UQ|UP’s Dorina Pojani was recently featured in a Bloomberg CityLab article discussing the transformation of Tirana’s iconic Pyramid. Originally built as a monument to dictator Enver Hoxha, the Pyramid has been reimagined by Dutch architects MVRDV into a vibrant cultural and educational hub. The article provides insights into how this redevelopment reflects Western influences and the complexities of repurposing historical structures in Albania’s evolving urban landscape. Dorina points out that architectural styles are often just window dressing. The real story behind flashy urban projects like this one isn’t design—it’s politics and money. Hiring famous foreign architects can serve to distract from deeper questions: Who’s financing these megaprojects? Who’s buying? Who benefits? 

The article’s publication coincided with Dorina’s visit to Albania as part of her GERMIN fellowship.