Decentralization of Tourism – An Inter-Regional Approach

Abstract This research investigates the relationship between cultural heritage and urban development in the Tirana region, focusing on historical fortifications, ancient trails, human habitats and their surrounding landscapes. It aims to reassess how Albania’s rich historical environment “from Antiquity and the Byzantine era to the Ottoman period” have been affected by contemporary urbanization and shifting socio-economic dynamics. Using spatial analysis and on-site documentation, the study examines key heritage sites, including the castles of Ndroq, Petrelë, Krujë and others, evaluating their historical evolution, geographical significance and environmental context. The findings highlight the potential of these sites to serve as catalysts for community regeneration and balanced regional development, particularly through the promotion of cultural and eco-tourism, as well as improved digital accessibility. The research proposes a decentralized tourism model that integrates cultural preservation with recreational and sustainable economic uses. By merging historical analysis with urban and tourism planning, it advocates for a multi-scalar policy framework that embeds cultural heritage into broader socio-economic strategies, guiding Tirana toward a more inclusive, sustainable and culturally aware development path. Keywords Decentralization, fortifications, heritage, hinterland, spatial planning, sustainability, tourism