2. Final Findings of the Based on the Questionnaire Survey in the Four Metropolitan Areas RIMED Regional Integration and Metropolitan Development in SE Europe INTERREG III B CADSES WORK PACKAGE 2-4. November 21, 2004 Tirana, Albania

3. Part B: Metropolitan development in SEE: SWOT analysis for the four metropolitan areas SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania INTERREG III B CADSES University of Thessaly Department of Planning and Regional Development South and East European Development Center (SEED) Pedion Areos, Volos 383 34 Greece Tel. +30 24210 74485 Fax +30 24210 74385

4. SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania Present conditions and future prospects in the metropolitan areas  Indicators: Quality of life and environment, economic conditions, quality of public spaces, business, competitiveness of private industrial firms, effectiveness and quality of urban planning, education, employment  Each city has its own agenda: different evaluation of existing conditions, but also important similarities  Average-Better than average (<3): quality of life, quality of public spaces, business climate, competitiveness of firms, quality of education  Worse than average (>3): quality of the environment, economic conditions, employment prospects  Optimism about the future INTERREG III B CADSES SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

15. SWOT Analysis of the four metropolitan areas  Strengths and advantages for each city  Disadvantages and the weak points in each city  Opportunities arising in each city  Threads arising in each city INTERREG III B CADSES SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

16. Strengths and advantages INTERREG III B CADSES SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

17. Table 52. Strengths and advantages in Skopje: Geography: strategic place in the Balkans 66,7% Skilled labor force 50,0% Low cost of living (low price levels, low housing cost) 41,7% Fast growing small business 36,7% A multi-cultural structure of the population 36,7%

18. Table 53. Strengths and advantageses inSofia: Skilled labor force 77,6% Geography: strategic place in the Balkans 61,2% Strong scientific base 47,8% Strong presence of foreign firms 34,3% Historical heritage (monuments) 32,8%

19. Table 54. Strengths and advantageses inTirana: Geography: Strategic place in Europe 52,3% Geography: strategic place in the Balkans 49,2% Fast growing small business 44,6% Favourable climate 44,6% Skilled labour force 40,0%

20. Table 55. Strengths and advantages inThessaloniki: Geography: strategic place in the Balkans 92,8% Historical heritage (monuments) 59,4% Strong scientific base 42,0% A multi-cultural structure of the population 34,8% Strong economic base in trade and services 33,3%

21. SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania Disadvantages and Weak Points INTERREG III B CADSES SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

26. Opportunities INTERREG III B CADSES SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

30. Table 63. Opportunities arising for Tirana: Use wisely European Union funds allocated to the metropolis 59,4% Take advantage of EUpolicies for cities 50,7% Use international connections to ‘learn’ from others and gain know-how 49,3% Establish stable and peaceful relations with neighbouring countries 43,5% Establish better road, train and air connections with the other metropolitan areas in South eastern Europe 42,0% Use wisely European Union funds allocated to the metropolis 59,4%

31. SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania Threads INTERREG III B CADSES SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania

36. Part B: Metropolitan development in SEE: SWOT analysis for the four metropolitan areas SEED-South East European Development Center - RIMED * 4th Workshop, Tirana, Albania INTERREG III B CADSES University of Thessaly Department of Planning and Regional Development South and East European Development Center (SEED) Pedion Areos, Volos 383 34 Greece Tel. +30 24210 74485 Fax +30 24210 74385

37. Regional Integration and Metropolitan Development of SE Europe 4 th Workshop, Tirana, Albania November 21, 2004 RIMED INTERREG III B CADSES