Polis University

The recycling and reuse of wood have gained importance as strategies for reducing construction waste, lowering costs, and promoting circular practices in the built environment. This study evaluates the performance of recycled wood particle/epoxy composites (WPECs) for façade applications by prototyping panels produced from granulated degraded wood bonded with epoxy resin and coated with intumescent fire-retardant paint. The panels were design to meet standards for ventilated façade applications in accordance with EN 310-93 and ASTM D1037-06a and relevant building codes for facade cladding. Three replicates of each panel type were tested under controlled laboratory conditions to assess water absorption, equilibrium moisture content, capillarity, fire resistance, and mechanical performance. Moisture measurements were performed at immersion and drying intervals of 12, 24, 36, 72, and 120 h for four WPEC types manufactured with pine, beech, oak, and olive fibers. Statistical evaluation using SPSS (one-way and two-way ANOVA) confirmed significant species effects across most parameters. Results indicated that olive and oak WPECs provided the highest dimensional stability under moisture exposure, with olive additionally demonstrating superior compressive strength (35.45 MPa) and hardness (˂10,000 N). Pine and beech WPECs exhibited intermediate bending strength (≈10 MPa) and elasticity, while oak contributed stable swelling values despite lower strength. Fire resistance tests suggested relative improvements, although further standardized evaluation is needed. Collectively, olive and oak WPECs emerged as the most promising façade materials, combining durability, mechanical strength, and sustainability.

Digital twins provide real-time virtual replicas of physical systems, enabling predictive insights that enhance decision-making and operational efficiency. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI), these digital models can proactively detect and mitigate anomalies before they lead to system failures, reducing downtime and ensuring optimal performance. This paper explores the role of AI-driven anomaly detection in digital twins, emphasizing its significance in maintaining reliability and operational continuity. Various machine learning techniques, including clustering and outlier detection, are examined in the context of a hybrid approach for their effectiveness in analyzing the vast data streams generated by Digital Twins.

This paper explores the transformative impact of skyscraper development on Tirana's urban landscape, emphasizing the shift from conventional planning to a new paradigm of supermodernity.In the dynamic tableau of Tirana's urban metamorphosis, skyscrapers emerge as both symbols and agents of a radical shift, challenging the ossified doctrines of conventional planning.By critically evaluating Tirana's post-socialist urban development strategies, the study reveals a landscape punctuated by non-places-ephemeral zones of "anonymity" engendered by a politically-powered vertical ambition.Utilizing a synthesis of case studies and literature, this research advocates for a re-evaluation of current planning policies through the integration of computational tools.Employing Grasshopper's iterative capabilities alongside traditional mapping techniques, a comprehensive digital twin of Tirana's city center is constructed to analyze these non-places and propose more sustainable and socially cohesive urban design scenarios.Insights from precedents and planning practices are evaluated and considered to enrich Tirana's risk assessment in urban decision-making, positioning Generative Design as a pivotal tool in reimagining urban spaces.This confluence of algorithmic precision and architectural foresight aims to bridge theoretical constructs with practical applications, contributing to the discourse on sustainable urban growth in post-socialist contexts.Ultimately, this research offers a vision for Tirana's ascent-a symbiotic interplay of space, identity, and the relentless march of supermodernity.

The Municipality of Finiq is part of the District of Vlora. It is located 20 km from the city of Saranda, 7 km from the city of Delvina, 8 km from the shores of the Ionian Sea, and it shares a border with Greece. It consists of 5 ad- ministrative units: Livadhja, Finiq, Dhivri, Mesopotamia and Aliko. It has 58 villages under its administration among which the most important ones are the cen- ters of the administrative units with the same name. According to municipal reg- isters, the population of the municipality is 35,518 inhabitants or 10,103 families while according to the 2011 census, the population reaches 11,862 inhabitants.1 From the ethnographic or anthropogeo- graphic point of view, the Municipality of Finiq consists of three communities: Vurgu, consisting of plain villages; Rëza, consisting of mountain villages; and the intermediate hilly area consisting of vil- lages like Sirakat, Livinë, Llazat, Gravë, Karroq.2 The history of these areas is “written in the stones” of the old settle- ments of Phoeniciae, Butrint and in the religious buildings of Dhrovjan. These historical evidences speak of a glorious past of these areas, but today they are in a state of constant shrinkage3. All of it concentrates in a territory of 441.2 km2. Finiq Municipality spreads between two mountain ranges, one in the west dividing it from the Ionian Sea with an elevation of 100 – 600 meters above sea level, the other one on the west dividing it from Dropull Municipality with an elevation of 800 – 1400 meters above sea level. Both mountain ranges are directed north- west. The terrain of the municipality is composed of 44% plain, located in the middle, 34% mountains and 22% hills. In this environmental complexity, the natural area spreads in 71% of the territory, especially in the east part of the municipality, agriculture area spreads in 24% of the territory, concentrating in the west part of the municipality. Agriculture and nature make up the predominant use of the territory of Finiq. On the other hand, the settlements spread only on 3% of the territory, but they are scattered in the whole municipality. Water and infrastructure make up only 1% of the territory each and connect the various settlements of the municipality together.4 The District of Vlora faces a number of environmental issues that are also a reality for the Municipality of Finiq5. The District of Vlora faces a high pressure from urbanization and new development of touristic structures, which is especially true for the coastal ecosystem but not only. The settlements, with an emphasis on villages, are characterized by the absence of a wastewater management system and solid waste management system, which are important sources of pollution for the land and also for the water. The shrinkage of protected areas is another relevant environmental issue not only for Vlora District but also for Finiq Municipality. The area of protected areas is changing to accommodate strategic public investments. In the case of the Butrint protected area (a Ramsar area6 and also a UNESCO-protected area7), it is shrinking to accommodate the construction of a national airport. In the natural landscape deforestation is a very relevant issue since in the Finiq Municipality on 25% of the original forest remains8. For the rivers, the main threat is the illegal exploitation of the riverbeds but also the mismanagement of the river deltas.

This scientific study involves the methods for the design of thin shells on top of cultural heritage buildings that have already collapsed in the municipality of Finiq. The studied object is an orthodox church in Finiq municipality, in Leshnica e Sipërme village. Its roof has already collapsed because of an earthquake and the degradation of the mate- rial. However, the dominant part of the structure, such as walls and columns, is still standing, even though need reinforcement. The maximum span of the roof is long enough to justify the use of a thin shell structure. This study tries to find an elegant solution to this problem, which combines structural beauty with the efficiency of the design and building process, defined as important aspects of a good structural design. The methods proposed for the reconstruction of the existing part of the church are the restoration methods used for monuments in Albania. The propositions take into consideration the state of degradation of each structural element. The primary goal for the reconstruction of the reinforcing elements is that they will not affect the primary function of the building and to restore and keep the cultural heritage values of the object. The pre-design of the roof is made using non-linear analyses. The shape of the new roof and its thickness are chosen to use the Hanging Model Analysis, the Sanders-Koiter equations, the Membrane Theory and a buckling analysis using the software Karamba. The designing of rigid joints, which connect the roof with the other part of the structure, is made so that the entire structure could work and behave as one, while it is loaded during its lifespan. The shell is designed as a pre-fabricated one using UHPC material and divided into panels with rigid joints between them. The analysis and validation of the design of the structure is made with the Load Capacity Analysis in the Ultimate Limit State of it using the software Karamba. The paper concludes by highlighting the importance of recovering the already degraded cultural heritage structures and the role that technology can play in ensuring the integration of the old part of the structure with the new one.

The theme of this international research project and scientific journal issue is Re- Inventing Phoeniciae (Finiq): New Inter- sections of Tradition, Innovation, Land- scapes and Tourism. The respective International PhD workshop of Polis Uni- versity and Ferrara University took place from 09-20 January 2023. This phase concluded with a series of presentations, lectures, and graphical-conceptual dia- grams. After that, the researchers worked independently for the rest of the year to elaborate further scientific specula- tions and write down articles. Tutors of the workshop and the project have been: Prof. Besnik Aliaj, Prof. Pantelis Skayan- nis, Dr. Sotir Dhamo, Dr. Skender Luarasi, Dr. Llazar Kumaraku, Dr. Malvina Istrefaj, Dr. Doriana Musaj and Sadmira Malaj. Fi- niq Municipality is located in the South of Albania, cross-bordering Greece. It is in- cluded in the Vlora’s County and it is just 9 kilometers from the port & tourism City of Saranda; not far from the UNESCO City of Gjirokastra; and adjacent to the UNESCO Archeological Site of Butrint. The settle- ment of Finiq has been the main munici- pal center since the last administrative reform. The municipality looks “poor” and neglected, but indeed is rich in all aspects. It is particularly important because of the presence of the Foinikea Archaeologi- cal Park at the top of a hill (received this status in 2005). Inside the Municipal terri- tory, there are lots of attractive sites, such as the water springs Blue Eye; main riv- ers and lakes; the Monastery of St. Nikolla (in Mesopotam village), and many other amazing churches, etc. This makes the municipality dominated by nature (e.g. flat fields; a continuous layer of hills, rivers, and lakes, etc.) and monuments that rep- resent a rich cultural heritage. Within this context, some villages arise up in moun- tains or hills, characterized mostly either by forgotten historic houses and churches or by new infrastructures and civil struc- tures built in reinforced concrete. This is due to the fact that the new buildings were built irregularly during the late post- communist decades, instead of what was built historically. Therefore the local villag- es are losing gradually their own original spirit, which could be better observed in the case of UNESCO heritage settlements like the city of Gjirokaster, or in the villages of Dropull municipality (another Greek mi- nority area as Finiq). Most of the commu- nity, especially young people left due to a massive emigration mainly in Greece and the USA, or migration to the capital region of Tirana. This means that the municipal- ity suffers now from poor human capaci- ties, poor budgets, and low tax collection baseline, while the remaining people are getting older. However, the natural and historical potential, and the nearby port and touristic cities of Saranda and Gjiro- kastra (Albania), as well as Igoumentisa and Janina (Greece) make the area highly possible to be developed soon as a sup- port territory for agricultural, historic and hospitality services. Under the conditions of massive emigration and reduction of population, the researchers put emphasis on the use of new technologies and alternative municipal planning and urban- landscape design methodologies.