Investment in Berat- Revitalization of Historic and Urban Areas in Function of Tourism
The reconstruction of the road “Mihal Komneno” solved the underground sewage problems as well as internet and telephony connection. On the other hand, the panoramic view point Tabja has been restored after the demolition of antenna’s object.
TIRANA- The investment carried out in Berat by the Albanian Development Fund on behalf of the Albanian Government and the World Bank was inspected by Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Prime minister accompanied by the executive director Dritan Agolli visited “Mihal Komneno ” road, the pedestrian cobblestone road to the castle of the city and the Panoramic View Point Tabja which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. These important cultural and historical sites are reconstructed over the last months in the framework of the project “Integrated Urban and Tourism Development” implemented by ADF.
The reconstruction of the road “Mihal Komneno” solved the underground sewage problems as well as internet and telephony connection. The last reconstruction of this road dates 36 years ago. The cobblestone road was damaged by vehicles.Meanwhile, locals and businesses along the road have been complained for the lack of underground engineering network and pedestrian difficulties to pass this road particularly in rainy weather.
Berat is visited by approximately 59,000 tourists a year and has a population of approximately 70,000 inhabitants, of which 700 inhabitants live in the Castle area.
Works include reconstruction of underground engineering network, pavement of 5,800m2 road with black limestone which guarantees safe mobility for pedestrians but at the same time creates uniformity of the road with the stones of the castle. Installation of lighting has been completed, enabling the use of the road at night, and at the same time aims to give further push to activities for tourists and visitors.
The panoramic view point Tabja has been restored after the demolition of antenna’s object. This investment includes also greenery, lighting and urban furnishing and new metallic railings. The latter have been installed for the safety of visitors wishing to use the newly installed observation point, where they can enjoy the panoramic view over the city, Osum and Gorica.
“Mihal Komneno” road and the panoramic view point Tabja were the first interventions undertaken in the framework of the program IUTDP, funded by the Albanian government and the World Bank and implemented by the Albanian Development Fund.
Berat is one of the 4 beneficiary municipalities of this project. IUTDP investment package aims the realization of integrated interventions in the rehabilitation of urban infrastructure, in order to improve living conditions of locals and tourist hosting infrastructure.
Investment packages for Berat aim to facilitate the mobility of locals, tourists and visitors, the number of which is always increasing.
The next investment to be undertaken within the IUTDP is the rehabilitation of "Muzak Topia" road, which will be the only vehicle road to the castle. Other interventions are planned in the city. The aim of which is to improve the mobility and connectivity between the historic center and the rest of the city, as well as revitalize other areas of the city, such as the Gorrice neighborhood where the activities are currently missing.