A Tale of Two Mediterranean Cities: How Gentrification Shapes Alexandria and Tirana

Introduction 

Mediterranean cities have long been celebrated for their cultural vibrancy, dense urban life, and access to the sea. Today, Alexandria and Tirana stand as Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue, embodying both the heritage and the aspirations of the region. Yet, behind this recognition lies a pressing challenge: gentrification. As both cities navigate rapid urban change, they must confront a central question—how can modernization take place without excluding residents from housing and public spaces? 

Gentrification at a Glance 

Gentrification, first coined by sociologist Ruth Glass in the 1960s, describes the transformation of working-class neighborhoods through investment, rising property values, and displacement. What started in London and New York has now reached the Mediterranean. Today, it affects Alexandria and Tirana in surprisingly similar ways: skyrocketing housing prices, reduced access to public spaces, and the marginalization of vulnerable groups. 

Key Findings from Alexandria and Tirana 

1. Housing as a Commodity
   In Tirana, housing has increasingly become an investment vehicle rather than a basic right. Prices have surged, fueled by large-scale redevelopment projects like the “Urban Renaissance” initiative. Neighborhoods such asPazari i Ri and Bregu i Lumit have seen property values soar, pricing out many long-time residents. Alexandria faces similar trends, with weaker purchasing power making it even harder for locals to keep pace with rising costs. 
2. Shrinking Public Spaces
   Public beaches and green areas, once communal spaces, are rapidly disappearing. In Egypt, the number of public beaches dropped by 75% between 2015 and 2021. Alexandria today has54 private beaches and only 15 public ones. The situation is worsened by cases like Montazah Park, where entry fees have risen by 500%, from EGP 20 in 2016 to EGP 100 in 2024. For families already struggling—35.7% of Egyptians lived below the poverty line in July 2023—these rising costs mean exclusion from spaces that once belonged to everyone. Tirana has experienced its own losses: the demolition of the National Theater in 2020 symbolized how cultural landmarks are sacrificed for profit-driven redevelopment. 
3. Marginalizing the Vulnerable
   Gentrificationdoesn’t affect everyone equally. In both cities, lower-income families and peripheral neighborhoods carry the heaviest burden. In Alexandria, 54% of the city’s iconic seafront has been privatized, while in Tirana, whole communities in Kombinat were displaced under post-earthquake reconstruction plans. These projects often move faster than public consultation, sidelining local voices.

Why This Matters 

Alexandria and Tirana are not alone. Across the Mediterranean, urban growth is colliding with social equity. If left unchecked, gentrification risks turning diverse, culturally rich cities into exclusive zones for the wealthy, undermining both heritage and community life. 

Conclusion and Call to Action 

The recognition of Alexandria and Tirana as Mediterranean Capitals of Culture and Dialogue is not only a celebration of their heritage, but also an opportunity to inspire a regional response to the urban challenges facing Mediterranean cities. Rising housing costs, commercialization of public spaces, and the marginalization of vulnerable groups are not unique to one city—they are shared struggles across the region. 

By leveraging this cultural milestone, Alexandria and Tirana can become laboratories of inclusive urban policy, showing how culture can drive solutions that prioritize equity and access. But the lesson goes beyond them: from Barcelona to Beirut, and from Marseille to Tunis, Mediterranean cities can build on this momentum to create a shared framework for urban justice, where development strengthens—not undermines—the social fabric. 

 What do you think: Can Alexandria and Tirana balance modernization with inclusivity, or are they destined to repeat the mistakes of other global cities? Share your thoughts below. 

This research was developed as part of the Mediterranean Youth in Action programme, implemented by ALF and co-funded by the EU.