ANALYSIS OF THE "GURI I PLAKËS" AREA AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RECREATION, TOURISM AND ECONOMY, REPUBLIC OF KOSOVO
Authors:   University for Business and Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Infrastructure, Prishtinë, Republic of Kosovo, ÇADRAKU Hazir S. 
Published: September 2023

Space has an essential character for human life and activity. The reduction of touristic, recreational, sports spaces, etc., are affecting the quality of life and the health of the community in many urban areas of our country. Natural, hereditary values, etc., are of great importance for present and future generations, as a living environment for tourism and, physical and mental recreation. Tourism as an economic activity aims at the economic utilization and maximization of the natural and artificial values that a certain area, region or country has. This paper aims, based on the research results, to bring to every reader authentic data and information that show what it offers and what are the possibilities to form a tourist, recreational and sports center in the "Guri i Plakës" area, after considering the economic benefits that can be generated from this area. The work materials were: notebooks for keeping notes from the field work, handheld GPS for measuring coordinates where necessary, meter tape also for measurements, cameras, topographical maps at scale 1:50 000, geological and hydrogeological map (1:200 000), etc. The "Guri i Plakës" - in (eng: Old Woman's Stone) study area has an area of 125.08 hectares. 104.98 ha or 83.93% belong to the Municipality of Drenas (Gllogoc), while 20.10 ha or 16.07% belong to the Municipality of Obiliq. The research work identified two groups of values which make this area interesting for the development of tourism and recreation and are: natural and artificial values. The natural values include: the Drenica river the Dobroshec water source, the "Guri i Plakës", the Dora Stone (Guri Dora), the Folds in the Paleozoic formations, the karst relief in the limestone rocks. The Drenica River represents the main watershed in the "Guri i Plakës" research area. Relatively rich in aquatic flora and fauna. The study area is located in the central part of Kosovo, between coordinates 42° 40ꞌ 20ꞌꞌ N, 20° 56ꞌ 40ꞌꞌ E and belongs to the territory of Municipality of Drenas (Gllogoc) and Kastriot (Obiliq). It has an area of 125.08 hectares, with hilly mountainous relief with an altitude of up to 712 m. Important natural and artificial values have been distinguished in the study area. The proposed area "Guri i Plakës" has a physical and geographical position quite favorable for the development of a center (mini-center) for the development of tourism and recreation. Tourist activities (transit type or type of tourism) can be developed there, including activities such as: walking, camping, fishing, partly cycling, photography, recording video clips, part of the activities related to traditional nutrition (traditional food). The "Guri i Plakës" area can be used as a miniature laboratory because it contains many educational, research, scientific research components, etc. Lastly, the development of this area brings social, economic, etc. benefits for the entire community in its vicinity and other local and international visitors.