See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/335313246

NEURO-ARCHITECTURE AND PLACEMAKING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN

THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND BRAIN

Chapter · January 2019

CITATIONS READS

0 5,135

3 authors:

Nada Ibrahimi Ani Cuedari

Universiteti Politeknik i Tiranës Polytechnic University of Tirana, Faculty of Architecture and urbanism.
9 PUBLICATIONS   0 CITATIONS    16 PUBLICATIONS   0 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Florian Nepravishta
Universiteti Politeknik i Tiranës
100 PUBLICATIONS   67 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Socialist Architecture in Albania View project

Implemetation of EE measures in public buildings View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Florian Nepravishta on 17 May 2021.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

CITIES IN TRANSITION

3
Paper Proceedings Book of IFAU 2017 - 1st International Forum on Architecture and Urbanism, 14-16 December 2017, Tira-
na, Albania. This forum is organized by Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism, Polytechnic University of Tirana and Faculty
of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pristine “Hasan Prishtina”, with the care of Florian Nepravishta and An-
drea Maliqari under the direction of Scientific Committee.

Title:
CITIES IN TRANSITIONS

Edited by:
Florian Nepravishta, Andrea Maliqari

Chef Editor:
Florian Nepravishta

Responsible for the editorial project:

Ledita Mezini, Andronira Burda, Irina Branko

Graphics and design:

Andi Shameti

Layout:
Rio Kerpaçi

Publisher:
Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism (FAU), Polytechnic University of Tirana

Press:
Graphic Line 01
Rruga: “Maliq Muco” Tirane, Albania

© Copyright 2019
La scuola di Pitagora editrice
Via Monte di Dio, 54
80132 Napoli - Italia

Nessuna parte di questa pubblicazione può essere memorizzata, fotocopiata o comunque riprodotta senza le dovute
autorizzazioni.
No part of this publication may be stored, photocopied or otherwise reproduced without proper authorization.

Le nostre edizioni sono disponibili in Italia e all’estero anche in versione ebook.

Our publications, both as books and e Book’s, are available in Italy and abroad.

ISBN 978-88-6542-679-1 (paper version)

ISBN 978-88-6542-695-1 (electronic version PDF)
 Collana FAU
Forum for Architecture and Urbanism (FAU)
Founded and directed by Florian Nepravishta

Number one
Collana FAU
Founded and directed by Florian Nepravishta

Serie “Forum for Architecture and Urbanism (FAU)”

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE FAU/UPT

Agron Lufi, Polytechnic University of Tirana, AL

Andrea Maliqari, Polytechnic University of Tirana, AL
Armand Vokshi, Polytechnic University of Tirana, AL
Denada Veizaj, Polytechnic University of Tirana, AL
Entela Daci, Polytechnic University of Tirana, AL
Etleva Bushati, Polytechnic University of Tirana, AL
Florian Nepravishta, Polytechnic University of Tirana, AL
Gjergj Islami, Polytechnic University of Tirana, AL
Julian Veleshnja, Polytechnic University of Tirana, AL
Ledita Mezini, Polytechnic University of Tirana, AL
Loreta Capeli, Polytechnic University of Tirana, AL
Marsida Tuxhari, Polytechnic University of Tirana, AL

INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

Alcibiades P. Tsolakis, Louisiana State University, USA
Aleksandra Đukić, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, SR
Alenka Fikfak, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, SLO
Anna Bruna Menghini, Politecnico di Bari, Bari, ITA
Carlo Bianchini,Università La Sapienza, Rome, ITA
Carmine Gambardella, Università degli Studi di Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Aversa, ITA
Caroline Jäger-Klein, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, AUS
Derya Oktay, Ondokuz Mayıs University, TR
Egzon Bajraktari, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pristine, KS
Elisabetta Rosina, Politecnico di Milano, Milano, ITA
Ermal Shpuza, Kennesaw State University, USA
Ezio Godoli, Università di Firenze, Firenze, ITA
Eva Vaništa Lazarević, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, SR
Francesca Calace, Politecnico di Bari, Bari, ITA
Francesco Collotti, Università di Firenze, Firenze, ITA
Heinrich Haass, Hochschule Anhalt, Bernburg, DE
Loredana Ficarelli, Politecnico di Bari, Bari, ITA
Lorenzo Pignatti, Università di Pescara, Pescara, ITA
Luigi Corniello, Università degli Studi di Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Aversa, ITA
Luigi Maffei, Università degli Studi di Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Aversa, ITA
Manfredo di Robilant, Politecnico di Torino, Torino, ITA
Minas Bakalčev, St. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje, FYROM
Mirjana Devetakovic-Radojevic, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, SR
Paolo di Nardo, Università di Firenze, Firenze, ITA
Paolo Giordano, Università degli Studi di Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Aversa, ITA
Renate Bornberg, Vienna University of Technology, Vienna, AUS
Paul Luis Meunier, École Spéciale des Travaux Publics, Paris, FRA
Ulisse Tramonti, Facoltà di Architettura N. S. del Buon Consiglio, U.di Firenze, ITA
Violeta Nushi, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pristine, KS
Višnja Kukoč, University of Split, Split,CR
Contents

FOREWORD.....................................................................................................................................................................................14
Andrea Maliqari

INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................................................................................15
Florian Nepravishta

SUSTAINABILITY

1. CROSSING SIGHTLINES – LOOKING ACROSS THE ADRIATIC.......................................................................................................19

Lorenzo Pignatti

2. CULTURAL VOIDS IN TRANSITION IN THE URBAN MULTICULTURAL CONURBATION OF NOVA GORICA–GORIZIA.................25

Alenka Fikfak

3. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF URBAN WATERFRONTS - A MODEL FOR TIRANA...................................................................31

Heinrich Haas

4. RENEWABLE MICRO-ENERGY: WHICH IMPACT FOR THE CITIZEN, HIS BUILDING AND URBANISM? ........................................38
Paul - Louis Meunier

5. METROPOLITAN CITIES FROM BOTH SIDES: SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT TIRANA AND BARI........................................................40
Francesca Calace

6. RESPONSIVE SKINS – EVOLVING PARADIGM IN CITIES................................................................................................................45

Benida Kraja

7. THE WIND FLOW EFFECTS AND HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS IN URBAN SPATIAL MORPHOLOGY......................................................52
Elton Hala, Florian Nepravishta, Ani Panariti, Ledita Mezini

8. “CIRCULAR ECONOMY” AS AN IMPERATIVE INDICATOR OF A SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT

DERIVED BY CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY – CASE STUDY PRISTINA...................................................................................................57
Binak Beqaj, Blerta Vula Rizvanolli

9. EDUCATIONAL APPROACH TO IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABILITY IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

Gregor Čok.........................................................................................................................................................................................64
10. A MULTIFUNCTIONAL SUSTAINABLE APPROACH IN AGRICULTURAL POLICIES FOR THE ENHANCEMENT
OF THE PERI-URBAN FABRICS.............................................................................................................................................................72
Nicholas Martinelli, Vito D’ Onghia, Giovanna Mangialardi

11. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EXISTING BUILDINGS’ STOCK IN KOSOVO AND THE POTENTIAL FOR ENERGY SAVINGS...........77
Violeta Nushi, Xhelal Llonçari, Rozafa Basha, Naser Kabashi, Egzon Bajraktari

12. PLANNING SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT FOR THE FUTURE IDEAL CITIES MODELS AND THEIR APPLICATION
IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DURANA CITY, THE CASE OF SHIJAK.....................................................................................................80
Lisjan Tushaj, Juljan Veleshnja

13. SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF URBAN TEXTURE IN CENTRAL SQUARES.......................................................................................87

Ani Tola(Panariti), Paul Louis Meunier, Parashqevi Tashi, Elton Hala

14. TOWARD DETERMINATION OF COST-EFFICIENCY IN THE RENOVATION OF EXISTING BUILDINGS

FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN KOSOVO.............................................................................................................................................92
Egzon Bajraktari, Violeta Nushi, Meral Hallaqi, Taulant Kelmendi

15. NEIGHBOURHOOD DESIGN AND COMMUNITY BUILDING........................................................................................................95

Fatlinda Struga, Jyrgen Struga

16. ENERGY EFFICIENT HOUSING IN ALBANIAN CLIMATIC ZONES.AN ASSESSMENT OF THE DESIGN PRINCIPLES....................103
Inesa Gishto, Gjergji Islami

17. PUBLIC SPACE-THE OWNERSHIP ISSUE REMOVING THE OWNERSHIP BARRIERS ...................................................................110
Klaud Manehasa, Klaudia Nushi

18. INDOOR POLLUTION...................................................................................................................................................................115

Silvana Sukaj, Mirva Gega, Fatjon Saliu

19. ECO-TIRANA: ECOLOGIZING THE CITY FROM THE URBAN HEAT ISLAND EFFECT..................................................................121
Eneida Berisha, Sokol Dervishi

FORMAL AND INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS

20. SHTESA, TIRANA. SPONTANEOUS ELEMENTS, AGAINST AND WITHIN COMMUNIST ARCHITECTURE ...................................129
Manfredo di Robilant, Gjergji Islami, Denada Veizaj

21. NEW FORMS OF DWELLING: LIVING AND WORKING TOGETHER WITHIN THE NEOLIBERAL CITY.........................................134
Marson Korbi

22. SUSPENDED IDENTITIES: READINGS ON THE SPONTANEOUS TRANSFIGURATION OF THE ALBANIAN

ARCHITECTURAL LANDSCAPE AFTER THE FALL OF THE COMMUNIST REGIME.............................................................................140
Arba Baxhaku

23. RAREFY/DENSIFY. STRATEGIES FOR THE REUSE OF DROSSCAPES............................................................................................146

Michele Montemurro
24. THREE DECADES OF (UN)PLANED TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT. THE EVERGREEN QUESTION OF SOCIAL
HOUSING IN ALBANIA......................................................................................................................................................................153
Saimir Shtylla, Erblin Berisha

25. HISTORIC AND POLITICAL TRACES IN URBAN STRUCTURE OF EX YUGOSLAV CITIES.............................................................159

Andrej Šmid

26. MANAGEMENT OF LAND INFORMATION IN ALBANIA.............................................................................................................166

Gjergj Thomai, Endrit Tuzi, Iva Mëzezi

27. INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS AND PLANNING NEW URBAN BLOCKS...........................................................................................171

Kaltrina Elezi Kuliqi, Agron Kuliqi

28. APARTMENT TYPOLOGIES IN THE RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS IN TIRANA DURING THE PERIOD 1929-1943..............................180
Oketa Hoxha, Florian Nepravishta

MEMORY OF PLACE

29. USING, SAVING, LOSING THE MEMORY (IS CONSTRUCTING ANYWAY RE-CONSTRUCTING?) ...........................................187
Francesco Collotti

30. RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE CONSERVATION OF HISTORIC BUILDING: NEW STRATEGIES AND TOOLS.................................192
Elisabetta Rosina

31. PERTURBING MONUMENTS, SLEEPING GIANTS, ABANDONED MACHINES.

MEMORY AND RENEWAL OF INDUSTRIAL LANDSCAPES...............................................................................................................198
Anna Bruna Menghini

32. CONTRIBUTION OF BIM TECHNOLOGY TO DOCUMENTING MEMORY OF PLACES..............................................................206

Mirjana Devetaković, Milan Radojević

33. FROM SOCIALIST CLASSICISM TO SOCIALIST MODERNISM. TRANSLATING IDEOLOGY INTO ARCHITECTURE
IN COMMUNIST ALBANIA................................................................................................................................................................212
Gjergji Islami, Denada Veizaj, Gjergj Thomai

34. NEURO-ARCHITECTURE AND PLACE MAKING: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND BRAIN................218
Nada Ibrahimi, Ani Çuedari, Florian Nepravishta

35. SKOPJE AND THE FORTRESS OF KALE IN MACEDONIA. SURVEYS AND COMPARATIVE REPRESENTATIONS.......................224
Enrico Mirra

36. NEW SCHOOLS, OLD DESIGNS: A COMPARISON ON THE ARCHITECTURE OF EDUCATIONAL BUILDINGS
IN TIRANA, ALBANIA.........................................................................................................................................................................232
Ledita Mezini, Elton Hala

37. KNOWING TO ENHANCE: ALTO CASERTANO TERRITORY (CAMPANIA, ITALY) IN THE MIDDLE AGES ................................236
Assunta Campi
38. CONSTRUCTING AND LIVING IN ANCIENT LAND. SECURITY AND IDENTITY...........................................................................242
Gabriele Ajò

39. THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE OF KAMENICA TYPES AND FORMS OF THE DWELLINGS....................................................246
Irklid Ristani

40. TRANSFORMATIONS OF URBAN MEMORY WHAT PLANNING DO WE NEED FOR TIRANA’S POLES ....................................252
Besar Zifla, Gjergji Ruci

41.METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES FOR A NEW GREY URBAN HISTORY. A STUDY CASE: THE “HIGH CITY” OF ROME,
FROM PINCIO TO ESQUILINO...........................................................................................................................................................257
Alessandra Ciacciofera

42. SOCIALISM AND URBAN PLANNING IN ALBANIA 1944 - 1990................................................................................................262

Eno Kotmilo, Gjergj Kotmilo

43. THE SHAPE OF WATER LANDSCAPES: CAMPANIA INLAND BETWEEN MIDDLE AGES AND MODERN PERIOD....................269
Lester Lonardo

44. CRITICAL REVIEW OF RESTORATION METHODOLOGY OF THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE ADOPTED IN ALBANIA
THE LAST 20 YEARS ...........................................................................................................................................................................274
Ardit Lila

45. THE BAY AS EXPRESSIVE DEVICE IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN. MODERNIST EXPERIENCES IN THE PROJECT
OF FACTORIES...................................................................................................................................................................................282
Vito Quadrato

46. BUILT ENVIRONMENT VS.MIND: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ARCHITECTURE............................................................287

Keti Hoxha

47. FROM MODERN TO CONTEMPORARY TIRANA. PROJECT PROPOSALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND
RE-INTERPRETATION OF THE CITY CENTRE.......................................................................................................................................291
Andia Guga

48. MEMORY OF PLACE: THE REPRESENTATION OF IMMACOLATELLA VECCHIA IN THE PORT AREA OF NAPLES...................296
Carla Mottola

49. REGENERATION OF INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE SITES A POTENTIAL FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT......................................302

Florian Nepravishta, Ledita Mezini, Xhejsi Baruti

50.THE LAKE OF THE ENGLISH GARDEN OF THE ROYAL PALACE OF CASERTA IN THE URBAN AND NATURAL CONTEXT
OF THE CITY.......................................................................................................................................................................................309
Ilenia Gioia

51. MEMORIES OF AN URBAN LANDSCAPE. THE AURELIAN WALLS BETWEEN SAN GIOVANNI IN LATERANO AND
SANTA CROCE IN JERUSALEM ........................................................................................................................................................315
Sara D’Abate, Paola Porretta, Adriano Tasso
34
NEURO-ARCHITECTURE AND PLACEMAKING: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND BRAIN
Nada Ibrahimi, Ani Çuedari, Florian Nepravishta

Abstract

Currently, there is an approach toward modern understanding or designing of the cities in general, including orientation
to neuro-architecture principles. Taking into account the principle of the intelligent and sustainable city in general and
especially the logic of creating space for the individual as a human being, the aim of the study is to analyze the relationship
between the trinomial such as mental wellbeing, brain and built environment in terms of memory. Familiarizing with the
theoretical basis that guides principles inspired by neuro-architecture towards the ideologies of placemaking, the study
ZLOOIRFXVRQWKHKLVWRULFDOFHQWHURI7LUDQD7KHXVHGPHWKRGRORJ\ZLOOÀUVWFRQVLVWRIGHWHFWLQJWKHFRQQHFWLRQEHWZHHQ
ZHOOEHLQJ WKH PHPRU\ RI SODFHV DQG EUDLQ DQG WKHQ RQ WKH LGHQWLÀFDWLRQ RI HOHPHQWV WKDW VKDSHG GXULQJ \HDUV WKH
corresponding area. So initially, after analyzing general issues of neuro-architecture and placemaking, local context will
be considered and eventually a possible solution in terms of making places to create a more spontaneous connection
between design, the perception of space and the welfare.
In conclusion, the main outcome would be the creation of human places by preserving from the past valuable concepts
of space developments in traditional neighborhoods of Tirana, such as the preservation of neighbors’ rituals and mentality.

Keywords: neuro-architecture, placemaking, brain, mental wellbeing, built environment

Introduction

There is a clear connection between the two components

that will be a key part of this study, memories, and
placemaking, especially in terms of the dual relationship
that individual creates with the place, the spiritual and the
physical one. Starting from the space as a geographical
QRWLRQDQGVHHLQJLWEH\RQGLWVSK\VLFDOVHQVHLGHQWLÀHG
in coordinates), it is noticed another dimension of it after
the relationship with the individual. Thus, assessing human
FRQWULEXWLRQ DV D GHÀQLWLRQ RI WKH FRQFHSW RI VSDFH
Cresswell (2004) treats the place as a space that the
individual makes meaningful.
,Q )LJXUH  LV FRQÀJXUHG WKH VWXG\ UHDVRQLQJ XVLQJ WKH
concept of space as the beginning and at the end at the
same time. So, starting from “space” as a physical notion,
it is described the way how the concept of “placemaking”
is further developed. Based on the following scheme, the
perceived space of the brain area activates memories,
which regarding this, are as good as the environment Figure 1: The conceptual map which explains the logic of the study
experienced is. This is also the moment in which the
principles of neuro-architecture, which ANFA’s (Academy for Architecture and Neuroscience) attitudes also see closely
linked to the mental health of the individual, will be faced, studying the relationship between the brain processes and the
environment to aim the creation of characteristic spaces.

217
In more detailed terms, the basic concepts discussed in this research will be addressed in the following passages.
7KXVWKHÀUVWSDUWPDNHVDJHQHUDOGHVFULSWLRQRIWKHFRQWH[WE\KLJKOLJKWLQJDOOWKHKLVWRULFDOGDWDWKDWFRQÀUPWKHLGHQWLW\
of the area and the way it affects the current study.
,Q WKH VHFRQG SDUW LV LGHQWLÀHG WKH UHODWLRQVKLS LQGLYLGXDO VSDFH DQG WKH SURFHVVHV WKDW GHÀQH LWV IRUP 5HFRJQL]LQJ
the contribution that the cerebral states have on the “from space to place” perceptual path is recognized the close
connection created between environment and memories of the individual. The third part analyses the local problem
which addresses the risk of “the loss of identity”, further causing the possibility of “the loss of sense of place”. In the fourth
part, beginning from the “sense of place” the aim is making places, but responding to the spiritual demands of the area.
,QWKHÀIWKSDUWIRFXVLQJRQWKHFRQWULEXWLRQVWKDWWKHUHOHYDQWVWXG\SURYLGHV·DUHOLVWHGWKHFRQFOXVLRQV

Context

The area into consideration is located in the

North West side of the Historical Centre of Tirana,
considered as one of the oldest parts of the city.
One of the main characteristics of this area is the
SUHVHQFH RI VXFK VLJQLÀFDQW EXLOGLQJV VXFK DV
vernacular buildings (19th century), master buildings
(beginning of 20th century) and architect buildings
(after the 20th century). With years, the constructions
in this area have been developed slowly to reach
today’s situation. Even mainly can be found
buildings constructed during the socialist period
OLQHDU EXLOGLQJV RI  ÁRRUV DV ZHOO DV EXLOGLQJV Figure 2: The location of the area taken into consideration.
constructed after 90’s, in the area till exist some of
the above-mentioned styles. The high buildings (9
ÁRRUVEXLOWDIWHUFRPPXQLVPKDVQHJDWLYHO\DIIHFWHGWKHDUHDWUDGLWLRQDVZHOODVWKHIXUWKHUGHYHORSPHQWRIWKHXUEDQ
infrastructure in the area. A big issue last years is not only the height or even the language used on their construction but
DOVRRWKHUORFDOLQWHUYHQWLRQVDVLOOHJDOO\DGGHGÁRRUVFRQVWUXFWLRQVRQSXEOLFDUHDVZLWKRUZLWKRXWDFRQVWUXFWLRQSHUPLW
etc. Taking all the above into consideration, the area under study nowadays is really suffering a lack of identity, which is
built on years as a combination of important architectural and urban elements, for example, small villas with a red roof,
green gardens, and small roads sometimes even ended used for pedestrians or not.

How does the context affect the proposal?

Regarding the degradation in the area, the problems are widespread. In terms of urban identity, the issues are linked to
unplanned illegal intrigues or even legitimate ones. Thus, analyzing the attitude of Tay & Goh (2003) and Chang (2005),
it can be noticed that they consider interventions in concrete situations in Asia as unimaginable in terms of inheritance,
memory or identity. Concretely, they say:
“Why is it that many planners in Asia still look to the West for ideas and standard in urban design, planning, and architecture
while they speak of an Asian identity, Asian democracy, and Asian way?”
In this regard, despite the fact that the situation appears different from the Asian reality, the same problem arises in the
Albanian developments in general and in the concrete situation in particular. So, we often face the unexpected dilemma
of striving to develop our country not only by risking the erasure of our past memory (inheritance) but at the same time
losing national identity.
Returning on the study question, the area has new, often even qualitative developments, which unfortunately appear
unrealized in terms of the above-mentioned approach. The study area, part of the Historical Centre of Tirana, is known
for it’s strong physical and mental elements, which despite being reduced in relation to its origin, gave the area a rather
strong character. The analysis related to the assessment of physical development over time is not the purpose of this

218
 study, while in terms of spiritual elements the
DUHDLVSDUWRIVRPHVLJQLÀFDQWDWWLWXGHVWKDW
are listed below.
By tradition, Tirana autochthonous inhabitants
are known as calm and lovely people who
are used to live in big communities. The stools
outside the main doors where the habitats
(especially women) sit to talk and spend
their free time, the public places as building
corners or tree shadows where children are
gathered to play or man to talk are their
main elements, the existence of narrow
roads sometimes even ended, of wooden
Figure 3: Photos of the area taken into consideration.
doors lied on them, the existence of public
green squares, surrounded by small buildings
ZLWKSULYDWHRUFRPPRQJDUGHQVIXOORIWUHHVDQGÁRZHUVWKHH[LVWHQFHRIUHGURRIVJLYHVWRWKHDUHDDVSHFLDOIHHOLQJ$OO
the above are strong traditional elements and not only, which give to the residents a very pleasant neighborhood that
continues to be developed as per tradition and gives to them a feeling of wellness and intimacy.

From space to place

Nuala (2004), identifying the relationship

between time, representation and social
memory highlights:
“The transmission and translation of meaning
across time and space are central both to the
rituals of everyday life and to the exceptional
moments of remembrance associated with
birth, death and other key events in personal
and collective histories. Memory as recollection,
remembering, and representation is crucial in
WKHPDSSLQJRIVLJQLÀFDQWKLVWRULFDOPRPHQWV Figure 4: The logic of the experiment about the place and grid cells. Source: The Nobel Prize website
and in the articulation of personal identity.” of the Nobel Foundation.
It is noticed a close relationship between the
LQGLYLGXDODQGWKHSODFHDQGDVDSURGXFWRIWKLVIDPLOLDULW\ZLWKVSDFHWKHQRWLRQRIDVHQVHRISODFHLVMXVWLÀHG7KXVWKH
SKLORVRSKHU(GZDUG6&DVH\EDVHGRQWKHQRWLRQV´SODFHµDQG´VLWHµFRQÀUPVWKDWWKHUHLVDSURFHVVWKDWDIIHFWV
the form of space under the pressure of individual or collective memory.
Concerning this concept, it is worth considering the principle of Norberg Shulz (1980) who treats the space in these two
ZD\VVXJJHVWLQJÀQDOO\WKHXVHRIDVLQJOHFRQFHSWVXFKDV´OLYHGVSDFHµVWDWHV
“Space denotes the three-dimensional organization of the elements which make up a place, character denotes the
general atmosphere which is the most comprehensive property of any place”
Therefore, recognizing that memory as an element that concretizes the space, we can accept that many of us relate
memory and capacity to remember only to brain functions but in fact, it is also a product of our body’s experience of
physical space.
Thus, based on the structures of neuroscience, one can further address the relationship that the individual forms with
space, analyzing exactly how we interact with our environment and how we navigate through it. In 2014, O’Keefe and
the Mosers won the Nobel Prize for exactly the concept of “brain as an inner GPS”, which, using the logic of Grid and
3ODFH&HOOVFODULÀHVWKHSDWKIURPEUDLQWRDVHQVHRISODFH)LJXUHH[SODLQVLQPRUHGHWDLOVWKHORJLFRIWKHH[SHULPHQW
ZKLFKIXUWKHUFRQÀUPVWKHUHODWLRQVKLSFUHDWHGEHWZHHQLQGLYLGXDODQGVSDFH

219
The risk of placelessness

$QDO\]LQJWKHFRQWH[WRIWKHVWXG\EDVHGRQKRZZHSHUFHLYHWKHVSDFHPDNHVSRVVLEOHWKHFOHDULGHQWLÀFDWLRQRIWKH
problem. The area is unique to its identity data, full of identifying elements of unusual physical and spiritual character,
ZKLFKQHHGWREHPDQDJHGIXUWKHU7KHUHIRUHGHVSLWHWKHGLIÀFXOWLHVDVVRFLDWHGZLWKWKHFUHDWLRQRIDFKDUDFWHULVWLF
space in terms of inheritance, nowadays the area into consideration is characterized by a lack of identity, caused by the
inconsistent concepts of planning and development. Otherwise, this unjust approach has jeopardized the possibility of
losing any emotional feelings of attachment or any physical urgency to take care of a place. As Relph (1976) asserts, the
loss of identity also means a loss of sense of place which is recently being gradually overshadowed by a less authentic
attitude that he called placelessness: “the casual eradication of distinctive places and the making of standardized
ODQGVFDSHVWKDWUHVXOWVIURPDQLQVHQVLWLYLW\WRWKHVLJQLÀFDQFHRISODFH´

Using sense of place for making places

The intended intervention uses the space characteristics to create further, as noted above, some “lived spaces”. To
develop the strategy of “using the sense of place for making places”, the analysis of the study area went through several
stages. Initially, there were evidenced objects constructed according to three categories: objects with historical value
that should be preserved, objects that used to have historical value, but with time this value is destroyed and high rise
objects for which the best solution is not demolishing them.
Further, based on historical facts and from an analytical point of view, in the area were highlighted architectural
GHYHORSPHQWVZKLFKLQÁXHQFLQJWKHLQKDELWDQWV·ZD\RIOLIHFRQÀUPHGLWVLGHQWLW\,QWKHVHWHUPVZHUHQRWHGWKHHOHPHQWV
mentioned above (paragraph 1.3: How does the context affect the proposal) such as: the stools outside the main doors,
the public places as building corners or tree shadows, the narrow roads sometimes even ended, the wooden doors, the
public green squares, the red roofs etc.
In the end, the strategy of intervention was discussed in detail, seen as a possible solution, considering the preservation or
restoration of all the elements that contributed to the formation of an identity area with typical characteristics.

The proposed intervention strategy

The proposal provides developing the area by respecting tradition, history, people mentality as well as their needs by not
destroying the architectonic and historical values of Tirana but developing it.
The proposed intervention strategy is based on:

I. Analyzing the typology of the existing objects by differentiating them in:

- Objects with historical value that should be preserved such as vernacular buildings, master and architect ones.
The study offers the preservation of a minimum one of each type, in order the area still to show and save its creation
tracks.
- Objects that used to have historical value, but with time this value is destroyed. In such objects, the historical value
elements still exist but they are destroyed from the lack of maintenance, losing their identity. The proposal suggests
WKHLUUHSODFHPHQWZLWKQHZEXLOGLQJVZLWKDIHZÁRRUVDFFRUGLQJWRWKHH[LVWLQJFRQGLWLRQV
- High Objects for which the best solution is not demolishing them. These buildings do not offer anything, not any
volumetric solution, not any technology improvement, but they are a reality that should be accepted somehow. The
recommendation is to preserve them by re-dimensioning the spaces around them in order to decrease their effect
on the area concept.

II. Supposing that the proposed intervention consists overall on analyzing common public spaces, squares, and
streets. An important part of such analysis is the creation of narrow streets for pedestrians or not. Also of the same
importance is the creation of square areas to be used as public plazas at the end of each narrow street for facilitating
the local people life and their free activities. Interesting is also the link between of such public plazas with pedestrians and

220
YHKLFOHVPRYHPHQWVDVZHOODVZLWKWKHEXLOGLQJ·VHQWUDQFH6XFKSOD]DVDUHRIWZRW\SHV7KHÀUVWLVDVTXDUHFUHDWHG
within the proposed new and old buildings and the second is a square created at the end of the narrow streets.

III. Analyzing housing coverings. Another traditional characteristic of Tirana city used to be the used of red roofs on
the buildings. In the proposal, although it is proposed the construction of new structures, the same characteristic is used
by creating so the same ratio between the red roof buildings and terrace buildings.

So to anticipate the conclusions it is worth mention area development by preserving urban tissue. According to this
analysis, such preserving is possible to be achieved by using the new buildings whenever possible. Such buildings should
be constructed based on the Tirana mentality and way of living, but at the same time taking into consideration the
nowadays living conditions, projecting and construction technology. The intervention does not affect the historical part
of the area, because of the preservation of some historical buildings. Such includes different buildings constructed in
different periods, which will leave tracks of history in the area starting from the buildings constructed up to ’37, then the
ones of the communist period ending with the ones after the ‘90s.
The re-dimensioning according to this proposal preserves some special characteristics of the area by giving importance
to:
- Public plazas for people gathering rich in green areas and creative elements;
- Narrow traditional Tirana streets for pedestrians or not, which ends on public plazas;
- Entrance orientation mainly toward such narrow streets;
- Low rise buildings;
- Green gardens around such buildings;
- Ratio roof-terrace.

Figure 5: Dealing with two situations, the existing one and the proposed one. Despite the fact that the solution suggests the construction of new low
buildings, attention has been paid to the preservation of urban spiritual identity, preserving and reviving the past of traditional Tirana neighborhoods

221
Conclusions

As a conclusion, the intervention proposed consists of new building constructions in most of the area under study, by
preserving from the past valuable concepts of the building developments and traditional Tirana neighborhoods. It is
given more importance to preserve the psychology and mentality of people living there, then the physical aspect of the
buildings.
However, at the end of the proposal can be decoded:
- A possible solution in terms of placemaking to create a more spontaneous connection between design, the
perception of space and welfare;
- Making human places by preserving from the past valuable concepts of space developments in traditional
neighborhoods of Tirana’s, such as the preservation of neighbors’ rituals and mentality.

References

Cresswell, Tim (2004). Place: a short introduction. Black-well Publishing: Oxford.

&KDQJ+XDQJ5HFUHDWLQJSODFHUHSODFLQJPHPRU\&UHDWLYHGHVWUXFWLRQDW6LQJDSRUH5LYHU$VLD3DFLÀF
267-280. Johson.
Nuala, C. Johson (2004). “Cultural identity” In A Companion to Cultural Geography. Blackwell.
Norberg, Schulz (1980). Genius Loci, Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture. Rizzoli. New York.
Relph, E. (1976). Place and placelessness. Pion Ltd, Press. Cambridge Massachusetts.
Bushati, V., Sula, K. (2010). Vilat e Tiranës: Gjysma e pare e shekullit XX. Universiteti Polis. Tiranë.
Casey, Eduard S. (2000). Remembering, a phenomenological study. Indiana University Press. The USA.
Othman, S., Nishimura, Y., & Kubota, A. (2013). Memory Association in Place Making: A review. Procedia-Social and
Behavioral Sciences, 85, 554-563.
Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture: ANFA Accessed on October 2017: http://anfarch.org/
Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2018... Accessed on October 2017: https://www.nobelprize.org/

222
View publication stats
 Collana FAU

Forum for Architecture and Urbanism (FAU)

Founded and directed by Florian Nepravishta

Number one

Finished printing from

La scuola di Pitagora editrice
Via Monte di Dio, 54
80132 Napoli - Italia

on behalf of FAU
Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism
Polytechnic University of Tirana
April 2019

355
356
View publication stats