Construction & Housing Momentum: INSTAT reports 322 building permits issued in Albania in Q1 2026, up 25% year-on-year, with approved construction area reaching about 377,000 sq m (+12.5%) and project value at 20.4 billion lekë. Housing leads (237 permits), while tourism and industry also show activity (13 hotel permits; 35 industrial buildings). Regional Development Push: The government unveiled “Rilindja 2.0,” a program with 11 objectives for sustainable regional development, including regeneration of former industrial sites, better urban infrastructure standards, startup support, and full territorial waste management coverage. Vlora Airport Works Under Pressure: Albania’s Infrastructure Ministry gave Vlora airport builders a 30-day deadline to settle a dispute between 2A Group and Mabco and restart construction, warning of penalties if talks fail. Coastal Development Row in Zvërnec: Prime Minister Edi Rama says the state is not offering land in Zvërnec because the area is private property, while police charged 17 people after clashes between protesters and private security at the disputed site near Vlora. Protected Nature Under Threat Allegations: Activists claim heavy machinery has been operating for weeks in the Pishë Poro-Narta protected landscape without transparency, damaging dunes and blocking sea-lagoon connections. EU Accession & Local Governance Context: Coverage also highlights Albania’s continued progress toward EU accession and the push for local development models tied to EU-style planning and standards.