Another tower set to rise in Tirana, this time in the heart of Rinia Park: This is what “Taiwan” will look like!

A tower is planned for the site where the “Taiwan” complex stands. The promise is to preserve the greenery and public access, but the impact of such a development on Rinia Park extends beyond the boundaries of private property.

A new tower is expected to change the appearance of Rinia Park, one of the most important public spaces in central Tirana. The Danish studio BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group has been named the winner of the international competition for the project to be developed on the site of the complex known as “Taiwan.”

The announcement was made by the Prime Minister’s Office following a competition involving five international studios: BIG, Barozzi Veiga, Cobe, l’AUC and JDSA – Julien De Smedt Architects.

The winning proposal envisions a building with volumes raised above ground level, a solution that, according to the concept presented, aims to free up as much space as possible at park level and preserve public access.

But open space beneath a building does not, in itself, answer the main question: What impact will the tower have on the park and the citizens who use it?

Prime Minister Edi Rama, who attended the presentation of the proposals, stated that the construction would remain within the boundaries of the private property and that the greenery of Rinia Park would not be affected.

This is a commitment that needs to be backed by concrete data. The property boundary determines where construction takes place, but it does not limit the shadow the building may cast, its impact on the landscape, the strain on infrastructure or the consequences of the construction site for the use of the park.

The materials presented do not provide clear information about the final height, the number of floors, the total construction area or an assessment of the impact on the surrounding space. Equally important is clarifying how public access will be guaranteed during construction and after the project is completed.

The selection of a renowned international studio establishes the author of the architectural concept, but it does not replace the need for transparency regarding the scale of the investment, approval procedures and measures to protect the park.

The property where the tower is planned may be private, but its impact in the heart of Tirana is a public issue. For citizens, the fundamental question remains whether this transformation will preserve Rinia Park as an open, green space or place it under the weight of yet another large-scale development.