Features of Rural Settlements: Gjirokastra Region Case

Like other scholars of different disciplines, geographers have established their particular feature, through numerous studies. Proper studies, such as studies of the settlements and the degree of use of rural territories, are carried out even in the field of rural geography. The vast majority of settlements as well as most of human potential in the territory of Albania (about 58%) are located in the rural area. Geographical contributions to the study of rural settlements consist in high levels of information also in their dynamics related to time and space, necessary for decision-making institutions in the service of sustainable rural development. Support specialists in various fields, the role of geography are a priority in the study of rural areas settlements, on the basis of natural knowledge, socio-economic and diverse research methods. During the historical periods, depending on natural, political, socio-economic factors, the demographic and administrative organization of urban and rural areas in Albania have established their physiognomy and authenticity. The number, scope and functions of rural areas settlements have been the subject of study carried out by many authors who have analyzed not only nationally, but also regionally and locally. A particular case is the district of Gjirokastra, where the rural migration has brought about many negative effects. Administrative divisions have a direct impact on the number, size and rational distribution of settlements. During the previous regime, their network was transformed, not only in spatial terms, but also from the functional point of view and typology-wise. After 1989, political, economic and legal changes brought about the need to alter the old forms of governance and the performance of the administrative-territorial reform had a multilateral impact on the network of rural settlements.