The final presentation on February 20, 2025, marked the end of an intense and insightful semester. The students presented their final designs, showcasing the diversity of their approaches to the complex challenges of the transformation of Matiçan. Each design reflected an individual engagement with the semester’s themes, displaying creative and innovative solutions. The discussions and suggestions will resonate far beyond the semester, providing valuable impulses for future planning processes. A particularly enriching aspect was the active participation of guest professors …

On Thursday, December 5, 2024, the first interim presentation of the urban design project of the design course Matiçan—Transform for Resilience took place. This represents a decisive milestone in the ongoing semester. Following the intensive excursion to Pristina in November, the students further developed their projects in teams of two and presented their current status. The aim was to create initial conceptual ideas and strategic approaches for the potential transformation of the district. To make their ideas tangible, the groups …

The final days of the workshop were dedicated to presentations, giving students the opportunity to refine their scenarios and concepts and bring their ideas to life on paper. Throughout the process, they were supported by their tutors and professors, who were always available to provide guidance, feedback, and inspiration.  The workshop was an intense and highly creative experience from beginning to end. Over the course of just one week, students developed a wealth of innovative ideas, scenarios, and concepts, forming …

The team presented two contrasting scenarios for the development of Matiçan, aiming to reduce congestion on the main street and introduce new access routes for cars and pedestrians. In the first scenario, the group proposed to place a park at the district's heart and increase the surrounding blocks' density. The park should serve as an open gathering space for the residents of Matiçan, with new pathways providing easier access for pedestrians. The visualizations illustrate an open area featuring playgrounds and …

The second day of the excursion in Prishtina began with an exciting site visit, where students from various universities were divided into mixed groups. Each group was assigned one of seven specific topics related to the design area of Matiçan. These topics included Housing, Open Space, Mobility/Transport, Land Use, Historical Development/Heritage, and Illegal Buildings.The goal of the first site visit in Matiçan was to gather initial impressions and engage with the unique characteristics of Matiçan. During this exploration, valuable information …

Ambitious Plans vs. Harsh Realities in Kosovo's Planning Process In a idetailed presentation, Prof. Dr. Binak Beqaj, a seasoned planning official, illuminated the challenges and obstacles within Kosovo’s planning process. His insights highlighted how ambitious plans often clash with the realities faced by transitional countries like Kosovo. Political and Administrative Hurdles in Effective Planning Although “everything is in place” politically, and institutions have established planning guidelines, professional implementation remains lacking. Quoting the Ministry of Environment, Prof. Dr. Beqaj noted that …

A Warm Welcome to Prishtina: Exploring Kosovo’s Capital with Bekim Ramku. On the first day of our excursion through Prishtina, we, along with students from KIT, the University of Prishtina, and the Academy of Odessa, dived into the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Our guide, the renowned architect and head of the Kosovo Architecture Foundation, Bekim Ramku, led us through the city, offering fascinating insights into Prishtina’s architectural landscape and urban development.