Europa XXI (2026) vol. 51

Impact of urbanisation on the transformation of rural areas

Ilira Llupa, Kristi Xhakollari

Europa XXI (2026) vol. 51, pp. 12 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2026.51.12

Abstract

Rapid urbanisation has intensified demographic decline, economic restructuring, and uneven infrastructural change in Albania’s rural areas, creating the need to assess how these processes differ across rural community types. The study combined statistical analysis of demographic and socio-economic indicators for 2000–2025, a survey of 200 rural residents in six municipalities, and comparative analy sis of periurbanised and remote localities. The findings indicate marked rural depopulation, population ageing, youth out-migration, contraction of agricultural employment, and strong territorial disparities in service access and infrastructure development. Periurbanised areas showed greater adaptive capacity and connectivity, whereas remote communities experienced deeper decline and weaker access to educa tion, health care, and digital networks.

Keywords: social changes, spatial planning, demographic shifts, land use, infrastructure development

Ilira Llupa [ilirallupa0@gmail.com], Department of History and Geography, University “Ismail Qemali” Vlore 9400, Kosova Str., Vlora: Albania
Kristi Xhakollari [k.xhakollari@outlook.com], Department of History and Geography, University “Ismail Qemali” Vlore 9400, Kosova Str., Vlora: Albania

Citation

APA: Llupa, I., & Xhakollari, K. (2026). Impact of urbanisation on the transformation of rural areas. Europa XXI, 51, 12. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2026.51.12

MLA: Llupa, Ilira and Xhakollari, Kristi. "Impact of urbanisation on the transformation of rural areas". Europa XXI, vol. 51, 2026, pp. 12. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2026.51.12

Chicago: Llupa, Ilira and Xhakollari, Kristi. "Impact of urbanisation on the transformation of rural areas". Europa XXI 51 (2026): 12. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2026.51.12

Harvard: Llupa, I., & Xhakollari, K. 2026. "Impact of urbanisation on the transformation of rural areas". Europa XXI, vol. 51, pp. 12. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2026.51.12