Appendix EXPERT INTERVIEWS I. Interview with Ms. Fationa Sinojmeri // Environmental Engineer, Technical Advisor at German Corporation for International Cooperation GmbH (GIZ). August 2021 1. Is there an ongoing project of GIZ Albania in the field of climate change adaptation? If yes, to what extent is the topic of urban flooding tackled? Currently, it does exist the CCAWB (Climate Change Adaptation for Western Balkans) project – but it is focused on Drin Basin only and is expected to be finished by mid-2022. A smaller contribution is being given at the national level by supporting the implementing agencies of EU Flood Directives through technical advice on their work. Some of the activities that are included by the CCAWPB project: • Preparation of PFRA (Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment) for Drin Basin • Preparation of FHRM - Flood Hazard and Flood Risk Mapping • Preparation of FRMP (Flood Risk Management Plans) for Shkodra region • Producing a guidebook on FHRM, which is still under process Urban flooding is not really tackled at this project (CCAWB) phase, since the typology of floods in the Drin Basing are Riverine floods and sometimes flash floods. CCAAPT is the only project established with the support of GIZ that tackles the topic of CC in Tirana; by identifying the most vulnerable spots in the city regarding urban flooding in specific and climate change effects in general. 2. Which are the most vulnerable spots in Tirana toward extreme rainfall events? The areas of the city, identified in the Vulnerability Assessment conducted by CCAAPT: Komuna e Parisit Area located in the south western part of Tirana, has experienced regular flooding over the last years. With some interventions in the existing sewage network, the flooding have been mitigated at a certain level. Other areas where the pluvial flooding is an ingoing issue: Lana River near Brryli district, 21 Dhjetori Square, Don Bosko Street and in the outskirts of the city: Lana River in some parts and Tirana River in the northern part of the city. In these last two locations, because of the high level of urban informality, the floorings are more intense and have a more significant in the surroundings
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