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NOISE POLLUTION IN HOUSING UNITS AND APARTMENT COMMODITY. CASE STUDY: RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX -50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE- IN TIRANA, ALBANIA
Abstract
Tirana-s residential landscape has undergone profound transformation since the political transition of the 1990s. Rapid construction, increased private vehicle ownership, and declining public transport quality have reshaped the function and character of spaces within housing complexes. Before 1990, internal roads served primarily pedestrians, emergency access, and community activities, supported by green courtyards and playgrounds. In the post-transition period, however, communal spaces have been increasingly converted into parking areas, commercial extensions, and high-traffic corridors. As a result, green areas have diminished, and residential environments have become noisier, less safe, and less comfortable. This study examines the spatial and acoustic transformation of selected housing blocks in Tirana, focusing on mobility patterns, internal road functions, and noise pollution. The methodology combines questionnaires administered to residents and area users with noise measurements conducted during morning, midday, and evening intervals. Comparative quantitative and qualitative analyses across different housing typologies reveal consistent trends: reduced greenery, redefined internal circulation networks, and elevated noise levels often exceeding legal limits. Findings show that these changes significantly undermine livability and residents- well-being. The study highlights the urgent need for integrated planning strategies aimed at restoring safe, healthy, and acoustically comfortable environments within Tirana-s residential complexes.
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