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

3. How successful was the implementation of Adaptation Action Plan, 2015 on mitigation of the climate change effects and especially on providing flood resilience in Tirana? Could you give an overview of what has been achieved so far? The Plan was never fully implemented; or better saying it was implemented in an insignificant level. Its implementation was mentioned; however, with the change of governments it was completely forgotten. Unfortunately, this is the fate of several projects in Albania, have been designed and established on paper but we didn’t follow up, since the project didn’t continue in the field due to the change of governments. Additionally, no follow up was done later and no financing by the governments, making it even harder to get the interest of German developing agency.

Comments on a more personal note: Some positive intervention on the stormwater infrastructure has happened in the recent years. More ‘room’ has been giver for Lana River - especially in its vulnerable spots. Also, there have been improvements on mitigating the flooding around Tirana River. Furthermore, there have projects in the city that on a certain level have integrated the concept of stormwater collection - and reuse – such as the project of Skanderbeg Square and the new Boulevard, built in the northern part of the city as the extension of the existing main axis of the city. A major issue with these projects, is the lack of maintenance, which affects the performance of these integrated systems. However, I am hesitant about some interventions of the Municipality of Tirana, in the frame of mitigating climate change effects in the city. For instance, the green roof implemented in the municipality building is more a showcase rather than a real green roof system. Also, the cooling stations spread around the city during summer to beat the extreme heats, have an insignificant impact on the matter.

4. As an expert, how serious do you think is the situation of urban flooding in Tirana during cloudburst events? To what extent would you attribute the aftermath of such extreme events (cloudbursts) to climate change effects, and how much to the existing sewage network? CC effects are everyday evident and more dominant. The city struggles when it comes to these extreme events and definitely is needed a lot more attention on application of adaptation and mitigation measures. I’m not able to give a % of the number of damages caused by Sewerage network or only climate change. I would rather mention in Tirana the problem starts from the sewerage system which definitely is exacerbated by the CC effect (cloudburst events). A study is needed to give a precise answer to that.

5. How feasible do you think the implementation of Blue-Green infrastructure would be in the context of Tirana? Blue Green Infrastructure is a very good solution in my point of view especially considering that we are in the era of building and expanding the town. A proper study should be done which includes not only proposals on blue green infrastructures but also on their maintenance and cost benefit analysis.

6. Is there any chance that soon such a project could be supported by GIZ? Is there is any report or study conducted by GIZ, about the frequency of the cloudburst events over the last 10-20 years in Albania? Yes, they are possibilities but needs to be seen in the upcoming years which are the priorities of the German government in the region. A slight bigger chance might come from GCF project, but

I can’t tell whether Tirana would be a pilot area. Not that I’m aware off. No study conducted about the frequency of cloudburst in Albania IGEWE is rather collecting data, but technical capacities are still to be improved.

II. Interview with Mr. Dashnor Dervishaj // Senior Hydro Engineer of Tirana Water Supply and Sewerage Utility (TWSSC) August 2021

1. What type of sewage system has Tirana? Tirana has a gravity, combine system.

2. How old is the existing sewage network? What are the most recent interventions in the sewage network and in what part of Tirana have been performed? The sewage infrastructure is approximately 50 years old – however there have been various improvements and replacements during the years. The latest interventions of the network have been implemented in the most vulnerable areas of the city; aiming to control the issue of urban flooding there. These areas include: Komuna e Parisit areas (south western part of Tirana), Don Bosco Street (north western part of Tirana), Elbasani Street, Laprake etc.

3. What is the rainfall intensity that determines the capacity of the sewage network in Tirana? Also, what are the heavy rainfall intensity (with e return period of 5, 10, 20, 30… years) based on the new sewage infrastructure is designed? The sewage network has a capacity that can support a rain event with an intensity of 170 l/ sec*ha with a duration of15min. It has a minimum 20% security for a 5 year reinvent.

4. What parts of Tirana experience more often pluvial flooding? Elbasani Street, Ali Demi Street, Kombinati (west part of Tirana), Komuna e Parisit.

5. Are you familiar with the topics of SuDS or WSUD? Do you think that there is time that such practices should be implemented instead or along the existing sewage network – in order improve the performance of the system under extreme rainfall conditions? Yes, the existing system needs to be improved. There is time that these (SuDS & WSUD) practices can be considered as a solution. The main technical issue of the sewage network is that it is a combined one: the connection of the network lines in a ‘T’ shaped, for a better performance it should be shaped as an ‘Y’. The latest would improve the separation of the wastewater, hence having a positive impact on the environment. Another issue is the illegal sewage network lines, which of course are constructed with no technical supervision; hence in some cases cause the mix of grey water and white water. The construction of streets, increases the amount of surface runoff – which is almost addressed as an issue for the sewage network.