THE POSSIBILITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT IN ALBANIA (CASE STUDY: SHKODRA CITY)

The latest global developments have highlighted the importance of transport sector in the free trade economy and relation between states and people. After year 1990, Albania emerged from the long period of isolation with the collapse of communist regime which was replaced with democratic system and established the free trade economy. The importance of transport sector increased in the whole country and especially in Shkodra city. In this period most of the investments in the main cities of Albania and in Shkodra were to the construction sector, especially in the construction of road infrastructure. This paper aims to analyze the growth and development of transport sector in the last 28 years focusing on its evolution and the socio-economical and environmental impact in the city of Shkodra. Assesssing the importance and complexity of this topic, this paper first addresses the concepts of sustainable transport and then analyzes its indicators for Shkodra city as a case study, highlighting the dynamics of this sector in line with the main principles and objectives of sustainability. Through the analyze of the main indicators for sustainable transport in the case of Shkodra city we aim to determine whether its transport sector and service is moving toward sustainability or unsustainaibility. The planning and strategies for sustainable transport should aim to reduce the risks from air pollution, accidents, land use etc., and bring great benefits for every person. In this paper have been used different scientific methods: collecting and analyzing data on infrastructure from different institutions for many years; field interviews and surveys; comparison of the data from Shkodra city with other cities in Albania etc. The results from this study can serve as an input in the designation of local and national strategies for sustainable transport in the future.