Re-conceptualizing buffer areas of cultural heritage sites from the perspective of historic urban landscapes

The presentation focuses on the urban heritage protection and preservation in Albania from 1960s to today. By analyzing relevant definitions, legal approaches and actors related with protection and preservation of historic urban sites in Albania, it provides a clear panorama on to which extent urban sites were listed and preserved during this transition period. It aims to define the place of Albanian preservation theory and practice compared to international approaches of the time. It further focuses on the concept of buffer zone as one of the crucial elements that has the potential to mediate between heritage conservation, urban development and sustainable planning. It proposes that, by integrating aspects of heritage recognition into territorial planning instruments, these zones can offer each historic centre a dedicated opportunity to reconcile continuity with change.