UBT Architecture Students Complete the First Phase of an International Project for the Regional Development of Peja and Deçan

08/04/2026

Students of the Master’s program at the Faculty of Architecture and Spatial Planning at UBT, together with professors Binak Beqaj and Shqiprim Ahmeti, in collaboration with the Technical University of Vienna, have successfully completed the first phase of a research project for the Regional Development Plan of the municipalities of Peja and Deçan.

This project is being carried out under the guidance of professors Thomas Dillinger, Nina Svanda, and Skender Kosumi, with the active participation of students from both institutions. The focus of the project is on exploring the potential for sustainable tourism development in the “Bjeshkët e Nemuna” National Park.

During this phase, in addition to meetings with the leadership of the municipalities of Peja and Deçan, a key component of the activities was fieldwork. Students had the opportunity to closely explore the region through visits to various locations, including the highest points of the Bjeshkët e Nemuna, where they collected important data and information for the project.

The project activities began at UBT in Pristina, with an official opening by the Rector, Prof. Dr. Edmond Hajrizi. Meanwhile, the week-long workshop, which also included representatives from the municipalities, was held in the tourist village of Belle, known for its history and picturesque landscape.

As part of this activity, participants also conducted study visits to several of the most important cultural and tourist destinations, including the tower complex in Deçan, the city of Prizren, the Old Bazaar of Gjakova, and Peja with the source of the White Drin, all of which left a strong impression on the guests from Austria.

Presentations of the first phase of the project were held at the UBT campus in Lipjan, where Rector Hajrizi delivered a lecture on UBT’s achievements in building a unique innovative ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of linking education with technology and the labor market.

The second workshop is planned to take place in May in Vienna, where UBT students and professors, together with representatives of the municipalities of Peja and Deçan, will be hosted by the Technical University of Vienna. During this phase, work on the project will continue, along with additional study visits focused on urban and regional development topics.

At the end of the semester, students will present their final projects at UBT, as well as in the municipalities of Peja and Deçan. On this occasion, they expressed their gratitude to local institutions for their support and cooperation, as well as to UBT and Rector Hajrizi for creating such valuable professional and academic opportunities for students and staff.