Environment Impact of Ex-Industrial Areas in Laç and Rubik and the Possibilities for Their Functional Transformation- a Comparative Analysis

Industrial areas in Albania have had an important role for many years during the communist regime, but their industrial function declined after the 1990s. This study focuses on the industrial areas of Laç and Rubik, two small towns in Albania. The closing of some industrial activities in these towns has increased environmental pollution and health issues of their inhabitants due to the release of toxic substances in the territory. There were chosen these two towns to compare because: First, they are near each other and are part of the same District of Lezha; Second, they both are two ex-industrial towns which were created by the establishment of the industry, former Chemical and Metallurgical Combine in Laç and former Copper Plant in Rubik; third, in both towns the industry has caused environmental pollution in their vicinity, but mostly on the waters of Mat river; fourth, after the year 1990, when the industry that created them has stopped functioning, they have good possibilities to develop religious tourism. In both towns are two important and much-visited churches: the Church of St. Ndout, Laç and the Church of Shelbuemi in Rubik. Another reason is the lack of studies for the ex-industrial areas in Albania, especially for Laç and Rubik. The main aim of this study is to identify and assess the levels of pollution caused by ex-industrial building (actually not functioning) on land, air, water, and human health and to find the best way for their effective reuse and functional transformation.