Residents oppose the TID project in Durrës: Cancellation sought of decision providing for the demolition of 80 homes

A group of residents affected by the TID Durrës project has submitted a 15-page document to the Durrës Municipality, bearing the signatures of 65 citizens and addressed to several institutions, including the municipality, the Ministry of Culture, the Institute of Cultural Heritage and the AADF.

Following the repeal of Council of Ministers’ Decision No. 442, dated 3.6.2020, “On the declaration of the new development area in the Durrës administrative unit,” the Citizen Group Against the TID Project has asked the relevant institutions to halt implementation of the project and begin the procedures for its repeal. The request was made public by architect Entela Koja.

The decision to repeal the New Development Area, which included a considerable part of the coastal city, including a section of the historic area in central Durrës, also resulted in the cancellation of the Detailed Local Plan (PDyV). This plan provided for the demolition of 20 immovable properties included in the TID project.

The Citizen Group argues that, following the annulment of the legal basis on which the PDyV was founded, as well as the saving from demolition of the properties located above the amphitheater, the TID project should be repealed. According to the residents, the project has been overturned de jure. The report was filed by journalist Klodiana Haxhiaj.

Entela Koja said that the institutions were trying to create the impression that the project was continuing, while the fact that its revision was being discussed showed that the existing document was no longer in force. She said the residents were demanding that this be made official and established in writing.

Resident Rita Kazazi called on the authorities to repeal the decision, stressing that its cancellation had saved many homes. She opposed any attempt to demolish houses in the name of creating gardens and warned that residents would continue their resistance to the project.

The residents announced that they would continue their legal battle in court. At the same time, they plan to appeal to the Municipal Council to suspend the project drafted by the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF), which affects more than 80 properties belonging to Durrës residents in the historic area and provides for their expropriation at values that the residents consider ridiculous.