Kamza, an Albanian suburb, reflects post-socialist migration, informal building, and urban development tensions.
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Kamza, a municipality near Tirana, Albania, serves as a living example of internal migration following the end of the socialist regime. Originally built by its inhabitants, Kamza is now undergoing intense construction and political tension. Architect Dorina Pllumbi describes it as a “practical political act,” where residents constructed their own city in response to top-down architecture after the 1990s transformations. The area is characterized by diverse, evolving homes alongside large new construction sites, reflecting Tirana’s real estate speculation and urban development pressures, which have often displaced original inhabitants. Kamza also presents social paradoxes, being one of Albania’s most densely populated areas with a young average age. Historically, it was a destination for internal migrants from rural areas seeking better lives. The informal settlements in Kamza have been central to political debate, with some politicians labeling residents as “illegal.” A local group called ATA has emerged to combat the stigma against its residents, using cultural activism and urban anthropology to document their stories and advocate for community needs against ongoing development projects that threaten existing homes.
