Erblin Berisha

Abstract

The Western Balkans faces unique challenges in pursuing of sustainable development, and to frame the actions put in place to face these challenges within the recent EU policy agenda is of ut termost importance. Aiming at shedding light on the matter, this contribution examines the role of the EU Just Green Transitions policy framework in reshaping spatial planning in the Western Balkans, a region marked by complex post-socialist legacies and geopolitical aspirations towards EU integration. Through a comparative analysis of Albania, North Macedonia, and Serbia, this study examines how domestic spatial governance frameworks and planning systems have adapted their instruments, policies, and institutional structures in response to EU-driven discourses. The collected evidence shows that, while Just Green Tran sitions narratives are increasingly present in climate and energy strategies, their integration into spatial planning remains fragmented, constrained by limited multilevel coordination and institutional capacity; planning instruments continue to reflect outdated paradigms, and the inclusion of a place-based approach to spatial justice remains minimal. This highlights the need for clearer legal mandates and the introduc t ion of participatory mechanisms to ensure that spatial planning supports equitable and context-sensitive green transformations in the Western Balkans, while contributing to the broader European integration agenda.

Keywords: spatial governance, planning systems, Just Green Transitions, European Union, Europeanisation, Western Balkans

Giancarlo Cotella [giancarlo.cotella@polito.it], Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning (DIST), Politecnico di Torino 39 Viale Mattioli, 10125 Turin: Italy
Anila Bejko [anila_gjika@co-plan.org], Co-PLAN, Institute for Habitat Development Polis University, Department of Urban Planning and Environment
Erblin Berisha [erblin.berisha@polito.it], Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning (DIST), Politecnico di Torino 39 Viale Mattioli, 10125 Turin: Italy
Marjan Nikolov [info@cea.org], Center for Economic Analyses Bul. Jane Sandanski 63/3; 1000 Skopje: North Macedonia
Vladimir Popović [vpopovic.za@gmail.com], Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade Studentski Trg 3/III, 11000 Belgrade: Serbia
Zora Živanović [zora.zivanovic@gef.bg.ac.rs], Department for Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade Studentski Trg 3/III, 11000 Belgrade: Serbia

Citation

APA: Cotella, G., Bejko, A., Berisha, E., Nikolov, M., Popović, V., & Živanović, Z. (2025). Just green transitions reshaping spatial planning frameworks. Evidence from the Western Balkans. Europa XXI, 49, 39-67. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.10
MLA: Cotella, Giancarlo, et al. "Just green transitions reshaping spatial planning frameworks. Evidence from the Western Balkans". Europa XXI, vol. 49, 2025, pp. 39-67. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.10
Chicago: Cotella, Giancarlo, Bejko, Anila, Berisha, Erblin, Nikolov, Marjan, Popović, Vladimir, and Živanović, Zora. "Just green transitions reshaping spatial planning frameworks. Evidence from the Western Balkans". Europa XXI 49 (2025): 39-67. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.10
Harvard: Cotella, G., Bejko, A., Berisha, E., Nikolov, M., Popović, V., & Živanović, Z. 2025. "Just green transitions reshaping spatial planning frameworks. Evidence from the Western Balkans". Europa XXI, vol. 49, pp. 39-67. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.10

Abstract

Cooperation plays a vital role in solving environmental problems especially when it comes to fragmented regions such as the Adriatic Ionian region. This paper examines the impact of transnational and cross-border cooperation on environmental projects in the 2014–2020 programming period of the European Union. Actor-network analysis helps understand the dynamics among 127 actors across four major EU programmes (Interreg strands A and B). In the results, regional authorities emerge as ‘leader’ and ‘broker’ actors, playing a special role in promoting cross-border cooperation. However, the limited involvement of smaller non-EU actors points to opportunities for growth. The development of this network would lead to a stronger resilience of the region, facilitate the solving of environmental problems, and thus contribute holistically to the promotion of sustainable development.

Keywords: cooperation, cross-border, transnational, Adriatic Ionian region, actor-network analyses

Ilijana Radaković [i.radakovic@pm.univpm.it], Università Politecnica delle Marche, Facoltà di Ingegneria Via Brecce Bianche 12 60131 Ancona: Italy
Erblin Berisha [erblin.berisha@polito.it], Interuniversity Department of Regional and Urban Studies and Planning (DIST), Politecnico di Torino 39 Viale Mattioli, 10125 Turin: Italy

Citation

APA: Radaković, I., & Berisha, E. (2025). The role of actors in environmental-oriented cross-border and transnational cooperation in the Adriatic Ionian region. Europa XXI, 49, 4. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.4
MLA: Radaković, Ilijana, and Berisha, Erblin. "The role of actors in environmental-oriented cross-border and transnational cooperation in the Adriatic Ionian region". Europa XXI, vol. 49, 2025, pp. 4. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.4
Chicago: Radaković, Ilijana, and Berisha, Erblin. "The role of actors in environmental-oriented cross-border and transnational cooperation in the Adriatic Ionian region". Europa XXI 49 (2025): 4. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.4
Harvard: Radaković, I., & Berisha, E. 2025. "The role of actors in environmental-oriented cross-border and transnational cooperation in the Adriatic Ionian region". Europa XXI, vol. 49, pp. 4. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.4