Impact of Urbanization to Demographic Changes Occurred in Recent Years in Areas along the Tirana-Durres Corridor

Since the starting point of political and economic transition in the 90’s in Albania there has been a significant displacement, or better still a considerable shift in the movement of population from rural to urban area by region due to massive immigration and internal migration. Rural population moved in a lightening manner from rural to urban areas primarily along the segment of Tirana-Durres motorway, in response to the low income they obtained from their farms, or from limited opportunities for non-agricultural activities as well as from the low level of infrastructure and public service development. The highest rate of migration along the corridor Tirana-Durres occurred from 1993 to 2000 with about 51% of migrant residents. The commune of Kashar is evaluated to have about 61% of migrants interviewed in this area. Others study zone as Vora, Sukth and Manëz have been evident significant migration levels 38%, 51% and 53% respectively. The highest population growth along the highway has been during the period 1993-2000, where 55.3% of migrants are located in the areas under study. The curbing of population growth which is depicted for the period years 2008-2013 at 10-12% is a result of the reduction of the phenomenon of urbanization in these years. During the period 1993-2000 migration has had a far greater influence on population growth.Keywords: urbanization, demography, migration, population, Tirana, Durres, corridor