Development scenarios of the coastal area in western Albania

Abstract

Coastal Area in Albania stretches along the Western part of the country. The development of water resources comprises an analytical interpretation of both the problems and opportunities that the Coastal Area contains. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the approach implemented in this study, followed by a feasible conclusion with the environmental and social parameters attained. The Coastal Area in Western Albania is seen as a potential resource of environmental, economical and social development. The study developed focuses and sets all the development criteria in accordance with the EU legislations regarding to environment and water policies. Social and economical benefits are the driving factors to have an overall feasible layout of this study. This study identifies the potential resources and indicates for each of them the threats and opportunities. Different measures, methods of implementation, and the data required are proposed for all objectives and categorized in three alternatives as a) economical, b) environmental and c) mixed, to give a clear option for the perspective development of the integrated coastal zone and water resources that affect in extent the Western Albania. The understanding of the system and public involvement are important in the solution to the integrated water management in the Coastal Area. In the research are simulated three development strategies based on different criteria. In each strategy, various studies are undertaken. Data collection, analysis, system understanding, modeling, interpretation, economic analysis, risk analysis, environmental impact studies are accomplished before the final suggestion of measures in each alternative. The research is made such as an approach to integrate the spatial and temporal effects of measures. Development of the study areas will be important not only for the existing situation, but a long-term strategy is developed to distribute reliably the resources in space and time.