Abstract:
Community centers are becoming common facilities in various part of the
world and in general in those countries with well-developed social and economic
backgrounds. Precedent cases indicate that they fulfill a variety of roles of different
scales and importance for many communities, and those who would benefit from them
the most are especially those emerging and in need for integration, such in developing
countries. This project’s focus is on the design of community center for the city of
Tirana. A quantitative research, will try to answer the question “What type of
community center and which programs does this city and its residents need?” - “Why
does Tirana need a Community Center?”
New developments are emerging in Tirana and some of them above the
previous informally developed neighborhoods. With the emerging of such new
developments and the need for rehabilitating the existing informal developments in the
city, the quest for city planners to develop not only housing, infrastructure and jobs,
but also a smart, livable, sustainable and social city, is even faster in time and higher
in importance
Studies and precedents show that Community Centers are very important for a
healthy, vibrant community by providing opportunities for residents to participate in
the community, self-improve, and to interact with other residents. They are common
ground areas that are focused on inclusivity and integration while fostering a culture
of health and wellbeing in the communities they serve. Therefore the study examined
prior researches, interviews, observations and case studies to identify the question this
research raises. This was achieved by reviews of relevant literature and contextual
analysis. Case studies of relevant buildings and public facilities were undertaken.
Finally an original design proposal was developed based on established models and
useful standards acquired from the contextual and case studies.
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