Fig. 1: Public institutions involved in noise management in Tirana.
Residents must file a complaint with the nearest local government unit (the Borrow Council). The Borrow
Council passes on the complaint to the Regional Environmental Agency, and in special cases, to the City
Police. The City Police indicated that they are overwhelmed with filed complaints. Occasionally, the City
Police collaborate with the State Police on noise management issues, if a major conflict has occurred among
the parties involved. The City Police are not empowered to issue fines if a business generates noises higher
than the limit; however, it can require a business to stop its activity temporarily (i.e. shut down a nightclub
for one night if a neighbor has called in with a complaint).
If the issue remains unsolved, the complaint is passed on to the City of Tirana. The City is only empowered
to fine a business (up to $300) should it find that it is not equipped with a proper license (i.e. to play music).
If the City fails to solve the issue as well, the Prefecture of Tirana intervenes, firstly notifying the noisegenerating
business to reduce noise, secondly sending a written order including a compliance deadline,
thirdly fining the non-complying business, and finally requesting the Regional Environment Agency to
revoke its business license. The City is also empowered to request the same from the Regional Environment
Agency. The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Water is not directly involved in noise issues; it main
task is to draft action plans on noise pollution management.
The interviewed public officials admitted that often residents must file multiple complaints before any action
is taken in their favor. Also, they indicated that many business owners believe that they are above the law
and ignore notices to reduce noises sent by public institutions. Many residents file anonymous complaints
due to fear of violent retaliation by affected businesses. Even police officials are not immune to this fear. In
addition, the police are prone to corruption, as indicated by an interview with a nightclub employee. In terms
of traffic or construction related noise, it is almost impossible for residents to take any steps.
In terms of noise monitoring, the institution in charge is the Institute of Public Health, which depends on the
Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Water for its funding. The collected data is owned and utilized
exclusively by the Ministry. This financing arrangement limits the scope of work of the Institute. For
example, the Ministry issued no funding for urban noise monitoring in 2010. The Institute does receive
noise-related complaints but it is not empowered to act directly. However, it can recommend the business
license revocation of activities that are found to generate noise above allowed levels.
In contrast with public perceptions collected through surveys and public research, some public officials are
under the impression that noise pollution has decreased in the last few years due to stronger monitoring
activities. Public officials generally agreed that, in order to reduce noise pollution, institutional capacities
must be strengthened. City employees felt that they should have more legal authority to intervene in case of
noise complaints. Other proposed measures included traffic calming in residential neighborhoods, use of