Democratic local governance is a prerequisite to the meaningful decentralization of infrastructure
management. When people participate in defining visions for sustainable development for their
communities, in formulating strategies for equitable access to services and resources and in setting
priorities for action, they have endorsed. Participation also sharpens their awareness of the interrelations
between economic, social and environmental issues.
This is a highly significant feature of infrastructure programs and carries important implications for local
development.
The main objective was to build a new working relationship between residents and city officials, based
on a shared vision of the future and “a lasting trust”.
Because the districts were designated as urban renewal sites, residents in the older zones could not
upgrade their infrastructure and households in the un-serviced extensions could not connect to existing
networks. Repairs to buildings ere also prohibited, except in the case of roof leaks. This state of affairs
lasted over 30 years resulting in resentment and distrust of municipal authorities.
In 1992- 1999, the city’s Urban Planning unit decided to initiate participatory process to rehabilitate
and revitalize the districts. The process required an extensive outreach effort, involving consultations with
every household. Regularly scheduled public meetings were held and gradually residents became aware
of the role they could play in shaping the future of their neighbourhood. In December 1993 the city
council adopted a new strategy to stimulate local investment in infrastructure and buildings based on
partnership between the city and the residents.
The act for support of local investment committed the municipality to cover 50 percent of the cost of
water, sewerage and power lines, 70 percent of the cost of roadbeds and sidewalks and 100 percent of the
cost of drainage and street paving. The cost sharing formula can be modulated to take into consideration
issues of equity and cost burden. As an incentive to private rehabilitations of buildings, investors are
granted a three year exemption from property taxes.
During the years 1994 – 1999 in Albania the partnership between the municipality and the residents
was institutionalizes through the Local Initiatives Program to ensure its continuity as a citywide
development strategy.
The key features of the program are:
• Introducing participatory planning and community-based development processes through
neighborhood development committees and street representatives working in partnership with the city;
• Creating an enabling environment for private investment;
• Empowering citizens to pursue their own self improvement;
• Promoting privatization of the housing a stock and fostering the development of micro- enterprises;
• Ensuring the sustainability of activities initiated;
• Promoting the reliability of successful initiatives.
This process allowed the canton to build consensus, prepare a development plan, allocate municipal
funds equitably leverage additional resources and improve infrastructure and living conditions. The
participatory municipal management improve infrastructure and living conditions.