Prishtina Legalization // Kosovo  

The production of informal buildings since 1999 has led to excessive urban problems in Prishtina. Today, more than 75% of the buildings in Prishtina have been built without any type of permit.

In 2005 we started the process of legalisation in Prishtina. On our first encounter with the city structure, it became evident that most buildings did not conform to existing building regulations. Under these regulations, most buildings had to be demolished or substantially rebuilt, turning most parts of the city into a tabula rasa. The destruction of capital and burdening the majority of inhabitants could not be the solution. Instead, we decided to use what the city had and explore the opportunities provided by the existing situation.

We analyzed the urban condition of informal buildings and identified four prototypical typologies: Suburban housing, inner city housing, inner city commercial building and excessive roof extension. All typologies had common problems as well as particular shortcomings. An overall strategy was developed to legalize as many buildings as possible by introducing a minimal building code for legalization. Through this new building code the minimal security and live quality standards could be ensured. The minimal building code was summarized in the Manual for Legalization and in 2010 it has become the legal basis for the legalisation process in Prishtina.

A collaboration of Archis Interventions / Berlin (Kai Vöckler, Wilfried Hackenbroich, Thilo Fuchs) and Archis Interventions / Prishtina (Florina Jerliu, Visar Geci, Vlora Navakazi)

Workshop I+II
Lokal experts: Archis Interventions / Prishtina:Florina Jerliu, Visar Geci, Vlora Navakazi und Ilir Gjinolli, Representative of the Faculty of Architecture, University of Prishtina, Elvida Pallaska, Representative of the Institute for Spatial Planning, Kosova, Agron Sallova, Representative of UN-HABITAT, Mentor Haziri, freelance architect, Lazim Salihu, lawyer, legal adviser UN-HABITAT, Mirushe Kastrati, Reprezentative of the Department of Urban Planing, Municipality of Prishtina, Besa Shahini, IKS/ESI
Regional experts: Dritan Shutina, Representative of the POLIS University, Tirana, Albania, Director Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development, Rodina Toto, Representative of the POLIS University, Tirana, Albania, Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development
International experts: Archis Interventions / Berlin: Kai Vöckler, Thilo Fuchs, Wilfried Hackenbroich, Archis Interventions / Amsterdam: Arjen Oosterman
Workshop assistance: Arta Basha, lecturer, Faculty of Civil engineering and Architecture, University of Prishtina, Sibel Bucinca, Bardha Meka, Flutura Dedinja, students of the Faculty of Civil Engineering andArchitecture, University of Prishtina, Gezim Kastrati, student of Architecture, TU-Graz, Austria
Post production: Thilo Fuchs, Wilfried Hackenbroich, Kai Vöckler
 
Workshop III
Local experts: Florina Jerliu, Archis Interventions, Prishtina, adviser to the Prishtina Mayor, Vlora Navakazi, Prishtina, Elvida Pallaska, Institute for Spatial Planning, MESP, Luljeta Çeku-Sokoli, Institute for Planning and Construction, EUP Engineering Prishtina
Regional expert: Anila Gjika, Co-PLAN, Tirana
International experts: Kai Vöckler, Archis Interventions, Berlin, Wilfried Hackenbroich, Archis Interventions, Berlin
Officials from the Municipality of Prishtina: Shiqeri Spahiu, Director, Department for Urban Planning and Environment (DUPE), Nazmije Tora, Head Urban Planning Sector, DUPE, Mejrushe Kastrati, Head of Planning service, DUPE, Agim Salihu, Head of Legal Office, Hakif Sheholli, Head of legal service, DUPE
Supporting staff to the workshop: Bardha Meka, architect, Almedina Musliu, Barch, Shega Mazreku, student of architecture, Feim Igrishta, student of architecture, Flutura Dedinja, student of architecture, Nora Rraci, student of architecture
Consultants: Bajram Bujupi, Director, Department of Public Services Municipality of Prishtina, Abdyl Gashi, Inspector of preventive and fire research, Municipality of Prishtina, Latif Zeka, Fire brigade Commander, Prishtina, Sejdi Krasniqi, Instructor, Fire Brigade Prishtina
Post-production: Florina Jerliu, Kai Vöckler, Wilfried Hackenbroich with Christina Antonelli