AN URBAN COMMUNITY CENTER AS AN INTEGRATING MEDIUM FOR THE EMERGING NEIGHBORHOODS IN TIRANA

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. Keywords: