"Open Gates" project/ Kelliçi: Old villas will be restored to become tourist attractions

2023-04-22 16:15:00, Politikë CNA

"Open Gates" project/ Kelliçi: Old villas will be restored to

The protection of Cultural Heritage will be the focus of the work of the future mayor of the municipality of Tirana, Belind Këlliçi.

This weekend, the opposition candidate for the capital's municipality got to know one of the innovative projects called "Open Gates", which aims to protect the old villas and apartments of Tirana. This project was designed by Xhimi Begeja, whose family owns a house on "Dibra" street, which is a Category II Cultural Monument. This object was visited by Belind Kelliçi with part of his staff, to see closely the plan that aims to transform at least 9 old villas into a tourist pole for Tirana.

After familiarizing Belind Këlliç with the values ??of his property, Xhimi Begeja indicated that the plan aims for 9 old buildings up to 300 years old to be restored and turned into a mini tourist district that will be connected to the "New Market" area.

“This model has Paris, Milan, a beautiful neighborhood with alleys with things. There are 9 objects here to be preserved, the others will be developed. This area here has, first of all, every family here does not lose its name, its identity. It preserves its property, it is surprising that the economic benefit here is not the same for the same surface, it is almost 5 to 10 times more in value. And last but not least, it is an unprecedented economic development" - said Xhimi Begeja.

He indicated that the project has been agreed upon and designed in cooperation with all the owners of old buildings located on "Rrugë e Dibra" and the area of ??"Selvisë".

According to Mr. Begeja, the restoration of these buildings with historical, museum and urban values ??will turn the area into a pole of development for Tirana.

" I have done a very nice thing. I gathered everyone and said: Let's do it together, why let others decide our fates, let's do it together. It takes five lek, an hour will take out the money that the piece of paper is worth. It goes back to the road, it goes back to the orchard, it goes back to the development area. The next one will come and develop this thing himself", said Xhimi Begeja.

After being closely acquainted with every detail of this project, which was designed by the owners of the property themselves, Belind Kelliçi expressed his support for the plan to become a reality. According to Kelliç, this plan will serve everyone, including social harmony in the community.

" It depends on what you entered politics for. If you entered for the first time, it's the wrong place, if you entered for a good job, they left me a good thing, it's these types of projects, which are long-term, that you stay behind. This is the idea, this is a good thing for the city, it serves everyone. This has a great value for the community, because it restores harmony between families, between people" - said Belind Kelliçi.

Even the chairman of the "Tirana Association", Arben Tafaj, stated that for such projects, this association has been lobbying for 20 years, but they have not found the support of the local and central government. Tafaj emphasized that such areas become an attraction for tourists with high financial benefits.

" There are some areas which we as "Shoqata Tirana" have been saying for at least 20 years, the urban development plans of the city must preserve these stains, to preserve our heritage. These not only turn into places of attraction for tourists, but also turn into business places to increase income" - said Arben Tafaj./CNA.al