Empty towers: A look inside Tirana's construction boom

Monday, Feb 16, 2026

Voxeurop

Tirana’s rapid, architect-driven development masks deep social issues like housing shortages and corruption.

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[This is an automatically generated summary, for reference only]

Tirana’s center is characterized by dense development, featuring a mix of historical and imposing modern skyscrapers designed by internationally recognized architects, which Prime Minister Edi Rama uses to legitimize recent construction waves. Despite this architectural facade, the city faces significant underlying issues, including a high number of unoccupied apartments and a population decline, while construction continues unabated. House prices in Tirana have risen sharply, outpacing average wages. The rapid urban densification, guided by the Tirana 2030 plan, has led to the demolition of older buildings and a lack of green spaces, with critics arguing the development serves political ego rather than genuine urban planning. While some view EU membership as a necessary path forward, others express skepticism regarding the country’s readiness, citing massive corruption and unresolved historical issues.

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