Prof. Dr. Besnik Aliaj

Besnik Aliaj is an architect-urban planner with a university degree (UT Tirana). He later pursued postgraduate studies in: real estate evaluation (Albania); cultural issues of architecture and territory (Denmark/Norway); as well as planning and environmental issues (USA). He obtained a Master’s degree in urban planning and management (Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands), as well as a PhD (UPT Tirana). At the latter institution, he also earned the academic title of “Professor” after 15 years of work experience there.

Besnik Aliaj has extensive professional experience in both local and central administration, especially in the non-governmental sector. He is a co-founder of the architecture and urban planning studio Metropolis shpk; the non-governmental professional institute Co-Plan, and Polis University in Tirana. His field of interest is inclusive planning and sustainable territorial development, but he also has a more holistic engagement beyond this field.

Aliaj has nearly two decades of experience in teaching, including in the non-public sector. He is also well-versed in the higher education sector and the transformation of scientific research in Albania. Currently, he serves as the rector of Polis University. Aliaj is actively engaged in public and civic matters related to urban and societal development, including involvement in print and electronic media, and has been elected three times as a member of the Tirana City Council. He has won several national and international awards and recognitions.

PUBLISHED BOOKS
Besnik Aliaj has a rich 30-year publishing portfolio, reflected on the “Research Gate” platform (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Besnik-Aliaj) and on the website of “Polis University Press” (https://press.universitetipolis.edu.al/). Some of these publications are considered historical references today in Albania. He has also authored numerous articles and participated in scientific conferences, as well as delivered keynote presentations in Albania and abroad.

BOOKS IN PROGRESS AND UNDER PUBLICATION CONTRACT
He continues to write and is actively involved with his colleagues in several book series in agreement with “Polis University Press,” such as:

Forum A+P Journal (https://press.universitetipolis.edu.al/forum-ap/)
OMB Journal (https://press.universitetipolis.edu.al/omb-scientific-journal/)
The series “The Missing City”
Tirana
Saranda
Vlora (in progress)
The series “Guides to Territorial Planning”
Planning Theories in the USA
Risk Planning and Assessment in the USA
Planning and Information Systems in the USA (in progress)
Planning and Environment in the USA (in progress)
Technical Manual: Planning and Territorial Development in Albania

ARTICLES, BOOK CHAPTERS, AND EDITORIAL ESSAYS PUBLISHED IN BOOKS, SCIENTIFIC JOURNALS, AND CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
Besnik Aliaj has a rich 30-year collection of articles and proceedings in Albania and abroad, reflected on the “Research Gate” platform (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Besnik-Aliaj) and “Google Scholar” (https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=MxUZwo4AAAAJ).
In the last academic year (2023-24), the following articles have been published:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381193570_The_Challenges_of_Higher_Education_Reform_in_Albania_in_the_Post-Communist_Transition_Period

www.researchgate.net/publication/377310147_Issues_of_the_Territorial-Administrative_Reform_in_Albania_A_comparative_analysis_on_the_progress_of_reform_with_other_formerly-_centralized_economies_Estonia_and_Moldova_and_the_need_for_a_more_ample

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377308308_Planning_for_disaster_risk_management_the_perspective_of_Greece_and_Albania_on_envisioning_resilient_futures

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374966268_Does_the_High-Rise_Building_Typology_meet_the_needs_for_City_Densification_The_case_of_Tirana_Albania

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382561521_Modular_Construction_and_Bioclimatic_Strategies_A_Sustainable_Approach_to_Building_Design

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/377085941_Lighting_in_Hospitals_Case_Study_Military_Hospital_of_Tirana_Albania

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/382490605_Thermal_performance_of_different_masonry_wall_composition_Case_study_Polis_University_Tirana_Albania

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374043645_Briding_Issue_1_and_2_Collaborative_post-conflict_urban_planning_tools_to_help_ensure_that_reconstruction_efforts_are_people-_centered_and_accessible_to_all

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/374041448_Facing_the_new_normal_in_a_Post-Crisis_and_Post-_Pandemic_Cities

PROJECTS PUBLICATIONS
Aliaj has a rich history of concrete planning projects linked to his experience at the Co-Plan Institute (https://www.co-plan.org/en/); architectural projects through the Metropolis Studio (https://metropolis.al/), and projects for education, science, and innovation at Polis University (https://universitetipolis.edu.al/en/).