Geotechnical Management of Isolated Sustainable Alpine Communities

The Albanian Alps are situated in a mountainous block in the Northern Albania region, in the counties of Shkodër (also known as Shkodra or Gegëria) and Kukës (Kukësi). The nature of the mountainous terrain formation has led to the creation of isolated communities. The need for integrating these scattered communities into a cohesive co-operating community for area sustainability is now possible by using the Internet to link them all onto an online system. To deal with natural catastrophes, disaster management cells will be created which will serve as hubs. These hubs will be located at geographically strategic positions that will enable a predetermined geofenced region for evaluation of different disasters viz. forest fires, landslide, flooding, avalanches, the burial of villages under heavy snowfalls, etc. These cells will connect the particular case with the most appropriate disaster relief, rescue service and EMR (Emergency Medical Responder), first aid services (e.g. Green Crescent/Red Cross) and EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) personnel. The cells shall be managed by locally trained human resources with the necessary equipment to provide the monitoring/analyses and first aid assistance in case of need. The technology needed for the monitoring and geotechnical management of the isolated Alpine communities will be described. The socio-economic impact of the deployment of these technologies aiding in the sustainability of these vulnerable communities will conclude the research.

The Impact of Tourism on the Economic Development of Kosovo

The Tourism sector of Kosovo’s Economy is dominated by small and medium economic agents(operators), meanwhile large economic agents(operators) are still under privatisation processes, for this reason there is a necessity for a more favorable sectorial strategy which will provide long term stability to tourism operators, oferring a diverse tourism product portfolio. Based on the methods and models of stabile developments in tourism presented in this paper, tourism operators will find it easier to coordinate with their respective communities and the public sector to promote the clear message to the tourist regarding the tourism products offered of specific tourist destinations. The analysis shows opportunities for the application of, and potential for integration of those operators in the planning of tourism on a significant scale. Following a theoretical review, a model is proposed in the planning of tourism based on their respective communities. To analyse the differences between the theoretical model and practical application, we examine the Tourism Region of the Albanian Alps of Kosovo.The findings in this study highlight the challenges of institutions in seeking to identify appropriate responsibilities and coordination strategies of all agents involved in the processes of the planning and development of a stabile tourism sector. The Tourism Region taken for example in this paper offers critical evaluation on how to help tourism strategists on their approach in the composition of tourism policy with the aim of helping agents (operators) improve their planning and development methods of tourism, in full cooperation of their respective communities, while also giving aid in guiding organizational direction in seeking new tourism regions in Kosovo.

Reasons and Benefits of Seasonal Migrations in the Villages of Rugova

This study deals with seasonal migration as a special frame of migration. These migrations date back to the early days and consist of the movement of the population for a certain period of time, which are mainly related to the grazing of animals in the hilly-mountainous areas for higher productivity. In the territory of Kosova, as well, this sort of migration is quite emphatic, specifically in Rugova Mountain (Albanian Alps). The basic purpose of this research is the evidence of the main reasons of seasonal migration and the benefits of it. It is quite apparent that the main reasons are economic in nature, therefore through this research the key factor why the migrations reside those high mountain areas during warm seasons have been analyzed. Moreover, beside those migration reasons, a special emphasis in this study is given to the benefits those migrations have been bringing to the immigrant country, as well as to the migrant one.

UPPER TRIASSIC TO LOWER JURASSIC SHALLOW-WATER CARBONATES NORTH OF LAKE SHKODRA (NW ALBANIA, ALBANIAN ALPS ZONE): PART OF THE ADRIATIC CARBONATE PLATFORM BASEMENT

The palaeogeographic reconstruction of the Adriatic Carbonate Platform and its continuation to the south represents a helpful tool to understand the Mesozoic palaeogeography of the Dinarides–Albanides–Hellenides oro-genic system. In the present paper poorly known Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic (Toarcian) shallow-water car-bonates from the Shkodra area in northwest Albania (external Albanides; Albanian Alps zone) were investigated, dat-ed mainly by larger benthic foraminifera. The microfossil associations as well as litho- and microfacies characteristics are equivalent to contemporaneous shallow-water carbonate successions of the Adriatic Carbonate Platform basement to the NW (in the High Karst zone). As a result of our study we clearly see a continuation of the Adriatic Carbonate Platform from the Dinarides to the Albanides. In the area north of Lake Shkodra no Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic hemipelagic sedimentary rocks, which could be a possible connection between the Budva Unit to the NW and the Cukali Unit to the SW, were detected.

Natural Heritage in the Republic of Kosovo: Looking for Potential UNESCO Sites

In addition to cultural heritage values, Kosovo is characterised by natural heritage values; these values identify different areas in Kosovo as potential sites for protection under UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) program and the Convention Concerning the Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage. These natural values (i.e. geomorphological, hydrological, biodiversity- and ecosystem-related) are found mainly in the massifs of Kosovo’s four mountain ranges, i.e. the Sharr Mountains, the Bjeshket e Nemuna (Albanian Alps), the Koritnik Mountains, and the Pashtrik Mountains. These regions provide the largest number of potential sites for nomination to the World Heritage List or the MAB program.Of the natural heritage values, 19 geomorphological areas of international importance were identified; additionally, 3 areas had regional (Balkan) importance, and 19 sites were caves. Furthermore, 152 glacial and nival lakes and a bifurcation (i.e. hydrological values), approximately 200 species and subspecies that are endemic to the Balkans, 8 locally endemic, 9 endemic and endemic-relict plant associations and 1 endemic animal species (i.e. biodiversity values), and ancient Beech forests (i.e. ecosystem values) were considered for conservation.Consideration of the above mentioned areas for protection under UNESCO would provide a legal framework for the protection of natural and cultural values in Kosovo as well as support their sustainable development.Additionally, protecting these areas would promote the development of environmental and educational projects and training as well as the research and monitoring of issues related to nature conservation and sustainable development at local, regional and international levels.

Karst and geotops of karst origin in Albania

Albania is one of the most karst-developed countries in Europe. Karst phenomena are related to soluted carbonate formations which cover of about 7300 km2 of Albanian territory and with sulfate evaporates rocks, which outcrop of about 500 km2. Typically alpine relief of average altitude 708 m above the sea level and high horizontal splitting are favorable for karst development. Karst and geological sites of karst origin are widespread mainly in Albanian Alps and in Ionian zone. In Albanides there are determined surfaces and underground karst forms which belong to the Neo-Pliocene-Quaternary age and deep karst forms belonging to the paleokarst in old formations. The most widespread karst forms in carbonate rocks there are valleys, caves, cones etc., while into salt rocks there are formed many karstic lakes and depressions. Up to now there are determined about 80 karstic caves, nice karst fields, valleys, plains, which represent geological sites of karst origin.

The assessment of the rural tourism development in the Valbona Valley National Park

Mountain tourism takes place in rural areas, contributing to the protection of the natural, social and cultural environment. The purpose of the research is to support the development of sustainable rural tourism in the mountainous areas of Valbona. The survey is carried out by interviewing the most successful business owners, visitors and representatives of the local government. In the recent years, there has been a growing interest by tourists to visit the Albanian Alps. The number of domestic Albanian visitors is slightly higher than the number of foreign visitors. Tourists, who visit the area, mostly stay for a few nights. Hiking is the most popular activity. The tourists’ average expenditure (all included) per night is quite affordable. The number of inns, guest houses, hotels and tourists has seen important growth between 2004 and 2013. The total income generated by mountain tourism is considerable.