Territorial Governance and Spatial Planning

Territorial Governance and Spatial Planning constitute the core expertise of Co-PLAN. Since its establishment in 1995, Co-PLAN has been deeply involved in addressing urban development challenges, initially focusing on enhancing the quality of life in Albania’s neighborhoods and informal areas. Over time, it has evolved into a professional civil society organization, bridging various stakeholders while offering innovative urban and regional development solutions. Co-PLAN has been at the forefront of transforming reforms in Albania’s governance and development landscape. The organization has played a pivotal role in supporting key legislative and policy initiatives, including the Territorial Planning Reform (2013), Territorial Administrative Reform (2015) and Regional Development Reform (2020). Moreover, Co-PLAN has contributed significantly to the preparation of the Decentralization Strategy (2015) and the enactment of crucial laws such as the Law on Territorial Planning (2009) and the Law on Regional Development and Cohesion (2020). Urban and regional planning and governance remain central to Co-PLAN’s mission, reflecting its longstanding commitment to territorial planning, development, and management across different scales. From neighborhood revitalization to city and regional strategies, Co-PLAN engages with communities, local and central governments, businesses, donors, and civil society organizations to create partnerships and foster sustainable territorial development.

Products and Services


Territorial Planning and Development:

  • Comprehensive territorial, urban, regional, and sectorial plans, combining strategic and regulatory approaches, including the preparation of Strategic Plans, City Development Strategies, Municipal Development Plans, and Urban Regulatory Plans tailored to diverse urban contexts
  • Design and implementation of Territorial Municipal Information Systems to enhance planning and service management;
  • Preparation of Social Housing strategies and local plans;
  • Design and support processes of preparation of Local Detailed Plans, Land use, and application of the land value capture instruments, facilitation of negotiation processes, etc.;

Decentralization support and financial management:

  • Crafting policies and reforms on governance, decentralization, territorial and regional development;
  • Assistance in preparing Territorial Administrative and Planning reforms, alongside support for regional development initiatives;
  • Assessment of capital needs and financial capacities both for public and private institutions;
  • Design and implementation of financial management tools capable of producing clear cost-benefitanalyses in capital investment decision-making;
  • Building local capacities to develop and manage capital budgets, facilitate borrowing, andimprove creditworthiness;
  • Conducting Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) Assessments to enhance fiscal transparency and accountability;
  • Policy analysis and impact assessments on governance, territorial reforms, and local financial management;
  • Coaching and advising on EU-related issues, negotiation processes, legislative drafting, systems setting, Chapter 22;
  • Designing datasets and platforms for data management and analysis to inform evidence-based policy decisions;

Multilevel governance and strengthening partnerships for development:

  • Capacitating development partners (civil society organizations, business associations, academia, public institutions, media) on establishing collaboration platforms for local and regional development;
  • Training local organizations and NGOs to monitor budget investments and implementation ofCapital Investment Programs;
  • Training and coaching on Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and participatory decision-making;
  • Facilitate in establishing partnership platforms for development;

Implemented and ongoing projects and/or publications:

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