Debates: “Urban Public Space” in Tirana

The theme of public space is particularly important at a time when globalization is seeing the rise of private space. This is a key issue in ensuring that citizenry and coexistence are marked by diversity. Albania, a country that has just opened up to the world, and its capital, Tirana, provide a setting of great interest thanks to the incipient context of an energetic, chaotic and very aggressive form of capitalism that clearly outlines various problems at a scale that goes beyond the country itself.

In the debates, the theme of public space is analysed from the points of view of philosophy, politics, sociology and urbanism.

Monday 15/10

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Session 1: Urban public space and democracy

First debate:
Speakers: Olivier Mongin, French philosophy and editor of Esprit magazine, and Artan Fuga, Albanian philosopher
Moderator: Manuel Montobbio, Spanish ambassador in Albania

Second debate:
Speakers: Edi Rama, Mayor of Tirana, and Josep Ramoneda, Director of the CCCB
Moderator: Piro Misha, Director of the Institute for Communication and Dialogue, Tirana

1 to 2.30 p.m. - Lunch

2.30 to 5.30 - Session 2: Urbanism and public space in the contemporary city

First debate:
Speakers: Elías Torres, architect from Barcelona, and Artan Shkreli, architect from Tirana
Moderator: Josep Ramoneda

Second debate:
Speakers: Carme Ribes, architect from Barcelona, and Besnik Aliaj, President of the Tirana Urban Forum
Moderator: Dritan Shutina, Albanian architect and Director of Co-Plan

Presentation of the European Archive of Urban Public Space by David Bravo, an architect from Barcelona and the Archive coordinator

Speaker/s: Olivier Mongin, Artan Fuga, Edi Rama, Josep Ramoneda, Elías Torres, Artan Shkreli, Carme Ribas, Besnik Aliaj, David Bravo

Chairperson/s: Manuel Montobbio, Piro Misha, Josep Ramoneda, Dritan Shutina