Affordable housing is a pressing issue in Croatia, but its resolution has two prerequisites, as was heard at the panel ‘Urbanism and Affordable Housing‘ at Lider’s 11th Smart Cities conference. This problem is expected to be alleviated by the new National Housing Policy (NPSP) worth two billion euros, which, according to Branko Bačić, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Spatial Planning, Construction and State Property, will be adopted at the next government session. In addition to this overarching regulation, the law on subsidized housing construction will be amended to become the law on affordable housing.
– We are expecting the adoption of 13 legislative acts in this area, such as a new law on spatial planning and a law on energy efficiency in construction – said Bačić. He emphasized that Croatia is the first in the EU to initiate the NPSP, and this document has three goals.
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– These are affordable housing as a social measure, then sustainable housing, and space functioning as housing – said the Deputy Prime Minister. Statistics indicate that there are currently 600 thousand empty apartments in Croatia, but Bačić believes this number is exaggerated. Nevertheless, local government units should offer empty apartments on the market and continue building new housing units.
Roads as an Impossible Mission
When it comes to construction potential, Bačić claims that theoretically, residential space for six million citizens can be built throughout Croatia. However, the potential for construction, as well as the overall development of Croatia, is hindered by two major problems, according to Ivica Puljak, the Mayor of Split.
– The first problem is that cities and municipalities are not connected. Citizens are moving from Split to, for example, Kaštela, but they continue to use Split’s infrastructure. The second problem is the barriers in infrastructure construction. Building a road in Croatia is an impossible mission. In the city administration, we counted how many steps are needed to build a road – it takes 81 steps. In the best case, road construction takes six to seven years – claims Puljak.
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Although most cities are financially stable, if they were to build all the necessary infrastructure, they would realize that they lack significant funds, said Puljak.
– If we were to build all the roads needed in Split, we would need 750 million euros. From the communal contribution, we can theoretically get a maximum of 250 million euros – emphasized the Mayor of Split. The Mayor of Dubrovnik, Mato Franković, pointed out that the City recognized the issue of housing affordability caused by short-term rentals back in 2017, which is not specific only to Dubrovnik but to all major tourist destinations.
– Dubrovnik has therefore embarked on its own housing model through which 90 families have resolved their housing issues so far. Regarding development projects in the context of smart cities, Franković reminded that Dubrovnik has been chosen three times as the best smart city. – Every project we undertake includes entrepreneurs and community interests – emphasized Franković.
Heating for Half of Zaprešić
Mayor Željko Turk stated that Zaprešić is neither Split nor Dubrovnik, as it was once a satellite settlement of Zagreb, so their problem is reversed.
– We have focused on traffic connectivity and invested so that every child has a place in kindergarten. Recently, we unanimously adopted a change to the General Urban Plan at the City Council. We want our residents to have the prerequisites for life and development – emphasized Turk. He reminded that Zaprešić is also developing a new business zone, and soon drilling for a geothermal well will begin, which could heat half of the city.
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Before this panel, a lecture titled ‘International Experiences – This is how we live in 2035‘ was held, and one of the main messages is that citizens’ needs will change over the next ten years, and now is the right time for preparation and adaptation. The lecture was delivered by Dominik Philipp, a partner at Dietrich Untertraifaller. He presented the pyramid of human needs, from psychological needs, security needs, to social needs, which actually shows how much fundamental adaptation is needed in every aspect for a person to function in the best possible way. He explained that all our actions affect the final result, and as the main idea of the lecture, he mentions multifunctional urban quarters.
Less Dependence on Cars
– Multifunctional urban quarters represent a synergy of advanced technology, sustainable ecological design, and social connectivity. A key element of this vision is the so-called ’15-minute quarters’, an urban planning concept that ensures that all essential services – such as housing, work, recreation, and healthcare – are accessible within a 15-minute walk. This approach reduces dependence on cars, encourages an active lifestyle, and strengthens social interaction within the community – said Philipp, citing examples from Barcelona, Paris, and Vienna.
The goal of creating such quarters is multifunctional cities with greenery and all accompanying amenities, which will ultimately result in the creation of a new identity. Key is the construction using wooden materials, as the aim is to minimize waste and strive for self-sustainability. He also emphasizes that digitalization needs to occur at the center of the place, so that the building fully corresponds to the original plan, with the possibility of changing essential items with one click. He mentioned the ‘European Green Deal’, which is related to the renovation and revitalization of existing buildings and entire neighborhoods.
– Due to skyrocketing material prices, it is necessary to use existing and new sustainable materials and all available advantages of digitalization, so that in 10 years we can live in multifunctional cities that are self-sustainable and contain key resources for a quality life – concluded Philipp.
