3.3 Requalification of the Coastline Vlore-Radhime-Orikum (Lot 1)

The scope of this strategic project involves remodeling of a coastline segment on the Bay of Vlore that starts from the tunnel of Ujet e Ftohte (at the termination of the Lungomare) and expands southwards up to Orikum Marina, with a total length of about 11km. Due to its attractiveness, the area has a strategic importance for the development of tourism and promotion of Vlore region as touristic destination (Vlore Riviera).

The requalification has therefore a complex scope that encompasses masterplanning, landscape and urban design to address the following key aspects:

a) Rethinking the accessibility concept for cars, pedestrians and cyclists with aim to promote sustainable mobility and to ensure road safety.
b) Reconcepting the character of the existing coastal road as a recreational road whose primary aim is to ensure the appreciation of the landscape and sea views.
c) Repairing the damages of human interventions that compromise the quality of the coastal landscape and the beachfront.
d) Disciplining existing and future constructions and demarcating clear boundaries for private developments ensuring continuity in public space through the proposed design of the promenades.
e) Enhancing and expanding the experience of the coastal landscape for visitors for walking and swimming, namely through the creation of pathways and rocky swim spots.
f) Upgrading the image of the beaches and providing amenities for visitors and tourists, such as public stairs, ramps, sitting areas or showers.
g) Rationalizing utilities and energy infrastructure networks for servicing the beach zones
h) Last but not least consolidating through each and every proposed intervention the identity of the Riviera.

The design interventions have been structured in three different subareas (lots) which were carried out as separate assignments. The first LOT was undertaken in October 2018, in joint venture with the company TPA and Albanian Development Fund as the contracting authority. It was financed by the Government of Albania and Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) towards the cost of the “Community Works IV: Development of the Albanian Alps and Coastal Areas”.

The study area of 2.8km is rather rocky with small beaches that are partially formed by human intervention. The main element that defines the experience of the landscape is the coastal road, positioned at close distance from the seafront but at higher level of several meters that enables beautiful sea views. Across the 2.8km zone we note in total 7 small hotels (Liro, Kalaja, Kristera, Nimfe, Zhironi and Vega and one unfinished hotel construction above Cocobongo.

The design interventions took place at two levels. At the level of the coastal road a joint bicycle-pedestrian corridor or 3m was added to the road from the seaside, combined with traffic calming interventions, arrangement of parking and public belvedere spots combined with public stairs descending to the beaches. At the level of the beaches, a continuous coastal pathway was created along the entire area, combined with beach requalification.