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The Prime Minister reveals plans for the redevelopment of the iconic building, while 5 finalist teams present their projects in the international competition...
The Palace of Congresses, one of the capital's most emblematic buildings, is expected to undergo a profound architectural and functional transformation, with the aim of turning it into a modern center of cultural activities and a new tourist destination for Tirana.
The news was announced by Prime Minister Edi Rama during the presentation of the project ideas of the five finalist teams in the International Competition for the Requalification of the Palace of Congresses, a process that, according to him, is part of the capital's urban transformation strategy and new management of public assets.
During his speech, Rama emphasized that the current building faces serious infrastructural and technical problems, which require immediate intervention.
"The Palace of Congresses, from the point of view of internal infrastructure, has serious problems to address. Now is the time for transformation while preserving its identity," declared the Prime Minister.
According to Rama, the project aims not only to reconstruct the existing building, but also to develop the surrounding area, creating new spaces that will increase the functionality and attractiveness of this part of the city.
He explained that the call for cooperation with private enterprise foresees the development of one or several facilities near the Palace of Congresses, which will be integrated with the new vision of the complex.
"The ultimate goal is for this facility to arrive on time in terms of technology, the quality of the spaces and the entire reorganized structure. This palace and this area should become another tourist destination of Tirana and the capital of cultural activities," said Rama.
The Prime Minister underlined that the transformation of this area will bring more urban vitality, putting an end to the functional isolation that, according to him, has characterized this space for years.
"Let's not leave another island without life, but let what happened with the stadium area happen, which from an unused space has been transformed into an important pole of life in the capital," he said.
In the competition for the redevelopment of the Palace of Congresses, five finalist teams presented their architectural visions for the future of the facility. The projects will be evaluated by an international jury, which will select the winning solution that is expected to determine the transformation of one of the country's most important public buildings.
The redevelopment of the Palace of Congresses is considered one of the largest urban interventions in recent years in Tirana, with the aim of modernizing the existing infrastructure, increasing cultural activity and turning the area into a new center of economic, social and tourist life in the capital.
The state as an active owner of public assets
In his speech, Rama also spoke about the new model that the government is following in the administration of state properties, emphasizing that public institutions are moving away from past practices, where public assets were provided for development with limited benefits for the state.
"The state addresses its needs by making the assets it owns available, just as all legitimate owners do. No longer as in the past, when they were given for development at symbolic costs and benefits, but by becoming a major owner of valuable assets," he stated.
According to the Prime Minister, this approach is contributing not only to strengthening the role of the state as an administrator of public assets, but also to improving the urban and architectural quality of the projects being implemented.
He recalled that there are still public institutions that operate in rented premises, creating ongoing costs for the state budget, while new projects aim to use public properties more efficiently.
15 international competitions held
The Prime Minister announced that so far 15 international competitions for important public projects have been held, while three others are in the preparation process.
"All competitions were conducted according to the highest international standards, not only for the participation of the most renowned architects, but also for the procedures followed," said Rama.
He added that so far 12 contracts have been signed, while seven others are in the process of being finalized.
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