UN-HABITAT’s MuSPP team in cooperation with Municipality of Peja/Pec and Urban Plus a private company drafting an urban regulatory plan for the center of the city, organized a consultation meeting with the local community, business owners and municipal experts on 23rd of October. This meeting was organised with a purpose of finding a sustainable solution for Skënderbeu square, the proposed area of capital investment project CIP, which will be in compliance with the regulatory plan for the city centre.

The improvement of the public space in this square will be co funded by UN-HABITAT as CIP. In line with recommendations from approved Peja MDP/UDP, this project aims to produce people-friendly space and to optimise the use of public space, through the promotion of non-motorised transport, walking and cycling.

A representative of the Municipality of Peja/Pec, Mr.Modest Gashi in his opening remarks stressed the importance of this project and its expected impact on the improvement of the public spaces. The MuSPP team in the municipality described the process of drafting the project and its rationale.

The technique used encouraged attendees to comment and/or write their thoughts on strengths/opportunities and risks/threats for the area .

Various aspects of the area were analysed, such as transport and mobility, attractiveness, green areas and results produced created a solid foundation for design scenario. In addition, participants highlighted the risk of floods which may affect the area.

Proposals derived from this meeting will be used in drafting urban design scenarios; the project proposal itself will be inline with the Urban Regulatory Plan. As a follow-up to this meeting, a second meeting with the local community will be organized in order to present and discuss project proposal for urban design.