The Classification of Rural Settlements in Gjirokastra Region

Rural settlements in the Gjirokastra region exhibit distinct economic orientations shaped by terrain, with agriculture and livestock dominating in lowland areas, while petty farming prevails in mountainous regions. Historical land-use policies, particularly those limiting agricultural expansion pre-1990, have significantly influenced settlement patterns. Post-1990, the absence of structured rural development policies has left these areas vulnerable to unchecked urbanization. The region's cultural and architectural heritage, marked by shared Albanian-Greek traditions, offers a unique model for sustainable cross-border rural development. This study leverages real estate registry data to classify settlements based on land-use categories, providing insights into the interplay between topography, economic activity, and historical policy legacies.

Sinani, A. (2016). The Classification of Rural Settlements in Gjirokastra Region. Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies. https://doi.org/10.5901/ajis.2016.v5n3s1p24