The Municipality of Gjilan - Department of Public Services supported by UN-Habitat's Municipal Spatial Planning Support Programme (MuSPP), financed by the Swedish Development Corporation, has organised a public presentation of CIP Improving of Adem Jashari and Zijah Shemsiu streets draft design. The presentation was organised in the Municipal Assembly on the 2^nd of August.

Adem Jashari and Zijah Shemsiu streets constitute one of the main and oldest arteries of Gjilan which extends from the central part (from main Dëshmorët e Kombit street) up to the Education Campus, from where it connects to the ring road (Qarkorja). Due to its position, the functions that are developed along it and the connections with different parts of the city, it is one the most frequented streets in Gjilan. Some of the most important functions of the city are developed along it - public and administration services, education institutions and health institutions, sport facilities, retail and services, and heritage buildings as evidence for these streets' and city's origin. The present conditions of these streets in a functional, spatial and infrastructural aspect are not fully consistent with their importance in the mobility network and main functions that are developed along them. One of the main problems is overloading with pedestrian and car traffic in different periods.

The Deputy Mayor, Mr. Omer Daku, in his opening speech said that the Project of Improving of Adem Jashari and Zijah Shemsiu streets is a very valuable project that is being developed in collaboration with UN-Habitat. This project has derived from the Municipal Strategy for Mobility which was supported by USAID Democratic Effective Municipalities Initiative Programme.

UN-Habitat/MuSPP representative Mr. Ishaku Maitumbi emphasized that this project is a good example of coordination of activities of different donors working in the Municipality of Gjilan.  Furthermore, these two streets are highly important for the city of Gjilan and the aim of this project is to avoid the current functioning where motorized vehicles dominate the streets, and achieve the solution that would enable a balanced use for all traffic participants.

The design in more detail was presented by Department of Public Services traffic engineers, Mr. Enver Biçkaj and Mr. Asllan Mustafa. The proposed approach gives the priority to pedestrians, cyclists and public transportation, while the bicycle lanes and public transport bus stops are going to be introduced for the first time in Gjilan. The design and interventions will cover only the existing street spaces. Prior to improving the mobility and public spaces works, the project foresees the completion of underground infrastructure of rain water, sewage, power supply and telecom networks.

The initiative for improving of Adem Jashari and Zijah Shemsiu streets was welcomed by the participants, as many of them live or work in these streets. A general requirement was to organise more public presentations in different formats in order to extend the inclusion of public and have a wider range of opinions, comments and proposals.

After the public presentations will be concluded and public opinions reviewed and evaluated, the main design of Improving of Adem Jashari and Zijah Shemsiu streets will be completed under a supervision of municipal professional team which will be followed by the implementation procedures and processes.