The determination of the Presheva Valley as a special region highlights the need for theoretical analysis and the use of different methods and principles which enable geographical regionalization. The Presheva Valley represents a natural continuation of the Albanian ethnic territories. With a very convenient position in terms of geography and transportation, as well as its geostrategic and geopolitical basis, it has been occupied by many invaders throughout different periods of history. Under the current administrative, political and territorial division of Serbia, the municipalities of Presheva and Bujanoci belong to the Pčinja district, based in Vranje, while the municipality of Medvegja belongs to the Jablanica district, based in Leskoc. The Presheva Valley has had the status of special region in various periods, but since it shares historical, ethnic and demographic characteristics with other Albanian ethnic territories, it has frequently been separated for the purpose of the assimilation of the Albanian people.
Agricultural land is facing challenges due to different human activities. Accelerated urbanisation along with explosive economic growth has further worsened the shortage of agricultural land over the last two decades. Kosovo, a country with small areas suitable for agriculture is meeting challenges due to unplanned settlement extension, coal surface mining, parcelisation of properties, etc. This paper consists in an analysis of the agricultural land fund in Kosovo, in quality, production potential and food security for the population, but also the challenges facing Kosovo with this strategic resource. The article analyses three main factors that have made the biggest changes in agricultural land in Kosovo: the effects of settlement extension, coal surface mining and parcelisation in reducing the soil fund. Some of the effects have triggered significant socio-economic processes that have changed the rural environment. Other important risks of agricultural land in Kosovo are: pollution, landfills, frequent floods, etc.
The soil resources in Kosovo are facing challenges due to different human activities. Urbanization, along with economic growth, has further worsened the shortage of soil resources in Kosovo. In the last 20 years, Kosovo has undergone some social, political and economical changes which have made the population to migrate toward plains, where new settlements are formed, and other are extended. Soil resources are important for Kosovo's inhabitants, who are mainly focused on agriculture. Most of the Kosovo's terrain is mountainous, which means nearly half of the area is not suitable for agriculture. The Sitnica River basin lies mostly in Kosovo Plain where soils are characterized by high fertility with a great potential for agricultural development. The vicinity parts of the river basin lie in the hilly mountainous areas where soils have low fertility. Good natural conditions have made the River Basin the most densely populated area in Kosovo. Rapid extension of urban and rural settlements changed the land cover; agricultural lands were excluded from primary use, and the agricultural capacity is reduced with the increasing number of settlements on lands with high quality. Sitnica River basin was faced with uncontrolled urbanization, followed by the degradation of agricultural lands and land use changes, where floods occur in some cases or the flood risk is increased. In this case study, the Sitnica River basin will be analysed based on terrain morphology, soil and other natural resources, land use changes and will be a contribution towards sustainable urbanization of settlements in order to preserve soil resources.
This paper examines the regional and institutional opportunities for cross-border cooperation, networking and tourism development at the Kosovo- Albania border, which is one of the internal borders of the Albanian ethnic territory. Completion of the study confirms the hypothesis that closure of states within the classical boundaries causes obstacles, not only for the development of cross-border tourism, especially when viewed from the perspective of sustainable tourism development in this region. While, on the other hand, cross border cooperation enables exchanges of experiences, Ideas between communities, etc., and all this reflects on the economic prosperity of these areas. In the process of developing the countries of southern Europe, particular importance has been paid to settlements and infrastructure away from border areas, while border regions have remained underdeveloped and without prospects. Development has been challenged in many border areas, including all Balkan states, while these areas were abolished as a result of the population's departure. The idea in this case study, aims to "create" the unique tourist zone "Green Albania" between the two countries, with its unique natural characteristics, leading to economic, cultural and national integration, as well as preservation and advancing the natural and cultural values of the cross-border territory.
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