T H E C I T Y HEALTH PROFILE

Zagreb-Zdravi grad -Healthy city Zagreb-Healthy grad Zagreb-Zdravi

THE CITY OF ZAGREB City Office for Health, Labour and Social Welfare

CONTENT:

INTRODUCTION

About the Healthy Cities project globally and in 4

METHODOLOGY (techniques and tools) USED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE OF THE CITY HEALTH PROFILE AND THE CITY HEALTH PLAN

The method of rapid appraisal to assess community health needs (RAP) – basic principles 7

Application of RAP in Zagreb 10

THE CITY HEALTH PROFILE

How the citizens of Zagreb see their city: through words 15 through pictures 33 through available indicators 44

THE CITY HEALTH PLAN

The thematic groups and direction for the action 47

SUMMARY AND CLOSING REMARKS 48 4

1.INTRODUCTION

1.1 About the Healthy Cities Project globally and in Croatia

World Health Organization’s Regional that health can be achieved by joint efforts Office for Europe initiated the Healthy of individuals and groups living in a city. City Project in 1986, with the aim to boost The important notion of the project is the interest for positive concept of health assumption that, when making political in the cities throughout Europe and to decisions on the level of city government, foster and enable their direct co-operation the possible impact of such decisions without barriers of political borders. on health should always be taken This movement primarily focuses on cities, into consideration. Living conditions, but also on other settings where people environment, education, public services, live and work. The Healthy City Project social welfare and other have a profound is based on the ‘health for all’ strategy, influence on the citizens’ health. It is whose principles are implemented, by because of such influence that focusing on local action, on the city level. health means including organizations and individuals working outside the health There are three important strategic sector into activities aimed at improving principles of healthy cities: the citizens’ health. This process of joint activities aimed at improving health is 1. Multi-sector approach – according to designated by the term ‘inter-sector or which health is not only the issue of the cross-sector activities’. health care system, but also of all other related and development systems of a People’s choice of life styles, use of health society; services, viewpoints on health issues and 2. Citizens’ active participation (self- their activities have important impact on help, mutual help, the possibility to make their own health. The Healthy City Project decisions on health, etc.) is aimed at fostering their taking more 3. Healthy environment (biological, active part in all activities in the city that physical and social environments) – can influence health. citizens’ right and duty to live environment of both aesthetic and ecological quality. In order for these basic project goals to be achieved– enhancing health and preventing The Healthy City Project promotes disease through inter-sector activities - holistic nature of health, pointing to change-supporting environment should be interdependence of physical, mental, created, continuous search for new ideas social and spiritual dimensions of health. and innovative methods fostered, and The project is based on the assumption those that have successfully introduced new approaches and programs supported. documents of the Healthy City, the City Indicator of achievement of the Healthy Health Profile and the City Health Plan. City Project is acceptance of the health The goal of the third phase of the project, promoting policy on the city level. which will last till the end of 2003, is to translate the strategy of the ‘Health for The World Health Organization’s Healthy All for the 21st Century’ and the ‘Local Cities Project is a long-term, international, Agenda for the 21st Century’ documents development project, the goal of which is into the language of local communities by to secure top positioning for health on the creation and implementation of the ‘City agenda of political factors in European Sustainable Health Development Plan’. cities, and to promote local comprehensive strategies for health and sustainable In Europe there are about fifty project development based on the principles and cities brought together by implementation long-term goals of the ‘Health for All for of the third phase of the European Healthy the 21st Century’ and the ‘Local Agenda Cities Project (among which Croatian for the 21st Century’ strategies. The final representatives, Rijeka and Zagreb), about goal of the Healthy City Project is to thirty national Healthy Cities Networks improve urban environment, places where (Austria, Belgium – the Flanders and people live, work or go to school, thus France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech improve their physical, mental and social Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, wellbeing. France, Greece, Norway, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, The World Health Organization’s Healthy Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Turkey, City Project was initiated in 1987 and so Ukraine and the network of Great Britain), far two phases of project implementation with more than 1500 member cities, and have been completed. The emphasis of the project is still spreading to Australia, the first phase, from 1987 to 1992, was the USA, Canada, countries of the Middle to strengthen community participation and Far East, so that more than 3000 cities and develop partnership in creation of are included in the global network. the healthy public policy by removing political and institutional barriers to Zagreb was one of the pioneers of the change. The expected outcome of the development of the Healthy Cities Project first phase was to create and put in place in Europe, and it hosted the European the infrastructure for implementing the Healthy Cities Conference in autumn Healthy City Project. Strategic goals of 1988 (which was designated as official the second phase (1993-1998) include outset of the European Healthy City accelerating adoption of healthy public Project during the conference held in policy on the city level, enhancing the Athens in 1998). Zagreb project team support system (health alliance), and initiated creation and enlargement of the creating strategic connections with other Healthy Cities Network in Croatia. Since sectors and organizations having influence 1992 the Croatian National Network has on the city development. The expected been registered as a non-government outcomes of the second phase were to organization, whose president is Slobodan create, adopt and implement key strategic Lang, senior lecturer, co-coordinator 6

Selma Šogorić, PhD, with headquarters, i.e. Network Support Centre (established in 1990) at Andrija Štampar School of Public Health, of the Medical School. The Croatian Health Cities Network numbers over forty cities and counties (Crikvenica, Čakovec, Daruvar, Dubrovnik, Gospić, Hrvatska Kostajnica, Karlovac, Koprivnica, Korčula, Krapina, Labin, Makarska, Matulji, Metković, Opatija, Osijek, Pazin, Poreč, Pula, Rijeka, Sisak, Slatina, Slavonski Brod, Split, Umag, Varaždin, Varaždinske Toplice, Vinkovci, Virovitica, Zabok, Zadar, Zagreb, and counties - Istria, Krapinsko-Zagorska, Primorsko- Goranska and Dubrovačko-Neretvanska), which work jointly on enhancement of the physical, mental and social wellbeing of their inhabitants.

Even though the Healthy City Project has been in place in Zagreb for fourteen years, due to 10-year stagnation of program activities, the project had to be redefined – insight into new citizens’ needs acquired and according to the established needs new priority areas of project activities selected for the following five-year period. 2. METHODOLOGY – TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS USED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY HEALTH PROFILE AND THE CITY HEALTH PLAN 2.1. The method of rapid appraisal to assess community health needs (RAP) – basic principles

WHAT IS RAPID APPRAISAL? 3. Long-term (strategic) and short-term Rapid appraisal is a method of collecting (operative) action plan/program for problem-related information in short improving health time, without spending too much of 4. Joint and co-ordinate programs, professionals’ time and financial resources. i.e. alliance of all interested groups Rapid Appraisal is the first step in the (politicians, professionals and process of health interventions planning communities) aimed at enhancing the in a community. It is not a method for quality of life in the city. collecting comprehensive data about a geographic area or a health problem. GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND THE By means of rapid appraisal we can find WAY OF IMPLEMENTING RAPID out WHAT THE PROBLEMS ARE, NOT APPRAISAL HOW MANY people are affected. The notion of ‘rapid’ relates to the time spent 1. Determine which information is needed on collection, but also to the time spent on beforehand data analysis. 2. Execute assessment so that the results reflect local conditions and specific traits WHY DO WE USE IT? of the community In this case the method was modified and 3. Include community representatives in adopted for determining priority areas of determining needs and possible solutions activity for the Healthy City Project. By 4. RAP is a team exercise and requires implementing this modified RAP method, inter-sector co-operation, includes with minimal spending of professionals representatives of professional groups and local participants’ time (two months (health professionals, social workers, from preparation to completing consensus architects – urban planners, teachers, conference and report creation), we obtain ecologists, etc.), local politicians, the following valuable results: administration and community (groups 1. The city health profile, of citizens). In our case, the panel (70 to 80 2. Consensus between the representatives participants) of selected representatives of the city administration, the of the city administration, important city professionals and the citizens on priorities institutions and the citizens participated for improving health and increasing the in RAP. quality of life in the city, 8

1.ADMINISTRATION OFFICERS – the Mayor, Head of the City Health and Social Welfare Office, Head of the Environmental Health and Town Planning Office, Education, Commerce, etc.

2. HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES EMPLOYEES – health centers, hospitals, institutes of public health, social welfare centers

3. TEACHERS – representatives of preschool institutions, primary and secondary schools and Universities (including Medical School)

4. IMPORTANT COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES • elected representatives – MPs, County and City Councilors • presidents of local associations – sports associations, political associations, self- help and mutual-aid groups, associations of refugees and displaced persons • clergyman – of all denominations • representatives of women’s groups – e.g. SOS line, widows/mothers of war veterans • informal leaders – distinguished painters, actors, writers, musicians, chief editors of local papers, radio and TV stations 5. COMPANY OWNERS (large corporations, but also small enterprises, e.g. (proprietors of shops, clubs and bars, as well as the representative of the City Chamber of Commerce)

6. NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION MEMBERS – e.g. the ‘Green Movement’ 7. REPRESENTATIVES OF OTHER (GOVERNMENT) INSTITUTIONS/ ORGANIZATIONS – e.g. police department, administration and justice

The procedure of RAP implementation • simultaneously, relevant existing written includes the activities in the following documentation is collected and analyzed order: • collected essays are processed by using • the local research co-coordinator is free-text analysis method selected • based on the amassed data (written • the panelists are selected documents and free text), platform for the • written notice is sent to the panelists working meeting (consensus conference) informing them of our intentions and is prepared asking their co-operation, including • at the same time, panelists are informed semi-structured questionnaire with the of the date and the venue of the consensus request for them to do and submit it to the conference local research co-coordinator as soon as • Working meeting (the panel of research possible (within 10 days) participants) is held in duration of two working days. On the first day, the WHAT DO WE OBTAIN BY RAP? participants are informed about the aims The aim of RAP is to obtain: of the meeting, working method and obtained results, the list of problems is 1. The city health profile made and priorities selected (individual work, work in small groups and plenary). 2. Consensus of the representatives of the Thematic groups are formed around the city administration, the professionals and selected priority areas and action plans the citizens on priorities for enhancing are devised. At the end of the second health and improving the quality of life conference day, obtained results are in the following five years (setting the presented to the public, with the goal of framework for the Healthy City Project gaining their suggestions, approval, public actions), and and political support for the activities of the Healthy City Project referred to (thus 3. Long-term and short-term action plan providing for adequate support from the for improving health in the city. city budget). There are three main data sources used in RAP participants (panelists) are the rapid appraisal: representatives of the city administration, 1. The existing written documentation the institutions and organizations, as (hereinafter – written data sources) well as non-government and non-profit 2. Panelists’ essays (replies to six city sector, and through them all other questions), and citizens of Zagreb. The program is aimed 3. Observation, opinion (which are at establishing partnership for health, integral parts of the panelists’ replies). i.e. bringing together all interested WRITTEN DATA SOURCES: groups (politicians, professionals and • census community), and co-coordinating their • city development plans activities aimed at improving health and • city budget the quality of life in Zagreb. • routine health documentation (reports on health status indicating main trends) RAP was carried out and working meetings • previous studies (citizens’ habits and held on 9 and 10 February 1996 in Pula, on life styles) 29 and 30 March 1996 in Metković, on 18 • documents of other administration and 29 June 1996 in Rijeka, on 12 and 13 sectors and social activities or June 1998 in Karlovac, and on 13 and 14 • documents of Government Offices December 2000 in Varaždin. A year after and the Ministries (housing, sanitation, RAP execution, evaluation conferences water supply, environmental status, were held in the same cities, with the goal urban planning, social welfare, health to assess project progress, identify barriers care, economy, administration and and achievements, as well as possibilities justice, etc.), if these have implications to enhance the project activities. for the local situation • historical documents – short city history 10

2.2. Application of RAP in Zagreb

The City Office for Health, Labor free-text analysis at the Andrija Štampar and Social Welfare of Zagreb City School of Public Health. In the mean Administration and the Croatian Healthy time, the City Office for Health, Labor Cities Network Support Centre at the and Social Welfare associates collected Andrija Štampar School of Public Health the existing relevant written documents of Zagreb University Medical School (data from the census, routine health started implementation of RAP in Zagreb documents, data provided by the Police at the end of October 2001. Following the Department, Employment Agency, etc.), suggestion by Zvonimir Šostar MD, head which were used to draw some indirect of the City Office, and the project team, health indicators for Zagreb. By mid 143 panelists were selected, comprising March, all preconditions for holding representatives of the city administration, Consensus conference (the central RAP important city institutions and the citizens event) had been met. Data collected themselves. The selected people were data from different sources (the existing informed in writing of our intentions written documents, panelists’ essays and asked to write an essay about their and their observations) were presented city, answering the six questions we to participants during the Consensus asked. By January 2002 74 essays were Conference and used in the preparation of collected, which were then processed by this City health profile.

THE LIST OF PARTICIPANTS IN ZAGREB HEALTHY CITY CONCENSUS CONFERENCE 15-16 March 2002 GIVEN NAME AND WORKING PLACE SURNAME prof. Stjepan Orešković, PhD, 1 Andrija Štampar School of Public Health director Selma Šogorić, D.Sc. national 2 Andrija Štampar School of Public Health co-coordinator of the Croatian Tea Vukušić Rukavina, M.D. 3 Andrija Štampar School of Public Health junior research assistant Aleksandar Džakula, M.D. 4 Andrija Štampar School of Public Health junior research assistant Marta Civljak, M.D. 5 Andrija Štampar School of Public Health junior research assistant Ognjen Brborović, M.D. 6 Andrija Štampar School of Public Health junior research assistant 7 Ariana Znaor, epidemiologist Croatian Institute of Public Health Rodin Urelija, social medicine 8 Croatian Institute of Public Health specialist Sanja Music Milanovic, MD, 9 Zagreb Institute of Public Health MPH 10 Vanja Tešić, M.D. Zagreb Institute of Public Health Tihomir Majić, MD Zagreb Office for Health, Labor and 11 assistant head Social Welfare Zagreb Office for Health, Labor and 12 Branimir CeroveA MD Social Welfare Romana Galić Zagreb Office for Health, Labor and 13 Associate Social Welfare Zorana Uzelac Zagreb Office for Health, Labor and 14 Trainee Social Welfare Dijana Petan Zagreb Office for Health, Labor and 15 Trainee Social Welfare Damir Gašparović, representative of the Confederation of Zagreb Office of the Confederation of 16 Independent Trade Unions of Independent Trade Unions Croatia for Zagreb Neda Rački, economist The City Planning and Environmental 17 Associate Health Office 18 Vera Petrinjak - Šimek Green Action Saša Molan 19 Trešnjevka - city district President 20 Vida Belina Trešnjevka - city district Bare Ivan 21 Trnje - city district President Aleksandra Vitez 22 School for nurses Mlinarska Teacher Tomislav Petričić 23 - city district President Rudolf Tomek, internist and 24 Oncology Hospital oncologist Anđelko Šućur D.Sc., senior 25 university lecturer Gornji Grad – Medvešćak - city district President Zdravka Vučkovac 26 Črnomerec - city district President Ministry of the Interior, Zagreb Police 27 Vera Belina Department Vlatka Kuhar VII gimnazija 28 Teacher /comprehensive secondary school/ 12

Dubrava Centre for Children and Youth 29 Željkica Šemper, B.Spec.Ed. with special needs Education and Training 30 Željka Mazzi, social worker Sunflower, Centre for Humanitarian Work Marija Paškvalin B.A. Suvag Polyclinic for Listening and Speech 31 principal Rehabilitation Suvag Polyclinic for Listening and Speech 32 Zrinka Šimunović, B.Cro.Lang. Rehabilitation Goran Crnić Suvag Polyclinic for Listening and Speech 33 student Rehabilitation Suvag Polyclinic for Listening and Speech 34 Željko Valent Rehabilitation Dubrava Teaching Hospital, Commission Ladislav Krapac, D.Sc., head 35 for Public Health Program Selection in doctor - president 2001 36 Damir Nazor Croatian Employment Agency

37 Marija Džepina, M.D. University Polyclinic

38 Ivana Kostelac ‘Brave Telephone’ Association, telephone 39 Ana Karlović, psychologist line for abused and neglected children 40 Marija Mustać, economist Zagreb Association of the Blind People Antonija Turin Confederation of Disabled People’s 41 secretary Associations of Croatia Mladen Ožegović Association of Persons with Paraplegia 42 president and Amputation Zagreb Anti-Cancer League 43 Josip Kruslin Institute for Cancer 44 Mato Žgela Caritas of Zagreb Archbishopric

45 Tamara Bedenko Caritas Caritas home for children without 46 Anita Jagušt, social worker appropriate parent care Bl. Alojzije Stepinac Alliance of Associations of Patriotic 47 Zvonko Tkalčević, secretary Defense War Volunteers 1990-1991 Zagreb 48 Gordana Blagojević Humski Ozana Association

49 Mirjana Ružić Ozana Association Bajro Bajrić Croatian Romanians for Romanians 50 president Association Croatian Romanians for Romanians 51 Ksenija Risi, B.Ed. Association Roko Andrijanić 52 economist Snježana Habulin Croatian Chamber of Commerce – Zagreb 53 Head of Public Relations Service Chamber of Zagreb Chamber 54 Gordana Rebić Večernji list /daily newspaper/

Consensus conference (the panel of 16 March 2002, Saturday research participants) was a two-day 10.00-11.30 Action planning (who, event, which took place on 15 and 16 what, how and when) March 2002. It was attended by some 11.30-12.00 Coffee break seventy participants, representatives of professional groups (health professionals, 12.00-13.00 Project evaluation social workers, teachers, journalists, framework entrepreneurs, culture professionals, etc.), 13.00-14.30 Lunch local administration (the city and the 14.30-15.30 Final discussion city districts) and community (citizens’ 15.30-16.00 Coffee break groups, associations of parents, disabled 16.00-17.00 Public presentation of people, minority communities, etc.). the ‘Zagreb-Healthy City Project’

PROGRAM OF THE WORKING MEETING (CONSENSUS On the first day, the participants were CONFERENCE) informed of the aims of the meeting, working method and obtained results. 15 March 2002, Friday They were also presented the most 10.00-11.30 Introductions, getting interesting and the most frequent replies to know each other, City Health Profile from their essays, city health indicators presentation and photos taken based on their replies to 11.30-12.00 Coffee break what it is that diminishes and contributes 12.00-13.30 Problem listing, to the beauty of living in Zagreb. The selection of priorities for the ‘Zagreb- participants were then asked to work Healthy City Project’ individually and then in small groups 13.30-15.00 Lunch on selecting three major problems out 15.00-16.60 Agreeing on priorities of all the problems that were mentioned. and defining short and long-term project Respecting the selection made by the goals small groups, a joint list was formed, i.e. a consensus on five priority areas of the 16.30-16.45 Coffee break future activities of the Zagreb-Healthy 16.45-18.00 Short presentation of City project reached. group work results 14

Thematic groups were then formed around those areas: 1. Unemployment (citizens facing economic and social insecurity) 2. Protecting and improving environment quality (traffic, air) 3. Strengthening positive social values (social networks) 4. Providing equal possibilities to people with disability, and 5. Strengthening and supporting family.

Following their own professional or private interests, the participants chose to work in one of the five thematic groups. Goals of the thematic group work were: describe and provide arguments as to why they have chosen that particular area (define the problem), set the goal of their activities (how to recognize whether you have succeeded and measure success), make long-term (strategic) and short-term (operative) action plans and form working group that will at the same time be alliance with all interested groups (politicians, professionals and community) for solving that particular problem and thus improving quality of life in the city.

On the second day, the thematic groups continued their work. There were intermittent interruptions of their work in the form of shorter plenary sessions, whenever there was a need to provide additional knowledge and share experiences. At the end of the working day, the thematic groups gave plenary presentations suggesting what should be done in the next phase of the ‘Zagreb- Healthy City Project’. The conference ended in public presentation of two-day work, where consensus by all present was reached relating to suggested actions of the Healthy City Project. 3.THE CITY HEALTH PROFILE

HOW THE CITIZENS OF ZAGREB SEE THEIR CITY… .....THROUGH WORDS…

1. WHAT KIND OF A COMMUNITY IS ZAGREB?

...Zagreb seems to be a large, sad city most, misery, the original inhabitants where you can’t see the joy of life, but of Zagreb and the newcomers, housing solemn, worried and somehow sad faces estates, vice, bullies and their victims, passing you by, faces that seem to be morally-stray society, messed up system rushing somewhere to seize their chance. of values, degradation of competence and Others wander the city aimlessly as if they performance in favor of fraud, plunder were waiting for something, but even they and crime, society of no rights and no themselves don’t know what it is. It is a justice, the most creative and the most heterogeneous community with marked competent young people leaving the differences between the old centre of homeland because they see no prospects, the town, where everything is old and social insecurity and uncertain old age. decrepit (people, houses, customs), and In a community with such contrasts and new suburban parts, marked by birth and characteristics it is very difficult, almost creation, youth, the dynamics of changes, impossible, to answer the question: What problems such as underdevelopment and is the soul of the community and what is aggression. The masses from the centre it like? Taking into consideration that for and from the suburbs mingle together, most people it’s all about the struggle for interfuse and roll through the streets, and bare survival in a society with so many their solemn, silent and worried faces negative characteristics and contrasts, seem to be telling us about the difficulties it would be more appropriate to ask the of living in this city at the beginning of following question: Does this community the second year of the twenty-first century. have a soul? Contrasts are one of the main features of this city; disadvantaged elderly people ...Zagreb is a heterogeneous community, and youth with no visible prospects, which results from large moving in all-pervasive consequences of war and of population from other parts of plunder, unemployment, the old falling Croatia and the neighboring countries apart and the new not yet being built, during the patriotic defense war, who wealth of the few and poverty of the continued living in Zagreb. Zagreb is 16

a rather passive community, there isn’t students arrive to Zagreb or leave it in enough development with regard to the order to continue their education, and population size, and judging from the also other people move in or move out. situation today, there are no prospects, It is heterogeneous for the reason that because of its low rate of employment its inhabitants and neighbors in the and housing construction, etc. There is a community do not know each other due certain apathy, insecurity and fear of what to the increasingly present alienation the future holds; all this because there are of people and the “hectic atmosphere” no positive developments and indicators – ruthless struggle and fear of failure, of progress regarding employment. Being unfair competition and partly due to the absorbed into their own problems, the increasingly present «mobbing» at work. citizens keep drifting apart from each It seems to me that there is less and less other. Some thirty or fifty years ago, during polite behavior and human (professional) detached housing development, there was communication at all levels. Zagreb is a nice custom in Zagreb. All neighbors, at the same time, partly a homogeneous regardless of whether they knew each community. When I say this I have in other or not, used to voluntarily help the mind those “neighborhood” communities building of a house of their new neighbor, where the same people have lived for which in the long run, resulted in the years, communities of years-long habits broadening of friendship and building of good neighborly relations, from helping good neighborly relations… the elderly and the frail to caring about and the supervising leisure time of the …I see Zagreb as a heterogeneous, active, children and the young. It is homogeneous and prosperous community. There are also in the so–called “small communities” moments when it seems to me that the of people, such as clubs, societies etc. In city is not going forwards but backwards, my opinion Zagreb is at the same time a when I go along with «it’s not our Zagreb very active and a very passive city. It is any more» stories and when I feel the very active as a capital city with all of nostalgia of old Zagrebers for the city it its elements: the inhabitants, government once was, of died-out traditions and the institutions, schools, industry, traffic, culture of living... It is difficult to define trade, numerous visitors, tourists etc. It the soul of its community today due to is passive because its many projects from great changes in recent history and it will long ago have not yet been finished, such take some time for the city to become as building school playgrounds, gyms, one soul again and for the newcomers to opening social clubs, organizing the accept it and vice versa… effective help for the elderly and the frail (from meal delivery to palliative care). It …In my opinion, Zagreb is a is passive in that not enough is being done heterogeneous as well as a homogeneous for Zagreb to be called “white Zagreb” community. Heterogeneous because its again. I do not mean the increasingly inhabitants live in a rather «extended present renovation of streets, building area»... and because it represents an area fronts and green areas that the city is so of pure migration: people come in search proud of (and that tourists admire), but of work, high-school and university bags and bags of rubbish scattered around the streets… in Paris and some other capitals. Although he didn’t drink from Mandusevac well, he …You cannot say that Zagreb is a must have felt that close and warm good “community”. In social terminology spirit of the city at least for a moment, it is a “society”, which means that it beauty that is barely discernible at night, is heterogeneous, multi-layered, and but emerges out of the well-thought-out consists of many mutually intertwined and harmonious architecture of the Upper micro societies. Many invisible threads town, the Cathedral, tranquil arcades of connect people in Zagreb and there are Mirogoj , green contours of many manifestations of community life Sljeme and , blue (at time) that are difficult to name in one term. One color of the river during the day… of the most noticeable manifestations of the Zagreb collective is people socializing ...So much beauty and it is not static but in nice weather in cafes, terraces in a constantly changing. And this is where the nicely shaped “living room” of the city, soul of Zagreb can be seen, in its diversity, around Ban Jelacic Square. I find it very not only architectural, when with each impressive, although it might leave an new step your view changes, but also impression of idleness and inactivity of the diversity of people that one meets, a great number of people on someone sees, and hears in the streets, on Ban else. If I should choose the architectural Jelacic Square and on “špica” /pedestrian symbols that show “the soul of Zagreb”, precinct with a lot of cafes/. Because of then it would be Ban Jelacic Square the people that meet there, “špica” and (especially the sculpture of Count the main square make miniature Croatia. Jelacic on his horse), St. Mark’s Square This non-heterogeneous group of people (especially the church of St Mark), the does not leave an impression of inactivity Cathedral, Croatian National Theatre, the and slowness, which is evident from the University of Zagreb, and King Tomislav noises of the city. One should go to the Square (especially the sculpture of king Upper town on a weekday at the time of Tomislav). Those are crystallizations of “špica” and sitting on Matos bench listen Zagreb and Croatian history and culture to the city which is bursting with energy in the city space that remind us of our and booming like dynamite. The sounds identity… of thousands of footsteps and voices, hundreds of motor-cars, clattering of …Perhaps the overall impression about many trams, roaring of factories as well as Zagreb could be summed up in a short many other sounds are mixed together in a statement by the French president in harmony which makes background music which he commented on the view he had of every modern metropolis… over Zagreb night life from the top of “Opera” hotel (hotel “Intercontinental” …Zagreb is a large complex community at the time): “C’est magnifique!” (This is in which people of different ages, magnificent!”) Surely it wasn’t luxuries different lifestyles, habits and abilities, of only that he was so delighted about, such different background, denominations, life as rich lighting of the city at night- there styles and political convictions, people is even richer light and magic of lighting of different financial opportunities and 18

with different goals in life live together. penalty for illegal or immoral actions, in All these differences that characterize the short: with the “sin of top officials “! inhabitants of Zagreb sometimes have a positive stimulating effect, and sometimes …Winter mood, holiday decorations, hinder the progress and the development splendor and luxury of decorated streets in of the city and life inside of it. In my the city centre, renovated facades, crowds opinion the community is more active of merry people, excited children walking than passive and it can be prosperous with their parents, four-legged pets, but still isn’t because people still seem showmen, foreigners strolling through the unable to see their role in this process and streets, news- vendors, shop-windows of they theorize when they should be doing shops bearing foreign names filled with something. It is exactly in the variety of different products, new cars, crowded its inhabitants that I see the soul of Zagreb cafes, streets, charm of Tkalciceva street, as a community. It seems to me that this diverse colors of “splavnica”… Zagreb quality becomes prominent only in cases – the metropolis! It strives to surpass of great trouble, such as war. In everyday many other European cities with its looks life, however, prejudice and hostility and attractions that it has to offer. And it between different groups on the one hand, seems to be going well. However, only the and increasing indifference and lack of city centre is glowing and colorful. Behind interest on the other hand, prevail… new facades there are old doorways, mafia shootings in the very heart of the city, …Although a coherent answer to this misery and unemployment everywhere… question is impossible, I’ll give it a try! Zagreb is a heterogeneous community as ... Stretched hands in queues waiting for a result of alienation of its inhabitants, alms, queues in front of the social welfare, which is present in any city. It is a queues for food in soup kitchens. Worried passive city mostly because its full human faces of our townsmen… Ghostly sights potential has been only partly used. Why? of abandoned, unfinished buildings, the Because political parties (in Croatia and remnants of the past and bad investments in Zagreb) with their personnel policies of the former government: the football do not attempt to solve the question of stadium, streets in an unimproved quality management of certain institutions condition, abandoned factories in the but to provide for their party members. centre of the city, abandoned plants, With rules of the game so set they harm broken shop-windows, dirty pavements, the city… The soul of the city has been badly done graffiti on facades, untended shaken and radicalized in the past ten playgrounds, lifeless New Zagreb… years: with the war, rapid growth of unemployment rate (inevitably lowering ...It is the clash of splendor and misery, the living standard), revival of non- luxury, wealth and poverty, lack of European values, the collapse of one culture and other worlds, rural way of and non development of the other value life. Zagreb is all that. We see all that system, with organized crime and plunder and much more – we feel… What makes by means of transition to market economy the soul of Zagreb are its inhabitants, and privatization, with zero or mild well-known and anonymous united by a humanitarian mission, a cultural event, a nervous, constantly in need of sleep. You concert, united when they are on strike, wipe their nose and it is running again united in misfortune. Also the young, and you’ve already taken a sick-leave gathered around the University, full of because of those same noses. With these ideas, knowledge, courage… That is thoughts in your head you march towards when Zagreb is complete. It becomes a the tram stop and on the zebra-crossing, homogeneous, active community, full almost within reach of your destination of inventive, courageous, and intelligent – the tram stop, you almost get run over people who want progress for themselves by an urban baldy wearing sunglasses as well as for the city they are living in, although the morning is foggy. Then you who want change and improvement. It ride on the tram, inhaling the fumes of is then that Zagreb assumes the colors someone’s morning cognac and fighting of happiness and better tomorrow for not to fall out of the tram. Finally, you everyone, it is then that passiveness and arrive to work, sit on your throne, grasp differences disappear… your keyboard and do as you are told all day long, thinking about whether you’ll have to stay after work and who will pick 2. HOW DO PEOPLE LIVE IN up the children if this should happen. You ZAGREB? can’t leave because the firm is in crisis and you could lose your job, which wouldn’t WHO ARE THE LUCKIEST AND be convenient at all. You get 2.500 kunas WHO ARE THE LEAST LUCKY every month, unlike many other people PEOPLE IN ZAGREB? who are not so “lucky”. Its 4 p.m., you are back on the tram, riding and watching … If you are lucky, this is how you spend nicely-dressed men and well-groomed most of your life…You wake up before women sipping their afternoon coffees 6 every morning, which is followed by in cafes that are “in” at the moment. But frantic rushing around the flat, fighting it’s some other story, some other kind of for your place in the bathroom. You people; they always are some other kind dump morning bottles filled with dubious of people (I dare not think how they industrially-made instant beverages on achieved all that. Surely not in an office, your children (you have no time to make behind the keyboard, earning 2.500 kunas quality drinks), you put the children in the a month.). At home it’s only your children pram and then you “run a marathon” to the and you – it is a second week running that nursery through the Selska street crawling your husband works until 8 p.m. and sees with traffic, with additional unbelievable the children only in the morning on his noise and stench while your children are way from bed to the car park. Lunch is suffocating in the pram positioned right slowly melting on the stove. You cooked at the height of exhaust pipes where it last Sunday because there’s no time there is the highest concentration of during the week. You lay down around exhaust fumes. In the nursery you hear midnight exhausted in your bed in a rented those familiar farewell shouts: “Mum flat, in a building that you share with some I want to go with you! I don’t want to 200 other lucky ones, half of whom still stay in the nursery!” The children are use the spin-cycle, slam the door, fight, 20

and some lucky teenager seizes the rare …People in Zagreb live actively; we keep opportunity when he is alone to try his running all day long, often doing more newest loudspeakers with the newest than one job, we get jammed in public techno sound and his newest car. And you transport, but night-lights, going out, continue the same way until retirement (if cinemas and theatres always cheer me up you live to see it, because life in the city and give me extra strength. The city offers often “kills” people before they’re forty. A all kinds of opportunities, from education man can endure this tempo of living, but to entertainment for people of different his heart and his brain cannot.) It’s better ages and interests. The unhappiest not to talk about retirement. And you get inhabitants are old and lonely (maybe to experience all these blessings if you’re even forgotten) people and parentless lucky.... children. The happiest are all of us who manage to survive from our work and feed So much about the luckiest among the our families, who are healthy and have a Zagrebers. If you are not lucky then you reason to smile every day… are on the dole with no hope of ever finding a job. You fear every day and …There is some statistical data that every question: «Mum, can you give me shows that people in Zagreb live better 20 kunas for school?” You try to earn than people in other places in Croatia. some extra kunas desperately. If you are However, it doesn’t mean that they live not lucky, your child is a drug addict; your well. There are many unemployed people, husband has become an alcoholic and many people who work without receiving lost all hope. It seems to you that nobody a salary every month, many of those with notices you; sometimes you think that you unsolved housing problems, of those do not exist, that you are invisible… living in degrading housing conditions, without water supply system, without …I belong to the happy generation of the sewerage system or adequate heating. Zagrebers who were young before the In some parts of the city the number of war and its consequences and I always people over 65 exceeds 15 per cent. There thought that there was no other place on is more than 10 per cent of disabled people earth where it was so nice to be young. who face great barriers daily, architectural Zagreb, with its cultural heritage, bon barriers, traffic barriers, barriers that vivant relaxedness and old polish, always make it impossible for the disabled to had a lot to offer and was a nice place adequately use programmes that they need to grow up in. I loved meeting familiar every day (over 50 per cent of all medical faces in its cafes, clubs, and disco-clubs, institutions are still inaccessible to the and enjoying its beautiful surroundings. I people in wheelchairs)… It is difficult to think that, for many of its inhabitants, life say whether the happiest inhabitants of is difficult these days; many of them are Zagreb are those that have a steady job trying to make ends meet. Zagreb has a and income and solved housing problem, lot to offer, but it’s expensive and most of or those who think that happiness is all what it has to offer is accessible to a small about money, of which they have more number of people only… than they need… … People work all day long, struggling these days. And the happiest children are to survive. Working conditions are those living with their parents… often merciless- people often work unregistered, having no rights, no dignity, …Who are the happiest and who are families are subject to constant stress, the unhappiest inhabitants of Zagreb? children do not get enough love and Happiness is above all a subjective feeling attention. The rules of the game change but it is based on some objective facts. daily (laws and business conditions) and If you have a good social standing, roof you get an impression of chaotic disorder above your head, a job, a family, but you where it is difficult to plan something or are spiritually poor and feel a certain void to improve yourself. Constant changes and lack of fulfillment because of it, then create insecurity which becomes even you are not happy. A happy is a person stronger in the capital due to the alienation who is spiritually rich, who feels personal increasingly present among its inhabitants. satisfaction and have come to realize what Unlike smaller places where people know true values in life are, who knows that each other, where they care about each there are things that money can’t buy, other, in Zagreb there are people who are such as health and true love… a person is completely alone with their problems. The happy when he/she sees happiness in little elderly, the sick and the frail, having small things, everyday things, and who sees that pensions fall behind in life’s race. They he/she is doing well in life and that there’s give up, withdraw into themselves and no point in comparing yourself and your wait for their departure from this world. life with other people all the time. People They feel deprived because they believe always compare themselves with those that they have worked honestly and earned who have more money than themselves, their pension and that they deserve a quiet which makes them feel unhappy because and quality life. Because of all above they are constantly set between the reality mentioned, the young also have problems and the fiction in their heads, when they – drugs and alcohol on the one hand and should live now and today. The unhappiest brain drain of the most capable youth on are those who have “everything” or at least the other hand represent symptoms of the they think so and they don’t know what to very same disease – hopelessness; loss of do with all that abundance and luxury, faith in one’s own progress… so they consciously destroy themselves, destroy their health and other people… …The people I feel most sorry about are those who beg. I see them when I walk …People in Zagreb live better than they through the streets. They beg for survival. admit. Many feel unhappy and unsatisfied; If I had money, I would give it to them, but they miss such habits and programmes I can’t because I don’t earn any money. as “Let’s all go to !” (on My mum and dad are unemployed. That’s Saturdays), “Walking through Zrinjevac” why I was put in a home. Once I grow up, (on Sundays), “Summer in ” (in I’ll take all these people to live with me. summer), “Winter on Sljeme” (in winter). That’s who I am. The happiest people in Those that really are unhappy are old this city are those who work, who have a people living alone and young couples job. That’s what happiness is in Zagreb living in rented flats… 22

…Although there is the weight of 3. WHAT DIMINISHES THE BEAUTY poverty and unemployment, the most OF LIVING IN ZAGREB? unbearable thing is lack of positive energy, of atmosphere of creation … The beauty of living in Zagreb is and sense that things can be changed. diminished by… considerable lack of Every thought about the city or vision civic solidarity (personal involvement, of the city becomes contaminated by donation, guardianship, mentorship, the continuously negative experience. sponsorship, voluntary work)… What is very irritating is «politicizing» Inappropriate behavior of its inhabitants of anything and everything, and settling not used to living in a city. Physically, it is of accounts between different clans diminished by dilapidated condition of old which are professionally and humanly buildings, especially neglect of common unacceptable. Imposing uniform behavior, space (entrances, staircases, backyards), education, religious life, lifestyle, and not a single new park has been made in decisions, whether direct or indirect, is the last couple of decades; not enough definitely not encouraging. New ideas and is being invested in public transport or enthusiasm are treated with indifference at bicycle tracks, while the most valuable best. Competence, as a criterion, is totally city areas are being sacrificed for “his irrelevant and has no value. Public spirit majesty – the car”… barely exists…

… The possibility of manipulation and …Zagreb, as well as the whole of domination of certain groups living on the Croatia, feels the burden of the past. margins of society and do not represent Our city greatly contributed to the final the true “soul of Zagreb”, café music until victory in the 1991-1995 war, at a high late at night, city dump, young as well as price. The consequences of the war are elderly people abusing alcohol, cigarettes evident in the health status of the whole or drugs in public while demonstrating population, not only of those that were hate as a universally accepted form of injured in fighting. The growing rate of communication diminish the beauty of suicide and crime shows that increasing living in the metropolis which certainly number of people among us, our quiet has a lot more to offer in both cultural and neighbors or associates, see the escape educational terms… from difficult and hard-to-solve situations in unacceptable or dangerous behavior… …People are those who make the beauty of living in a certain geographical area. … Cvjetni Trg Square does not have its Neglected areas (buildings, streets, parks, original charm. Something should be playgrounds…), people begging in the changed, improved. There should be a streets in order to survive or rummaging traditional atmosphere; there should be through refuse containers wondering a feeling of warmth and cheerfulness. whether they will find something to satisfy Klaićeva Street, where I live, is one of their basic needs, are certainly things that the most neglected streets in the city. It is diminish beauty of living in my city… difficult to say whether it is more difficult to drive or walk through it… … The sight of children begging is …Zagreb is the city of old people, too especially difficult to bear… crowded, the city of narrow, noisy streets, trams, lonely, alienated drivers, it is full of … The beauty of living in our city is frustrated, egoistic, aggressive, and over- diminished by general listlessness which ambitious but existentially handicapped, has pervaded certain classes of society. middle-aged individuals, of hopeless, They cannot see the way out from the apathetic university and high-school existing semi-crisis. Not everyone can students. Its inhabitants are enclosed into be super-rich, although not many people their own narrow-mindedness, intolerance want it. It is not difficult to feel this way and xenophobia, they are politically when you have to rummage through semiliterate pragmatists, not inclined to refuse containers in order to survive and helping others in need (especially the cannot pay your bills each month. Public handicapped or the sick), suspicious transport is put into the background, entrepreneurs and competitors, envious although morning crushes in buses and of other peoples’ success, negligent about trams, and the fact that they are often late their health, impatient and distrustful in reduce working élan and motivation at the changing bad habits, uncooperative in the very beginning of the day. It is especially realization of a common goal: a better, demotivating on your way home from happier, and healthier future for all… work when you have to pick up the children from the nursery and nursery nurses are … The beauty of living in Zagreb is grumpy because you’re late. Nobody even mostly spoiled by all-pervasive poverty. thinks about frequent luxurious goings- It is most evident in begging in the out. But the thought of not being able to streets, on the city squares, in cafés, and go to Sljeme by a funicular on Sundays? blocks of flats. Unfortunately, an even There is unplanned building of houses and bigger problem is “invisible” poverty, flats and small businesses in some areas. which should be identified and fought Next to the planned houses and blocks of against. In my opinion, different forms flats, they leave an impression of chaos… of solidarity and human support to those Parks are ruined, devastated. Some of that are weak, poor, or excluded from them have been sold to private owners. the community, should be encouraged These parks now serve for gaining profit and developed at all levels of society, because private firms and houses are especially among neighbors, in the being built there, and green areas make street, in the “neighborhood”, among good car parks for expensive cars. Rare colleagues at work. We shouldn’t wait sorts of trees and horticultural plants that for government intervention (we seem to had grown there are all gone now… The be very dependent upon the government). number of playgrounds hasn’t changed in It doesn’t have to be financial support the last couple of decades but the existing only; it can be a minute of your time, a ones are deteriorating. They have become friendly chat, a small favor, all forms of places where “dangerous” adolescents co-operation and help in integration into meet. Those that they were originally society… meant for have to avoid them now… 24

to, I don’t have to dress up to go to my 4. WHAT MAKES LIFE IN ZAGREB favorite café. I can comment on the bills, BEAUTIFUL? a broken lift, and other things with my neighbors and we clean the car park and …To those that carry Zagreb in their the park around our skyscraper together. hearts, beautiful is walking down Zagreb “neighborhood” is actually a totally Zrinjevac Park where Jasna Bilušić is under-used city micro unit. I’m excited singing, then walking across Ban Jelačić about civic initiative through various Square where children are playing and associations, which have appeared, even well dressed people greeting each other. if slowly and modestly, but I can satisfy at If someone is interested in experiencing least some of my civic and human needs. culture in Zagreb there are ten theatres, Professionally, my destiny is not much twenty-one museums, fourteen galleries different from the destinies of other well- and twelve art collections. There are a educated people in Zagreb. I am quite large number of cinemas, shops that have young, I have temporary jobs and always a lot to offer, nightclubs, and concerts. go straight home after work. I remember You can find tranquility in a beautiful one of the meetings of expert group when , on Sljeme, in botanical I was invited to comment on certain gardens… The Zagrebers are friendly and professional programmes. The meeting hospitable. They are very proud of their went great, there was a lot of discussion city and hurt by bad things that people going on about the proposal and we made from other towns say about their city. some changes into it. However, the final Some people have decided to settle in product was identical to the proposed one. Zagreb but still hate it and cannot accept None of our suggestions were accepted, it… and I can’t help but wonder why I was there at all and why I bothered… … What Zagreb as the capital has to offer to its inhabitants is a wide range of social, …Personally, I enjoy living with my cultural, sports, and other programmes. family, meeting friends and acquaintances There is a possibility of choosing diverse in the street, in the “neighborhood”, at and excellent education for their children, work, I enjoy being active in my political from preschool education to higher party (I also used to be a member of the education… city assembly), professional associations, parish community, helping others… I …Personally, I like living in Zagreb like the beauty of Zagreb – nature, its because of Zagreb rituals. I also like its parks, Medvednica, Jarun Lake and the architecture, I like its art and being a Sava River. What make living in Zagreb consumer here. I like it because I live beautiful are its architecture (unfortunately opposite the house where my grandfather not its city planning), the Upper town, its used to have a shop, I pass the school that galleries, theatres, Jarun, and Medvednica. my grandmother attended, and I walk Zagreb music, from Zagreb soloists and along the same way as my parents. I am Arsen Dedić to buskers and singers in the happy because there is a great bakery in street, playful Zagreb youth in nurseries, my block, I have a shop that I always go careless youth in schools, responsible at universities make Zagreb beautiful. The retirees in the sun on Ban Jelačić competitive young in sports and culture Square… clubs (often in inadequate spaces), on their bikes and roller-skates (often on dangerous roads), skiing and ice-skating 5. WHAT IS ZAGREB YOU WANT TO (there aren’t enough skating rinks and SEE IN TEN YEARS’ TIME LIKE? ski slopes and they are often unprepared), young people in love in the streets and …My vision of Zagreb consists in on the benches in parks. The beauty is in preservation of the old spirit of the all those vital elderly people on Cmrok, city, integration into new initiatives Ribnjak Park, the farmers ’ market and connection with other similar Dolac, Jarun Lake, Sljeme and Maksimir communities. Integration, sharing of park, Tuškanac… Institutionally well- experience and globalization of the organized care for pre-school children, society are world trends which have young students, athletes, recreation sports had a positive influence in many areas lovers and old people also makes living in of human activity. However, we should Zagreb beautiful… be careful and preserve the peculiarities that make each whole special. Regarding … I personally admire and recognize my own activities and their specific myself in remarkable beauty of Zagreb – field, I would like to help in the making public gardens, promenades, the centers of of a modern and efficient health care its culture and spirit, such as the Croatian system in Zagreb in the next ten years. National Theatre, Lisinski Concert Hall, People in Zagreb need adequate and , Cibona Sports Hall, accessible medical services, which will Boules Centre, and also fairy tale-like, be provided in pleasant environment, and yet so alive Grič and Kaptol. I am which people will have confidence in. My no less proud of the improved gardens on realization plans consist of participation Prisavlje, which resemble Zrinjevac Park in reorganization of the city health care and make everyone in Zagreb happy and system, which will lead to modernization proud. I am proud of all the exhibitions of medical institutions. I would like to in and around Boules Centre, such as give special emphasis to the opening of Floraart, and wine exhibitions, which a new university teaching hospital, which have been promoting the beauty and joy will hopefully be a clinical and academic of living in Zagreb for the past eleven centre, an example to Europe… years. I am here as an architect of the dearest of all cities, surrounded by people … I would like Zagreb to be a nice, from the most prominent layers of the human-scale city in ten years’ time, a city economic, scientific, professional, sports that people like to visit, where they like and spiritual life in Croatia… to stay, and a city where you can enjoy a nice and healthy life. In order for this to …Everyone can see the beauty of living happen, we should do the following: raise in our city: it is our Maksimir Park, Jarun economic strength of Croatia and Zagreb Lake, our children at play, our youth in by strong economic development, employ the streets, people in love on Tuskanac, most of the unemployed, ensure safe 26

and beautiful childhood for all children, playground, in the street. Everyone that ensure education and the vision of safe needs help knows where they can get it. and prosperous future for the young, safe Multi-member families live in adequate life for elderly people (and inevitable living spaces, where every member of solidarity between different generations). the family has its own “corner”. It is a The government should provide a quick, city the architecture of which is adjusted efficient, and cheap service to its citizens, to the disabled, especially physically there should be law and justice for all, disabled people. “Zagreb – healthy city”, drugs, plunder, and corruption should be “Children friendly city”, with child- severely penalized, all kinds of violence friendly hospitals – that is what I want should be eliminated, the system of values Zagreb to be called… in which work and competence will be valued should be established. We should … Our vision is a real world. It exists. systematically work on improving our Vision comes from our imagination and morally stray society. Mechanisms of can come true. What we need to do is to social welfare and health care (for the embrace it and live with it. Everyone has disabled, children, the elderly, the frail, a vision, and this is our vision. Croatia is a and the homeless) should be built and beautiful country indeed, and it would be carried out systematically and efficiently, even more beautiful if we should take good economic projects that have been planned care of our environment, if we should keep and have already started in Zagreb should it clean. Its citizens are not happy, but we be carried out efficiently, as they are have taken care of that, too. I see Croatia vital for the development of the city. The as a beautiful park in cyber space. Its facades, parks, and public gardens of the colors are beautiful, iridescent, melting… city should be renovated so that Zagreb This clean nature of ours has cured would be “white and beautiful” again, people. The people have cleaned their a tunnel should be built through Sljeme, thoughts so there are no wars, lies, malice, which would connect Zagreb and Zagorje. no abandoned children… Cheerfulness The attractive Zagorje part of Zagreb and and love of all is spreading. Love of this the centre would be only 15 minutes’ ride kind of life. These good intentions keep away, and Zagreb would be a unique city spreading further and further away, by in the world because it would have a seas, waves, by the wind. In our vision, whole magnificent mountain in its centre. there is no politics and no politicians in Love for our city should be nurtured and Croatia. They are unnecessary. They have developed and the living in Zagreb should become good parents to their children. be happy and marry. In our vision, people ride bikes, because there can’t be bad accidents and car …The city I would like to live in is crashes then. All the beautiful cars have the city with lots of green areas and a been put into a museum of engineering lot of space. It is a “human-scale” city, and they will be driven only once a year in where people recognize and know how car-races. So streets are not dangerous for to use its advantages and its assets. A children any more. In this vision, children city where a mother can be sure that her are important, unlike now. Adults should child will be protected at school, on the listen to children about how to create a happy country. Children know how to started while half of Croatia was in do this. They have the right ideas. Adults flames and while large numbers of young worry about money and politics only, Croatian men were on front-line, why, a which is why they don’t have the right decade later, they are still not returning ideas. This vision of Croatia is possible! to their normal, everyday lives, what the Just wait for us to grow up! priorities are and what the moral grounds in Croatia are. We have all helped in the …What we need most is stability of the making of Croatia, but only some people system – things should not be changed have gained their share of property. Why from scratch every couple of months. The haven’t we changed public property into system of justice should start functioning; state property and then shared it among it is the only guarantee of freedom and all citizens of Croatia (as Slovenia did)? It security of every citizen. There has to is not important how rich or poor we are, be transparency and justice in all public what is important is justice and humanity, services. Expert opinions should be empathy with people that are close to us, acknowledged in making decisions. The our neighbors, friends and acquaintances, way people communicate should be as well as the feeling that we have an changed – from a repressive approach, influence over our lives and that we are we should move to a simulative one. Care not being helplessly carried away by the for individual-citizen needs should be elements. The city should encourage all made transparent by adjusting the whole aspects of sport and recreation; it should public services system to the needs of do all in its power to encourage as many people and the administrative running of people as possible to engage in sport government services should be avoided. or recreation. Zagreb needs to provide This is what experts should be entrusted clean air and clean water. The city should with, too. The fact that assets people have support all art and culture institutions, been making for decades are being sold open wide the door for the development leaves a feeling of bitterness: international of new programs to non-government corporations have appeared, too powerful organizations. It should show that top art for others to fight off their pressure and to and sport events are important, that these fight against their desire to expand their areas cannot be treated as an expense but empires. It is the price of globalization an investment in emotional and mental and premature opening towards western health of the whole community. All markets, because our economic position activities should serve the needs of the is not equal to set conditions of trade and people of Zagreb. When planning these join the global energy. Because economic, activities, we should bear in mind that but also political barons are in power in the existing regulations can and should be Croatia, we should wisely strengthen changed in order to better serve the needs our own resources, which would lead of the Zagrebers. Alienated authoritarian to strengthening of our position in position of bureaucracy should be negotiation. A refugee from , still eliminated, and made to serve the citizens living in a cabin far away from their home, and make it easier for them to achieve will have difficulty in understanding the what they want. Behind every action of reasons why the process of privatization the city government there should be love 28

of the city and its inhabitants. The city has in Zapruđe, alongside Sava embankment, to look after its cultural characteristics and from “” bridge upstream towards protect them from trends of globalization Bundek Lake. As a program-project and internationalization marked by vision, it started developing in 1996. consumer culture and disappearing of all As a preliminary design with detailed specific qualities and traditions… programme of spatial organization it was shown in June, 2000. The sports …I not only live in Zagreb, but dream park is open to all public, regardless of of Zagreb intensively. Everyday reality their health-state, age, or physical ability. looks more relaxed in my dreams: I meet Conceptually and in terms of contents it is people whose faces are flooded with defined by characteristics through which it light, fresh and lit up with joyful hope. will be known and recognized sports and Sometimes there are visions in my dreams recreation centre, acknowledged as the that something nice could still happen Croatian model for the new millennium. to Zagreb. From many of such visions, Sports and recreational zone of Prisavlje certain projects have sprung up still began the building of Boules Centre awaiting realization. All of these projects Zrinjevac in 1991, it went on with the have been made known to public as well incorporation of roofed over, yet open as to certain expert departments of the awning, solid garden cottages and an Zagreb City Government. Because of their indoor multipurpose sports hall (for effects, they make an ideal component and athletics, , and other sports). support to every project of a healthy city. In March, 2001, a zoning-programmatic Impressed in the civilization of love of study of the whole zone was made, the Croatian man, they recognize health together with a proposal of building an which is important for the joy and beauty annex to the Boules Centre, of changing of living in Zagreb of our time. I will prefabricated sports hall into a solid object, list them chronologically: golf centre of the building of a prefabricated catering Kerestinec, a study, June, 1992; Zrinjevac establishment, the -pool and a roundabout, a preliminary architectural roofed over, extended car park. The garden study from 1997. It is the south-west, the centre Zrinjevac in Remetinečka 15 – for most important entry- access to Zagreb years Zrinjevac has aimed for the building dominated by three bridges: Jadranski of a garden centre, similar to those in the Bridge, an old Savski bridge, and a railway cities with developed European market bridge. These three bridges together make garden tradition. …A project of a model the south-western gate of the city, to its of such an exhibition garden centre, that many attractions on both banks of the Sava would bring profit, has been awaiting River: sports halls, exhibition premises realization for two years. A loan approved of the future “Floraart” exhibition, a by the Croatian Bank of Renovation and sports park, also business premises, Development is only awaiting a guarantee housing area, greenhouses, and trade and by the city of a loan refund. What other business complex Zrinjevac. Millennium nice things might happen? Personally, I Croaticum project – suggested location of strongly believe that the good Lord, when the sports park intended for people with the time comes, will announce new, even diminished physical abilities is situated more beautiful wonders of love in us and our city. We only need to recognize them guns on the streets, a city of content people and work hard in their realization... who will be able to live here safely...

... Undoubtedly Zagreb has to acknowledge opinions of its inhabitants, 6. WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN to feel what their needs are...That is why ORDER FOR THIS VISION TO we suggest the following: education COME TRUE? and active involvement of high-school students into the healthy city program and …Cultivation of responsibility is the other programs made by non-government beginning of the vision coming true. organizations; the development of Democratization (from the direct election volunteer work and encouraging people to of the mayor to the rehabilitation of local involve actively in actions of importance government) and the involvement of the to the city (motto: «Let’s invest two hours public in decision-making are the two very of our time into our city»); encouraging important things for Zagreb. Considering charity work to help the most needy and that we have fallen behind historically, it the most socially disadvantaged people is not a 10-year realization but the only of the city; involving experts who can possible way… As opposed to the existing use their knowledge to participate in apocalyptic atmosphere, greatly incited by creating programs important for the life political fights between different political of the city; networking non-government parties and the media that are trying to organizations on the basis of related manage in the new environment of the so- projects according to different areas called “democracy”, I expect civic self- of the city or city «neighborhoods»; respect, solidarity, self-defense, modesty. encouraging and expanding the program The program of sustainable development of violence prevention for elementary would be very helpful to the health of school children and involvement of an individual, the city, and the country. non-government organizations into the Expectations of constant quantitative children’s education; encouraging and growth inevitably lead to the discontent expanding the programme against abuse; and the destruction of the planet. In developing the program of intercultural contrast to the consumer mentality, the exchange with the young people of culture of modesty, the beauty of simplicity Europe; cultivating cultural values of and the respect for natural balance should Zagreb and preserving traditions and be cultivated. Compassion towards people recognizable values of Zagreb through close to them, solidarity and care for organizing exhibitions, concerts and other other people would contribute to less cultural events; involving business people frustration of egocentric individuals. The to assist the project development, offering personal development of every individual them the possibility of exemption from (knowledge, thinking, contemplation, paying taxes... meditation…) is a precondition to a healthy society and a healthy city. This is ....From our perspective, we, war veterans still regarded as marginal or alternative. of Zagreb, want our city in the future to be However, our personal discontent, feeling a safe city in the first place, a city with no of hollowness and frustration, influence the 30

society as a whole. Continual aggressive should be given an opportunity to open thoughts initiate conflict and wars, which their own businesses, to self-employ, to degrade all human achievement and make decide on their own future, as well as to happiness of people impossible… employ other people. If outskirts of the city were inhabited, people would live … A road to that kind of city is complex if not a better life, then certainly a life and global. It is dependent on overall, of better quality (they would have more especially economic movements of possibilities of easier survival, such as the entire country, on the success of having fruit and vegetables from their decentralization process which would own gardens, etc.). They would be living make other Croatian towns “alluring”. in larger spaces (family houses) with their However, it is most dependent on the own land (a garden), which would open preservation of human values, care for new possibilities for opening their own the people close to us and the preservation businesses and for easier survival. On the of the quality of life, where financial outskirts of cities, family communities well-being makes a foundation to the with grandmothers and grandfathers development of spiritual values. By are much more common, which means following the above-mentioned principles, that most of the children are not left to a city with such qualities would become different institutions and to the streets. attainable by a constant cooperation They grow up more peacefully, and are between non-government organizations, healthier than their peers living in the city. local communities and government There is less crime (or there is none at all), bodies. Everybody would thus contribute less drug-abuse, and other problems of to a segment of a global program, and the urban way of life. In the city, for example, activities would gain in importance and you have a much better chance of dying be substantially recognized. On our way in the street while nobody even looks at there, it is important to stay in touch with you (because they think you are drunk or the real needs of the city inhabitants and are simply afraid), while in the country strive to meet these needs by using the someone will always approach and help potential of the people themselves, making you. The city would spend less money them active creators of the conditions they on “treating the consequences of urban grow up in, live, and grow old… life”. Let’s take health care for example – large amounts of money are spent …I would not like the number of on the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, inhabitants (of newcomers) of the city depression and its consequences… It is to grow because the city is already so important to educate people about this, crowded that it is falling apart at the to inform them about other possibilities, seams. It would be great if people were about their rights. It is important to raise ecologically educated, even from the pre- their consciousness with the help of radio, school age, if they were given a chance to television, active involvement in civil get to know some more qualitative ways organizations, and other activities, so of life, outside of the city, at its marginal, that they don’t think (as most do) rural areas, which are almost in the city, that life in Zagreb, in a concrete building but abandoned and forgotten. People with central heating is the best that could happen to them. It is necessary to build … How can the vision be realized? infrastructure in the suburbs (also, in People should be made conscious of the area of Samobor, Zaprešić, Velika values and the power of individual civil Gorica, and Dugo Selo…), because it contribution, active citizens should be is absurd when people think that the encouraged, as well as positive thinking distance between Knežija and Dubrava, and constructive action, allow the which are 15 km apart, is shorter than the development of democracy of opinions distance between Brezovica and Knežija, and ideas, introduce the feeling that which are also 15 kilometers apart. In changes for the better are possible, allow such villages and small towns it would certain changes for the better, encourage be necessary to build housing estates partnership, as opposed to totalitarianism with family houses and belonging lands, and paternalism. Introduce standards nurseries and schools. The inhabitants and professional criterion on the basis of of Zagreb interested in exchanging their agreement, not the so-called authority, flats in Zagreb for a house or a small independent evaluation of quality of piece of land in the country should be work and the carrying out of programmes, able to do that. In the beginning it would preventing abuse of authority at all be enough to add more buses and trains to levels, strengthening the city and local the already existing timetable (in village community housing projects in the interest next to Brezovica there are three buses of the improvement of quality of life in all a day on Sundays and holidays, exactly aspects (health, culture, and economy). the same as everywhere around Zagreb), There should be a quality approach to to build nurseries and schools. Maybe volunteer work… then people would gain courage to return to the abandoned land. All that would …We should continue the process of attract people, and they would manage far completion of what we have already better in such conditions and would take achieved in the last century, especially in care of their survival. Every town needs its last decade. We should accept all well- a dentist, a doctor, a vet, a car mechanic, meant returning emigrants, especially of a baker, a hairdresser, a shopkeeper, etc. the middle generation, among whom there and the need of going to the city would be are many distinguished doctors, biologists, reduced to going to hospital, and to paper- information scientists, electrical work. This would lead to far less traffic engineers. We should appreciate success, jams. Maybe we should spend less on the and penalize fraud, plunder, and crime, building of football stadiums and other improve civil control over executive unnecessary things, and invest money government efficiency, gain and justify into creating one such town, because the trust of foreign investors, especially a happy and quality life is much more in the field of production and employment important to me and my child, than going in information and electrical engineering on a football match on Sunday. A football industry, health care, tourism, and culture. match, if there’s good will, can be played We should preserve traditional crafts, folk and watched at any meadow in the fields art from and around Zagreb, improve around Zagreb… efficiency of local government, but also the judicial system at government level. 32

We should restore trust into intellectual city and the country as a whole… work, and remunerate it adequately, encourage young, talented individuals …How can our vision of Zagreb come to stay in their hometowns. The city of true? First of all, it mustn’t be a vision of Zagreb should also stimulate its young illusionists, because it is an unreal illusion people to go to deserted parts of Croatia that only skilful magicians can achieve, (centrifugal effect of the capital), but we while the rest of us do not see anything should work on connecting Zagreb to but what they want us to see. We have to other regional centers, especially deserted cultivate our vision, no matter how hard parts of the country and the Balkans by the everyday reality was. By using all its building motorways. We should turn potential, from the Croatian Parliament, the Sava River into a navigable main city government, mayor’s office, to all waterway of Zagreb. Regarding health the professional institutions, and the care and education, we should insist media, Zagreb has to occupy its rightful on quality, not quantity, and encourage position as the capital city. It is important competitiveness. In the field of public to love the city you live in. In order to health, we should encourage primary achieve this, we all need to do our best to preventive measures by encouraging “defend” it from inside as well as from the healthy living, self-protection (reducing outside, be it “špica” at Ban Josip Jelačić alienation between people, reducing Square or any other city block. It has stress, encouraging exercise, reducing been confirmed a million times. The last alcohol abuse, smoking, and drug- abuse), proofs of this were those whose names we and computerization. Only by well- knew and the anonymous, whether they meant people and programmes operating were called Units of National Protection, interactively can the vision of Zagreb Croatian National Guard, or the legendary as a healthy city at the beginning of the “Tigers”… twenty-first century come true…

…by activating real human potential of the city, in a way that political parties in power appoint competent (morally, intellectually, and professionally) individuals to the most demanding functions, and not their, mostly incompetent, members…

…all available possibilities of the city should serve all its inhabitants, every individual should be able to be equally involved in the making of the city policy. This could be achieved by introducing local government in which citizens would carry out tasks of importance for the local community, in their own administrative area, but that are also important for the HOW THE CITIZENS OF ZAGREB SEE THEIR CITY THROUGH PICTURES… WHAT DIMINISHES THE BEAUTY OF LIVING IN ZAGREB

Dilapidated condition of old buildings 34

Heavy traffic

The most valuable city areas are being sacrificed for “his majesty – the car” Inappropriate behavior of inhabitants not used to living in a city - litter

Vandalism 36

Devastation of the environment due to unplanned building

Neglected areas, water pollution The beauty of living in Zagreb is mostly spoiled by all-pervasive poverty (queues for food in soup kitchen)

The sight of children begging is especially difficult to bear... 38

WHAT MAKES LIFE IN ZAGREB BEAUTIFUL There is a possibility of choosing diverse and excellent education for their children, from preschool education to higher education... (the University of Zagreb Headquarters)

Zrinjevac park «The Upper town» (old part of Zagreb) 40

Maksimir park (public garden) “Floart” flower fair

Dolac (farmers’ market) 42

View from “Upper Town”

Ban Josip Jelacic square Jarun lake in winter

Ribnjak park (public garden) 44

HOW THE CITIZENS OF ZAGREB SEE THEIR CITY…

…THROUGH AVAILABLE INDICATORS …

1. POPULATION 1991 – 777 826 2001 – 770 058

POPULATION OLDER THAN 14 (1991) 18.3% POPULATION OLDER THAN 65 (1991) 11.2%

THE RATIO OF 112 WOMEN TO 100 MEN

2. NO EDUCATION (1991) 1.9% INCOMPLETE PRIMARY EDUCATION 12.6% PRIMARY EDUCATION 20.7% SECONDARY EDUCATION 45.0% TERTIARY EDUCATION 18.5%

3. EMPLOYED (31/02/2000) total: 328,911 people (139,391 WOMEN) UNEMPLOYED (January 2002) total: 53,892 people (29,130 WOMEN) PENSIONERS (31/12/2000) total: 101,712

4. WORKING ABROAD 38,412 (1991) DISPLACED 5,688 (2000) (865,283 – 1992) REFUGEES 4,182 (2000) (80,344 – 1992)

5. AVERAGE NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS (1991) 2.85

6. 1991 100 MARRIAGES 27.9 DIVORCES 1993 100 MARRIAGES 24.9 DIVORCES 1995 100 MARRIAGES 19.5 DIVORCES 1997 100 MARRIAGES 19.9 DIVORCES 1999 100 MARRIAGES 14.5 DIVORCES 2000 100 MARRIAGES 26.1 DIVORCES 7. AVERAGE SALARY (December 2000) 3,815.00 AVERAGE PENSION (December 2000) 1,678.44 SOCIAL WELFARE USERS: INCREASING TREND IN THE NUMBER OF RECEIVED SOCIAL WELFARE RIGHTS, INREASING TREND IN MATERIAL BENEFITS

8. BIRTHS 2000 7,733 DEATHS 2000 8,233

NEGATIVE NATURAL POPULATION GROWTH (since 1998) -0.6

9. LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH (2000) CIRCULATORY SYSTEM DISEASES 50% TUMOURS 24.5% INJURIES, POISONINGS AND OTHER EXTERNAL CAUSES 5.3% DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISEASES 5% RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES 4.6%

10. EPIDEMIOLOGIC STATUS EPIDEMIES REGISTERED IN 2001 Enterocolitis, Scarlatina, Hepatitis A, TBC, Trichinelosis POISONINGS – the number of Salmonellosis epidermis 2000 – 225; 2001 – 296 HOSPITAL INFECTIONS (data unknown)

11. TBC TREND (DECREASING) AIDS (steady at 1-3 cases annually) HEPATITIS B and C (INCREASING 2000 to 2001)

12. ADDICTION

TREATED PERSONS 1996 - 757 NEWLYDISCOVERED 318 1997- 999 (OPIOIDS) 375 1998 - 1,300 395 1999 - 1,533 311 2000 - 1,689 260 46

13. VIOLENCE

THE NUMBER OF CRIMINAL OFFENCES (GENERAL) INCREASING 18,536 – 2000 21,519 – 2001

THE NUMBER OF CRIMINAL OFFENCES WITH ELEMENTS OF VIOLENCE DECREASED 2001 – 16 MURDERS, 45 ATTEMPTED MURDERS, 243 EXTENSIVE PHYSICAL DAMAGE

THE NUMBER OF CRIMINAL OFFENCES COMMITTED AGAINST MINORS AND CHILDREN ON THE INCREASE 252 – 2000 333 – 2001

SUICIDES 156 – 1998 144 – 1999 135 – 2000

MINORS Out of this year’s total of 11,766 criminal offences, 1% was committed by children and 9% by minors (fewer serious criminal offences)

14. ROAD ACCIDENTS

104 CASUALTIES – 1998 95 CASUALTIES – 1999 76 CASUALTIES – 2000

Increasing number of road accidents and injured, decreasing number of casualties

4.THE CITY HEALTH PLAN

The thematic groups and direction for d) Providing equal possibilities the action to people with disability: summary: the goal is to ensure that future parents are a) Unemployment (citizens informed about possibilities of early facing economic and social insecurity): diagnostics of fetal anomalies (Down’s summary: short term aim - to provide syndrome) and that help and support are assistance to unemployed citizens provided to parents whose children have dealing with difficulties resulting from Down’s syndrome in the early days/ economic and social insecurity, foster and months (to facilitate parents adjustment to help develop psychological, emotional a family member with special needs). and communicational potentials of the unemployed; long-term aim is to decrease e) Strengthening and unemployment. supporting family: summary: the goal is to strengthen family from its very creation b) Protecting and improving by providing professionally lead education the environment quality: summary: to and assistance in all its vulnerable phases. decrease the concentration of NO2 and Since nowadays transitional stress is air-borne particles to obtain 1st quality adding additional burden to the majority air, which would in its turn have impact of the families in Zagreb we would like, on (decreasing) incidence of respiratory with this program, to support them to tract diseases in Zagreb. increase their cooping abilities (thus decrease divorciality rate). c) Strengthening positive social values (social networks): summary: the basic goal of the program is to prevent and decrease psychological and social decompensation in elderly people. The elderly are faced with loneliness and fear of incapability and inability to execute some vital activities of existential importance. This program will develop volunteer work, inter-generational solidarity, children and adult sensitivity to problems of other people (not only the elderly), concrete people, neighbors, and any other who are in need of help. 48

5.SUMMARY AND CLOSING REMARKS

The City Office for Health, Labor I. Introduction and Social Welfare of Zagreb City Administration and the Croatian Healthy Rapid appraisal is a method of collecting Cities Network Support Centre at the problem-related information in short Andrija Štampar School of Public Health time, without spending too much of of Zagreb University Medical School professionals’ time and financial resources. started implementation of RAP in Zagreb Rapid Appraisal is the first step in the at the end of October 2001. Following process of health interventions planning the suggestion of the City Office, and the in a community. In this case the method project team, 143 panelists were selected, was used to determine priority areas for comprising representatives of city the ‘Zagreb – Healthy City Project’. Even administration, important city institutions though the Healthy City Project has been and the citizens themselves. The selected in place in Zagreb for fourteen years, people were asked to write an essay about due to 10-year stagnation of program their city, answering the six questions we activities, the project had to be redefined asked. By January 2002, 74 essays were – insight into new citizens’ needs acquired collected and then processed by computer and according to the established needs new assisted free-text analysis at the Andrija priority areas of project activities selected Štampar School of Public Health. In the for the following five-year period. mean time, the City Office for Health, Labor and Social Welfare associates The implementation of this modified RAP collected the existing relevant written method resulted in: documents (data from the census, routine 1. Creation of the City health profile, health documents, data provided by the Police Department, Employment Agency, 2. Consensus reached between etc.), and prepared a set of quantitative representatives of city administration, health indicators for City of Zagreb. By professionals and citizens on priorities mid March, all preconditions for holding for enhancing health and increasing the consensus conference (the central event of quality of life in the city, the whole exercise) had been met. Main 3. Selection of action plans for improving data sources we used for the consensus health conference and the city health profile 4. Establishment of the alliance of all were: the existing written documents (as interested groups aimed at enhancing quantitative data sources), and panelists’ health and the quality of life in the city. essays and observations (as qualitative II. Implementation data sources). Working meeting (the panel of Following their own professional or research participants) was a two-day private interests, the participants chose to event, which took place on 15 and 16 work in one of the five thematic groups. March 2002. It was attended by some Goals of the thematic group work were: seventy participants, representatives of to describe and provide arguments as professional groups (health professionals, to why they have chosen that particular social workers, teachers, journalists, area (define the problem), to set the entrepreneurs, culture professionals, etc.), goals of their activities (how to recognize local administration (the city and the whether you have succeeded and measure city districts) and community (citizens’ success), to define long-term and short- groups, associations of parents, disabled term plans and to form the working people, etc.). group that will be alliance of all interested parties (politicians, professionals and On the first day, the participants were community) gathered around that informed of the aims of the meeting, particular problem. working method and obtained results. They were presented the most interesting On the second day, the thematic and the most frequent replies from their groups continued their work. There essays, city health indicators and photos were intermittent interruptions of their taken based on their replies to what work in the form of shorter plenary it is that diminishes and contributes sessions, whenever there was a need to to the beauty of living in Zagreb. The provide additional knowledge and share participants were then asked to work experiences. At the end of the working individually and then in small groups day, the thematic groups gave plenary on selecting three major problems out presentations suggesting what should be of all the problems that were mentioned. done in the next phase of the ‘Zagreb- Respecting the selection made by the Healthy City Project’. The conference small groups, a joint list was formed, i.e. ended in public presentation of two-day a consensus on five priority areas of the work, where consensus by all present was future activities of the ‘Zagreb-Healthy reached relating to suggested actions of City Project’ reached. Thematic groups the Healthy City Project. were then formed around following areas: 1. Unemployment (citizens facing economic and social insecurity) III. Results 2. Protecting and improving environment Implementation of RAP helped us to quality (traffic, air) obtain: 3. Strengthening positive social values (social networks) 1. The City Health Profile - build on 4. providing equal possibilities to people two data sources, on panelists essays and with disability, and observations (as qualitative data source) and on existing written documents (as 5. Strengthening and supporting family. quantitative data source). 50

2. Consensus between representatives of to educate and strengthen family from the city administration, the professionals its very creation, provide help in all its and the citizens on five priority areas for vulnerable phases so that it can overcome future activities aimed at improving health the period of social transition that adds to and enhancing quality of urban life: its sensitivity, thus providing for a long- a) Unemployment: provide short-term term decrease in divorce rate. assistance to unemployed citizens dealing with difficulties resulting from 3. The framework for City Health economic and social insecurity, foster Development Plan – long-tem (strategic) and help develop psychic, emotional and short-term (operative) action plan/ and communicative potential of the program aimed at improving health unemployed; long-term aim is to decrease unemployment. 4. Alliance of interested groups b) protecting and improving the quality of (politicians, professionals and community) environment: decrease the concentration gathered around priority problems willing

of NO2 and air-borne particles to obtain to work on improving the quality of life 1st quality air, which would in its turn in the city. have direct impact on decreasing general effects of respiratory tract diseases in Zagreb. c) Strengthening positive social values (social networks): the basic goal of the program is to prevent and decrease psychic and social decompensation in elderly people. The elderly are faced with loneliness and fear of incapability and inability to execute some vital activities of existential importance. This program will develop volunteer work, inter-generational solidarity, children and adult sensitivity to problems of other people (not only the elderly), concrete people, neighbors, and any other who are in need of help. d) providing equal possibilities to people with disability: summary – the goal is to ensure that future patents are informed about possibilities of early diagnostics of fetal anomalies (Down’s syndrome) and provide help and support to parents whose children have Down’s syndrome in the early days (months) of adjustment to a family member with special needs. e) Strengthening and supporting family: summary – provide professional help

T H E C I T Y HEALTH PROFILE

THE CITY OF ZAGREBREB

Zagreb, 2004