MUNICIPALITY OF HIMARE

HIMARA

• Himara is located in between two dynamic urban centers, Vlora and Saranda.

• Himara Municipality belongs to the District of Vlora, along with the District of Saranda and Delvina.

• The city of Himara is one of the seven towns of the Region of Vlora, and constitutes a relatively important urban centre.

• Along with the seven settlements of the Municipality, Himara functions as a coherent socio-spatial entity, with its historical, geographical and cultural specificities that have had a direct impact on the formation of a local identity, on the patterns of spatialdevelopment, as well as on its role in the regional context.

Arial View of Territory

General Data

Description Unit Specifications

Area size of local government unit

13,200 Ha Natural Areas, Agricultural land, Urban Land

Number of existing population 4,500 Resident population according to municipal data

Zones of national interest, natural and cultural protected zones

Ngjipea CanyonAlluvial fan of PalasaCanyons of Dhermi and LivadheArchitectural ensembles of Himara Castle, Old Qeparo and old core Vuno Castle of Alisa Pasha in Porto Palermo Listed Monuments of Culture

General Local Plan

Description Unit Specifications

Type of development expected for the next 10 years

Mild form of Mass Tourism (Hotels and Resorts)Residential DevelopmentSpecial Interest Tourism Activities

Main purpose uses of land Residential, Tourism, Agriculture, Natural

Number of additional residents expected for the next 10 years

5,000 - 6000 inhabitants Evaluation by economic and demographic studies

Total number of tourists expected for the next 10 years

50,000 – 60.000 / year Including returning immigrants, seasonal employment and inhabitants of second homes

Total existing urbanized surface 180 Ha According to the 2007 orthophoto mapping

Total surface of construction added for dwelling

150 Ha Primary and Second Homes in Settlement expansion zones and new areas

Total surface of construction added for tourism development

250 Ha Designated tourism zones including camping and eco-activities

General Local Plan

Description Unit Specifications

Total surface of construction added not for dwelling

40 Ha Services and Activity Zones

Total surface of protected zones 4.270 Ha Natural Monuments and Natural Heritage Areas, Protected Landscapes( marine landscapes and mountain ridges), cultural and agricultural protected landscapes

Additional green surfaces 420 Ha Structural Green Space and Urban Open Spaces

Number of structural units 18 Structural Units Map(Scale 1:25.000)

Number of structural subunits 72 Detailed Zoning Maps (Scale 1:5.000)

Reasons of the low development of the

region

The development of this region has been slow due to a number of factors:

• Lack of accessibility due to the poor road infrastructure and underdeveloped sea and air transportation.

• Lack of a complete strategic development plan and detailed urbanistic plan;

• Uncertain of the property and land registration

• Lack of investments, both public and private.

• Lack of foreign direct investments in the private sector.

Initiatives

Several national and regional initiatives have been taken to boost development in this region:

• The approval of the first Strategic development Plan for the Municipality

• The government of Albania has invested in road infrastructure such as:

- Durres-Fier-Vlore highway

- All the road that connects the national road to the sea

• Recent FDI laws aim to facilitate foreign investments in Albaniaprotecting the private initiative.

• The Municipality is developing and implementing a number of strategies and action plans with a focus on tourism.

Economy

• During the 1990s Himara’s economic sector was dominated by livestock and agricultural activity.

• Recent trends show that today this region’s economic driver is in fact tourism.

• The number of private business enterprises has increased

significantly over the past five years.

Business Development (2005-2010)

Business development in Himara Municipality 2005-2010

Evaluation of Enterprise by size

Years

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Increase %

Micro enterprise (1-5 employers)

123 129 136 146 148 156 27

Other (> 5 employers) 19 19 20 20 21 23 21

Sesonal activity (< 3 months)

32 34 37 48 73 123 284

Total 174 182 193 214 246 302 74

Cultural Heritage

• Himara Municipality is characterized by a particularly rich cultural heritage, with a long-lasting history going through the prehistoric, Illyrian, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman eras.

• This cultural heritage constitutes one of the area’s major assets and shows the history, the particular identity and the cultural richness of the area.

• Presently, a large part of the local cultural heritage serves not only as a tourist attraction, but also as a living tradition and an integral part of everyday life.

Archeological Sites

The entire municipal of Himara offers a wide range of archaeological findings:

• Cave of Spilea- has been inhabited since the prehistoric times, with more than 1,000 objects that have been found in archaeological excavations.

• Traditional settlements- the most characteristic element of the Municipality’s cultural heritage are the traditional settlements: Old Himara, Dhermi, Vuno and Old Qeparo.

• Houses & cultural monuments- the traditional settlements consist of stone-built houses of rectangular layout, one to three floors high andfour-sided wooden roofs with tiles.

• Churches & Monasteries- religious monuments are also particularly important

part of local cultural heritage.• Porto Palermo- constitutes a specific case, as one of the most

important cultural monuments of southern Albania and a major tourist destination. The 19th century

• Castle of Ali Pasha of Tepelena is built on a small peninsula within the bay of Porto Palermo.

New Strategic Development Plan

• In view of recent economic trends, the municipality of Himare conducted a study on the General Local Plan on Territorial Planning of the Municipality of Himarë, with a focus on tourism development.

• The aim of this study is to precede the economic and touristic development of the area, harmonize and discipline the development and the civil and touristic constructions, by directing the strategic development of the area.

• The goal is to create the conditions for a contemporary tourism,offering quality services, caring for environmental protection, and for the maintenance of the natural ecosystem and having peculiarities that will render it competitive on the tourism market of the Mediterranean Region.

GOALS – Study Findings

Goal 1Establish Himara as a quality tourismdestination on the Southern Coastoffering high standards ofaccommodation and services in adiversified leisure economy

• Position the area in the national market as adiversified and quality tourism destination

• Attract and facilitate domestic and foreigninvestments in tourism development

• Develop the organization of tourism sectorand quality of services

• Improve tourism infrastructures

Goal 2Himara as a well maintained naturalecosystem and valorized culturalheritage where human activity andvisitors experience is integrated withenvironmental protection.

• Promotion and protection of cultural heritage

• Protection of the natural landscape,panoramic views and visual qualities of the area

• Himara as a clean and healthy Municipality

• Develop public utilities infrastructures andmanage water resources

• Promote environmental awareness

GOALS – Study Findings

Goal 3Himara as a prospering communitywhere tourism is well integrated withall aspects of the local economy andbecomes the catalyst for a balanceddevelopment throughout the year.

• Improve quality of life and standards for thelocal community

• Revitalization of the economy of mountainoussettlements

• Revival and upgrading of traditional farmingand development of agro-tourism

• Development and standardization of localproducts and brands

Goal 4Increase local capacities in managingtourism development through softactions, encourage private initiativesand enhance horizontal and verticalforms of cooperation

• Improve administrative capacities

• Attract funding and improve financialmanagement

• Promote training, learning and knowhow

• Develop new forms of cooperation andinstitutional capital

Our Vision

Borsh Dhërmi

Himara Llogara

Lukovë Palasë

Piqerras Qeparo

Spille