Writes: Halil Gashi
Dear citizens of Pristina,
The problem of revitalizing collective buildings is not just a theory, nor just an electoral cause, but is a bitter reality of Pristina. If you walk through the neighborhoods of the capital, you can come across half-finished buildings, transformed into urban ghosts. All this, as a result of the indifference of the past two decades of governments.
"El Arkitekto" during these four years, despite being called upon to be an architect during the electoral campaign of the government, did not deal with the problem that derives precisely from the field of architecture. Since I come from the business world and am familiar with these problems, this has made me not allow myself to stand idly by and follow the problems of revitalization of buildings closely. During these days, I have been out in the field, where I have identified several cases of failure of economic operators in revitalizing buildings as a result of the Municipality of Pristina not being held accountable. No economic operator goes into business to fail, but business has its own risks and fails. The greatest burden lies on the current management of "El Arkitekto", which for these four years has neither held economic operators accountable nor provided solutions to families who have sought shelter in those areas.
During these days, I visited the eight-story building on “Muharrem Fejza” Street. In addition to the fact that this street has already become a symbol of traffic jams, unfinished road segments and essential problems such as drinking water, it is also characterized by ghostly objects. The images of the empty eight-story building create an apocalyptic or pandemic feeling. Instead of having residents and vitality, greenery and parking lots around it, it is empty and “inhabited” with garbage, construction material that has not been put into operation. The images that are being transmitted to us by the world media since the war in Ukraine of ruined buildings, 'El Arkitekto' with its negligence is repeating to us with its crude construction, even in the heart of Pristina. 'El Arkitekto', it doesn't work like that!
Description: Video footage taken from the unrevitalized residential building on “Muharrem Fejza” Street
On “Muharrem Çani” street in the “Mati 1” neighborhood, I have witnessed from the field how the residents of that area have revitalized a building with their own means. Revitalizing the building directly from the citizen’s pocket means a huge cost. What falls on them is partial revitalization, carried out with effort and financial sacrifices, but not according to construction standards. In the upper part of the building there is a facade, which poses a serious risk. A heavy rain or a small earthquake can end in tragedy. 'El Architekto', save the life and pocket of the citizen!
Description: Footage from the video taken from the revitalized facility with the citizens' own funds on "Muhamet Çani" street
Velania cannot be treated only as a neighborhood. It is part of the identity of the capital, with history, greenery and a strategic position. But today, instead of being an example of urban development and institutional care, Velania risks becoming a symbol of urban oblivion. In Velania, I have identified a building that has been left to the mercy of time for years. This abandoned building in Velania is just one of hundreds of cases that speak of a lack of responsibility and vision. Instead of finding legal and practical mechanisms to protect citizens from these consequences 'El Arkitekto' chose silence. Velania does not deserve to be a neighborhood of ghost buildings, unfinished apartments, and unfulfilled promises. It deserves life, vitality, and dignity.
Description: View from the "Velania" neighborhood of the unrevitalized building
How are these problems solved?
The problem of abandoned buildings cannot be solved by silence, nor by complaining. It can be solved by political will and legal instruments that are already available, but are not being used. As a future assemblyman of the Municipality of Pristina, I prioritize some concrete actions that must be taken without wasting time:
1. Changes in the Municipal Assembly of Pristina
The Municipal Assembly has the authority to intervene by amending and supplementing municipal acts for the issuance of construction permits. With the current legal acts, a company can be opened with a minimum capital, and obtain construction permits for multi-million projects. This practice must end. This is a mechanism that offers guarantees to the citizen for the realization of any project.
2. Special Commission for the Identification of Objects
The Assembly should establish a permanent commission, which would identify all unfinished or abandoned buildings in the territory of Prishtina. This commission should not remain a mere formality; its job is to compile a priority list of buildings that have a direct impact on the lives of residents. Any report issued by this commission should be accompanied by legal obligations for the responsible public enterprises and for the leaders of the capital.
3. Involvement of the Public Housing Enterprise (PHE)
After identification, the stalled facilities should be transferred under the management of the Public Housing Enterprise (NPB), which will undertake their revitalization and maintenance in the long term. This is not an impossible step. The municipality has already intervened in the past in similar cases: in Ulpiana, near the Hospital district and in several other areas. What is missing is the will and institutional pressure.
4. Special Municipal Fund for Revitalization
A fund dedicated to the revitalization of half-finished buildings should be established, where a portion could be financed by the Municipality of Pristina, while a significant portion could also be provided by the mechanisms of the European Union, the Kingdom of Norway and the embassies of friendly states of Kosovo, which over the years have consistently demonstrated and continue to demonstrate financial support for projects, whether at the local or central level.
Dear citizens of Pristina,
The previous assembly members did not care about the citizen. They made a decision for themselves to receive a salary for four years. Imagine, over 40 percent of the Assembly Members of the Municipality of Pristina in the previous mandate did not even take the floor to address the problems of the citizens of Pristina. This phenomenon must disappear, immediately! Do you know why? Because the value of an Assembly Member in Pristina is half that of a national-level deputy. The Assembly Member of Pristina must feel the responsibility of a deputy! Pristina deserves a voice, the citizens of Pristina deserve representation!
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