Europa XXI (2025) vol. 49

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the awareness, perceptions, and expectations of households and business communities regarding the green transition process in Albania. Although Albania is making efforts at the policy and institutional levels to transition towards a modern, climate-neutral, and resource-efficient economy, it is essential to understand the community’s perspective on this process. The study examines the complex relationship between Albania’s shift towards sustainability and adaptability, explicitly emphasising the overall awareness and attitudes towards this pivotal shift among households and business communities. Employing a comprehensive socio-economic survey targeting households and businesses occupying prefabricated buildings in three areas of Tirana, the research seeks to gauge the depth of awareness and readiness of these stakeholders regarding energy-efficient solutions. Central to the investigation is exploring perceptions and attitudes, including the willingness to invest in and pay for such solutions. Shedding light on these factors provides valuable insights into the socio-economic dynamics that shape Albania's path towards sustainability and resilience amid the imperatives of a green transition.

Keywords: Albania, green transition, community perceptions, energy efficiency

Merita Toska [merita_toska@universitetipolis.edu.al], POLIS University Bylis 12 Str., Tirana: Albania
Elona Karafili [elona_karafili@universitetipolis.edu.al], POLIS University Bylis 12 Str., Tirana: Albania
Kejt Dhrami [kejt_dhrami@universitetipolis.edu.al], POLIS University Bylis 12 Str., Tirana: Albania
Fiona Imami [fiona_imami@universitetipolis.edu.al], POLIS University Bylis 12 Str., Tirana: Albania
Ogerta Gjiknuri [ogerta_gjitknuri@co-plan.org], POLIS University Bylis 12 Str., Tirana: Albania

Citation

APA: Toska, M., Karafili, E., Dhrami, K., Imami, F., & Gjiknuri, O. (2025). Community perspectives on green transition in Albania: a socio-economic survey of households and businesses in prefabricated buildings. Europa XXI, 49, 5. https://doi.org/
MLA: Toska, Merita, et al. "Community perspectives on green transition in Albania: a socio-economic survey of households and businesses in prefabricated buildings". Europa XXI, vol. 49, 2025, pp. 5. https://doi.org/
Chicago: Toska, Merita, Karafili, Elona, Dhrami, Kejt, Imami, Fiona, and Gjiknuri, Ogerta. "Community perspectives on green transition in Albania: a socio-economic survey of households and businesses in prefabricated buildings". Europa XXI 49 (2025): 5. https://doi.org/
Harvard: Toska, M., Karafili, E., Dhrami, K., Imami, F., & Gjiknuri, O. 2025. "Community perspectives on green transition in Albania: a socio-economic survey of households and businesses in prefabricated buildings". Europa XXI, vol. 49, pp. 5. https://doi.org/

Abstract

Deemed instrumental in reducing GHG emissions in the upcoming decades, the transition towards electric mobility constitutes a well-articulated objective in multiple governance levels. The ability to reach the established goals for transport decarbonisation and climate change mitigation is broadly determined by consumer behaviour; therefore, understanding consumer preferences is fundamental. This study aims to explore consumer awareness, perceptions, preferences and public support for electric mobility in Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Information on the consumer's readiness to use electric vehicles, the eventual knowledge gap on the topic, the potential role of the government and the perceived barriers and concerns are gathered by making use of exploratory sequential mixed-method research, which combines insights from interviews with the primary data of a questionnaire-based survey conducted using the snowball non-probabilistic sampling technique. Electric mobility is emerging in the selected countries, and multiple uncertainties act as barriers to EV penetration. Findings suggest low awareness and knowledge of electric mobility and electric vehicles. Nevertheless, there is a positive attitude towards electric mobility, while costs, limited infrastructure, and frail confidence are restraints to their actual behaviour (switching to electric mobility, including EVs, e-bikes, and other alternatives). Public authorities can build confidence around e-mobility through incentivisation schemes, investments in public, accessible, affordable charging infrastructure, and adjustments in the regulatory framework. 

Keywords: electric mobility, consumer preferences, Western Balkans, decarbonisation, transport

Elona Karafili [elona_karafili@universitetipolis.edu.al], POLIS University Bylis 12 Str., Tirana: Albania
Flora Krasniqi [flora_krasniqi@universitetipolis.edu.al], POLIS University / Bylis 12 Str., Tirana: Albania
Merita Toska [merita_toska@universitetipolis.edu.al], POLIS University Bylis 12 Str., Tirana: Albania

Citation

APA: Karafili, E., Krasniqi, F., & Toska, M. (2025). The challenging transition to electric mobility. Consumer perceptions and preferences in selected Western Balkans countries. Europa XXI, 49, 6. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.6
MLA: Karafili, Elona, et al. "The challenging transition to electric mobility. Consumer perceptions and preferences in selected Western Balkans countries". Europa XXI, vol. 49, 2025, pp. 6. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.6
Chicago: Karafili, Elona, Krasniqi, Flora, and Toska, Merita. "The challenging transition to electric mobility. Consumer perceptions and preferences in selected Western Balkans countries". Europa XXI 49 (2025): 6. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.6
Harvard: Karafili, E., Krasniqi, F., & Toska, M. 2025. "The challenging transition to electric mobility. Consumer perceptions and preferences in selected Western Balkans countries". Europa XXI, vol. 49, pp. 6. https://doi.org/10.7163/Eu21.2025.49.6

Abstract

Residential architecture and urban planning have the task of fulfilling the complex and manifold needs of inhabitants spending the majority of their everyday lives in these areas. Residential areas represent crucial spatial infrastructure that shapes the possibilities and life circumstances of its users, and thus should go beyond satisfying only the basic need for shelter. The importance and lack of green public spaces has been highlighted in recent years, especially during and after the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. It is becoming evident that the ongoing, investor-led, intense building activities in larger cities in Serbia are moving forward without much consideration of their footprint, generally disregarding the opportunity to develop green, public spaces. Having access to these kinds of areas not only benefits the living conditions in terms of microclimate, but it also benefits the overall health and mental health, as well as the social satisfaction of residents and users. Collective, green areas serve as a place for gathering, socialising and rest, giving users the possibility of satisfying their social and personal needs on different levels. The aim of this paper is to research the importance of green public spaces in residential areas for quality of life, analysing built residential areas in Novi Sad, Serbia. Analysing examples of residential areas built during the socialist period, under specific economic, political and social circumstances shaping urban planning, and examples of a more recent date, highlights the different percentage of green public spaces envisioned in these types of residential complexes. By comparing these two forms of spatial concepts, we are able to understand what each of them offers their residents regarding social, health and personal needs, showcasing the kind of quality of life that exists in these areas. This research can help us contemplate solutions for the future, based on past and present experiences.

Keywords: green public spaces, quality of life, residential areas, socialist, post-socialist

Violeta Stefanović [violeta.stefanovic@live.com], University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Department of Architecture and Urbanism Trg Dositeja Obradovića 6, Novi Sad: Serbia

Citation

APA: Stefanović, V. (2025). The importance of green public spaces in residential areas for quality of life: the example of socialist and post-socialist housing in Novi Sad, Serbia. Europa XXI, 49, 7. https://doi.org/
MLA: Stefanović, Violeta. "The importance of green public spaces in residential areas for quality of life: the example of socialist and post-socialist housing in Novi Sad, Serbia". Europa XXI, vol. 49, 2025, pp. 7. https://doi.org/
Chicago: Stefanović, Violeta. "The importance of green public spaces in residential areas for quality of life: the example of socialist and post-socialist housing in Novi Sad, Serbia". Europa XXI 49 (2025): 7. https://doi.org/
Harvard: Stefanović, V. 2025. "The importance of green public spaces in residential areas for quality of life: the example of socialist and post-socialist housing in Novi Sad, Serbia". Europa XXI, vol. 49, pp. 7. https://doi.org/