This book examines two large and highly controversial urban infill projects in two peripheral European capitals—Tirana and Helsinki—through the lens of dramaturgy and political theatre. The authors argue that the planning processes in both cities have been farcical, following the so-called ‘disillusionment arc’ in storytelling—that is, coming to terms with the inevitability of private developments where vast sums of money are at stake and power does not rest with the people. Beyond these case studies, the book introduces the concept of ‘planning distortion’ which blends socio-institutional phenomena such as corruption, neoliberalism, and undemocratisation. It will appeal to planning theorists and readers interested in the European periphery, particularly the Nordics and the Balkans.

Dorina Pojani is Associate Professor of Urban Planning at The University of Queensland, Australia. A native of Albania, she conducts international and comparative research on various aspects of the built environment, including urban design, transport, and housing. She has also authored Trophy Cities: A Feminist Perspective on New Capitals (Edward Elgar, 2021).

Ranja Hautamäki is Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture at Aalto University, Finland. Her research focuses on planning practices, discourses, and conceptions of nature and welfare. Her recent projects on nature-based planning solutions aim to develop practices and tools that tackle climate change, biodiversity, and well-being.