Twin Towers Destroying Tirana`s Identity?

Abstract

This paper discusses and critically analyzes the issue of building skyscrapers in the Main Boulevard of the capital of Albania Tirana, an urban historical zone which is defined as “City Spine” and which constitutes a very important part of architectural identity of the city. In order to give an idea about the identity of the city brief information about the architectural products of the establishing periods of Tirana is given. After that the study is focused on the skyscraper of Twin Towers (Kullat Binjake in Albanian) which are constructed in an ex park area, just in front of the Prime Ministry building of Republic of Albania challenging all other buildings which has the similar height varying from three to four floors. The evaluation whether Twin Towers destroy or not architectural identity of Tirana is made through analyzing the Main Boulevard and the skyscraper within it, under the concepts of “Place-Identity” and “Genius Loci” The aim of this study is to expose the negative effects of this building in terms of city’s architectural identity and place. In conclusion what do the users of the city loose and what does the city itself loose from the Main Boulevard with Skyscraper and what are its effects are revealed.