1. POLIS UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF URBAN PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND MANAGEMENT
MASTER OF SCIENCE
IN URBAN PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
September 2008 - September 2013
CAR-FREE DEVELOPMENT
Bike-Pedestrian Friendly “Myslym Shyri” Case
Marseda ALLAJBEU
2. Aim & Goals
Understand the main issues of the streets in Tirana.
Understand the benefits of walking and cycling.
Develop MORE walking and cycling corridors / trips.
Develop ideas and policies for SAFER walking and cycling.
Develop a walking and cycling Culture.
GOAL 1
GOAL 2
GOAL 3
GOAL 5
GOAL 4
THIS RESEARCH INTENDS TO UNDERSTAND AND EXPOLORE THE IMPORTANCE OF
CAR FREE DEVELOPMENT - PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY STREETS IN THE CITY OF TIRANA.
3. Car-Free Development
There are three categories of Development:
Visually Car-free Low-Car Car-Free
*The core residential area does
not include any motorized
access but where there is no
attempt to limit car ownership
*Parking may be provided
underground or at the edge
of the site.
*Residential or mixed use
developments which:
- Offer limited parking,
- Are designed to reduce car
use by residents.
* where “little or no provision
has been made for vehicle
infrastructure or residential
parking”
Car-free Developments are Residential or mixed use developments which:
i. Normally provide a traffic free immediate environment
ii. Offer no parking or limited parking separated from the residence
iii. Are designed to enable residents to live without owning a car.
4. Public Space
“Great public spaces are where celebrations are held, social and economic exchanges take place,
friends run into each other, cultures mix. They are the “front porches” of our public institutions –
libraries, field houses, neighborhood schools – where we interact with each other and government.
When spaces work well, they serve as a stage for our public lives”.
5. Pedestrianisation
"Restrict of a vehicle access to a street or area for the exclusive use of pedestrians".
This can only happen where servicing of premises, whether they are residential, shops or businesses, can be
undertaken from another entrance, examples being back streets or underground facilities.
There are three common forms of pedestrianisation :
Full time pedestrian streets Part-time Pedestrian Streets Traffic Calming Streets
•Access of vehicles into street
is fully forbidden.
* Usually services are in the back of
street.
* In most cases only emergency
service vehicles are allowed to enter.
* Vehicular access allowed only in
specific periods.
* No on-street parking spaces allowed
but loading bays are available.
Part-time pedestrianisation is very
common in Ireland.
* Reduce the dominance & speed of
road vehicles.
* No restrictions to vehicle access
* Footpaths are widened
* Parking spaces are reduced.
* Traffic calming measures to slow
down the speed of vehicles.
* Including speed tables, narrower
traffic lanes, different road textures
and colors to remind drivers that they
are within traffic calming zones.
6. Pedestrianisation
The scheme:
Must be designed to meet the needs of all key stakeholders groups : Local Authority, businesses and the community.
It might start with removing some on-street parking spaces to increase the width of footway, and then move on to
closing the street on specific days or for specific events, before closure of the street for longer periods or permanently.
The pedestrianised area:
Can not be developed in isolation and should at least be part of, a wider accessible walking network.
An isolated pedestrianised street in the centre of a town centre is unlikely to be successful.
Streetscape:
Lighting, planting and the material pallet is important to create a positive atmosphere.
The location of streetscape elements should not be an obstacle for the emergency vehicles.
Public Transport:
Stops or interchanges should be adjacent to or within the pedestrianised area. This reduces the interaction between
pedestrians and motor vehicles, creating a 'car-free' environment where people can shop and relax.
People still need to get to the town by car. Those driving should be directed with effective, to the nearest car park.
As with public transport users, the drivers quickly become pedestrians so car parks need to be located on the edge
of the pedestrianised area.
Key Requirements For SUCCESSFUL PEDESTRIANISE
7. Pedestrianisation
Better public transport, safe walkways and roads, pleasant surroundings and small distances are all key
environmental elements of making walking and cycling attractive.
* Less traffic congestion
8. Introducing the Study Field
Located within the first ring road of Tirana. Between Kavaja Str. and Gjergj Fishta Blv.
Myslym Shyri Street lays in the western part of the city and very close to the center.
Site Location
9. Introducing the Study Field
Site Description
Created in the 1940’s to cover the needs of the houses built at that time
Today it represents a conglomerate of services and an overall lifestyle
A microcosm of metropolitan that include lots of businesses that trade
everything possible.
10. Located on the eastern part of Myslym Shyri
Street, only 2 minutes from the city center.
Newly renovated pedestrian street with its
entrance from the city center, ending at
Xhorxh W.Bush street.
Murat Toptani Street (Avenue)
Offers entertainment and culture buildings,
retails, bars and services that bring life to
street.
Hot spot frequented by all genders day and
night.
Has most of the needed elements of a
pedestrian and urban place.
The area is well thought with
- Tall trees that provide shade
- Sitting places providing comfort
- Lighting providing security and
- Well designed pavement providing
diversity.
14. Case Study I
Great Pedestrian Streets Around The World
Las Ramblas in Barcelona, Spain
Las Ramblas are seen as Barcelona's characteristic, most important, best streets.
with a variety of eatery, shops, markets and cultural institutions is very unique.
Pedestrian traffic is always high due to different activities that promote diverse
image and flexible character.
About 1.5 km long
USES & ACTIVITIES
-Offers a variety of eatery, shops, markets and cultural institutions many places to sit,
sculptures and other entertaining activities which make it work as a dynamic center.
- Along Ramblas there ar plenty of kiosks selling mainly newspapers, ice-cream, flowers.
-Pedestrian traffic is always high due to different activities that promote diverse image
and flexible character. During night the whole area provides lighting which gives a
sense of security to community making the place highly frequented.
15. Case Study II
Great Pedestrian Streets Around The World
"Strøget" - The Pedestrian Street_Copenhagen, Denmark
"Strøget"is one of the longest pedestrian zones in the world, and it’s the ideal street for a
day of shopping in Copenhagen. Today it’s the unofficial center of the city, with people
hanging out, relaxing, on their way to work, shopping, or enjoying a lunch or Coffee.
People also use it as a meeting point. Street is always crowded With people, visitors and
talented street performers.
In 1990′s these streets was officially named Strøget (Stroget).
About 3.2 km long
USES & ACTIVITIES
Strøget is a great tourist attraction - offers plenty of restaurants, outdoor sidewalk
cafes, fast food, specialty shops, art galleries, gift stores, department stores, street
entertainment, theatres, museums etc.
These streets have been the main pedestrian zone through the city for many years,
seeing many different events and activities.
16. "Strøget" - The Pedestrian Street_Copenhagen, Denmark
COPENHAGEN’S 10-STEP PROGRAM
8. Adapt the cityscape to changing seasons
3. Turn parking lots into public squares
1. Convert streets into pedestrian thoroughfares
2. Reduce traffic and parking gradually
4. Keep scale dense and low
5. Honor the human scale
6. Populate the core
7. Encourage student living
9. Promote cycling as a major mode of transportation
10. Make bicycles available
Case Study II
17. City Life Successful examples of transformed urban laneways around the world
Umbrella Sky Project
on the streets of Agueda, Portugal.
Part of the local Art Festival .
Poetry Carnival in Seattle’s Nord Alley
Transforming districs into vibrant public spaces.
Spaces for celebration, events, and fashion shows.
Crafts Day on the promenade of Shkodra ,
Albania. An annual event that encourages
community dialogue and interaction.Artists
come together to promote and sell their work.
Better Block Duncan In South Carolina is a center
of business and activity such as farmer’s market,
arts and crafts gallery ,games for children that
brought vitality to the whole area.
The Taste of Charlotte food festival is hold every June
and draws more than 150,000 people to experience
a family activities, live music and fantastic food from
the area’s hottest restaurants.
‘Life in my Shoes’ an is interactive public exhibition
for HIV charity in London that challenges the fear
and misunderstanding that surrounds HIV.
23. Urban Scale Analyses
Existing Bike Lanes
Proposed Underground Parking
General Local Plan of Tirana 2012
PROBLEMS
- Bike lines have continuity
- Not maintained
- Pedestrians encountered in the bike lines
- Frequently cars park in the bike lanes
- No safety
- Unattractive
You can park in Tirana in three ways:
* parking on a private area,
* parking on an on-street parking pricing,
* or parking for free.
Municipality of Tirana provides 11 underground
parking in the most important areas with a high
flux of circulation.
24. Urban Scale Analyses
Road Traffic Accidents 1999 - 2011
Year 1999 – 159 car accidents.
From 1999 - 2003 there is a decrease of
the accidents . Since then,
the number of car accidents has grown
reaching 654 accidents.
In order to reduce the number of accidents first
we should reduce the number of cars in
circulation.
Many European countries are trying to reduce
the number of accidents and injuries by using
different policies that improve :
* Driver care
* Vehicle safety
* Road infrastructure
Developing Low-Car and Car-Free streets will reduce the usage of vehicles and will
Encourage walking and cycling as forms of clear ways of transportation.
25. Urban Scale Analyses
Urban Pollution – Contaminated Areas in Tirana
Transport is the MAIN FACTOR
of the air pollution.
Privat Transport represents
77%
Public Transport represents
23%
300.000 85%
Pollutants in the Atmosphere
27. Urban Scale Analyses
Distribution of shopping centers in Tirana
Shopping malls in the suburbs
generate numerous problems
* Heavy urban traffic
* Increase number of vehicles
* Environmental pollution
* More accidents
The Problem
Creation of a BID
(Business Improvment District)
right in the heart of
the city
The Solution
28. Urban Scale Analyses
Business Improvement District
* BID provides a mechanism to attach municipal or donor funds to the area.
* Increases Property Value
* Cleaner and Maintained Neighborhood.
* Increase in sales due to improved image of the district.
* Enhances security
Benefits
A Business Improvement District is a publicly supported, privately managed organization
that is created to enhance public services and investments in geographically distinct urban,
commercial neighborhoods. Property owners in the BID area vote to impose a mandatory tax
on their properties. The tax is collected by local government but returned in full to the
community and is applied to their self-determined priorities. The primary purpose of the
district is to create improved economic opportunities, security and business climate among
BID members. Successful BIDs also often result in increased property values.
29. Urban Scale Analyses
BID Areas in Albania
DURRËS KORÇË SHKODËR
BERAT
Reasons of Why Myslym Shyri is a right area
for a BID Project
1. The close distance with the center of the city
2. Well connected with all sorts of public transportation network
3. It houses buildings from the past (history)
4. Close distance with the administrative area
5. Close distance with the city landmarks (Mosque, Cathedral,
clock-tower etc)
6. It offers a variety of attractive shopping stores
7. It is connected to Murat Toptani promenade
32. Site Analyses
Typology of the Built
* 1-3 floor buildings - historical area concentrated in the western part. Constitute a high percentage of the area.
* 4-6 floor buildings located along “Myslym Shyri”and in the southern part of the area. Built after the 1960’ies
* 7-9 floor buildings inside the neighborhood inner streets usually built after year 2000.
* Higher than 10 floor buildings are increasing in the last couple years. Mostly in the southern part of the area, built close to the
secondary road infrastructure.
35. Public Survey Results
The intention of the online survey was to capture community’s ideas and needs to help us remodel in the best possible way.
The results collected which was the basis for redesigning Myslym Shyri, and are included in the planning process.
BEAUTIFUL, INVITING, NOISY, POLLUTED, CHAOTIC, HEAVY TRAFFIC
38. The Concept 1. Create an effective ring road
2. Establish traffic calming measures in the central city
DEVELOP A WIDER AND BETTER PEDESTRIAN NETWORK
IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR WALKING & CYCLING
IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR RESTING AND LEISURE TIME
UPGRADING THE VISUAL QUALITY OF THE STREETSCAPE
49. Furniture Palette
Bike RacksWooden Bench
Size: 1500*560*410mm
Trash ReceptacleVintage
Street Light
Bench & Greenery
Removable Bollars Book Kiosk Florist KioskPedicab
Outdoor Cafe Tents
Free Bike Pump
50. Stakeholders and their Profits
Road Users
Residents (Property Owners)
Business Owners
Employers
Investors
Social Sector (Education, Health and Administration)
Local Authorities
51. Works and Materials number Quantity Cost
Paving 110 +7 25.000
Green Areas 10 +9 10.000
Benches 150 150 15.000
Trash receptacle 150 +13 10.000
Lighting 150 -8 15.000
Plants 70 +4 12.000
Bike Racks 5 -10 8.000
Consultants Fee 5 5 21.000
Total Cost 116.000.000 $
Project Costs
