Traffic Mitigation Through Urban Form and Public Transport: The Case of Tirana

This study investigates the link between urban form and traffic congestion in Tirana, Albania's capital and largest metropolitan area, where residents spend an estimated 50–60 hours per month in traffic. The problem is intensified by rapid urbanization across the Durrës-Tirana-Elbasan-Krujë corridor, which houses nearly half of Albania's population and places immense strain on Tirana's infrastructure. The city's monocentric structure funnels economic and social activity into a single core, creating bottlenecks and overwhelming a road network designed for a much smaller population. Contributing factors include narrow, poorly maintained streets, high car ownership, inefficient public transport, limited parking, and weak traffic management. The study hypothesizes that urban form directly shapes traffic patterns and proposes a shift to a multicentric model, inspired by cities like London and Paris. This would involve developing new urban nodes outside the historic center, connected by a redesigned public transport network. Using traffic modeling software and GIS tools (QGIS), the research simulates various multicentric schemes, analyzes traffic convergence zones, and tests optimal configurations. These interventions aim to redistribute traffic, enhance urban integration, and improve quality of life. Ultimately, the study offers a transferable framework for other monocentric cities, addressing mobility challenges while promoting spatial equity and sustainable urban development.