These cities have all undergone continuous and prolonged transitions and rapid population increases due to internal migration within their respective countries. Both Montenegro and North Macedonia are former Yugoslav territories, transitioning with inherited infrastructure and urban and architectural heritage from late Yugoslav modernism. In contrast, Albania underwent a radical liberation movement following a rigorous regime. The capital cities have accommodated new populations, large new administrations, housing and business developments, infrastructure reconstruction, and shifts in public space. However, we wanted to take a different perspective. We sought to examine these spaces through a somewhat specific narrative, which we chose to call the “Dramaturgy of Space.”

Dramaturgy is considered a sociological perspective on identity. It uses a theatrical metaphor to explore issues of identity, focusing on the establishment and transformation of that identity. We aimed to use this tool to explore the identity of a specific place, whether a neighborhood, a deserted void in the city, or a reconstructed public space. By definition, dramaturgy assumes a place, a moment, and an audience. This framework places the identity of the city and public space within a social context and a particular time. This implies that identities can shift with varying contexts and moments, just as our cities evolve.

We aim to use this concept to introduce public space, along with all its related issues, through a narrative involving the users, their scenarios, and the specifics of free, open space. In researching Podgorica, we wanted to investigate the connection between public space and its users in the specific and common situation of “dokolica” – free time, leisure. This serves as a starting point for the eventual hypothesis and intervention in relation to our narrative and setting.

The approach in Tirana has been somewhat different, focusing on the observation of public spaces and specific installations within them, their history, and the approach taken.

In researching Skopje, we zoom in on “unseen” spaces—famous voids in the city matrix, remnants of previous systems amidst an ongoing transition.

The study concludes with a Mapping Review of all three cities to reflect on the topics we find most important regarding future efforts to transform our capitals into more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive cities.

We hope this study provides insights into the storylines of public spaces, as well as related data for the broader Urban Study within the multidisciplinary framework of Manifesta 14. At the same time, we hope it contributes to future public interventions and the development of new narratives.