Smart Cities: How Čabar and Slavonski Brod Utilize Digitalization?

Digitalization and the implementation of smart solutions are becoming increasingly important for smaller cities, which strive to improve the quality of life for their residents despite challenges such as demographic outflow and limited resources. Cities across the country are aware of this and are applying various strategies to modernize infrastructure, enhance public services, and promote sustainable development.

The city of Čabar, under the leadership of young mayor Antonio Dražović, is focused on the digitalization of services, the renovation of communal infrastructure, and projects that can attract and retain the population. On the other hand, Slavonski Brod, with long-serving mayor Mirko Duspara, has made strides in the digitalization of city administration by introducing a virtual assistant based on artificial intelligence, as well as numerous other benefits that open doors for young families and provide affordable housing options. Both cities are excellent examples that even smaller urban centers can leverage technology to address local challenges, and that there is budgetary space for living with lower costs for citizens.

– Regarding infrastructure, work is ongoing on the complete reconstruction of the Cultural Center in Čabar, which will include a theater stage, cinema hall, gym, children’s playroom, and a multimedia – interpretive center ‘house of Gorski myths’. In 2025, projects such as the construction of a sports and recreational center in Tršće (tennis, football, basketball, bocce) are planned, which are currently underway, as well as the establishment of cycling infrastructure. The city also plans energy renovations of buildings using renewable energy sources and the remaining Cultural Centers, indicating a commitment to sustainable development. In the area of digitalization, the city is implementing a GIS system, electric bicycles, and air quality sensors, and has procured applications such as ‘Guide for You’ and ‘My place info’ that facilitate navigation for citizens and visitors in the offerings provided by the city. A SOM system has been introduced for easier communication and online resolution of ongoing tasks (such as financing associations). New LED lighting has also been installed, replacing about 900 bulbs on poles while simultaneously setting up a foundation for remote management. In addition to protecting against light pollution, the city has drastically reduced electricity and maintenance costs – says Mayor Dražović.

Encouraging environmentally friendly forms of transport

Aware of demographic challenges, the city of Čabar is taking steps to retain and attract young people. Improving infrastructure, such as modernizing public lighting and investing in public and green spaces, contributes to creating a more pleasant living environment. Additionally, the city has so far renovated two apartments in Čabar in collaboration with PGŽ for housing young families, and during 2025, a third apartment in Gerovo will be renovated. Čabar annually co-finances the purchase of real estate for young families in the amount of seven thousand euros and the adaptation of existing real estate in the amount of three thousand euros through public calls. For each newborn child, the allowance is 1360 euros, and with free kindergartens and free public school transport, as well as co-financing meals in schools, the city of Čabar is becoming an increasingly desirable place to live, relocate, and retain the local population. However, there are always challenges on the path to success.

– The city of Čabar faces challenges in traffic connectivity due to the dispersion of its settlements. To facilitate the mobility of residents and encourage environmentally friendly forms of transport, the city plans to build cycling infrastructure with electric bicycles and electric charging stations (for bicycles and cars). This project enables better connectivity and the development of cycling routes, thereby promoting sustainable tourism and supporting a healthy lifestyle for citizens. Given that the city of Čabar is the 21st largest city in Croatia by area, covering 283 square kilometers with 42 settlements, in collaboration with the Red Cross, we are entering the procurement of a city van that will serve to transport citizens and thus impact the connectivity of all parts of the city – says Dražović.

In addition, the city is actively working on projects that promote sustainable development and energy efficiency. Planned energy renovations of buildings will reduce energy consumption and operational costs, while the modernization of public lighting through the introduction of LED technology has contributed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and increasing energy efficiency. Furthermore, the city has installed solar panels and heat pumps on the administration building of the Zrinski Castle, thereby increasing energy independence and reducing heating costs. In the plan, reveals Dražović, is the construction of a solar power plant next to the administration building for the production of electricity that would be used for the needs of public infrastructure and city-owned facilities.

Gita is available to Brođani 24 hours a day

On the other hand, Slavonski Brod introduced Gita, a virtual assistant based on artificial intelligence, in December 2024, which allows citizens faster and simpler communication with the city administration. Gita is, according to the city, available 24 hours a day via the official city website and offers information about communal services, infrastructure projects, tenders, and other topics related to city business.

The development of the virtual assistant is a result of the digitalization of the city administration and the effort to provide citizens with easier access to information without the need to visit city offices. Gita uses advanced artificial intelligence algorithms to understand user queries and provide precise answers, and over time, it will be upgraded and adapted to user needs.

According to representatives of the city administration, the introduction of Gita is part of a broader strategy for modernizing services, aimed at increasing administrative efficiency and reducing the burden on employees at service counters. Citizens will be able to report communal problems through the assistant, obtain information about public tenders and projects, and stay informed about current events in the city.

Let us recall that Slavonski Brod ended 2024 in grand style, as all 1750 children enrolled in city kindergartens have been attending for free since September, and public transport is also free, which applies to both Brođani and visitors to the city.

– In these difficult times, we have relieved the household budgets of parents. The cost of two children in kindergarten is about 150 euros per month – that is a significant amount. In this regard, we are the first in the country. With free transport, we have primarily helped retirees and young people (students and pupils). Additionally, those employed do not have to worry about finding parking spaces if they do not come to the city in their vehicles, and they do not have to pay for tickets for those spaces that are lacking in the city during the morning hours – says Mayor Duspara.

However, not everyone supported these measures, but there are enough funds in the budget to compensate for that. New kindergartens are also planned…

– Some individuals have suggested to me that this is not wise because when something is free, no one appreciates it. However, I believe that everyone who has children in kindergartens knows what it means when someone covers that cost for you. We calculated how much parents pay annually for their children’s stay in kindergartens. It was around one million and 200-300 thousand euros. We found funds in the budget to compensate for that. And citizens will surely be satisfied. Four new kindergartens are already completed, and we will finish another four. These are our needs as a city. We will no longer need to build, investments will be minimal, so we had room for this measure. Young people need help when starting a family. This will keep them here. – concluded the mayor, adding that there is no reason for other cities not to follow the example of Slavonski Brod.

Affordable rental apartments

The city of Slavonski Brod launched a model of building rights on land owned by the city back in 2017, aimed at young families, single parents, and single-parent households under the age of 46. Through this model, users are granted the right to build for 99 years, with the option to purchase the land after ten years, where previously paid fees are included in the total price. One of the conditions is that the house must be built within three years. So far, more than 90 contracts have been signed through over 15 tenders, and 55 houses have been built.

In 2024, an additional measure was introduced – the rental of apartments with affordable rent, ensuring favorable city accommodation for young families. Additionally, the city encourages entrepreneurship through the model of building rights on business land, contributing to local economic development. These measures have resulted in the expansion of new residential neighborhoods and an increase in city revenues, while interest from citizens in these programs continues to grow.

Although such projects represent a significant financial investment for the city budget, their long-term effect is seen in stabilizing the demographic picture and strengthening the local community. The model developed by Slavonski Brod has also been recognized by other cities such as Pula, where a similar initiative has been introduced, but without the option for later land purchase. The city continues to work on improving the program and securing new land to provide quality living conditions for as many young families as possible.

You can hear about smart cities, as well as the latest initiatives and their implementation in the daily lives of citizens at the 11th Lider Conference Smart Cities, which will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at the Westin Hotel in Zagreb.

Numerous mayors and experts will attend the conference, including the mayor of Čabar Antonio Dražović and the mayor of Slavonski Brod Mirko Duspara. Join us while there is still space and find out how cities are adapting to the needs of their citizens regarding housing solutions, as well as many other current challenges.