulated sugar

- 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Kopshti Univers

We made 2 parks which compensate the relation between the big high buildings of “Univers City” and the lack of green space that this block has. These parks can provide a much-needed break from the towering cityscape. Designed as a community gathering space, these parks foster a sense of togetherness among locals

garden of univers

With plans for open-air cinema and other cultural activities, these parks become a hub for entertainment and creativity. The inclusion of a mini park for animals makes these spaces even more inclusive and engaging for all residents. It can also be a source of pride for the local community, these parks symbolize a commitment to a healthier, happier, and more vibrant city life.

Arbjon Sopaj, Arbër Lika & Ergest Kryeziu

Përbindëshi i Laknasit

monster from laknas

Erta Kuta, Fiona Koçi & Desara Baba

Një traditë shumë e hershme dhe e rëndësishme shqiptare është vendosja e një lodre pellushi ose kukulle që në themelet e ndërtesës. Kjo është një nga bestytnite më të rëndësishme të vendit tonë e cila ka origjinë pagane. Funksioni i kësaj tradite është mbrojtja e ndërtesës nga “Syri i Keq”. Ajo që na bëri përshtypje në zonën e Laknasit është se pothuajse të gjitha kukullat ishin arusha pellushi. Tingëllon e çuditshme pasi duke ditur relievin e kësaj zone ariu nuk bën pjesë në këtë habitat fushor.

Por pas intervistave me njerëzit kuptuam se shumica e banorëve në këtë zonë janë të ardhur nga veriu i Shqiperisë ku terreni është i ashpër dhe malor dhe arusha e malit shquhet si kafsha më e fortë prandaj ajo do ta mbroje më mirë nga të gjitha kafshët ndërtesën. Simbolika e arushës nga kafsha më e fortë dhe e rrezikshme në një arush pellushi të butë dhe të lezetshëm na tregon se si është përshtatur me habitatin e ri. Me këtë projekt ne e kemi sjellë në jetë arushin e pellushit. Ai është pjesë e këtij komuniteti, bashkëvepron me të.

Crossroad Eyes open

Road continues for 600 m

Accustomed for the neighborhood, as an interesting representation of it

Don’t block the road Do’s

Permes Shenjave through scars

Our research shows the damaged walls caused by the earthquake in. Our idea was about creating different “images” that we saw around this area, like drawing flowers or animal and paint or put 3D paper flowers on the walls, representing the elements of this village.

Rilindje Rebirth

Antonia Koleci & Fiona Pirushi

Maybe the two different worlds we lived in weren’t so different. We saw the same sunset.

(S.E. Hinton)

To understand the situation we had to connect with the people and hear their stories. We noticed the contrast between the two worlds: the new and the old construction of the area such as: Environmental, infrastructure, financial, educational, and generational differences. With a new world coming in the neighborhood, ‘Univers City’, the difference was beginning to be more distinct.

Our idea is to build a symbolic bridge made out of pieces of mirrors. They are placed in different angles reflecting on every direction to melt and unify.

Identiteti i ngjyrave

Identity of colours

Inspired by the area’s natural surroundings, the station’s use of colors and patterns from the region’s elements creates a vibrant and inviting atmosphere.

Belisa Muraj, Enola Ismajlisufaj & Hajrena Shehaj

Local materials has turned it into a symbol of community pride, addressing the residents’ needs and infusing the station with a sense of belonging.

Portat e vreshtave te rrushit

the grapevine gateway

NJE TRUP ME NATYREN

one body with nature

Sound of the river

During a week-long social design workshop, students from the Department of Urban Planning and Architecture at POLIS University in Tiranë embarked on an exploration of the Laknas neighbourhood. Students developed themes and concepts referring to the neighbourhood based on stories of the inhabitants, personal obersavations and its architectural vocabulary.

Design thinking, design skills, and public participation are key tools and drivers for this project. They are all used as a methodology to explore, analyze, visualize and respond to the neighbourhood life and its people. Students are encouraged to actively engage with and take on responsible roles within their social and cultural contexts. These diverse projects, encompassing both minor and substantial interventions, serve as both a starting point and a source of inspiration for further research, as they are far from claiming to be finished. The results consistently bear the distinctive imprint of the creatives, mirroring their interests and fervor.

We would like to thank the Dutch Embassy in Tiranë, Valerio Perna and his team from the POLIS University and all the participants for making this workshop happen.

The social design workshop is an initiative from andrews & degen, a strategic visual graphic design agency located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The workshop ‘Mapping the city - A creative approach on...’ has already been conducted in more than 25 different cities around the world. For all the results please visit www.mappingthecity.com.

andrews degen & strategisch designstudio amsterdam