The complexity of heritage and societal development - The example of Gjirokastra, Albania

Gjirokastra, Albania, exemplifies the complex interplay between heritage preservation and societal development. The study reveals that while efforts to protect older structures and archaeological sites have intensified, post-war industrial sites—key to understanding the city's full historical context—are deteriorating due to economic instability since the 1990s. This decline is exacerbated by high unemployment and a drug-trafficking economy, posing challenges to securing heritage assets for positive societal growth. The research highlights the need for integrated approaches to heritage management that address both cultural preservation and socio-economic development in post-communist societies.

Lagerqvist, B. (2015). The complexity of heritage and societal development - The example of Gjirokastra, Albania. Ecocycles, 1(2), 6–11. https://doi.org/10.19040/ecocycles.v1i2.29