The advancement of technology has been the key marker of the modern era, and smart technologies are at the forefront of our collective advancement. From smart security measures and intelligent home systems to infrastructure and urban planning, smart solutions are transforming the way we live, work, and interact with our environment.

It is natural, that as technology advances at an unprecedented rate, we scale upwards, and integrate said technologies into cities and urban environments. Enter the smart city, an urban environment that holds promise to increase the quality of life and well-being of its residents. Smart cities offer to enhance urban transit, integrate the Internet of Things (IoT) into our homes, utilize renewable energy technologies to mitigate our effects on the climate, enhance our governance systems, and more.

The world in its current state requires a comprehensive sustainable shift. A new methodology to shift contemporary irresponsible and destructive practices that cause the degradation of our environment. Smart cities revolutionize the way we perceive cities and introduce a fresh set of urban methodologies. One facet of smart urban planning is introducing smart mobility, where smart technologies are utilized to improve traffic flow, optimize public transportation systems, and reduce carbon emissions from automobiles. Moreover, revolutionary concepts such as drone commuting and delivery services offer to severely lessen the environmental impact of logistical operations from companies around the globe. On the topic of companies and business, smart Human Relations and community management systems are also streamlining the entrepreneurial management process, and aim to improve productivity, while maintaining a healthy work environment that is inclusive, nurturing, and diverse.

The greatest hurdle to tackle, contemporarily, is that of energy sourcing. Fossil fuels remain, by far, the most utilized source of energy in many countries around the globe. However, the concept of smart cities is one of foresight and seeks to employ renewable energy systems and infrastructures to power its utilities and homes. Smart energy and grid systems have been game-changers in the energy sector, enabling greater efficiency and reliability in the supply of power. Meanwhile, smart utilities and mobility solutions are transforming the way we consume and move resources. Smart HR and community management are also helping organizations to become more efficient and effective in their operations, with advanced analytics and automation tools to streamline workflows and improve productivity.

To this end, IEREK is organizing the 6th Edition of the International Conference on “Future Smart Cities,” in collaboration with Universiteti Barleti, Albania, to create a platform for all researchers, academics, and practitioners to discuss the latest advancements in diverse fields to help construct the sustainable smart city of the future. The conference aims to be an interdisciplinary forum that discusses smart approaches to multiple facets of the modern lifestyle, and its impact on the environment and the world as a whole.

Scope

The 6th “Future Smart Cities (FSC)” conference peers into the future of urban settlements and human civilizations, discussing topics pertaining to technological implementation in urban planning & city design. FSC covers a wide array of topics, including smart mobility and connectivity, cyber security, advancements in data and networking, smart grids, renewable energy, smart buildings, urban environments, and climate change mitigation techniques. The conference aims to aggregate research that deliberates upon technological advancement and its role in enhancing the livability of urban environments and cities from a multidisciplinary approach. FSC aims to deliberate upon the smart approach to multiple facets of society and lifestyle, including governance, entrepreneurship, transportation, logistics, communication, infrastructure, and construction.

Statement of Purpose

Technological advancement has allowed for substantial improvement in multiple facets of life. Communication is easier than ever, automated transportation is quickly becoming a reality, and smart information acquisition via novel sensing technology is ensuring a safe environment for humanity. FSC deliberates upon the topic of smart cities, which aim to enrich and empower these elements granted by technological discovery, by extending and utilizing technological advancements in societal branches such as mobility, governance, environmental resilience, logistics, housing, and business. FSC shares the ambitious vision of academics & engineers furthering the concept and application of smart cities and aims to empower their message calling for technological utilization within cities, enriching residents’ lives, and raising efficiency in multiple infrastructural fields of society.

• 1. Informatics, Communication, and Accessibility

  1.1. Big Data Analytics and the Internet of Things (IoT)
  1.2. Machine and Deep Learning Methodologies
  1.3. Ethical Concerns of Big Data Acquisition
  1.4. Digital Health and Biomarker Informatics
  1.5. Wearable Technology for Public Data Aggregation

• 2. Smart Transportation Methods

  2.1. Traffic Management Techniques in Smart Cities
  2.2. Implementation of Reliable Transit Systems
  2.3. Shifting Away from Automobile Reliance
  2.4. Technological Integration in Sustainable Transit Systems
  2.5. Effects of Public Transit Systems on Urban Sustainability and the Climate

• 3. Technological Innovation in Architecture and Urban Spaces

  3.1. Building Information Modeling (BIM) and its role in architecture
  3.2. The use of robotics in construction and architecture
  3.3. Smart materials and their impact on building design
  3.4. Virtual and augmented reality in architecture and urban planning
  3.5. The integration of technology in urban spaces and public infrastructure.

• 4. Computation and Cybersecurity in Cities and Business

  4.1. Urban Computing and Compilation of Data
  4.2. Security of Cities’ Data and Analytics and Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS)
  4.3. Computational Resilience and Data Recovery methods
  4.4. Cyber-Crime Management and Digital Surveillance
  4.5. Digital Methodologies of Conducting Business and Entrepreneurship

• 5. Smart, Resilient, and Sustainable Infrastructures

  5.1. Integration of Renewable Power Grids
  5.2. Natural Disaster Mitigation and Preparation
  5.3. Rural Development and Sustainable Management of Urban Edges
  5.4. Modelling, Regulation, and Monitoring of Smart Infrastructure
  5.5. Smart Urban Infrastructure Systems

• 6. Modern Methods in Sustainable Development and Resource Efficiency

  6.1. Circular Economies in Future Smart Cities
  6.2. Novel Climate Change Mitigation Techniques
  6.3. Environmental Resilience in Modern Construction
  6.4. Resilient and Adaptable Smart Grids and Systems
  6.5. Modern Smart Waste Management Techniques

• 7. Smart Institutions and E-Governance

  7.1. Digitalization of Bureaucratic Systems
  7.2. E-Identities and Digital Identifiers
  7.3. Authenticity in Digital Landscapes
  7.4. Formation of Digital Societies and Privacy Management
  7.5. Promotion and Incentivization of Sustainable Practices in Society

IEREK has an unyielding policy regarding plagiarism. We believe that copying/taking the ideas and work of other Authors without permission and credit is fraudulent. The Reviewing committee and IEREK employees have the authority to reject a paper during its reviewing process, based on the paper being subjected to either minor or major plagiarism.

Authors must refer to, and abide by, the following instructions in submitting their abstracts/ papers:

Step 1: Abstract Submission Process

• The author should prepare and submit an Abstract of at least 150 – 300 words through the website.
• The abstract should be concise and clearly state the proposed research study's purpose, results, and conclusions.
• The author should select the most relevant topic for the paper from the corresponding conference topics.
• The author can use/download an Abstract Writing Template prior to submission
• To submit your abstract, you first need to (1) click on the “Register” button on the conference page, (2) click on “Submit Now” and:
  • Select the Topic in which you are making the submission
  • Insert the title of your study in the "Paper Title" section
  • Insert the full abstract in the "Abstract" section/upload a file in the .pdf, .doc, .docm, or .docx format
  • Add in writing 3 – 5 keywords that define the field, subfield, topic, and research area covered by the article to help other researchers understand and find your work.
  • Provide the names, affiliations, and E-mails of all authors/ co-authors involved
  • Confirm your submission by ticking having read the instructions and “submit Abstract”

Step 2.1: Abstract Acceptance

• After acceptance of your abstract of at least (150 – 300 words), you will receive a proforma invoice and specific instructions to complete the payment online or by bank transfer (See Conference Fees) to confirm your participation,
• Once your abstract has been accepted, please refer to the important dates tab and carefully review the announced dates to avoid late payment, as late payment comes at an extra charge (early bird/regular/late).
• After successfully completing payment, you will be issued upon request with the following:
  • A signed/ stamped abstract acceptance letter
  • Please note that acceptance of participation, abstract submission, and extended abstract/short paper submissions all have different deadlines. To stay up to date and avoid paying extra fees, or delaying your paper, please carefully review the important dates tab.
  • Receipt of Payment/ Payment Invoice
  • Visa Invitation Letter, if needed
• After abstract acceptance, you may be given the option to extend the abstract to publish your work in the conference proceedings in ASTI published by Springer Nature (indexed in Scopus/SCImago) (optional not obligatory).

  This is not a prerequisite for presenting your work at the conference. Meaning, you can present your submitted abstract without intending to publish your work.

Step 2.2: Abstract Extension / Short Paper (Optional)

• Your short paper / extended abstract should be 4 – 6 pages long and submitted before the paper submission deadline, in English, and fit within one of the conference topics.
• The Extended abstract i.e., the short paper should follow the research paper structure as follows: Abstract (+keywords), Introduction, problem statement, and study aim, Review of the Literature, Methodology, results and conclusion/ discussion, References list using the Paper Writing Template.
• The submission (short paper i.e. extended abstract) should be made following the same procedure followed for the abstract or sent to the conference email.
• Here: Authors may need more pages than the allotted maximum of 6 to insert figures, tables, appendixes, etc. In this case, they can submit regular papers (max. 12 pages) with the same fixed fee. For a detailed outline of the fees, please refer to the payment table in the conference fees tab.
• The conference does welcome Arabic submissions (with abstracts written in the english language), which will only be considered for publication in BAHETH by IEREK Press.

Step 3: Rigorous Peer Review Process (double-blind)

This process can only be initiated after payment completion and confirmation:

• If submitted, the extension (short paper) will be preliminarily checked (iThenticate plagiarism/ similarity screening Software, readability, and scope) and it will be peer-reviewed. If similarity issues are detected, the following will apply:
  • % from all sources: 10-15%
  • % from one source: 3-5%
  • Higher than 30% (all sources): Reject completely
  • Lower than 30% (all sources): Ask for revision to decrease the similarities
• IEREK has an unyielding policy regarding plagiarism. We believe that copying/ taking the ideas and work of other Authors without permission and credit is fraudulent. The Reviewing committee and IEREK employees have the authority to reject a paper during its reviewing process, on the basis of the paper being subjected to either minor or major plagiarism.
• Each paper/ chapter is evaluated by a minimum of two reviewers, after which a final decision by the responsible Editor is made. There is no maximum to the number of times a paper can be reviewed, depending on the quality of the submission.
• If your short paper is accepted by the Editors for publishing with comments/ requested modifications, our Editors (publishing department) will contact you once a decision is made and you will be asked to revise and correct it. After resubmission, it will be re-checked. Note: There may be more than one round of peer review and the decision rests with the editors of the title. Missed deadlines may result in complete exclusion/ rejection from the final publication.
• If your short paper is accepted for publishing without edits/ comments, the corresponding author will be contacted to provide the final version of their chapters/ papers following Springer Guidelines and sign the Springer consent-to-publish (CTP) form to authorize publication in the conference proceedings.
• A back-and-forth process: modifications will be sent back to the responsible Editor/ Series Editor and another round of evaluation conducted where needed. Participants/ Authors should regularly check their emails (Junk/ Spam folders).
• If you are not interested in publishing an extended abstract in the proceedings in ASTI by Springer Nature, please inform the conference support (fsc@ierek-scholar.org).

Step 4: Extended paper 

• After the conference, the authors of the best papers will be invited to submit an extended version of their research, 8 – 12+ pages in length, (optional) of their short papers for publishing in an edited volume to be published by Springer Nature.
• Publishing your short paper (i.e., extended abstract) in the conference proceedings does not prevent the submission of the full version for publishing consideration after the conference if the similarity percentages (SR%) in Step 3 are taken into account.

All accepted submissions to the conference, after a rigorous double-blinded peer-review process by the respective and a highly-extinguished Editorial Board, will be published in one of the following:

• Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation (ASTI), an IEREK Interdisciplinary book series published by Springer Nature. (Scopus indexed)  

About ASTI

Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (ASTI) is a series of peer-reviewed books based on important emerging research that redefines the current disciplinary boundaries in science, technology and innovation (STI) in order to develop integrated concepts for sustainable development. It not only discusses the progress made towards securing more resources, allocating smarter solutions, and rebalancing the relationship between nature and people, but also provides in-depth insights from comprehensive research that addresses the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) as set out by the UN for 2030.

The series draws on the best research papers from various IEREK and other international conferences to promote the creation and development of viable solutions for a sustainable future and a positive societal transformation with the help of integrated and innovative science-based approaches. Including interdisciplinary contributions, it presents innovative approaches and highlights how they can best support both economic and sustainable development, through better use of data, more effective institutions, and global, local and individual action, for the welfare of all societies. The series particularly features conceptual and empirical contributions from various interrelated fields of science, technology and innovation, with an emphasis on digital transformation, that focus on providing practical solutions to ensure food, water and energy security to achieve the SDGs. It also presents new case studies offering concrete examples of how to resolve sustainable urbanization and environmental issues in different regions of the world. Read More.

The ASTI series is fully indexed in Scopus and any chapter/ paper published as part of this series will be seen on the Scopus database. Some titles have been successfully indexed or submitted for indexation in Web of Science (ISI).

• IEREK Press Journals, a multidisciplinary publisher that aims to cultivate and disseminate research.

Environmental Science & Sustainable Development (ESSD)

ESSD is a peer-reviewed, scholarly journal that aims to systematically develop the research-driven curiosity and evidence-based discourse of aspiring scholars that seek to contribute to the academic community. As the world is currently living in an age of information where sources are widely available on the Internet, we at ESSD seek to efficiently utilize the available information to help create robust and evidence-based knowledge. In the process, we offer researchers, in general, and young and aspiring ones in particular a quicker way to get their work published and gain exposure through online open access. We pride ourselves on getting submitted work to be published quickly, through the use of our worldwide pool of subject specialist peer reviewers. Find out more about ESSD International Journal here.

The Academic Research Community Publication (ARChive)

ARChive is an open-access journal that publishes conference proceedings on a wide range of topics relating to social sciences. Consequently, it accepts original research papers on a wide spectrum of subjects. ARChive is a journal published on behalf of researchers that perpetually make an effort to contribute to their fields and provide them with high visibility of research submitted. The series publishes, both, theoretical and experimental high-quality papers of current and perpetual interest. It serves to cultivate, propagate, and essentially archive academic research that has been authored and submitted for academic conferences.

Find out more about ARChive International Journal here.

Proceedings of Science and Technology (Resourceedings)

Resourceedings is an open access journal that publishes conference proceedings. Conference proceedings compromise of different disciplines, ranging from Engineering including built environments, architecture, and sustainability. Disciplines also include Technology and Energy. Resourceedings is a journal that publishes research articles that shed light on different crucial issues in order to provide them with solutions and suggestions. The journal publishes articles submitted by researchers of interest in different fields.

Find out more about Resourceedings International Journal here.

BAHETH International Journal - Arabian Researchers Database (Arabic Papers only)

“BAHETH” in Architecture, Engineering, and Technology, is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes original academic research in the fields of Architecture, Engineering, and Technology. The journal welcomes research in the Arabic Language with an English Abstract. Papers submitted to this journal in Arabic must be presented in the English Language in the conference.

Find out more about BAHETH International Journal here.

For IEREK's Provious Publications, Please Click here

- Future Smart Cities (FSC) - 1st Edition held in Cairo, Egypt in Septmeber, 2018.

IEREK Press

The Academic Research Community (ARChive)

Vol 3, issue #2 (2019): Recent Studies in Urban Sustainability and Future Cities' Planning

Publication link: https://press.ierek.com/index.php/ARChive/issue/view/32/showToc

- Future Smart Cities (FSC) - 2nd Edition in Xiamen University, Malaysia in November, 2019.

Springer

Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (ASTI) Series.

Resilient and Responsible Smart Cities - Volume 1

(Selected Papers) Publication link: https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030635664

Springer

Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (ASTI) Series.

Resilient and Responsible Smart Cities - Volume 2

(Selected Papers) Publication link: https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030864989

- Future Smart Cities (FSC) - 3rd Edition as an online conference in collaboration with Xiamen University, Malaysia in November, 2020.

Springer

Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (ASTI) Series.

Resilient and Responsible Smart Cities - Edition 2

Publication link: (In Press)

Publishing in ASTI by Springer (Scopus indexed)                  

After the conference, the submitted manuscripts of authors interested in publishing in the ASTI book series will undergo a rigorous peer review process resulting in a final decision made by the editors. Only accepted research will be published as a chapter in the Book Series entitled “Advances in Science, Technology and Innovation” (ASTI) by Springer. The ASTI Book Series is by managed highly professional members of an International Editorial Board to ensure high-quality material for online publication.

The ASTI Book Series is fully indexed in Scopus. Some titles have been successfully indexed or submitted for indexation in Web of Science (ISI).

About the ASTI series

Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation (ASTI) is a series of peer-reviewed books based on important emerging research that redefines the current disciplinary boundaries in science, technology and innovation (STI) in order to develop integrated concepts for sustainable development. It not only discusses the progress made towards securing more resources, allocating smarter solutions, and rebalancing the relationship between nature and people, but also provides in-depth insights from comprehensive research that addresses the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) as set out by the UN for 2030.

The series draws on the best research papers from various IEREK and other international conferences to promote the creation and development of viable solutions for a sustainable future and a positive societal transformation with the help of integrated and innovative science-based approaches. Including interdisciplinary contributions, it presents innovative approaches and highlights how they can best support both economic and sustainable development, through better use of data, more effective institutions, and global, local and individual action, for the welfare of all societies.

The series particularly features conceptual and empirical contributions from various interrelated fields of science, technology and innovation, with an emphasis on digital transformation, that focus on providing practical solutions to ensure food, water and energy security to achieve the SDGs. It also presents new case studies offering concrete examples of how to resolve sustainable urbanization and environmental issues in different regions of the world.

The series is intended for professionals in research and teaching, consultancies and industry, and government and international organizations. Published in collaboration with IEREK, the Springer ASTI series will acquaint readers with essential new studies in STI for sustainable development.

About Springer:

Springer is a leading global scientific, technical and medical portfolio, providing researchers in academia, scientific institutions and corporate R&D departments with quality content through innovative information, products and services. Springer has one of the strongest STM and HSS eBook collections and archives, as well as a comprehensive range of hybrid and open access journals. Springer is part of Springer Nature, a global publisher that serves and supports the research community. Springer Nature aims to advance discovery by publishing robust and insightful science, supporting the development of new areas of research and making ideas and knowledge accessible around the world. As part of Springer Nature, Springer sits alongside other trusted brands like Nature Research, BioMed Central, and Palgrave Macmillan.

Click on the below image to learn more about the editors

Registration

To help the organizers plan for inter-disciplinary dialogue, participants are requested to choose from the conference themes/ Topics upon registration.

They must also refer to, and abide by, the following instructions in registering and submitting their abstracts/ papers:

Types of Participation

1. Attend/ Present Virtually and Publish in Conference proceedings
   

Organized from the comfort of your own home, the conference offers a virtual attendance option for your convenience. That said, participants will have a chance to present their Full paper, online, and have their work considered for publication in the proceedings.

Virtual presenters are required to submit an abstract and extend this abstract following the “author instructions” below and before the deadline (see Important Dates). At least one author must pay the registration fee (see Conference Fees).

For any reason, authors may wish to submit a pre-recorded video presentation no later than 15 days prior to the conference. Alternatively, they may wish to record a voice-over PowerPoint presentation for submission to the conference organizers.

2. Attend/ Present in-person and Publish in indexed Conference proceedings
   

Organized at the University of Barleti, Albania. offering a Physical attendance option for your convenience. That said, participants will have a chance to present their abstract/research, on campus, and have their work considered for publication in the ASTI Series by Springer as part of the conference proceedings.

See Author Instructions and Conference Fees for more information.

3. Registration to publish in the proceedings without presenting/ attending

If your full paper is accepted, it may be published in the conference proceedings book in the Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation Book Series by Springer (indexed in Scopus) even if you are not attending the conference. In this case, the accepted work will not be included in the final conference program and the fee will cover the cost of editorial handling and peer-review evaluation of your paper (See Author Instructions and Publishing Opportunities).

4. Non-presenting participant

Non-presenting participants may also wish to attend the conference as Audience Members or Co-authors contributing to an already submitted abstract/ paper.

ORCID, which stands for Open Researcher and Contributor ID, is a global, not-for-profit organization that aims to provide unique identifiers for authors, researchers, and scholars. ORCiD effectively eliminates duplication and errors regarding author names, affiliations, previous works, and all related academic data.

IEREK is a proud member of ORCiD, and we contribute directly to their initiative of clear and identifiable markers for researchers and scholars. As the first Egyptian partner to ORCiD in the organization’s history, we strongly believe that by utilizing ORCiD’s database and verification services, we become one step closer to achieving an accurate, and identifiable academic landscape.

We encourage our authors to input their ORCiD ID when registering for one of our conferences, submitting an abstract, or a full paper. By doing so, you directly link your research to your identity and affiliation and can showcase your various academic efforts all in one place. By Registering your ORCiD ID, you also increase your works’ visibility and provide easy access to your entire library of research and academic activity.

Click here to learn more about ORCiD, and here to register your ORCiD ID for free.  

Delegates in any event who cancel their registration due to special circumstances will receive refunds according to the following:

A refund is not possible if

Barleti University

The Tirana International Airport is the nearest airport to Barleti University.

Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza, often referred to as the Rinas International Airport, is the main international airport of the Republic of Albania. It serves the city of Tirana, its metropolitan area, and surrounding region in the county of Tirana.

Location on the map: Tirana International Airport

If you have familiarized yourself with the route leading to Barleti University, you may take a taxi or the bus to reach the University directly. Refer to the following:

Taxi

After exiting the airport terminal, the fastest way to get to the Barleti University is by taxi. The journey from Tirana International Airport to Tirana’s center takes 20–25 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs about 2500 Leke (20 EUR) one way.

Tirana Airport taxi service is provided by Auto Holiday Albania (AHA). AHA specializes in transfers between Tirana Airport and all Albanian cities for both individuals and groups. The service offered is professional and courteous at affordable prices, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To reserve taxis in advance online, please use the website and fill out the form by clicking on the link below to book your transfer now.
https://www.tiataxi.al/

Contact:
Call center:

+355699999300

+355696065444

+355696065333

Email: 

info@tiataxi.al

operations@tiataxi.al

Bus

LU-NA shpk offers a shuttle service from TIA to Tirana and vice versa. The bus is stationed behind the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet. The rate for a single fare is 300 Albanian Lek (almost 3 Euros).

Service Hours:

Tiranë - TIA: every one hour starting from 07:00 until 23:00

TIA - Tiranë:  every one hour starting from 08:00 until 24:00 

To plan your trip using Tirana buses, contact via:

E-mail: bilbilrakipi@yahoo.com; lu_na@yahoo.com

Mobile: +355 69 57 27 261 / +355 69 29 82 128

Albania is located in the heart of the Mediterranean and lies alongside the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. The country is one of the most interesting tourism destinations in the region. A country explored by very few people, Albania is an exciting place to visit. Its increasing number of visitors can find here an inspiring blend of civilizations and cultures that make this European country attractive for tourists.

The country has a beautiful, mostly sandy, coastline stretching along the Adriatic Sea from the Montenegrin border south to the Bay of Vlora. From here southwards the coast is rugged, with rocky coves characteristic of a narrow coastal strip that rests against a dramatic backdrop of steeply rising tall mountains.

Albania’s numerous mountains and rivers offer many possibilities for sports tourism, including many outdoor activities—parasailing, climbing, hiking, canoeing, cycling, swimming, diving—as well as for simply enjoying the beauty of nature.

The country’s history and culture is fascinating. Several Albanian cities retain an appearance that has changed little over many generations and that conserve in their midst remains that date back more than two thousand years. Numerous archeological sites make the country very attractive for special interest tourism.

Visiting Albania’s capital will delve into the past and present of a country that has seen intense turmoil since it was founded in the 1600s. Tirana has disintegrating soviet-era buildings, brand new projects and proud historic monuments side-by-side, while the wonderful upland scenery that bounds the city to the east calls for exploration.

Petrela

Petrela is a village some 15 km (9.3 miles) south of Tirana that is famous for its castle and history. The Petrela castle is built upon a huge stone located on the top of a small mountain. Once here you’ll have the chance to admire gorgeous natural panoramas and try traditional Albanian food in the restaurant situated inside the castle.

Dajti Ekspres

This cable-car is a fun family day out and a superb introduction to the city, taking you up by gondola to the dramatic mountain on Tirana’s eastern edge. The cable-car spans a kilometre, making it the longest in the Balkans, and rises more than 800 metres up the mountainside. The journey will take about 15 minutes and at the top, there’s a tourism complex with restaurants and hotels. Of course the view over the city will be memorable, but there are also year-round activities on the table, including trekking and horseback riding in summer, and skiing in winter.

National Historic Museum

Tirana and Albania have a very complicated past. So if you need a point of entry this is the place to get some context. The museum is organised by pavilions, each covering a different period in the region’s history, from ancient times up to the 21st century. The most valuable in terms of archaeological wealth is the Pavilion of Antiquity, where there’s a great collection of almost 600 items spanning the late Palaeolithic to the Early-Middle Ages.

Cave of Pellumbas

If you need to see more of the Mount Dajtit National Park that looms to the east of the city, spend a day around the village of Pellumbas. Here you can take hikes and scramble your way up to a beautiful natural monument. There’s a trail from the village that meanders through the mountains for two kilometres before you get to a cave packed with stalagmites and stalactites, but also with evidence of human activity going back than 300,000 years. It descends 350 metres into the mountainside, and during the Second World War made a refuge for the villagers of Pellumbas.

Durrës

Sometimes you need a break from city life. The good news is that there are plenty of great places to visit within a half-hour drive from Albania’s capital. Whether you love nature, enjoy visiting ancient towns, or want to know more about local culture.

There are buses every half an hour to this Adriatic port city, which is replete with Roman and Byzantine heritage. The first place to go is the amphitheatre, which is from the 2nd century, was once able to seat 20,000 and is the largest in the Balkan region. It was hidden to the world for more than a millennium before being rediscovered in 1900. What really adds to the site is the small chapel attached to the building, which has fantastic Early-Christian mosaics and frescoes depicting saints.  

A perennial winner of the most affordable European capital, Tirana is a value-for-money destination par excellence. The Albanian capital also happens to be one of the friendliest on the continent. These two attributes come together beautifully in the hostels and hotels of the city. Hospitality is a way of life here, after all. Read our rundown of the most wallet-friendly places to stay while you’re there.

These are the suggested hotels that you can use for accommodation during the period of the conference. You can reserve your place by contacting the hotel or through their website or any booking website.

Please note:

• Check the hotel website to know if they have special offers, and also to check the availability.
• These are just suggestions that we found most suitable for accommodation; they are not mandatory.
• The registration fee does not cover accommodation expenses.

- For participants who need Entry Visas to the country where the conference will be held, IEREK will issue the corresponding invitation letter for accepted applicants to facilitate visa issuance.

- Please note that we will endeavor to assist you in obtaining a visa but the responsibility is yours and the decision rests solely with the appropriate Embassy.

Invitation Letter Issuance Process

1- In case the participant is an author who has submitted a research paper to the conference, it must get accepted by the Scientific Committee

2- Required participation fees must be paid

3- The participant should send the following information to the conference's official email:

* A clear copy of passport

* Passport number

* Full name as written in your passport.

* Date of Issuing and Expiration

* Date of Birth

* Email address of the nearest Embassy/Consulate to you

* Mobile Number including country code

4- Conference coordinator will issue the needful invitation letter and send a copy to the participant's email, in addition to another one to the corresponding embassy/consulate

5- The participant should print out the invitation letter along with all other required documents by the embassy/consulate and apply for VISA