The rural south of Albania is gifted with a spectacular coastline. The natural beauty and inherent potential of the ‘Albanian Riviera’ are on par with those of the more famous French and Italian rivieras. After decades of communist influence, travel has emerged as a crucial driver of Albania’s economic growth. But development has been haphazard, failing to capitalize on the region’s tourism potential. Along the coast lies the town of Dhërmi, with its old village on a mountain slope and overlooking the bay. Like many other coastal towns, Dhërmi was neglected; showing an unattractive scene with a litter-strewn beach and parked cars right above it. The 1-kilometre-long promenade, mainly used as a parking spaces, was suffering from a lack of cohesion, characterized by disjointed terraces and a scarcity of essential amenities like showers, bins, and benches. Consequently, the beach remained unappealing and unsuitable for tourism. Apart from locals visiting the beach during their holiday in August, Dhërmi failed to attract the (international) attention from tourists that it could receive.
To make the urban coast more attractive for tourism, the Albanian Government started the ‘Urban Renaissance’. Regenerating Dhërmi’s waterfront was one of the first projects in this initiative. Leveraging the breathtaking natural beauty of the location, we focused on strengthening and structuring the coastline and seamlessly integrating it with its surroundings, both physically as well as ideally. Our vision was to create a vibrant promenade that not only provides accessibility to the coastline but also serves as a focal point for various facilities such as restaurants and cafes. By strategically placing amenities and attractions along the promenade, we aimed to establish a dynamic waterfront where tourism can flourish, fostering a sense of community and vitality while preserving the charm and authenticity of Dhërmi. Adding to the existing narrative of this place, we strived for a design that introduces new energy, envisioning a landmark that adds vibrancy and attracts visitors. Through the revitalization of Dhërmi’s bay with a distinctive and authentic touch, our intervention seeks to promote sustainable tourism while paying homage to the region’s rich heritage and identity.
In Dhërmi, our intervention focused on transforming the beachfront into a vibrant and pedestrian-friendly space. Cars are banned from the promenade and the full length is pedestrianized, creating an uninterrupted, comfortable and attractive public space along the elongated bay. The promenade remains accessible for cars by a new road situated above and behind the pedestrian zone. We improved the connection between the waterfront and the elevated old town, by transforming the existing dirt road along the mountain stream into an easily accessible path. Along this creek pedestrians can walk all the way down to the waterfront. Here, a public watersquare enclosed by restaurants and hotels and culminating in a spectacular waterfall, immediately introduces visitors to the new vigor and activity of Dhërmi. Across the square, towards the a partially submerged pier, the atmosphere changes into an oasis of calm. Southward the watersquare opens onto the more serene promenade, offering stunning views of the mountains and the sea. The integration of local materials (stones from nearby quarries) and indigenous tree species (Stone Pines) ensures a harmonious blend with the natural environment.
Through these interventions, Dhërmi’s beachfront underwent a remarkable transformation, becoming a year-round destination that celebrates local value while preserving its inherent charm. By renovating old structures and creating new landmarks, we revitalized the area empowered the local community, offering diverse experiences that attract tourists throughout the year. The integration of various zones through vegetation and paving, together with adding amenities resulted in a comfortable and attractive public space along the entire bay. The new watersquare serves as a bustling meeting point and recreational hot spot. The pier, in particular has become a popular take-off point for various watersports, further enhancing the area’s appeal and vibrancy. Once a rather dull destination with just a beach and parking lot, Dhërmi is now a place where you can enjoy your stay from morning till night. Starting with a walk from the old town down to the beach, enjoying lunch and a refreshing swim. Strolling under the canopies over the car-free promenade towards a restaurant at dinner-time, and back to the hotel for a quick nap before hitting the club at night.
Other landscape architecture offices involved in the design of landscape: Cityförster
Location: 4JVP+QF6, Dhërmi, Albanië
Design year: 2016-2024
Year Completed: 2024
