When the entire global economy was suffering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction sector in Albania was flourishing.

In 2020, construction and real estate developments were the only 2 out of 3 activities that saw growth compared to the previous year.

961 construction permits were given out in 2020.

One-third holds the signature of the Mayor of Tirana, Erjon Veliaj.

This year, this same phenomenon prevails. By the first half of 2021, 72% of the entire surface area of Tirana had been taken up by construction projects.

Tirana also dominated in terms of square meters of built-up space during 2020.

Over 1 million square kilometers of free space have been granted to construction in Tirana.

More than 800 thousand square meters are dedicated to residential areas.

If we were to compare the space that was dedicated to residential buildings in Tirana, with the population growth of the city during 2020, we can draw the conclusion that for each new inhabitant, the city built an additional 138 square meters.

“Today, Tirana has 8 thousand unsold apartments and as long as we have empty apartments, we can’t keep giving out building permits. If there are requests, we will encourage building as far away from Tirana as possible. I don’t intend to be remembered as the person that built apartment buildings,” – said Veliaj back in 2015.

However, according to INSTAT, in 5 years, Veliaj has permitted around 5 square kilometers of space to be built in Tirana.

This is equal to 11% of the city’s entire surface area, or the combined surface area of the two main local divisions put together.

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