BUILD SEE The Divide Between the EU Indicators and their Practical Implementation in the Green Construction and Eco‐Social Requalification of residential areas in South East Europe

Working Package 3 (WP3) COUNTRY REPORT ‐ Slovenia ‐

Project Partner: BSC Kranj NAVA ARHITEKTI / Ljubljana

COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 1

Index

Introduction 4 Aims of the project 4 Description of the methodology A brief outline of Republic of Slovenia Presentation of Gorenjska region – field of processing

Chapter 1: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES 10 1.1 INTRODUCTION 10

1.2 CURRENT SITUATION 12

1.2.1. Introduction of the strategic planning in Slovenia 1.2.2. Land use and spatial development 18 1.2.3. Implementation of Spatial Planning in Slovenia 19 1.2.4. Supporting legislation fields for improvements of urban regeneration 24 1.2.5. A comparison of spatial planning and implementation documentation at a local level 24

1.3 BEST PRACTICE AND SWOT ANALYSIS 26

1.4 RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT (tools) 26

1.5 CONCLUSIONS REGARDING ADMINISTRATION ISSUES 30

Chapter 2: SOCIAL ISSUES 32

2.1 INTRODUCTION 32

2.2 CURRENT SITUATION 33

2.2.1 Economical aspects 33 2.2.2. Social aspects ‐ demographic, migration, population projection 33 2.2.3. Built form and the sense of place 35 2.2.4. Housing 35 2.2.5. Why we need an “Active Citizen”? 38

2.3 BEST PRACTICE AND SWOT ANALYSIS 39

2.4 RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT 39

2.5 CONCLUSIONS REGARDING SOCIAL ISSUES 40

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Chapter 3: BUILDING INNOVATION ISSUES 41

3.1 INTRODUCTION 41

3.1.1 Interventions in the built environment in Slovenia 41

3.1.2 Founding of sustainable construction in Slovenia 42

3.1.3 Problematic of sustainable development agendas in Slovenia 42

3.2 CURRENT SITUATION 42

3.2.1 Energy politics 42

3.2.2. Energy examinations and energy performance certificates 43

3.2.3 Energy founds Grants for energy efficiency investments 45

3.2.4. Waste management 46

3.2.5. Power generation and distribution management 47

3.3 BEST PRACTICE AND SWOT ANALYSIS 47

3.4 RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT (innovation measures) 53

3.4.1 Tools for future successful energy efficiency refurbishments 53

3.4.2 Tools for future improvement energy efficiency investments 53

3.4.3 Tools for future successful energy management rules 53

3.4.4 Tools for future waste management 54

3.4.5 Tools for future energy management 54

3.5 CONCLUSIONS REGARDING BUILDING INNOVATION ISSUES 54

General Conclusions 56

Acknowledgments 58

References 58

Annex 1

Annex 2 COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 3

Best Practice Fact Sheets

Introduction

Aims of the project

The intent of the BUILD SEE project in Slovenia and particularly in Gorenjska region is to build a new Public address system in managerial mode. The intent is to shape a governing process of society that not only includes government and local authorities action but incorporates external economic and social actors through several association mechanisms to prove the validation of paradigm that place and quality of life are connected.

Analysing the quality of life of one single person means we have to treat with objectivity such as: • well being as a social value • satisfaction as a psychological value • prosperity as an economical value

In this context we have to remember The Brundtland Report "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts:

• The concept of needs, in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and • The idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs."

All definitions of sustainable development require that we see the world as a system—a system that connects space; and a system that connects time.

The question we want to answer is »What is the advantage of a certain location?« and how can we find the balance and evolution of above mentioned processes in order to create a better place to invest, work and live by inducing new social and urban processes.

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The key issues to be examined are the effects and influences of regeneration policies in Gorenjska region, which includes local geography or location, natural and local land markets, building forms, land ownership and tenure, regional and local economic circumstances, political agendas and ambitions and administrative structures, tools and mechanisms of interventions. Based on listed facts, the project is exploring the relationship between urban/rural problems and solutions or proposals through three frames: legal, social and building innovation issues. We are examining the similarities and differences in the process of urban development and regeneration between different situations within Gorenjska region that consists of 18 municipalities. The goal is to draw out conclusions around key aspects of the process and prepare basic network for further projects.

Description of the methodology

This report is an outcome of the BUILTD SEE project planning and results from the following analyses the situation, trends, spatial problems and stakeholders' perceptions as well as aims and strategies:

• Gathering information from each of the 18 municipalities in Gorenjska Region /interviews, workshops/; • Analysis of the situation based on statistical and GIS data of the area and each municipality; • Literature review available research reports, articles, development plans etc. in • Conjunction with the area; • Identification of ongoing and finished projects relating to Urban Acquits; • Compilation of the relevant legislation; • Identification of legal insufficiencies in urban planning; • Identification of social issues; • Identification and promotion of the building innovation issues / best practice/; • Analysis of the practical implementation /case study/; • Recommendations and references; • Implementation of strategies in Case Studies as the action plan and assigning tool for the Municipalities in Gorenjska Region (brochures, conference and e‐learning sessions).

What we want to achieve are the spaces of possibility, strong network of accountability of all participants, a coherent place within the region, recognize diversity and enhance the relationship to aesthetics.

A brief outline of Republic of Slovenia

The Republic of Slovenia lies at the heart of Europe where the Alps and the Mediterranean meet the Karst region and Pannonia plains.

The size of Slovenia is 20,273 km². Referring to its landscape, the territory of Slovenia is geographically divided into four basic types of landscape ‐ Alpine in the north, Mediterranean in the south‐west, Dinaric in the south and Pannonia in the east. There are three different types of climate in Slovenia: continental in the central part, Alpine in the north‐west and sub‐Mediterranean along the coast and its hinterland. Slovenia enjoys extraordinarily rich biodiversity due to its location at the junction of several ecological regions. It hosts an abundance of species, including 850 endemic ones. Traditions of close‐to‐nature forest management – 66% of the land area is forest – and low‐intensity farming have helped to conserve much of COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 5 this natural wealth. There is high public support for biodiversity protection, and NGOs contribute positively to policy developments; 35.5% of the territory is designated as part of the Natura 2000 network, the largest share among EU members. Protected areas appear to be well managed. Agricultural land use 27, 8%, water 0, 7%, bare soils 1, 6%, built‐up areas 2, 8% and transport areas 1, 1%.

Slovenia has 2.054.741 (1 October 2011) inhabitants. The majority of Slovenia's population is Slovene (83.06%). Hungarians and Italians have the status of indigenous minorities under the Constitution of Slovenia, which guarantees them seats in the National Assembly. Most other minority groups, particularly those from other parts of the former Yugoslavia, relocated after World War II for economic reasons. According to data from 2008, there were around 100,000 non‐EU citizens living in Slovenia, or around 5% of the overall population of the country. The highest number came from Bosnia‐Hercegovina, followed by immigrants from Serbia, Macedonia, Croatia and Kosovo. The number of people migrating to Slovenia has been steadily rising from 1995 and has been increasing rapidly in recent years. Since Slovenia joined the EU in 2004, the yearly inflow of immigrants has doubled by 2006 and tripled by 2009. In 2007, Slovenia was one of the countries with the fastest growth of net migration rate in the European Union.

Slovenia

With more than 92% of the Slovenian population speaking its own Slovene language in their home environment. This places Slovenia among the most homogeneous countries in the EU in terms of the share of speakers of predominant mother tongue.

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Population density / 101.2 inhabitants per square kilometre (1 July 2011). In terms of urbanization, approximately one third of the population live in towns with more than 10,000 inhabitants, the rest live in nearly six thousand smaller towns and villages.

Republic of Slovenia is divided into 12 statistical regions and 210 municipalities on a local level. The division into statistical regions is based on the social‐geographic regionalization of Slovenia and they coincide also with planning regions determined for the preparation of regional development policy, Gorenjska region is one of them.

Presentation of Gorenjska region – field of processing

Gorenjska region

Gorenjska situated in the northwest of Slovenia. To the north, it borders Austria (Carinthia) along the Karavanke mountain range; to the west Italy (the Friuli‐Venezia Giulia province) to the east the Savinja region, and to the south, it opens up towards the central Slovenian region.

Covering 2,137 square kilometres, which is 10.5 % of the Slovenia’s total surface, Gorenjska is the sixth in size of all Slovenian regions with 204,170 (July 2012) inhabitants, which is 9.9 % of the national population. Population density is under national average (95.5 inhabitants/km2).

Gorenjska is an Alpine region with a characteristic diverse mountainous landscape. Seventy percent of the region is a mountainous world, while only 29.8% lies in the depressed/lowland part of central Slovenia. As

COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 7 much as 40.2% of Gorenjska lies more than 1,000 metres above sea level, 60 % covered with forests, 26 % is agricultural land and 10% infertile land. Additionally, 44.3 % of the surface area incorporates into NATURA 2000 sites.

The region comprises 18 Municipalities: Bled, Bohinj, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Gorenja vas ‐ Poljane, Gorje, Jesenice, Jezersko, Kranj, Kranjska Gora, Naklo, Preddvor, Radovljica, Šenčur, Škofja Loka, Tržič, Železniki, Žiri in Žirovnica. One of them Kranj is having the status of the urban municipality.

The Gorenjska region faces the conflict‐ridden urbanization that has been taking place since the 1950th and by new development impulses since 1991's. The traditional territorial order is overburdened. Globalization brought many economic changes, many traditional industries or manufactures has shut down, some of them also due to the neoliberal impact.

The configuration of individual cells in residential and other parts of settlements is a delicately coordinated network of borders that has evolved between territories and different areas. Within this built structure, the project is investigating various special issues in urban planning such as housing, historic preservation of cultural landscape and sites, urban regeneration, commercial development and brownfield reuse. In the region, we identify three major problems of the investigated topic:

‐ existing built structure /historic centres, degraded residential areas and buildings/

‐ brown field areas ‐ abandoned industrial areas incorporated or contacting residential structure

‐ new planned residential areas and the landscape

Especially in Gorenjska Region, the cities in was the centres of industrialisation, during socialist times. Today they are experiencing massive de‐industrialization – a rapid structural chance that they have to master. Strategically developing hypermarkets and other big box retail stores on Greenfield sites along major access roads on the, thus increasingly fostering a culture of automobile dependent consumerism. The privatisation of the housing stock is a central planning problem in the cities, as are the transportation and environmental consequences of urban sprawl.

Related to the aims of this project mostly all the municipalities show evidence of concern for economical growth, social inclusion and environmental improvement.

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Population density

Aging index

Unemployment rate

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Chapter 1: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES

ANALYSIS OF THE ADMININISTRATION GAP EXISTING BETWEEN THE THEORY DOCUMENTS PRESENTED BY THE EU AND DIFFERENT LEVELS IN SLOVENIA ‐ NATIONAL/REGIONAL ‐ GORENJSKA REGION/LOCAL_ MANUCIPALITIES, DEALING WITH SUSTAINABLE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Slovenia is a democratic republic in which power is divided among legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Within its legislative functions, the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia passes constitutional amendments, laws, and other supreme instruments determining the legal basis and framework for the implementation of other state functions. The Government of the Republic of Slovenia and administrative bodies perform the executive function, particularly in implementing laws and policies. Courts perform the judicial function. The Government leads and directs the work of the government through ministries.

In the Slovene political system, different spheres of government— state and local —have their respective areas of responsibility, authority, and expertise. Both of them are preparing Strategic documents and Legislation. On the regional level is no official regionalization. Each of 12 statistical units has at least one regional development agency, which is responsible for preparing regional development programmes. On the regional level, there is regional council with participation of included municipalities.

In the past twenty‐five years of Slovene independence, we have witnessed a number of reforms with the purpose, of establishing a managerial or post‐bureaucratic approach of Public Administration. The result is more or less solid, urban issues are well‐addressed on national level but in rather comprehensive manner for the local one. The system needs to improve and simplify but on the other hand it must incorporate professional attitude on all levels in order to tackle growing demands and changes of eco‐social and economic development on local level.

Term Spatial Plan from the middle 80s that is obsolete in terms of system and contents was a blueprint for spatial management system reform, and a guideline for the preparation of the Spatial Concept of Slovenia. Though it is also the basis for ensuring the harmonious and integrated action of all activities and actors in the spatial planning process at all decision‐making levels, we have to identify that re‐established spatial planning, as a concept in Slovenia is all but straightforward. It potentially comprises many different aspects and contested principles.

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As a result, the need for cooperation in the management of public lands and resources is especially critical. Citizens enjoy the constitutionally guaranteed right to self‐government. According to the Constitution, municipalities are the basic socio‐economic, political and administrative units, immediately below the level of central government, responsible for the development of local economy and social services in their territories. Slovenia has thus introduced a single‐level system of local self‐government. Slovenia also adopted (1996) and ratified (1997) the European Charter of Local Self‐government before joining the European Union in 2004.

The process of transition in Slovenia with the social and economic transformations also brought radical readjustments in the national urban hierarchy and new challenges for regional development. National planning is trying to integrate a wide array of policies /environmental, spatial, agricultural, economic, social, regional etc. / into the overall goal of sustainable development. As a result, the need for cooperation in the management of public lands and resources is especially critical. We can identify lack of concrete links that should be established between spatial and environmental policy and spatial planning on state, regional and local level.

At the same time, vertical integration across all levels of government is problematic. In the absence of such integration, the development initiatives at local level are often undermined by the decisions of higher authorities. It is obvious that the competencies regarding spatial and urban planning are not defined in a single law, but rather in several legal acts, creating a dispersion of the legal matter. The executive bodies are often making changes in the legislation relating to the matter at hand. The relation between planning and control in Slovenia is organised in such a way that municipalities are responsible for planning, whereas the state or the government administrative offices are entitled to give accordance and permits. They are issued after obtaining numerous sector approvals, which greatly affects the time and the cost.

The relationships between local government finances, property management and urban planning are not smooth and satisfactory because many of the land policy and urban management instruments are not developed or appropriately prepared. Municipalities are faced with a lack of resources for financing capital improvement projects and solving problems that cross their municipal borders.

Slovenia is dealing with rather deep political crises, so the parliamentary elections are quite often. Every new political establishment is in most cases overturning professional decisions in spatial and other policies. Every new Slovenian government in recent years has changed spatial planning legislation and procedures.

The fact is that spatial planning in Slovenia traditionally holds a relative strong political position with a direct impact on land use. The adoption of new laws that has fundamentally redefined the structure of property rights in favour of private interest has limited the capacity of the municipalities to act in defence of public good. General trust as well as trust in institutions (i.e. parliament and the legal system) is quite low in Slovenia, as less than a third of the populations trust these institutions and people in general. There is quite low satisfaction with the way democracy works in the country.

The protection of the property rights is also of great importance. Besides, central government authorities generally deal with spatial planning at the national level, but also with spatial planning for special use/interest, such as, national planning directives railways, motorways, and infrastructure – energy corridors/buffer zones/ that can handicap local communities. Private property and existing legislation often represent serious obstacles to the organization of space when the need to build facilities of public interest arises.

The private sector has a significant influence over government and municipal decision‐making. There are thus increasing calls for developing national urban policies in order to coordinate medium to long‐term COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 11 development. The indiscriminate support for any kind of private development initiatives provide by the new property laws, the state policies of encouragement economic development, and the investment, governments on both levels, gave a lot of power to private developers to pursue realization of their investment projects. Developers claim that the requirements imposed by planners and stakeholders hampered their property rights and the process of economic growth find sympathetic audience among public authorities and ordinary citizens alike, limiting further the ability of regulating the chaotic manner in which the fabric of the post‐socialist built environment was being transformed. In the past period the large‐ scale space appropriations, which were difficult to control and to track of authorized, semi‐authorized or blatantly illegal adaptations of urban space and cultural landscape dominated. The reason is also the inappropriately introduced climate of the social imperative for deregulation and market liberalization. The expanding power of the solidifying business elite controlling ever‐greater shares of urban assets, which are still in process, added a challenging context within spatial planning, that need to re‐establish its authority by increasing activity of citizens, professional and nongovernmental organizations. Citizen’s involvement in procedures to adopt and monitor the implementation of plans is not sufficient. Although the law on all levels foresees it, practical application is not satisfactory.

For improving the role of implementing spatial and other development policies, together with environmental and space planning, in the context of urban regeneration, Slovenia need to facilitate the processes of decision making to carry out development with consideration on the natural environmental, social, political, economic and governance factors and provides a holistic framework to achieve sustainable outcomes.

The result of not implementing spatial policy and being subsequent to spatial planning strategy together with lack of social dialogue is increasing chaotic environment. That is the reason why the necessary reconsideration of the national integrated spatial policy is needed.

1.2 CURRENT SITUATION AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK In this part, we will make a brief and generic recapitulation of the legislation system in Slovenia, which is involved in regeneration of living space and quality of life.

1.2.1. Introduction of the strategic planning in Slovenia

In Slovenia, as elsewhere in the world in the late fifties and sixties of the 20th century, major public works such as motorways, pipelines, urbanization, agricultural development, and poorly regulated suburban industrial and infrastructural developments, transformed the cultural landscape, often without any environmental impact assessment and the cultural heritage was frequently destroyed, especially in the suburbs and in the countryside.

In spite of its small size, Slovenia is marked by major regional differences. On one hand, there are developed urban areas where the majority of economic activities are concentrated, and on the other hand, extensive rural areas are left to depopulation and the deterioration of the cultural landscape. In the desire to eliminate these disparities, implementation of a regional policy was initiated at the beginning of the 1970's based on the polycentric development of cities and towns and on specific laws to stimulate regional development.

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The turning points in 1991 that triggered a comprehensive reform of public administration were the first democratic elections in Slovenia, its independence in June and the adoption of the Constitution at the end of the same year. Further development of public administration was related to the process of Slovenia’s integration into the European Union. In 1996, the government passed the strategy on integration in the EU, including the partial Strategy on public administration reform 1997‐1999. The basic goals of the strategy were to increase the efficiency of the Slovene public administration and to adjust its functions and structures according to the European standards. From 1999 on, the basic new laws were prepared and passed later in 2002 and 2003. The most important ones touching the content of this project are the Public Sector Act, the State Administration Act, the Inspection Act, the Public Agencies Act and the Act on the Access to Information of Public Character. By adopting the act on the access to information of public character, the first step was made towards an open administration.

Policies in Slovenia are prepared on the national level and responsible bodies such as different ministries, government and parliament must approve them. In general, there are three levels of planning: national, regional and local. In February 2003, the portal of administration units was established, representing a sample of a service portal and containing the information on approximately 140 administrative services. In 2001 and 2002, the activities of the Government in the area of removal of administrative barriers were directed towards the simplification of procedures for the establishment of companies, influencing the environment and employment with simplified procedures referring to the Spatial Planning Act and the Construction Act. Slovenia has become the member of EU on the 1st May 2004 and since then the reform has been built up as constant development of public administration based on several pillars such as civil service system, reorganisation of administrative structures, e‐government etc. The public administration reform in Slovenia is therefore aimed at upgrading the existing system in terms of greater professionalism, transparency, efficiency and user‐friendly delivery of public services, all together incorporated in the principles of new public management and good governance. The modernisation of Slovene public administration is a process which has been so far based on a rather legalistic approach and is to be continued especially focusing on process orientation. In July 2003 within special midterm strategy on further development of public sector and later in 2005 within national Strategy on Development of Slovenia until 2013 the coordinated approach has been stressed as well aiming to present administration as an impetus and not an obstacle in developing competitive advantages of national economy. The recommendations that Slovenia can deliver in conducting public administration reform to ensure optimal results are the following: orientation towards users, effectiveness and efficiency, openness, adequate rewarding of civil servants, optimisation and informatisation of working processes, involvement in international networks, awareness of public administration doings’ impacts in national economy, consistent political support, long‐term strategic planning. Unfortunately, they are rather slowly implemented in practice and many times, they depend on subjective factors.

Slovenia is gradually implementing and improving her national policies. The Slovenia’s Development Strategy (SDS) for 2005‐13 has been the key mechanism for defining sustainable development goals and targets. Strategy’s measures should provide a good basis for a new Development Strategy for 2013‐20, which would integrate a green growth perspective.

Over the last ten years, Slovenia has established a comprehensive framework of primary environmental legislation. It has successfully transposed most of the EU environmental directives into the 2004 Environmental Protection Act and other key national laws. It has also adopted new or revised environmental quality and emission standards, drawing on European legislation. Slovenia has made substantial progress in creating a multi‐tier system of environmental permitting. However, its secondary

COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 13 environmental legislation is complex, some areas are inadequately regulated, and there are overlaps and even contradictions between different decrees and ordinances.

The National Nature Conservation Plan 2005‐15 provides a good framework for strengthening biodiversity conservation and should be used, together with relevant EU directives, to guide priority setting. The Operational Programme for the management of Natura 2000 sites has supported the integration of biodiversity into policies in sectors such as tourism, agriculture and forestry.

Natura 2000 areas Gorenjska Region

Referring to the project, they have an important impact on land use and further more on urban regeneration but the score of cross‐sector policies are sill weak in Slovenia.

Here are represented the Policies with an important impact on land use and their objectives:

Agricultural policy / Agriculture Act, Agricultural Land Act /, especially that relating to agricultural land use policy; the aims and requirements of the Common agricultural policy (CAP) also have an important influence; second pillar‐rural development has an important role in strengthening rural areas: • Food production and security,

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• Maintaining production capacities of agricultural land for agricultural production, • Maintaining populated rural areas, • Maintaining the cultural landscape, • Protection of agricultural land and water against • Pollution and aimless use, • Enabling suitable income for agricultural producers.

Environmental policy / Environmental Protection Act, Water Act, various conventions, Spatial Planning Act/, has special requirements regarding the use of natural resources (soil, water etc.), biodiversity and nature protection; spatial policy, with spatial planning processes that make change of land use possible: • Healthy living environment, • Maintaining natural balance and biodiversity, • Directing sustainable spatial development that will • Enable economic, cultural and social development in space, • Care of water sources, other natural resources, • Increasing awareness of the environment, climate change among the population. Environmental policy and planning with strategic approach is necessary as decision support tool and is a way to achieve sustainable development. It is influenced by changes within internal and external operational environments.

Spatial policy / Act on Spatial Planning, European Spatial Development Policy/ the aim is harmonious spatial development that takes into account and balances different needs and interests with public benefits in the spheres of nature protection, preserving the natural and cultural heritage, maintaining natural resources. Interventions in space should be directed in such a way as to enable: • Sustainable development in space and efficient and economic land use, • A quality living environment, • Harmonized location of different activities in space, • Renovation of old has priority over new construction, • Maintaining the characteristics of the space, • Protection of nature, the environment and natural resources, • Health of the population etc.

National Office prepared the act for Spatial Planning and Ministry of the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy. With the Spatial Management Policy Slovenia have formulated the basic guidelines for long‐term continuous and harmonized steering of spatial development while respecting the legal order of the country, the national cultural identity, and the vital interests of all citizens. The Policy outlines the guidelines for spatial management legal system reform and the preparation of the Spatial Development Concept of Slovenia.

Traffic policy especially the construction of highways and some important national road connections /Gorenjska region, planned construction of a X railway corridor from Jesenice to Ljubljana, connecting also the airport of Brnik, the South Stream gas pipeline and highway corridor / The aim is harmonious spatial development that takes into account and balances different needs and interests with public benefits in the spheres of nature protection, preserving the natural and cultural heritage, maintaining natural resources. Interventions in space should be directed in such a way as to enable:

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• Harmonized, reliable and cost efficient working of the traffic system, • Construction of traffic infrastructure.

Infrastructural Corridors + Protected Areas ( X corridor )

Regional policy / Spatial Planning Act, Local Government Act/ which strives for balanced development among Slovenian regions and also for balanced development between urban and rural areas with a municipalities in the region; stimulation of sustainable development that activates the potentials of Slovenian regions and in this process does not reduce resources and developmental possibilities for the next generation. In the 2007‐2013 programming period the integrated environmental development strategies were refined and we are in preparation of the next period planning from 2014 – 2020 or even 2025. Regional Conception of Spatial Development is tackling Municipal Spatial Development Strategy. The Municipal Spatial Development Strategy shall specifically stipulate the: • Basic premises and objectives of the municipal spatial development; • The conception of the location of activities including the priorities and guidelines aimed at achieving the objectives of municipal spatial development; • The conception of individual locally significant systems with spatial impact, such as: ‐ the conception of settlement including the master plans for urban land use, renewal of the existing housing, and the restoration of degraded urban areas; ‐ the conception of municipal infrastructure;

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‐ the conception of landscape showing agricultural and forested land, water resources and water management systems, the areas of minerals, natural and cultural value, as well as natural and threatened areas; • The conception of settlement development, planning, and management (hereinafter: the Conception of Urban Development); • The conception of landscape development, planning, and management (hereinafter: the Conception of Landscape Development and Protection); • Municipal Spatial Development Strategy implementing measures.

Regional strategic planning represents a kind of bridge between national legislation (regulations) and the needs of municipalities that form a region. The results of such planning should be the starting point for municipal planning space, natural conditions and created amenities define the creation of priority areas in the region and an adequate settlement network. Such planning can be criticised as being too centralistic but, on the other hand, there is otherwise no proper order in space. New spatial development legislation makes land use much more liberal in many senses so the policies are the right tool for sustainable environment and promotion of strategic economic and societal development in the long run.

In the context of this project we need to note also some other policies that can have an indirect impact on land use and therefore on quality of living. In the 2007‐2013 financial perspective, Slovenia has been allocated a considerable amount of European funds trough the Common agricultural policy (CAP), the important role in improving infrastructure and other important matter are found in Cohesion policy after 2013.

Energy policy with The National Energy Programme, which set out Slovenia’s long‐term developmental goals and trajectories of energy systems and energy supply. The share of renewable sources in primary energy supply is steadily increasing. It is of particular importance for Slovenia to maintain the concept of transitional arrangements in cohesion policy after 2013, and to continue with the common agricultural policy reform oriented towards the promotion of competitiveness, sustainable agricultural production and strengthening of the rural development policy.

Responsibility for financing of environmental infrastructure has gradually decentralised to local government, particularly for wastewater collection and treatment infrastructure, and accounted for more than two‐thirds of central government expenditure in 2009. However, while public needs may be better identified at the local level, greater decentralisation has resulted in fragmentation of efforts and in insufficient capacity and resources at the local level. The absence of a regional tier of administration in Slovenia makes the issue of municipal fragmentation all the more challenging. The adoption of the Balanced Regional Development Act in 2000 encouraged good co‐operation among Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), councils of regions and associations of municipalities and towns. Greater co‐operation among municipalities, and their co‐operation with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment and Ministry of Infrastructure and Spatial Planning, is needed to strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental services and spatial planning policies. Likewise, it needs to be coordinated with the large number of priorities coming from different areas of competency, in particular economic and social development and environmental protection.

Environment formed part of the Exit Strategy 2010‐13, the fiscal stimulus implemented in response to the global economic and financial crisis. The Exit Strategy included measures to: adjust the planning and permitting system for transport, energy and environmental infrastructure; modernise the railways;

COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 17 promote renewable energy; adapt to climate change; and increase the competitiveness of the agriculture and food processing industries while reducing environmental impacts, and optimising forest management. The characteristics of Gorenjska Region and space is created by contrasting landforms a large share of mountainous areas, a wealth of surface and underground waters, bio‐diversity, a variety of landscapes, preserved cultural heritage, and extensive forested areas. Gorenjska geographic features have always favoured easy transit over its territory, reflected in the transport corridors X that link to the European land transport corridor and provide access to all directions.

Therefore the important document in the context of the objectives established in the Agricultural policy with adopted strategic guidelines for rural development policy, the rural development strategy is implemented by a set of measures, which are classified by the axes. Rural Development Programme of the Republic of Slovenia 2007 ‐ 2013 covers the period between 1st January 2007 and 31 December 2013 and applies to the entire territory of the Republic of Slovenia. On this basis The Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment is preparing the new Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 with following goals:

• Transfer of knowledge and innovation; • Increasing productivity, sustainable use of natural resources, the mitigation and adaptation to climate changes; • Developing short supply chains and the forest‐wood chains and improving the quality; • Developing endogenous potentials of rural areas and employment.

The environmental consciousness of the public is relatively high in Slovenia and especially in Gorenjska region so the task of this project is to identify why we are making good progress in theory and much slower in practice.

1.2.2. Land use and spatial development

Present land use is a result of society’s current needs as well as a reflection of historical Land use patterns. In the most recent period, sub‐urbanization is mainly evident on urban fringe and in settlements that are close to the corridor connecting to Jesenice, Kranj and the capital city of Ljubljana. On the other hand, the rural landscape is demographically endangered with ageing and falling of population.

Forest and grassland predominate in the structure of agricultural land. The main land use interests are development of building land for housing needs, development of economic activities such as trade centres and some industrial zones, sports facilities, infrastructure, agricultural activities, tourism needs as hotels, apartments, golf courses and other leisure facilities, as well as nature reserves and protected areas.

The problem of present land use is a conflict of interest resulting from the fact that the majority of the population lives in the urban and peri‐urban area, where economic activities are also mostly concentrated. The process of dispersed housing, especially in rural areas is still going on. It is very popular for building secondary homes, tourist facilities and attractions. The goals of spatial development are how to provide main infrastructure and save the best quality agricultural land and environmentally important areas. Illegal construction is still rampant, especially in the housing sector. Good spatial planning is therefore very important for appropriate adjustment of different land use interests as well as sustainable development of the area.

According to the Government of the Republic of Slovenia Act, the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning was abolished in February 2012. The area of environment is shifted to the Ministry of Agriculture

COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 18 and the Environment and the area of spatial planning is transferred to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Spatial Planning, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food of the was combined with the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning on part that concerns the environment.

The legal basis is led down with Environment Protection Act (ZVO‐1), the authority responsible in the field of environment planning with management is Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment of the Republic of Slovenia has four areas of work: AGRICULTURE DIRECTORATE ENVIRONMENT DIRECTORATE PUBLIC SERVICES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND INVESTEMENTS ENVIRONMENT DIRECTORATE FORESTRY, HUNTING AND FISHERIES DIRECTORATE

Besides that, it has bodies that affiliate to the Ministry: ‐ Agency of the RS for Agricultural Market and Rural Development ‐ Slovenian Environmental Agency ‐ Inspectorate of the RS for Agricultural and Environment ‐ Slovenian Nuclear Safety Administration ‐ The Administration of the RS for Food Safety, Veterinary and Plant Protection

Protected areas of Slovenia as a big opportunity for Gorenjska region that is in many cases not foreseen as possibility to develop environmentally friendly economic activities. The 1986 National Spatial Plan (NSP) in SFRJ sought to establish a large number of protected areas for nature conservation in Slovenia. Then the protected areas policy has failed to formal institutionalise most of these proposed protected areas, but the NSP has continued to act as the key framework underpinning present day decision‐making in the development of protected areas. Slovenia was a pioneer of nature protection policy but this was marginalised during the early years of transition with little support other than from officials in the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning (MESP). Protected areas of Slovenia include one national park (In Gorenjska region: Triglav national park), three regional parks, several landscape parks, and hundreds of natural monuments and monuments of designed nature. They cover about 12.5% of the Slovenian territory. The Natura 2000 proposal would increase the totals to 260 sites and 32% of national territory.

1.2.3. Implementation of Spatial Planning in Slovenia

The legal basis is led down with Spatial Planning Act (ZP Načrt). The authority is Ministry of Infrastructure and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Slovenia. It is responsible for the areas of railway, air, maritime, waterway and road transport with the exception of control over road traffic safety, as well as for the areas of transport infrastructure and cableway installations, spatial planning, construction, housing policy, energy sector, mining and efficient use of renewable energy sources.

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Legal Framework: Urban Areas Planning

Ministry of Infrastructure and Spatial Planning has five areas of work: INFRASTRUCTURE DIRECTORATE TRANSPORT DIRECTORATE SPATIAL PLANNING DIRECTORATE ENERGY DIRECTORATE INVESTMENT MONITORING AND FINANCE DIVISION /European funds section/

Besides that, it has bodies that affiliate to the Ministry: ‐ Slovenian Maritime Administration ‐ Slovenian Roads Agency ‐ Transport, Energy and Spatial Planning Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia ‐ Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia

Connected Public Agencies: ‐ Public Agency for Safety of Traffic of the Republic of Slovenia ‐ Public Agency of the Republic of Slovenia for Railway Transport

Spatial Planning The state prepares laws, policies and other instruments in the field of spatial planning. They define the spatial planning system and provide strategic spatial development objectives and guidelines. In addition to the spatial development laws and strategic documents, the state also has the authority to perform measures concerning spatial development activities and construction, which are of national significance. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Spatial Planning is in the area of spatial planning responsible for

COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 20 preparing strategic development guidelines, spatial arrangements of national significance and overseeing spatial plans of local communities.

Energy The Energy Directorate performs tasks relating to the efficient use of energy and to the provision of renewable sources of energy, energy supply, sources of energy and mining. Its key activities include: • Preparation and implementation of national energy policy (energy generation and processing, production, distribution and supply, efficient use and renewable sources of energy for heating and transport); • Ensuring rational economic management of raw mineral resources and conferring mining rights for exploration and exploitation of raw mineral resources; • Implementing measures to achieve energy and climate objectives while ensuring a reliable energy supply at competitive prices, in particular through encouraging the use of renewable energy sources and measures for higher energy efficiency; • Cooperation within bilateral and multilateral regional energy frameworks aimed at providing a stimulating environment for cooperation at national, regional and entrepreneurial levels; • Management of the energy sector database information system for the needs of the sectorial ministry and elaboration of economic analyses for the energy sector; • Drawing up legislative and other acts for the energy and mining sectors.

Surveying and Mapping Authority of the Republic of Slovenia Land survey service is responsible for the basic data on space and real estate in the finalised databases. It provides services pertaining to the registration of changes in space and on real estate properties, performs a coordination role in the field of the real estate system and spatial data infrastructure. In cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, it is implementing mass real estate valuation with the goal of creating foundations for successful and efficient real estate administration and provision of data for objective and comprehensive real estate taxation as well as increased efficiency of the real estate market. It provides conditions for implementing land surveys and ensures the compliance of the national coordinate system with the European coordinate system. The strategic goals support the development of the real estate system and the topographic system with the aim of supporting the implementation of the spatial planning policy as well as the agricultural and land policies on the basis real estate and spatial data or indicators based on those data. The development of the basic geodetic system with the aim of development of modern methods of land survey, acquisition of data and the introduction of new services based on satellite technology for positioning (locational services) is also one of the strategic goals of the land survey service. It is also responsible for development of the geographic information system GIS already in use in most of the municipalities within the Gorenjska region.

The problem that effects urban planning is that the building and land register are not up‐to‐date. They stand in the way of a free real estate market and in some cases affect the time needed and the financial realisation of development and other projects or simply turn the potential investors away from the sites for which the ownership rights have not been settled. This can have an important impact on local development.

Spatial planning in Slovenia is divided between national and local level, while an official regional level has not yet been established. The Spatial Planning Act (ZPNačrt), applicable since April 2007, was introduced some changes and defines the purpose, aims and principles of spatial planning. The main aim of spatial planning is to enable harmonious spatial development, taking into account the various needs and interests of development and the public good in the fields of environmental protection, preserving the natural and COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 21 cultural heritage, protection of natural resources, defence and protection against natural and other disasters. The new Act (ZPNačrt) also introduced new compulsory spatial documents on national and local (municipal) levels.

On the national level, the main document is the “National Strategic Spatial Plan” and on the municipal level, the “Municipal Spatial Plan”, which deals comprehensively with the spatial problems of the municipality, and is at the same time a strategic and implementing spatial document. The municipal spatial plan is the basis for the preparation of projects that require building permission. Local authorities, in consultation with citizens, NGOs and other land users, prepare a municipal spatial plan, which must be adopted by the municipal council. The Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning must confirm conformity with national spatial planning documents. The national level can thus reject a local government plan if it contains elements in conflict with the national spatial plan or strategy or other national strategic documents. Fundamental Goals of Spatial Planning and Management is to enable a harmonious spatial development by coordinating economic, social, and environmental aspects of development:

• Ensure sustainable spatial development by way of rational land use and the conservation of spatial capacities for present and future generations; • Enable high‐quality living conditions in cities and rural areas, to ensure a quality and humane development of cities and other settlements, and to ensure their supply with services and utilities; • Achieve a spatially harmonized and mutually complementary location of various activities; • Provide spatial opportunities for a balanced development of the community; • Provide functionally disabled persons with unhindered access to buildings to enable their use in accordance with the law; • Ensure environmental protection, preserve nature and cultural heritage, enable • sustainable use of natural resources, and protect other qualities of the natural and living environment; • Enable defence of the state and ensure protection against natural and other disasters.

National level The state establishes and enacts laws, policies and other instruments in the field of spatial planning. They define the spatial planning system and provide strategic spatial development objectives and guidelines. In addition to the spatial development laws and strategic documents, the state also has the authority to perform measures concerning spatial development activities and construction, which are of national significance. The state has also the responsibility to: • conduct and implement land policy; • maintain the spatial data system; • develop and encourage professional work in spatial planning; • participate in matters of spatial planning and management at the international level.

Local level Local communities have the original right to spatial management and planning of their territories, with exception of spatial development activities, which are under direct jurisdiction of the state. A local community is obliged to perform activities in the field of spatial planning and management, as well as planning pursuant to the adopted laws, standards, and criteria. Their principal task in connection with spatial management and planning is concern for rational, mixed, and sustainable land use, as well as COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 22 economical use of land plots in accordance with the principles of high quality living, working, recreation, and a healthy environment. In decision‐making procedures, they are responsible for the direct participation of all the involved and interested parties. They also care for and maintain the identity of the community by considering and protecting the natural and built characteristic features. One of the key aspects of inappropriate urban planning is very poor participation of land owners in the processes for Land consolidation instrument. The merging of plots of land in the area of the planned local detailed plan and their reallocation among landowners would be a great contribution towards sustainable built structure with higher territorial identity.

The big roles in coordination of planning process are having also the Association of Municipalities of Slovenia (ZOS) and the Association of Municipalities and towns of Slovenia (SOS). SOS is the biggest representative association of municipalities, established in 1992. Association has 173 member municipalities (from 210 municipalities). Because of different needs in association with community’s size, the association is organized in three sections – section of city municipalities, section with Administrative Unit headquarters and section of other communities. They coordinate legal acts and regulation act within working areas that are important for the communities.

Tasks of Association of Municipalities and Towns of Slovenia are, in particular, implementation and representation of local community’s common interests in proportion to coordination with legal and regulation acts, which, with their solutions, affect municipalities’ situation.

Among above mentioned, there are many other tasks, inter alia that people working at AMTS improve: • They draw up and carry out different types of education for Member Communities; • They offer help and scientific advice to the Member Communities in those fields where it is necessary; • They give effect and represent common interests of the community towards the state authorities and international organizations; • They create some common development projects ; • They represent community’s interests in the negotiations for financial credits intended for the community’s from state budget ; • They represent community’s interests in the procedures of making collective contract for public sector; • They prepare professional materials for the community’s needs; • They take care of Member Community’s regular informing, about issues, that are important for the community’s functioning.

Principle of protecting public interest: Representation of public interests is regulated through the mechanism of Environmental impact assessments, they are coordinated with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Spatial Planning, the legal basis is Spatial planning act (ZPNačrt). Ministry regulates list witch has now 12 fields: 1. settlement development /Ministry of Infrastructure and Spatial Planning/ 2. agriculture /Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment/ AGRICULTURE DIRECTORATE 3. forestry, hunting and fishing /Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment/ FORESTRY, HUNTING AND FISHERIES DIRECTORATE, FORETRY INSTITUT, Fisheries Research Institute of Slovenia 4. water use and management /Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment/ Slovenian Environmental Agency with NATURA 2000, Institute for Water of the Republic of Slovenia 5. nature conservation / Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation / 6. protection of cultural heritage /Ministry of Culture/DIRECTORATE FOR CULTURAL HERITAGE 7. infrastructure and traffic /Ministry of Infrastructure and Spatial Planning/ DIRECTORATE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 23

8. sustainable mobility /Ministry of Infrastructure and Spatial Planning/ DIRECTORATE FOR TRAFFIC 9. mining /Ministry of Infrastructure and Spatial Planning/ DIRECTORATE FOR ENERGY 10. energy /Ministry of Infrastructure and Spatial Planning/ DIRECTORATE FOR ENERGY 11. sutured area and rescue /Ministry of Defence/ Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief 12. defence /Ministry of Defence/ DIRECTORATE FOR LOGISTIC

They all prepare their programmes as for example Natura 2000 Management programme for Slovenia for the period 2014‐2020 (SI Natura2000 Management). The list is even more comprehensive. Following the preparation of one Municipal Spatial plans in the region we listed 47 applications. We can identify that the procedures are extremely long, complex, costly and the harmonization of views and opinions is very difficult on all the levels.

Principle of public involvement: Care of the human rights of the most vulnerable groups. Secure that poor, vulnerable and discriminated people have voice and take part in the public decisions, and not only influential stakeholders. A part of civil society that participate in spatial planning procedure are also Non‐governmental organisations (NGOs has 17 Societies). Civil society, which essentially contribute to the development, and implementation of democracy and human rights, are an important player in cooperation also in the field of the environment as it concerns individuals who are bound by the same interests and are aware of their social responsibility. They enforce the principles of environmental protection and preservation of nature and sustainable development at all levels of political decision‐making and operation. Environment centre provides office space for environmental non‐governmental organizations. Its info point connects interested publics and provides access to environmental and sustainable development information and publications for wider public. The Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment of RS support its work.

1.2.4. Supporting legislation fields for improvements of urban regeneration

It is essential to update and regulate some statuary regulations that effects urban regeneration processes. The most important are the field of civil law and active land policy and the field of social and housing policy in coordination with the field of financial policy. The comprehensive integrated approach in spatial planning, that can be broken down into several sub‐ issues and thus the movement towards it too:

• Vertical (between levels with competences in spatial planning) • Horizontal (between policies with territorial impact)

Coordination together makes up the level of comprehensiveness. Slovenia has mainly horizontal coordination and weak or no vertical coordination.

1.2.5. A comparison of spatial planning and implementation documentation at a local level

The purpose of this project is to define the content and functions of a basic spatial document “in vivo” and the adoption of which falls within the exclusive competence of the local community. The point of departure of the project is a situational and problem analysis of the current system of spatial planning and implementation documentation in municipalities in relation to valid legislation and practice.

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COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 25

1.3 BEST PRACTICE AND SWOT ANALYSIS We have chosen Gorje Municipality as a best practice example in two frameworks – public administration issues and social issues for they proved how the right course of events could provide an excellent foundation for future development.

‐ See Annex 1

1.4 RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

Today we live in a post‐industrial information age. Technological development, the new information culture, and telecommunications systems all make people’s lifestyles significantly different to those of a century ago. Owing to the dynamic transformation flows within the evolutionary process, life in space is also becoming increasingly dependent on current developmental changes. Temporariness and flexibility are therefore two crucial components within the new organisation of built environment. Traditional models merely serve as starting points for understanding the change in and reshaping of the correlation between structure and content.

New encroachments on cultural landscape are inevitably preconditioned by the existing structure, which according to legal provisions, can either enable or obstruct changes in and the expansion of settlements. Every encroachment on the structure reshapes the existing settlement pattern. For this reason, an understanding of the dynamic growth of settlements must serve as the basis for new arrangement plans, which unlike traditional static plans do not define the final state but ensure a swift response to newly emerged conditions, and therefore envisage permanent adjustment and change. All these processes can be carried out only with bearing full responsibility of all involved participants.

By surveying all the municipalities in Gorenjska region, we prepared proposals for each of them that are interested in starting reurbanization processes. This means the expedient use of already developed areas and regeneration of degraded built structure using internal spatial reserves in settlements and their surroundings. In the other hand the farming, land protection system needs to be redefined from the aspect of settlement needs, particularly within urban development areas. It is necessary to promote an active policy for towns and villages regarding the distribution of urban activities, and to establish instruments for the conservation and development of city cores and other older parts of settlements. In smaller settlements, it is necessary to form attractive centres, which should also make their services available to the rural population, and thus enforce spatial order that will ensure a rational provision of infrastructure. Special attention should be directed towards the revitalization and restructuring of economic activities in old industrial areas.

1.4.1 Tool No.1 ‐ Implementation of policies

The question is how to overlap the existing spatial disorder?

First, we need a common social contract to foster systematic regulation of the space. For this reason, the implementation of the Spatial Management Policy is an important act in the structure of cultural and natural landscape, which ranges from statutory regulations though spatial concepts and plans to harmonize implementation programmes. It is necessary to clearly define the standpoints and achieve the professional consensus to recognize the space as an essential condition for creating the culture of living. Such a policy COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 26 will serve to ensure a notable change from the current inadequate state, absence of legal system, partial sectorial development strategies, and uncontrolled self‐serving attitude of developers. The purposes of spatial policy and the instruments included are diverse: • To understand long‐term spatial development trends; • To develop options for the development of the territorial structure of an area; • To inspire and guide the spatial planning process; • To assist in spatial planning programmes and the selection of projects.

There is also an important task of visioning process, which is: • To identify priority issues for spatial development in an integrated and long‐term perspective; • To generate solutions for existing problems and challenges; • To generate partnerships and bring about consensus among diverse interests sharing the same goal; • To enhance the participation of citizens and interest groups.

Each policy occurs through social dialogue. The Spatial Policy will help to develop cultural and within it territorial capital in a non‐destructive way in order to improve territorial cohesion at different levels. On 27th November 2013, the government adopted The Resolution on the National Programme for Culture 2014‐2017 (ReNPK14‐17). The Ministry of Culture is preparing the umbrella Spatial Policy that will integrate all the other policies like landscape, architectural, rural, social, housing etc. More than anything else, the Policy is a process that must be part of national memorandum and the operative part, including adoption of legislation and education. Active public awareness is essential.

Integrated frameworks are a matter of vertical coordination, while integrated policy packages owe more to horizontal relations among actors that need to give coherence to a multiplicity of ongoing processes. It is essential that the role of the state is an example for obtaining territorial capital, due to this the following actions should take place: • the change of the Construction Act • the change of Public Procurement Act • the fight against bad practices • increase the role of the professional chambers • introduce active fiscal policy

Linkages between biodiversity and other cross‐sectorial policies are complex and greater efforts are needed to mainstream biodiversity into decision‐making processes across the economy. One of the most important issues in relation to territorial development is the vertical organization (structure) of legislative system and the relationships between the authorities and stakeholders at different levels.

1.4.2 Tool No.2 – Establishing the Lead Cooperating Agency for Relationship in land use and spatial development

Reorganization processes in municipalities and their settlements should be promoted. This means the expedient use of already developed areas and revitalization of degraded urban areas as internal spatial reserves in towns/villages and their surroundings. Local governments together with citizens and professionals need to redefine farming land protection system from the aspect of settlement needs, particularly within urban development areas.

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The achievement of these objectives requires an integrated treatment of the settlement, infrastructure, and landscape at all levels. In this respect, it is necessary to provide prudently planned policies for polycentric development of the network of municipalities and all settlements, also to prevent further uncontrolled and dispersed building while taking care of the development of rural areas, preserving biodiversity, areas of outstanding natural value, and the cultural heritage.

Chaotic legislation results in ineffectiveness and may breed corruption the speculative management of land use. The future is involving Policies together with high professional expert researchers on environment and policy analysis as an applied discipline. Such a definition originates in the purpose of the analysis itself, whether it is an analysis for selecting a policy (based on a preliminary analysis, we support a specific kind of policy) or an analysis of the policy's effects, that is, an actual evaluation of its implementation and achievements. The contribution of regional policy to reducing regional disparities must be assessed based on available quantitative and qualitative data. The effectiveness of regional policy must be evaluated based on qualitative changes in space and not because of the analysis of the policy itself.

Technical and governmental services in particular should be strengthened, and the responsibilities and tasks of individual governmental levels (i.e., state. region. local authorities) should be clearly defined. This definition should also set forth the rational interconnections at the strategic spatial management planning level and provide for the operational preparation, planning and implementation of land‐use decisions. The regional and local levels, however, have the basic responsibility for spatial management. A coordinated operation of various government sectors with impact on spatial management should be ensured. Government should aim to assure transparent and continuous process of reconciling conflicting spatial interests.

Preliminary assessments of possible impacts on the urban and regional development should be provided before any extensive spatial development activity takes place. Developers need to increase seeking ways to involve better public participation in planning decisions.

With very developed framework of expert research stakeholders, Slovenia needs to create more effective government partnerships by establishing The Lead Cooperating Agency for Relationship in land use and spatial development. The mayor improvement would be to identify lands that are open or available uses, including any applicable restrictions, and lands that are closed to certain uses. The agency decisions are going to be made on a broad scale and guide subsequent site‐specific day‐to‐day decisions, developing collaboration between spheres of government, shared competencies, and seeking for: • Equality of access in decision‐making, so that the roles in the legislative and executive processes become clearer. Each Institution will have to explain and take responsibility for what it does, openness is going to improve the confidence in the society; • Efficient delivery of services Policies must be effective and timely, delivering what is needed on the basis of clear objectives, an evaluation of future impact and, where available, of past experience; • Transparency and Accountability, Civic Engagement and Citizenship

The Agency relationship will provide a framework for intergovernmental efforts by:

• Gaining early and consistent involvement of all partners; • Incorporating local knowledge of economic, social, and environmental conditions, as well as State, Regional and local land use requirements; • Addressing intergovernmental issues and voiding duplication of effort; • Enhancing local credibility of plans and environmental impact statements; • Encouraging agency support for management decisions; COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 28

• Building relationships of trust and cooperation; • Making better, more informed decisions. The agency should have a large and complex responsibility. The agency’s decisions will benefit from the varied skills and knowledge of the government partners, independent experts by including knowledge of local conditions and values.

Coherence can be assessed in relation to clarity of individual policies, of coherence between policies, and of co‐ordination and integration of interventions across sectors. Vertical and horizontal coordination leads to integration and coherence between disparate responsibilities, competences and visions of territories.

1.4.3 Tool No.3 – Establishing the Region

The extent of municipalities’ autonomy and the absence of a regional administrative level have led to an important environmental governance gap between the national and local levels. While efforts are under way to develop common strategies to tackle priority issues such as local air pollution and waste management, national environmental authorities are often unaware of the environmental performance of the ever‐growing number of municipalities. Oversight by the national government to ensure consistency in the implementation of environmental requirements is partly improved by establishing a regular forum for dialogue between the ministries and municipalities, with active involvement of the associations of municipalities and towns of Slovenia. Such a forum aims to better monitor and benchmark the environmental performance of local authorities, with a view to identifying and disseminating good practice. It should also facilitate better feedback from the local level for policy purposes.

All the investigated Municipalities see the opportunity of long‐term re‐qualification of urban and within those residential areas in establishing regional platform – Gorenjska region and composing a strong network of interaction, in order to promote the development of regional centres as regional development generators. The Region will be able to lead the coordinated restructuring the countryside, to preserve significant features of rural landscapes and indigenous rural settlement characteristics, the characteristic patterns of which represent cultural heritage of national and European significance.

Second reason is that municipal fragmentation and insufficient oversight at the regional level have impeded the balancing, in spatial planning, of the development needs of local communities and the protection and rational use of natural resources. Neighbouring local authorities seldom co‐ordinate their land use plans and they sometimes compete for industrial and commercial development projects. Lack of co‐operation at the local level is reinforced by lack of co‐ordination between relevant ministries at the national level. Environmental impact assessment procedures should provide adequate safeguards and provisions for public participation, particularly when assessments are conducted after a project has been included in a spatial plan. Developers are increasingly seeking ways to avoid public participation in planning decisions.

The establishing of regional government will promote greater co‐operation between municipalities through Regional Development Agencies, Councils of Regions, and the associations of municipalities and towns of Slovenia, in order to achieve economies of scale and scope for environmental infrastructure; promote greater participation by the private sector in environmental investment while maintaining the quality of service at a reasonable cost, including through transparent benchmarking and performance evaluation; further strengthen co‐operation among institutional stakeholders in spatial planning on the regional and national level.

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Another advantage will be also to improve the co‐ordination and coherence of local spatial plans by strengthening their scrutiny by the governmental institutions and the provision of financial incentives for municipalities to develop joint regional spatial plans; and systematically require environmental assessment, and encourage full participation by the public, before spatial planning decisions are made at the local level.

1.4.4 Tool No.4 – Chief Architect and Council

As new but already known old tool in Slovenia that was dropped after the second WW, Slovenia needs to re‐establishing the instrument of chief architects and planning Councils for better coordination and decisions that are more efficient and for the protection of landscape and built environment. We would obtain two advantages: • The planning would be managed at all levels and moved down to the specific, detailed issues; • The settlement system, which in Slovenia is very dispersed would be better planned and controlled; • The municipalities would better plan and optimise the implementation of the EU‐funded measures on built environment.

1.4.5 Tool No.5 – Reform of Environment or Space Related Taxes

Government need to asses how a broader reform of environment related taxes and subsidies, and other economic instruments of environmental policies, could help meet the policy objectives of the 2013‐20 Development Strategy. Develop a transparent enforcement policy and strengthen the effectiveness of environmental enforcement by making the size of administrative fines at least equal to the financial gains of non‐compliance, and improving collection rates; eliminate “discounts” for early payment environmental fines. Promote urban regeneration processes by stimulating the investments in historic housing, old city cores and brownfield areas. Fight against illegal construction, which is still rampant, especially in the housing sector. Illegal housing is especially problematic in the green belt around larger cities, which limits urban development and makes it more expensive due to spontaneous development and poor municipal infrastructure. It would help municipalities, especially the newly established ones that are faced with a lack of resources for financing capital improvement projects and solving problems that cross their municipal borders.

1.5 CONCLUSIONS REGARDING PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES

An important condition for the development of municipalities with urban centres and rural space is the quality of the living space, which, in general, remains one of the Slovenian and specially Gorenjska Region advantages in comparison with other European regions. The attractiveness of our urban areas and landscapes can only be enhanced by a rational allocation of land use, better quality of urban, landscape design, and good architecture, in harmony with the elements of natural values and cultural heritage.

The role of government is to define the restrictions for construction in municipal areas by law, so that local governments can prepare the plans by deciding between different possible opportunities while abiding by the law. Trying to get an overall social agreement of the present and future use of land, for urban residential areas, central zones with services, recreational areas, sustainable infrastructure and protected forest areas and open spaces. The municipalities should play a central role in planning. The main principle is solving local problems locally with instruments at their disposal to be able to direct and regulate the development. Municipality should be conducting an overall assessment of future developments in her COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 30 region together with decreeing building permits. All issues including legislation changes need to be harmonised. The challenge and the backdrop question of relevance for the future lies in the process, in the process through which society and government will tackle the problems and agree on a socially acceptable solution.

New Public Management regardless of its differences in purpose and actions, intend to be the answer to the real or alleged problem of the steering and administrative incapacity, ineffectiveness and/or insufficiency of governments, attributed to a number of internal and external factors:

• To the limitations, unbalances and poor management of public finances, drastically exhibited during the fiscal crises; • The impact of global markets have diminished the decision‐making autonomy of governments in multiple public issues, particularly those regarding economic growth; • The weakness of insufficient capacity of government explained by the complex composition and etiology of numerous current public problems, where a reasonable solution demands several technological, financial, organizational, knowledge‐based, regulatory and even political resources which the government does not possess or does not possess in sufficient scale and are dispersed over many actors; • The reforms, in conjunction with the neoliberal project of a market driven economy is the starting point to develop public finance adjustment.

It is necessary to set up a programme for providing the public with on‐line information about spatial development activities, thereby raising the awareness of spatial values, environmental vulnerability, and the significance of cultural heritage, as well as restoring the trust in the profession.

Spatial development requires agreement between stakeholders (public and private alike) to ensure the spatial coherence of different actions. In addition, it needs leadership (‘pilotage’) to manage the territorial and multi‐actor dynamics because of the specific character of a territory. In this sense, governance is not opposite to government. Space, land or territory is an exhaustible resource (public good), and the use and planning we make of it limits its potential for future development and therefore has a strategic character. Therefore, it is necessary to achieve multi‐level structure of Regionalisation and to take the opportunity of existing high horizontal relationship forms of cooperation between agencies, departments and authorities. New spatial planning powers should help to improve vertical cooperation and coordination for obtaining integrated spatial planning.

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Chapter 2: SOCIAL ISSUES

2.1 INTRODUCTION

Almost all‐human activity is reflected in the environment. Human influences are externally visible in small changes to the physical environment such as quarries or individual buildings as well as in wider networks and systems (settlements, road network, energy network, etc.). The intensity of human encroachment to a large degree depends on those responsible. In the case of an individual, the activity is limited locally and the encroachments are smaller but still play an important role in the cultural landscape.

The most important aspects that shape people’s lives and well‐being are income, jobs, housing, health, work and life‐balance, education, social connections, civic engagement and governance, environment, personal security and subjective well‐being.

Well‐being in the region has increased on average over the past fifteen years: people are richer and more likely to be employed; they enjoy better housing conditions and are exposed to lower air pollution; they live longer and are more educated; they are also exposed to fewer crimes. However, differences across the Gorenjska region are large. Furthermore, some groups of the population, particularly less educated and low‐income people, tend to fare systematically worse in all dimensions of well‐being considered.

Democratic transition has been a historic event, which centres now its energy in achieving that democratic governments manifest of their superiority, not only for their political values but also for their social results. With Slovenia’s independence, the new state arrangement and accession to various international associations (NATO, EU), some new development processes also started. On all levels of society, a new democratic and very liberally oriented market approach emerged. New spatial needs are also a result of this development (entrepreneurship, tourism, changed agricultural policy, real estate demands, housing construction etc.).

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In this context, regeneration planning is somehow caught between a sustainable spatial development vision and the contrary practice of partial working on socio – economical progress, which is a result of slow enforcement of regulative instruments and a lack of strategic aims. There are also many local commercial actors in space, which do not follow the directions of long‐term regeneration strategies. New spatial documents should assure an adequate level of regulations governing spatial processes, and direct certain trends and tendencies towards defined development aims, while simultaneously maintaining the existing qualities of local quality of life and helping forming territorial capital.

2.2 CURRENT SITUATION

In the overview of the national and regional context of the project, we are exploring the quality of residential areas in Gorenjska region and the vulnerability of cultural landscape in order to create better long‐term conditions for well‐being.

2.2.1 Economical aspects

The changes at the regional level during the last decade have revealed that market forces by themselves cannot provide for a balanced development. Economic development following market signals has concentrated in the already developed regions, which are part of lowland territory of Gorenjska Region.

In the period of transition, the complex problems of industrial restructuring have become acute, with technological, ecological, regional, economic, social and political dimensions. However, Slovenian regional policy has hardly addressed these problems at all. The Slovenian government has been treating these problems mostly as sectorial and not regional problems. In the absence of a comprehensive linked matrix of regional and industrial policies, the Slovenian government has been helping companies in trouble merely on a case‐by‐case basis, without any coordinated or defined criteria.

The Slovene economy has been hit much harder by the international financial crisis (a fall of 8% of GDP in 2009) than the euro area as a whole.

Even though unemployment levels remain far below levels seen in other EU area countries in crisis, public disenchantment with the political elite has increased considerably, which came at the cost of increased political instability caused also by corruption scandals. The state does not seem to recognise civil society as a relevant partner, and the influence of organisations is perceived as very small.

In order to avoid this situation smaller municipalities has started their own process with amending the three priorities concerning “attractiveness”, “knowledge and innovation” and “employment”, accompanied by a financial (reserve) support.

2.2.2. Social aspects ‐ demographic, migrating, population projection

Over the course of the last decade, the towns typically lost population, for various reasons: low birth rates, suburbanisation, and dramatic rises in rents and property values in the inner cities, economic restructuring and job loss. In the contrary settlements in rural parts became a very affordable location for living.

The ageing of the population and the increasing life expectancy are important trends in Slovenia. Along with the increasing number of elderly, there is also an increasing number of single households. These households (mostly single elderly households) are among the most vulnerable and have the highest at‐risk‐

COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 33 of‐poverty rate. This societal change might prove very important for observing inequality in society in the future. The economic crisis has had a visible negative impact on the living conditions of the people.

When observing household composition, the most notable trend is an increase in the share of single households (adult without children) and in couples without children. The number of single parents slightly increased in 2008 and 2009; however, it dropped again in 2010. The shares of single households with dependent children having less than 60% of median income. In addition, shares of households without children living below 60% of median income is quite similar, with however a somewhat negative trend visible in Slovenia, as from 2007 the share of these households has been increasing. On the other hand, the share of households with children living below 60% of median income is quite constant. However, it should also be noted that single parent households are still quite vulnerable and that the at‐risk‐of‐poverty rate among these households is growing. Even more vulnerable are single households, in particular single older households, which have the highest at‐risk‐of‐poverty rate.

Life expectancy of men is still lower than that of women (76 years for men and 83 years for women in 2010). Life expectancy also differs among social and educational classes. In Slovenia, there is also a particularly high suicide rate (second highest in EU‐25, according to 2006 Eurostat data).

In most parts of the Gorenjska in recent years, the fertility rate remained below replacement and life expectancy an aging population. A relatively high level of employment protection results in an unfair and inefficient segmentation of the labour force. The recent labour market reform—including reductions in severance pay and notice periods—is a step in the right direction, but it is not sufficient to eliminate labour market segmentation. Temporary workers, who are typically younger, continue to bear the burden of labour force adjustments owing to the excessively protective permanent contracts. University students often extend their studies to avoid entering the labour force, and the consequent loss of on‐the‐job learning opportunities implies a permanent loss of output. Bringing the younger workers earlier into the workforce requires reducing employment protection in permanent contracts.

Education at all levels and in all forms is a significant urban development factor. There are numerous initiatives in Slovenia to form new universities and research & development centres. This is certainly a positive process that needs to be supported and included in development programmes, including spatial plans. The education process should therefore be allocated not only the required land but also other prerequisites for development, an increasingly important component of which is the quality of the living and working environment.

Another change relates to an increasing number of actors and interactions involved from outside the government system; actors from the private sector, the voluntary sphere, and social movements.

For proceeding the project, we are focusing on optimizing territorial structures and making better use of each municipality’s unique territorial capital on condition that we would re‐establish. Two of the well‐ known principals were used for the question:

How to build a place for people? • people cope with the problems in the area (bottom‐up) • systematic strategy for tracking professional goals (top‐down) ‐ an approach to people, place and space With this project we have identified at least 12 cases where we are necessary promoting an active policy for cities regarding the distribution of urban activities, and to establish instruments for the conservation COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 34 and development of city cores and other older parts of settlements. Special attention is directed towards the revitalization and restructuring of economic activities in old industrial areas. In smaller settlements, it is necessary to form attractive centres, which should also make their services available to the rural population, and thus enforce spatial order that will ensure a rational provision of infrastructure.

2.2.3. Built form and the sense of place

As a small country, Slovenia is vitally interested in maintaining the basic features of the existing regional settlement patterns and cultural landscape as well as in diminishing the differences in the living and working conditions in all parts of the country, in order to prevent a further decrease of the rural population, especially in the border areas. A characteristic of Gorenjska Region is also the diversity of its settlement structures with a large number of small settlements and numerous areas of dispersed settlement, as well as comparatively high quality of living in a relatively unpolluted environment. An outstanding feature is also a changed role and significance of the countryside resulting from the penetration of the urban way of living and non‐agricultural activities.

The possibilities for enlargement and consolidation of future built areas should be studied, taking into consideration nature protection, scientific and other requirements, as well as the potential of rural areas for living and the development of environmentally‐friendly economic activities and as well as a harmonious image of the settlement. To achieve positive outcomes when looking at planning integration, the coordination of territorial policies, and the integration of diverse interests is essential.

The criteria to manage urban, suburban and rural development are various from population density to population growth in the most recent period, share of agricultural employment and responsive to development needs related to rapid market changes which have the great impact on residential areas. The changes in the system need to be predominantly geared to increase the flexibility of local plans, and to allow more administrative discretion in the development control process and urban design at a local level. What is also needed is more local involvement in the decision‐making processes to facilitate both the civil democratic right to participate and to enable private stakeholders to make decisions about their own development rights. This is especially important for development within predominantly built up areas and brown‐field sites in order to support sustainable development. However to obtain the sustainable design it is need to analyse the relation between our built environment and behaviour in general. Social cohesion refers to the extent to which a group of people holds together by interaction and relationships characterized by trust, solidarity and good intentions and by the establishment and maintenance of a sense of community.

2.2.4. Housing

Housing is a major element of people’s material living standards. It is essential to meet basic needs, such as for shelter from weather conditions, and to offer a sense of personal security, privacy and personal space. Good housing conditions are also essential for people’s health and affect childhood development. Further, housing costs make up a large share of the household budget and constitute the main component of household wealth.

There have been significant changes in the field of housing. Some have brought additional risks, while others could be described as lowering inequalities. Before the transition, housing was guaranteed by the state, but there was also a significant share of ‘self‐help building’ (individual building of houses). However,

COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 35 since the transition, housing has seen the most noticeable decline in the role of government. Following the extensive privatization of the social housing stock after 1991, a range of new problems has emerged in Slovenia. Ninety percent of housing stock is in private property, many of them empty with small possibilities to stimulate social life and regeneration. Due to the privatisation of housing, there has been a significant shift in housing tenure. The public rented stock significantly diminished and the tenure structure changed from 32% in public rental in 1990 to approximately 9% in 1994. This was solely due to an increase of owners, from 65% in 1990 to 89% in 1994. The private rental sector has stayed practically the same, with approximately 3% (Mandič 2000). This change has increased the wealth of people who have bought the dwellings at favourable prices and who, in other circumstances, would not be able to become homeowners. This could therefore be seen as a process that decreased inequality. However, the consequences of this change are not only positive. Privatisation has improved housing opportunities of those households that managed to buy their homes. At the same time, housing opportunities of other groups, particularly those that are vulnerable (low income and single households), waiting to be housed have worsened because of the decrease in the accommodations available for rent. In addition, negative impacts of privatisation can be seen in a long‐term perspective. Namely, such redistribution presents some cohorts with a historically unique opportunity to collect the accumulated public resources, as in the case of tenants’ ‘right‐to‐buy’ of rented housing, and leaves the following cohorts with fewer opportunities even for renting (Mandič and Filipovič Hrast 2008). Consequently, chances of receiving non‐profit rental housing are minimal due to general low availability of this housing. Even though it was envisaged that this sector would gradually develop, this has not happened. The declining availability and accessibility of housing after the transition can also be seen in the rising proportion of young adults still living with their parents (Mandič 1996, 36). In a society full of homeowners, the housing is important. In the late 1990s, one could observe the first steps towards increased activity in the real estate market in Slovenia. The real estate market began to develop more quickly after 1998, when the demand for real estate, especially apartment real estate, began to grow in step with the growing purchasing power and population migrations driven by adaptation to job availability. On the other hand, the supply lagged behind the growing demand. The reasons lie in the unimplemented systemic solutions, which affect the availability of real estate in the market (e.g. unclear ownership situations, legal procedures, absence of the market‐based real estate tax, the state as an overlarge owner of primarily agricultural and forest land, etc.). Due to high demand and low supply, the prices have risen considerably. In Slovenia, the average sale prices of apartments grew by nearly 80% from 2003 to 2007 (GURS report 2007). After 2008, the prices began to fall, however not steeply.

There are already indications that the unsuccessful handling of maintenance problems after the introduction of housing reform, coupled with the absence of relevant legislative backup, may lead to the worsening of living conditions in especially in historic town cores and some larger housing estates. One reason of growing socio‐economic polarization of the inhabitants owes also to the shift to a market‐based economy. The transition period, due also to the long‐term recession has been marked by a slow but steady trend of outward migration of better‐off households from large housing estates to more favourable locations, especially on the borders of towns and villages that cussed a new morphology. Consequently, there is a risk that, in the first place, the large housing estates as well as historic town cores might become residential enclaves of low‐income households. In return, this may lead to their degradation and the corresponding negative attributes of such neighbourhoods.

The impact of the Neoliberalism after 1991 caused by lack of housing, due to overestimated value of real estate produced a lot of low‐grade housing. Socially selective residential mobility very much depends on aspects of the local housing market such as housing supply and demand, the diversity of the housing stock or housing tenure patterns within a specific territory. COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 36

Slovenia is a society with a large share of homeowners (approximately 89%) due to the privatisation of housing in the 1990s. This could be described as a process that had an equalising effect in the society, as people who otherwise could not afford to buy a home were able to purchase it at favourable prices; however, the depleted rental stock meant that housing opportunities for the most vulnerable worsened.

In Slovenia, the indicators of material deprivation, the at‐risk‐of‐poverty rate, and the cumulative indicators of poverty and social exclusion portray the society as relatively stable, as there were no major changes or rises in any of these indicators. This corresponds to the already described conditions of stable growth and of low inequality in the society. It also reflects the relatively successful social welfare state that significantly reduces the at‐risk‐of‐poverty rate through social transfers.

Slovenia is a cohesive society, with strong family ties that also function as an important support network. Access to housing in Slovenia is quite difficult for the most vulnerable groups, due to an ownership‐oriented housing market. Particularly vulnerable are the young. Housing policy has adopted some measures that try to aid the most vulnerable groups in this field.

Important measures were/are:

1. Non‐profit dwellings. Here, the rent is low and subsidised (which is means‐tested). However, the share of these dwellings in housing stock is small, and therefore accessibility is very limited. Only a small share of applicants receives this dwelling. Furthermore, there are also regional disparities, as non‐profit dwellings are in the domain of individual municipalities and only some of the largest ones have developed this sector.

2. Subsidies for renting. Due to the low availability of non‐profit dwellings, the state (through the Housing Fund of Republic of Slovenia) had since 2008 widened the right to subsidies for renting apartments also in the profitable sector68. Additionally, these subsidies followed the same rules as those for non‐profit dwellings (are means‐tested). However, with the Public Finance Balance Act (OG 40/2012), abolished subsidies.

3. Subsidies for young families for their first time of solving their housing situation, regulated by the National Housing Saving Scheme Act (OG 96/200770). The first solving of the housing situation could be purchase of a dwelling, reconstruction, adaptation, rent or similar. Young families were defined as families with at least one pre‐school child. The right was also means‐tested. However, with the Public Finance Balance Act (OG 40/2012), abolished subsidies.

According to research on intergenerational mobility in 2006 (Jereb and Ferjan 2008), the prevailing class in Slovenia was the middle class, i.e. the routine non‐manual class of higher‐grade employees in fields such as administration and commerce (36.0%), followed by the routine non‐manual class of lower‐grade employees in fields such as sales and services (16.9%). Although there are only two million people in Slovenia, all public services must be maintained, which explains the very high percentage in these classes. There are low percentages of semi‐ and unskilled manual workers (1.6%) and of high‐class workers (2.4%), such as higher‐ grade professionals, administrators, officials, managers in large industrial establishments, and large proprietors. The authors also found that women are more strongly represented in middle than in higher classes, much more so than in other EU countries. (Jereb and Ferjan 2008).

The majority of civil society organisations rely on the work of volunteers, as the share of those employed in such organisations is very low. Specifically, the level of professionalization was 0.73% in 1996. The figure means that those employed in civil society organisations represented only 0.73% of all individuals

COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 37 employed in Slovenia, which is one of the lowest levels of professionalization in international comparison (Kolarič et al. 2002). Even a decade later, the level of professionalization did not change (Rakar et al. 2011, 33)25. Research from 2004 (Kolarič et al. 2006)26 indicated that the amount of work done by volunteers would be equal to 7.125 fully employed workers. The research has also ascribed the low development of the civil society partly to the very well developed network of public services that cover majority of the needs of the population (Rakar et al. 2011, 56). We could still say that, in Slovenia, civic participation is only slowly developing.

In Slovenia, among the civil society organisations, the largest majority are associations (društva) with 75%, followed by religious organisations (4%) and private institutes (6%) (Rakar et al. 2011)28. The share of associations has diminished since 1996, when they represented 95% of all civil society organisations. If we observe organisations according to their type, the structure shows continuity with the structure from the time before the transition. In particular, the majority of organisations are involved in the field of sport and recreation (28%), followed by culture (13%) and unions (12%). Much less represented are organisations that work in the field of social protection, education, research and health (Rakar et al. 2011).

2.2.5. Why we need an “Active Citizen”?

Citizens’ and other stakeholders’ participation is of vital importance from the very beginning of the planning process in order to achieve this goal ‐ stimulate and educate Active Citizens.

However this beginning of ‘active citizenship’ was followed by a certain level of disappointment in politics, which can be observed in lower levels of electorate turnout, decreased trust in political institutions and increased negative perception of politics (Fink Hafner and Koprivnik 2006). Malnar (2004) stated that Slovenia is, according to public opinion research (ESS 2002), one of the countries where people show the least interest in politics. According to Malnar’s research, the average evaluation of the importance of politics on a scale of 1 to 10 is only 3.18.

It is contrary that they care a lot of the social capital such as Economy, Education, Employment, Environment, Health, Social and Welfare Issues and they do not realize that we all have to be included.

The major participation is mainly a matter of direct involvement. Then, in clear and often “urgent” issues, it is possible, to achieve a high level of involvement of private actors and stakeholders at any level as long as the benefits are clearly recognizable Public participation is also related to openness and informal ways of informing stakeholders as well as processes that are more formal.

Through the project, we try to promote the creation of social capital and building capacity to improve the institutional and technical quality of the citizens’ participation, which is crucial topic for developing societies where social group capabilities are poor for dealing with several public problems.

The key network managing condition is the agreement between the participants engaged in the network: how to build and sustain the agreement and its stages, such as understanding, common view, compromise, conflict settlement. Being a collective action composed of different members, the process will not start nor advance nor keep its drive and end, unless agreements of the public, private, social partners are reached and held up. Essentially, two types of agreements are required: an agreement on the rules of access to participate in the process and an agreement on the rules or practices to follow and respect along the difficulties of the process. Discords and disagreements in those crucial points make the governance process unlikely to start, to develop, to improve, to strengthen and to get a conclusion.

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2.3 BEST PRACTICE AND SWOT ANALYSIS

‐ See Annex 1

2.4 RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

What is the purpose of town planning? Is it to create a beautiful environment, or a well‐functioning settlement, or a fairer society? Is it to facilitate economic development? On the other hand, is it necessary to ensure long‐term sustainability, attempting to reduce our ecological footprint? To some extent, it is. Of course, all of these things,… but what is the essence of it? The answer given by the Healthy Cities Project (coordinated by the WHO Regional Office for Europe) about human health, and planning human settlements which offer the best opportunity for people now and in the future to enjoy good quality of life.

In the project, we are focusing our work on helping each municipality to identify her unique development potential and to implement that into the urban space. People in general are not ready to take radical changes the important thing is to introduce them that success is in the continuous process of learning by doing.

We are working on development of a series of demonstration projects and have prepared various tools for the investigation part. Further research into these relations seems to be a promising field, mainly at the regional polycentric network and urban‐rural scales, as well as in town regions where, contrary to the other two scales, relations are much more in conflict despite their strategic importance from a spatial and demographic point of view. More attention has to be paid finding alternative solutions and learning from benchmarks.

How to form a key economic driver for recovery? We made all the participants: private public, third sector as well as the informal economy and municipality to explore new approaches for living and working opportunities: • Increasing civic participation; • Giving not fictitious information; • The wright sensibility of each participant; • Creating confidence; • Get to know each other, some of them need to be supported; • Encourage business locally – let them do what they do; • Help with social entrepreneurs and provide clear marketing; • Prepare enterprise strategies; • Develop the community in an integrative way with proper housing

How to start, first step is to attract people and gain the trust? • Current socio‐economic needs must be addressed; • Make procedures sufficiently transparent; • Increase the quality of service; • Set up for anti‐corruption measures; • Re‐establish proper closeness and distance between the generations; • Try form a multi‐generational social housing development COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 39

2.5 CONCLUSIONS REGARDING SOCIAL ISSUES

Programmes, which enhance the quality and the effectiveness of local life, are present but insufficient. The task is to keep on stimulating and searching for interests in order to create the living places of highly complex social relationships and activities. Local community need to negotiate the rights.

Urban space and especially residential areas are constantly dealing with intimacy/individuality and community/collectivization. The aim is to develop communities in which they live, work and meet. More than anything there must be a willingness to change. Dealing with the complexities of equilibrium in modern space necessarily requires an urban model, that is, an Awareness of belonging to a larger urban structure and a readiness to give something up in order to get something else in return. What is missing is a current urbanization of the mind? One of the answers is FIRST PARTICIPATE THEN DEMAND.

It is important to obtain a shared territorial vision, based on the recognition and valorisation of the territorial capital needed to create sustainable territorial cohesion at different levels, which results of processes that integrate policies at different levels. Through the active participation of public, private and mixed actors operating at different scales. The key challenge is to create the conditions that allow municipal collective action to take place in order to improve the competitiveness potential, such as economical progress and employment, of its territories and to achieve territorial cohesion within the Gorenjska region.

COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 40

Chapter 3: BUILDING INNOVATION ISSUES

3.1 INTRODUCTION

Within the borders of the Build See initiative, we understand our project as deriving from integration of the three entities: Public Administration Issues, Social Issues and Building Innovation Issues. In this chapter Building Innovation issues will be discussed on the level of the country of Slovenia and Gorenjska region. Practical impacts of legislative frames and application of different founds for energy efficient construction will be explained with two cases of best practices: Elderly housing Preddvor architectural renovation with energy refurbishment and ISKRATEL and Development Centre for Information and Communication Technologies, short name: RC IKT in Kranj architectural renovation with energy refurbishment.

The field of Building Innovation issues include (or should include) two tools: energy management through the whole life circle of a building (origin of building materials, production and assembly of elements and structures, construction, use, upgrades, demolition, disassembly, recycling) and a intelligent architectural conception that enables spatial and programmatic flexibility and integrates the energy management and technological components. Our thesis is that the first group of parameters is partly addressed in Slovenia in the field of construction (regulated by legislation), but understood only in a too narrow, technocratic way and not at all seen as a part of a smart architectural design concept. Energy refurbishment should be seen as an opportunity for architectural upgrade that goes beyond a mere improvement of buildings energy performance.

As sustainability is a paradigm that goes beyond mere environmental issues, it integrates ‐ as far as architecture and urbanism is concerned ‐ social issues with the building innovation techniques that are supported through (and are articulated with the participation of) public administration authorities.

3.1.1 Interventions in the built environment in Slovenia

Fifty % of residential buildings were built between 1945 – 1980, 60 % of future development should be directed to the existing urbanized areas, which means also a good opportunity for addressing the Active housing policy. Themes that should be addressed are: Architectural renovation with energy refurbishment, city centres reanimation, brown field redevelopment, programmatic upgrade and social reanimation of degraded housing areas, enforcement of new sustainable energy sources and traffic infrastructure on levels COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 41 of country (connected in wider European networks), regions, municipalities, cities, smaller settlements and buildings.

3.1.2 Founding of sustainable construction in Slovenia

Slovenian and Regional Agency programmes promote a vision of buildings that create healthier, more comfortable lives for their occupants without affecting negatively the environment and especially climate.

Financial support of innovative and sustainable construction in Slovenia is done through European or Swiss funds and Slovenian Environmental Public Fund – ECO FUND. Last one mostly for households. In 2014, Slovenia regulates the real estate sector with obligatory Energy performance certificates of buildings which are rented or on market.

3.1.3 Problematic of sustainable development agendas in Slovenia

As far as the Gorenjska region is concerned, most of the sustainable development agendas fail on two levels: financing and execution. Innovative and advanced building solutions, technologies and materials today are widely accessible; the problem of their application is limited by financial resources and to complex legislative frames. We need to stimulate interaction between inhabitants, policy‐makers and building sector.

3.2 CURRENT SITUATION

3.2.1 Energy politics

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEMATIC

Slovenia is managing energy politics on three levels: ENERGY EXAMINATIONS, ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATION and ENERGY FOUNDS. Energy efficiency issues are resolved on a project level with ENERGY CONSULTING AND ENERGY MANAGEMENT provided through institutions (contractors) approved by ministries (for instance GGE consortium with ISO 50.001. certification)

The goal of the aforementioned actions is lover energy consumption through switching to low energy consumption / passive energy systems and sources. Despite the goal that is contributing to a sustainable society, we can be critical towards governmental methodology and results. Different directives and their examinations, certifications, are clashing, doubling it‐self, and resulting in a too complex situation that cannot be efficient. All the actions should be part of the same integral entity that would result in coherent solutions. To go further, sustainable development is a term broader as mere energy management and technical upgrades that enable them; it is a question of space management, social integration that should be addressed as a whole through an architectural approach. At the present time energy refurbishment – seen by European and Slovenian bureaucracy ‐ is a mere technical issue, that is unable to address themes beyond it and insofar not able to provide grounds for advanced architectural (‘innovative building’) solutions.

METHODOLOGY

In the further discussion, we will analyze the tree aforementioned actions, their positive and negative sides, energy production and waste management discuss two best practise cases that will support our thesis, and propose a simpler and more efficient model of energy efficiency and refurbishment rules.

COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 42

3.2.2. Energy examinations and energy performance certificates

Public sector constructions (health, education sector and old people’s homes) or energy refurbishment has to prove an adequate level of energy efficiency in order to be co‐financed by European energy founds and Swiss founds.

Energy examination is regulated with a strict methodology. Before construction begin an energy efficiency examination of existing building has to be undertaken, after the energy refurbishment, a 5‐year monitoring has to be executed to prove the demanded efficiency, otherwise the investment has to be refunded.

In Slovenia, following European Union directives, every newly built, renovated public or private building, will have to prove its energy efficiency status with an energy performance certificate until the year 2020.

At present the energy performance certificate is an autonomous document that displays only the buildings energy performances (calculated at a chosen moment). In our opinion, the certificate should be part or the first step towards claiming high‐energy performance, as done in some of foreign countries that already decided upon an energy efficiency certification system.

Three of most acclaimed energy performance systems today are: BREEM (developed by the English), DGNB (German certification system) and LEED (US certification system), that are used in different countries and differ according to the weight they assign to specific qualities in design, construction and processes that unwind through a buildings or settlements life circle. Every country can decide for a specific certification system upon its own preferences.

THREE ENERGY EFFICIENCY CERTIFICATION SYSTEMS

BREEAM Certification System

BREEAM sets the standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation and has become one of the most comprehensive and widely recognised measures of a building's environmental performance. It encourages designers, clients and others to think about low carbon and low impact design, minimising the energy demands created by a building before considering energy efficiency and low carbon technologies. A BREEAM assessment uses recognised measures of performance, which are set against established benchmarks, to evaluate a building’s specification, design, construction and use. The measures used represent a broad range of categories and criteria from energy to ecology. They include aspects related to energy and water use, the internal environment (health and well‐being), pollution, transport, materials, waste, ecology and management processes. BREEAM addresses wide‐ranging environmental and sustainability issues and enables developers, designers and building managers to demonstrate the environmental credentials of their buildings to clients, planners and other initial parties. BREEAM uses a straightforward scoring system that is transparent, flexible, and easy to understand and supported by evidence‐based science and research, has a positive influence on the design, construction and management of buildings, defines and maintains a robust technical standard with rigorous quality assurance and certification.

COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 43

LEED Certification System

LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best‐in‐class building strategies and practices. To receive LEED certification, building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification. Prerequisites and credits differ for each rating system, and teams choose the best fit for their project. Each rating system groups requirements that address the unique needs of building and project types on their path towards LEED certification. Once a project team chooses a rating system, they will use the appropriate credits to guide design and operational decisions.

Five rating systems address multiple project types:

• Building design and construction, • Interior design and construction, • Building operation and maintenance, • Neighbourhood development, • Homes.

Each rating system is made up of a combination of credit categories. Within each of the credit categories, there are specific prerequisites projects must satisfy and a variety of credits projects can pursue to earn points. The number of points the project earns determines its level of LEED certification. The number of points a project earns determines the level of LEED certification. There are four levels of certification ‐ the number of points a project earns determines the level of LEED certification that the project will receive. Typical certification thresholds are certified, silver, gold and platinum. LEED certification is recognized across the globe as one of the premier marks of achievement in green building.

DGNB Certification System

The DGNB System provides an objective description and assessment of the sustainability of buildings and urban districts. Quality is assessed comprehensively over the entire life cycle of the building. The DGNB Certification System can be applied internationally. Due to its flexibility, it can be tailored precisely to various uses of a building and even to meet country‐specific requirements. The outstanding fulfilment of up to 50 sustainability criteria from the quality sections ecology, economy, socio‐cultural aspects, technology, process work flows and site are certified. The system is based on voluntarily outperforming the concepts that are common or usual today. If a performance requirement is met, the DGNB awards the DGNB certificate in bronze, silver and gold. In addition, there is the option of simple pre‐certification in the planning phase. The DGNB assesses buildings and urban districts which demonstrate an outstanding commitment to meeting sustainability objectives. The sustainability concept of the DGNB System is broadly based and goes beyond the well‐known three‐pillar model. The DGNB System covers all of the key aspects of sustainable building: environmental, economic, socio‐cultural and functional aspects, technology, processes and site. The first four quality sections have equal weight in the assessment. This means that the DGNB System is the only one that gives as much importance to the economic aspect of sustainable building as it does to the ecological criteria. The assessments are always based on the entire life cycle of a building. Of course the focus is always also on the wellbeing of the user. It is crucial that the DGNB does not assess individual measures but instead the overall performance of a building or urban district.

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3.2.3 Energy founds Grants for energy efficiency investments

The goal of different energy efficient initiatives is a part of a striving for a sustainable society*. With different loans and grants, they promote use of renewable energy sources, minimizing the grey footprint (the construction is because of its omnipresence the biggest polluter of nature in the world) and use of local natural materials.

*Sustainable development is an organizing principle for human life on a finite planet. It posits a desirable future state for human societies in which living conditions and resource‐use meet human needs without undermining the sustainability of natural systems and the environment, so that future generations may also have their needs met. Sustainable development ties together concern for the carrying capacity of natural systems with the social and economic challenges faced by humanity. As early as the 1970s, 'sustainability' was employed to describe an economy "in equilibrium with basic ecological support systems." Scientists in many fields have highlighted The Limits to Growth, and economists have presented alternatives, for example a 'steady state economy', to address concerns over the impacts of expanding human development on the planet. The term sustainable development rose to significance after it was used by the Brundtland Commission (World Commission on Environment and Development headed by Gro Harlem Brundtland, the former Prime Minister of Norway) in its 1987 report Our Common Future. In the report, the commission coined what has become the most often‐quoted definition of sustainable development: "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The United Nations Millennium Declaration identified principles and treaties on sustainable development, including economic development, social development and environmental protection. The Circles of Sustainability approach distinguishes the four domains of economic, ecological, political and cultural sustainability. This corresponds to the United Nations Agenda 21, which specifies culture as the fourth domain of sustainable development.

In Slovenia, there are five possibilities to get founding for energy efficient investments on the level of new constructions or different types energy efficient refurbishment of existing buildings or infrastructure. Every of the five sources Slovenian, EU or Swiss, targets different interest groups.

• EU founds, carried out by ministries and their work bodies, awarded mostly to legal entities: companies, public sector • Eco Found, awarded mostly to house holds • Municipal founds – awarded depending on municipalities own evaluation, depending on municipalities interests and financial means (that in the current socio‐economic situation are decreasing in most of Gorenjska municipalities) • Big energy distributors founds (Suppliers of heat distribution network which distribute at least 75 GWh of heat/year, suppliers of electricity, gas and liquid fuels which distribute at least 300 GWh of energy/year), awarded mostly to legal entities: companies, public sector. • ReAAL Programme* – Founded by Swiss financial mechanism, awarded to public sector investments

Financial incentives for aforementioned purposes in year 2013 were canalized through SOFT LOANS (for environmental investments of legal entities and citizens – reduction of air pollution and water protection, renewable energy use) and GRANTS (for new investments for use of renewable energy sources and improvement of energy efficiency in residential buildings for citizens and investments in environmentally friendly vehicles for citizens and legal entities). COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 45

In 2012 24 million of Eco founds soft loans guaranteed and could cover up to 90% of eligible costs for legal entities and 5 million Euro for citizens and provided from 1,500 to 2,.000 (or even up to 80,000 for investments such as low‐ energy or passive building) per case with a repayment rate up to 10 years.

The most cases, in the period between 2008 and 2012 (together 2,542 cases), where soft loans were used, dealt with the facade skin and its technological upgrade – additional layers of insulation (520 cases) and new windows (883 cases). Second and third in number of investments was in heat pumps (338 cases) and biomass boilers (266 cases), in the same period the loans were used at building or purchasing two residential buildings.

In the same period Eco Founds grants and big energy distributors granted 69,4 millions of Euros to households (48,993 investments) and 5,4 million to 14 municipalities. Similar to the soft loans statistics, almost half of the financial means were used in the technological upgrade of the facade layer (thermal insulation and wooden windows).

ReAAL Programme*

Swiss founds support different investments in the broad field of sustainability in European Union; one of them is ReAAL programme. The ReAAL programme is primary interested in co‐financing renewable energy sources (geothermal and solar energy). The condition for claiming co‐financing of heating/cooling/ventilation technology is proving of the systems performance, which cannot be done without the energy refurbishment of the facade shell, which is also co‐financed (all the data has to be proven already in the design phase). Finances go to public projects in municipal property.

3.2.4. Waste management

Accession to the EU provided a strong impetus to strengthen waste management policies and practices. It also provided finance for upgrading and constructing waste management infrastructure. Implementation of the EU environmental acquis was operational in a number of programmes, including two National Environmental Action Programmes (2000‐05 and 2005‐12) and several operational programmes for different waste streams. Policy has largely been driven by compliance with EU directives rather than by the situation in Slovenia. The need to transpose the revised 2008 EU Waste Directive, and to develop a new programming framework beyond 2012, provides an opportunity for Slovenia to develop a more systematic and consistent strategy for waste management. It should strike a better balance between implementing EU policies and addressing Slovenian priorities, taking account of the costs and benefits of alternative ways of managing its waste. Given that implementing the requirements of the EU Landfill Directive to pre‐treat waste sent to landfill will be difficult because the definition in the Directive is unclear, Slovenia should establish a less stringent pre‐treatment target, and one not based on total organic carbon as this restricts the forms of pre‐treatment that can be used.

The system of data collection for material flows and waste is still developing and some classifications have changed in recent years. This complicates performance assessment. Nevertheless, available information COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 46 suggests that the amount of waste generated in Slovenia increased by over 40% from 2000 to 2007, falling back somewhat thereafter due to the impacts of the economic crisis of 2008‐09. In 2010, non‐hazardous waste from production and services accounted for 85% of waste generated. Of this, construction demolition waste accounted for a significant fraction, peaking at 37% of the waste generated in 2007. Municipal waste has increased since 2000 at a slower rate than GDP and private final consumption. It accounted for 12% of total waste in 2010. Hazardous waste accounted for 1.5% of the total in the same year. During the second half of the decade, the amount of waste imported for recycling increased six times. This provides important business opportunities, but also requires careful monitoring and oversight to ensure appropriate treatment standards

At the beginning of the decade, waste management was considered one of the most poorly regulated areas of environmental protection in Slovenia. Close to 100% of waste was disposed in landfills, which did not always meet the highest standards, and the waste recovery rate was low. Illegal disposal of waste, especially in Karst areas, was common.

The reurbanization of Slovenia and subsequent trends towards the healthy and planned environment will increase the need for infrastructure development. In addition to a healthy drinking water supply, the principal concern should be devoted to solid waste management and to the collection and treatment of municipal wastewater. Obsolete and worn‐out water supply systems should be modernized if we want to provide good quality water in accordance with the applicable European standards. The current extensive piling of waste in dumps has to be superseded as soon as possible by environmentally more appropriate and spatially less wasteful waste management methods. This issue, among others, requires a regional approach and coordinated spatial planning in the most densely populated areas. In order to protect surface and underground waters it is necessary to support the construction of sewage systems, particularly in the Karst, in gravel deposits rich with underground water sources and in the areas of mineral water collection. All sewage networks must be connected to reliable, high‐capacity treatment plants. Adequate pre‐ treatment of industrial waste and effluents should also be provided.

3.2.5. Power generation and distribution management

Power generation and distribution have a significant and undesirable environmental and spatial impact. When planning activities associated with new power capacities, it is therefore necessary to pay particular attention to the possible use of renewable sources of energy (i.e., water, wind, sun, geothermal energy and biomass) and the decentralized supply of energy, while taking into consideration the current pressures on the natural environment, and nature protection.

3.3 BEST PRACTICE AND SWOT ANALYSIS

Focused on urban planning based on sustainable development principles, in order to research the results of energy politics (rules, tenders, founds), power production and waste management in practice, we choose two cases of refurbishment of existing buildings. The first one Iskratel and Development Centre for

COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 47

Information and Communication Technologies, short name: RC IKT in Kranj situated on the edge of suburb of Kranj, realized in phases since the year 2002.

The second one situated in Preddvor municipality with residential areas of mostly family housing and exceptional cultural heritage of two castles. The project started in 2010 with re‐qualification of Municipality and Elderly housing in Potoče. This is just the first step for the future urban regeneration and development.

Presented projects are the result of the collaboration between different players such as municipalities, public institutions, enterprises, private organisations and citizens in correlation with the state authorities. In both presented best practices, the use of different tools and practical implementation of the green construction contributed to eco‐social re‐qualification of residential areas.

Case study 05: Community Level Local Development – Architectural renovation, reprogramming, and energy refurbishment of ISKRATEL and RC IKT Kranj as a case how to reuse former industrial facility.

Iskra was the leading Yugoslavian technology and products developer (home appliances, computer technology, working tools, telecommunication technology,...) and one of the main employment provider in Kranj Municipality. After Slovenia got independent, Iskra, despite manufacturing hi‐tech products and hi‐ end solutions, was not able to adopt itself to the new economic situation and competitive foreign markets. A once a big corporation was divided in parts, the former departments became autonomous companies one of them is Iskratel, that has its properties on the outskirts of the city of Kranj. The once industrial complex is partly redeveloped in to commercial office spaces and business incubator, while simultaneously part of the complex is still functions as production hall (IT technology components). The long‐term strategy provides more than 2000 working places and has an important impact on the residential areas in the region of Kranj.

The first phase of refurbishment (project begun in 2002) included a newly built office wing with representative entrance part and perforation of the wide spread plate like volume with atriums in order to bring natural light and enable natural ventilation of the interior of newly organized office and common space.

The second phase of the project (finished in 2014) consists of interventions on the southern part of the complex were new configuration of the interior (spaces for rentable offices), energy refurbishment of the complete facade skin, upgrade of the communications and a new landscape design in front of the building. Furthermore, the kindergarten for employees was a part of the 2013 renovation programme.

Building innovations in the project consist of technological intervention, through which the centre RC IKT now performs as low energy building, and an architectural upgrade, that enables quality exterior and interior environment for the users.

The facade consists of two layers, the inner with new triple glassed windows and newly isolated opaque facade parts and an outer ventilated curtain facade made of perforated corrugated aluminium panels that act as a smart low‐tech, low maintenance sunshade and at the same time envelops newly added communication cores and unifies the whole building as one architectural gesture. On the roof new solar power plant is installed which makes the building partially energy self‐sufficient. The building is connected to Iskra Labore hot water system. In front of the 250m long facade, a park (pleasant, green outside space) with local trees and new parking lot was built.

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The intelligence of the architectural design is that in went beyond a mere energy refurbishment and enabled new spatial and ambiental qualities that integrated all the needs sustainable technologies. The best practice case reinforces our thesis that energy and architectural refurbishment can and should be basis for refurbishment projects and should be regulated already on the state level. Flexible legislation would enable better results in the field of renovations; integrated technical and architectural sustainable solutions would become standard.

ISKRATEL and RC IKT outside view first and second phase, section second phase

Situation and floor plan of the whole complex

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Case study 06: Community Level Local Development – Regeneration of the Social Seniors Residence as a first step towards Integrative Forms of Living and Urban Regeneration of Preddvor Municipality

As the population in developed countries is getting older, there is also a need for new types of elderly care. It is organized in different types of elderly housing. In Slovenia and in Gorenjska Region capacities do not fulfil the needs for elderly housing. Housing typologies change according to different needs, another challenge that needs to be addressed in future is the prognosis of current statistics, that state in Slovenia in the next 10 years 60 % of elderly will be handicapped with different types of dementia.

Our best practice case is an architectural renovation and energy refurbishment of elderly housing in the Municipality of Preddvor. The 70s building, with 187 elderly citizens, had to undergo an energy refurbishment and had to take severe up‐to date standards for elderly care.

The interventions was realised in two phases, where, because of inflexible legislative rules, its designers had to introduce an innovative strategy in design process in order to fulfil ambitious conceptual goals that they set. The energy refurbishment allows only a 10% increase of the buildings volume, which resulted in a small manoeuvre space for architects to develop their architectural design. The authors took advantage of the 10% rule and used it to increase the volume in the first phase, which increased the common cubature so that the 10% of the second phase meant a bigger volume part as if the design would be carried out in only one phase.

Building innovations are defined on four levels: technological upgrade, architectural design, programmatic concept and urbanism.

The facade was got new thermal insulation, the loggias (deep facade effect – sun shading) were clad with wood (natural material, pleasant tactility), on the roof sun collectors were installed. The end effect is a unified contemporary exterior. In the future, the building will be connected to a biomass heating plant. The energy refurbishment was co‐financed by Eco Found.

At the back side of the building that opens towards the forested landscape an extension with common rooms, for inhabitants living in communities, was made (within the allowed 10% increasing of overall building volume).

The extension enabled the elderly home to perform as the elderly home of the fourth generation*. The concept is based on smaller housing communities that have a common room with the kitchen and a caregiver. The concept favours social interactions, activity of the elderly and in the end effect lower maintenance costs (as in Slovenia expenses for elderly care are too high in comparison to pensions).

The elderly housing, together with nearby mention (that will in the bear future undergo a architectural and programmatic renovation) constitutes a strong landscape and urbanist gesture, that together with its strong program could be the first trigger of the redevelopment of the village in socio‐ economical way that would form a wide sustainability circle.

Similar as in previous case building innovations that go from the smallest to the biggest scale, from technical, architectural and social were achieved with the initiative of the architects although it should be proposed as standard procedures by the legislation.

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Elderly housing before and after intervention ‐ front side

Floor plan

*Fourth generation elderly home is a description for the architectural concept of building elderly homes, which developed after 1990. Architectural profession contributed towards progress in designing institutions for elderly population. The novelty was a concept of a unit that emulates life in a casual house. The activities are centred round cooking and social life in a big living kitchen that links up to 10 one‐bed rooms.

The concept evolved at the in order to answer the needs of elderly with dementia. Because its humanity towards the elderly, their families and caregivers. In the Europe, the concept is expanding also for the needs of more vital elderly. Hans Peter Winter, that in pioneered this principles in Germany, divides homes in four generations: 1. basic needs are covered in usually overcrowded common bedrooms (until the 60’s), 2. Elderly homes that are similar to hospitals, the resident is a ‘patient’, the care is divided by departments (until the 80’s), 3. Activating the elderly with activities (work therapies), the departments are joined in groups, most of the rooms were with one or two beds with own bathrooms (until 2000), 4. Concept of the ‘normal everyday life’ of the elderly. There is no more central care, activities happen in smaller groups and emulate a household where a person that has a role of a housekeeper. The care activities are not supreme in relation to individuality and quality of life; such communities have a high degree of independence.

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Elderly housing before and after intervention – backside addition

Section of the building before reconstruction Section showing the added volume in the back

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3.4 RECOMMENDATIONS AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT (innovation measures)

3.4.1 Tools for future successful energy efficiency refurbishments

Energy examinations and energy performance certificates together with energy management constitute energy politics in Slovenia, which is the base for public and private investments in new construction, renovation. Eco founds oversee only the energy refurbishment of building skins and doesn’t address the broader question of architectural upgrade in the sense of special, structural, programmatic and in the end social components that constitute the sustainable system and better quality of life.

The best practice cases that we choose to examine show, that even within the current bureaucratic framework (no energy certification, intervention oriented only on the layer of buildings skin – with windows facades, thermal insulation and roofs) project can be found that answer to questions that go far beyond energy efficiency. If the whole management approach (certification, goals of different founds, legislation) investment procedures and project assignments would be guided in a different way resulting refurbishments and renovations that would achieve higher quality concerning spatial and even urban qualities.

3.4.2 Tools for future improvement energy efficiency investments

Swiss founds subsidize implementation of Swiss technology. The initiative is supported by Swiss know how and production, which become a market niche. Private companies are flexible present no financial burden for the government, do not enlarge the number of civil servants and creates new employments. Swiss founds could be a model for similar undertakings in Slovenia, that would influence (simplify procedures) legislation in the ways of better performance, certificating different interventions and be in the same time strategic and executive. The concept of Swiss founds could be a model for future undertakings in the field of energy efficiency investments in Slovenia and would in this sense serve as a tool.

3.4.3 Tools for future successful energy management rules

Because of the undefined methodology for certification of buildings energy efficiency, Slovenia was not able to introduce any of the mentioned certifications. The only measure for a buildings energy efficiency are requirements set by Slovenian, European or Swiss ecological founds, which are not coherent and cannot be used as a standard for quality. With the help (and according to their rules) of aforementioned founds different public buildings (healthcare, social care, education) were built or went through energy refurbishment: Jesenice regional hospital (the biggest in Gorenjska region), old people’s homes in Jesenice, Kranj, Radovljica, Škofja Loka, Tržič, Preddvor. With the help of the same founds refurbishments of kindergardens and primary schools in Gorenjska region (other Slovenian regions as well) were executed. Every intervention has to be confirmed with the 5‐year monitoring of the energy efficiency as demanded by EU or Swiss founds.

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German certification system DGNB is the first and at the present moment the only representative of the second generation systems for sustainable certifications, that embraces the economy‐component strongly, which means that it integrates the financial expenses within the whole life circle of a building. The comparison between the aforementioned standards through the parameters of ecology, economy, socio‐ cultural and functional quality, technological quality, process quality and quality of location shows that the DGNB standard is the leading certification system in the world. We can conclude that Slovenia should use the DGNB certification methods. At the moment, Slovenia is a co‐operant of DGNB but should join as system partner as did Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Thailand and Bulgaria.

3.4.4 Tools for future waste management

Slovenian should strengthen the information system for the generation, collection and treatment of different waste streams to allow better analysis of waste sources and trends‐ and of the performance of waste management operators, develop more effective policies for waste prevention, higher rates of recovery and recycling and safe disposal. Finally, it should promote co‐operation between municipalities for the treatment of residual waste.

3.4.5 Tools for future energy management

Thermal power stations should gradually be abandoned or effectively improved. The Krško nuclear power plant has to be used to the planned end of its operation, and the problem of the ultimate disposal of low and medium level radioactive waste should be solved. Where appropriate for spatial and economic reasons, remote heating systems based on the use of renewable sources of energy should be used, or natural gas networks expanded. Energy saving should be promoted through spatial planning measures, as well as through planning and constructing appropriate structures and further on through imposing eco tax system.

3.5 CONCLUSIONS REGARDING BUILDING INNOVATION ISSUES

Within the framework of the environmental component of our profession, we are critical of the inability of the existing energy performance and production management policies to adopt the topics of sustainable development and ecology as the premises of contemporary architectural production, being that construction leaves the largest carbon footprint of all human activities. The principles of sustainable development are usually addressed only through the addition of ”ecological” technologies, thicker layers of insulation, or insulated glazing, while conceptually, the projects are no different to those not considered sustainable.

What needs answering in general is the question of how the society should become sustainable in its essence ‐ only then can we expect the 21st century to become an era of ecological awareness and efficient use of resources and technologies.

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In the time when the terms “ecological” and “sustainable” with their synonyms have entered the general vernacular, the components of the ecological aspect as a basis for the reflection on a project are the most difficult to trace in Slovene architecture. In Slovenia, there are more and more houses built which conform to the low‐energy or passive standard. In the long term, such houses save money to the investor with a lower cost of heating, cooling, etc. The other reason for the increase in such buildings is the belief that dwelling in such houses is somehow done “in harmony” with nature. This, however, simply is not the case since passive houses with their thick walls and triple‐glazed windows ‐ which need to be kept, closed all the time‐, cut the user off from nature. The only thing that is ecological and nature‐friendly when it comes to thickly insulated houses with photovoltaic cells on the roof is their low energy consumption. All of the above probably contributes to the fact that the more noted Slovene architects rarely take on passive buildings and, as a result, quality realisations are naturally few. The segment with the greatest potential in the Slovene space and one that could result in architectural quality is timber construction.

In Slovenia, therefore using timber for construction would make sense already from the aspect of grey energy reduction ‐ put simply; it is never far from the forest to the construction site. Traditionally, timber is a suitable material for our climate conditions and has many other positive properties, such as CO2 retention, the experience of wellbeing for the users of timber buildings, etc. Greater use of timber in construction could contribute towards the identity of Slovene architecture, the way it did in the well‐known “architectural region” of Vorarlberg in Austria. Taking advantage of the natural resources and understanding the climate properties, would serve as the basis for project conceptions, would be likely to produce better results than using or adding “ecological technologies’ In this way, ecology could become a starting point for the reflection on an individual project, not to mention that industries connected to would open new employment opportunities. Let us remind ourselves that models for a sustainable approach can be found right in our own backyard, in Slovene vernacular architecture.

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Beauty is a category valued through time...

General Conclusions

As explained by Durkheim, the level of happiness is socially conditioned by the level of congruence between the scope and intensity of human needs and the means necessary to satisfy them. Urban competitiveness and municipality /town marketing are important elements of urban regeneration and local economic development policies. We can stimulate the urban competitiveness through different critical features such as strategic capacity to mobilise and implement long‐term development strategies, economic diversity, and skilled workforce, innovation in firms and organisations, connectivity internal and external, quality of life – social, cultural and environmental.

However, development of the hub Spatial Programme is a key instrument for change and development. The methods implemented of determining policy should be a partnership.

We need to activate citizens to start living in the land instead on the land and build up eco‐social awareness.

The population that we have to target is our children; we should educate them by example. The new school system should introduce a convergent way of thinking which is essential for the long‐term change social capital.

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Establishing a regional authority as a key institution rather than the central government in order to preserve the integrity of regional policy (different levels, different sources of funds, many players, different content), there is a need for strengthened coordination ‐ vertical and horizontal subsidiary principle. The sector priorities need to be coordinated in a due timeframe. An important task is to improve the efficiency of compliance assurance efforts by offering regulatory incentives especially on the side of expert research opinions.

If we are tracing landscape planning to ancient architects and builders, Marcus Vitruvius Pollio (born c. 80– 70 BC, died after c. 15 BC) wrote about the importance of microclimates, vegetation, and hydrology in the planning of new settlements and cities. There are traditional patterns in living habits especially for the people living in the mountainous landscape, where the natural conditions force you to be carful. Based on the mentioned milestones we can reconsider what we have had in the past, what we want to obtain in the future and try to find potentials for the new beginning of today. In this respect, sustainable development becomes not just a top priority but also a necessity.

Undertake vulnerability and impact assessments with a view to elaborating a strategy for adaptation to climate change covering affected sectors and regions to ensure that the expected climatic changes are taken into consideration and thus reduce their negative consequences on a long‐term basis. COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 57

Unavoidable processes of rural landscape transformation due to the abandonment of agricultural land use and forestation should thus be controlled by means of cultural landscape conservation, particularly in the areas with cultural landscapes of outstanding value.

Sustainable buildings offer the transparency required for optimal operation. They increase the planning reliability and certain cost but on the other hand, they reduces energy and operating costs, minimise risks and thus lower the life‐cycle costs. Sustainable buildings have a long‐term efficiency of real estate and they have an opportunity to create change and benefit.

In order to tackle the high concentration of economic, environmental and social problems affecting urban areas the specific area‐based, integrated and problem‐oriented character of the “Acquis URBAN” has to be fully maintained. The built space is the essential precondition for social and economical development; the major task is to adjust relationships that can begin to change values. In order to achieve the level of discrimination in built space, the recent crisis was probably a necessity. The time has come to introduce to each member of the society clear and fair objectives in order to prove that well planned place and quality of life are connected.

Acknowledgments

This project is supported by a grant from European Union Regional development fund and South East Europe Transnational Cooperation Program. References

Chapter 1 Public Administration Issues • Zakon o urejanju prostora 1984, UL SRS 18/1984. • Zakon o urejanju prostora 2002 (ZureP), UL RS 110/2002. • Zakon o prostorskem načrtovanju 2007 (ZPNačrt), UL RS 33/2007. • Urbanistični inštititut RS, Vladimir Braco Mušič, te all. The Methodology of Spatial Planning and Methods of the Design of the Spatial Plan of the Republic of Slovenia • Janez Nared, Legislation in the Field of Regional Policy in Slovenia and an Analysis of its Spatial Impact • Dimitrovska Andrews, K., Polštajner Z. Local government in Slovenia • National Office for Spatial Planning, Ministry of the Environment, Spatial Planning and Energy; Spatial Management Policy of the Republic of Slovenia • Portal STOP THE BUREAUCRACY.si • Bizjak, Janez (2008); Zavarovana območja v Sloveniji /Protected Areas of Slovenia • Agencija RS za okolje; Atlas okolja • Tötzer, T 2008, 'Relationships between urban‐peri‐urban‐rural regions: first findings • from the EU‐project PLUREL' in Proceedings of the Conference »Rurality near the city«, • Polona Kovač; The never‐ending story of public administration reform in Slovenia • (from 1991 to further development) • Tomaž Čater, Janez Prašnikar, Barbara Čater; Environmetal Strategies and Their Motives and Results in Slovenian Business Pratice • Gorje Municipality /www.gorje.si/ COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 58

• Vision of Gorje Municipality Development • Municipal spatial plan /OPN/ • Local Energy Programme • www.gov.si • www.izs.si • www.zaps.si

Chapter 2 Social Issues • isrs.si / Pravni red RS • Demography and Social Statistics of Slovenia, SURS • Statistical Center of RS • Vision of Gorenjska's Development • P Irena Bačlija; New concept of managing cities. • Kovačič, M, Gosar, L, Fabijan, R & Perpar, A 2000, Razvojno‐tipološka členitev podeželja v Republiki Sloveniji, Biotehniška fakulteta, Lubljana. • Kees Christiaanse, Han van den Born, Ruurd Giatema, Irma van Oort, KCAP • Uwe Altrock, Simon Guntener, Sandra Huning, Deike Peters, Spatial Planning and Urban Devlopment in the New EU Member States – Between Adjustment and Reinvention • www.občine.slovenija • www.bsckranj.si

Chapter 3 Building Innovation Issues

• Eco Found Slovenian Enviromental Public found • Alma Bijedić: Eco Fund‘s Financial Incentives for Energy Efficiency in Buildings • EPEC EE Workshop: Energy efficiency in Slovenia, Ljubljana 2013 • Hlede., I., 2014: IZS.NOVO., Year 17., No. 69., Inženirska zbornica Slovenije, Ljubljana. • http://www.breeam.org • http://www.usgbc.org/leed • http://www.dgnb‐system.de • Hlede., I., 2014: IZS.NOVO., Year 17., No. 69., Inženirska zbornica Slovenije, Ljubljana. • The United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development • http://www.inst‐antonatrstenjaka.si/gerontologija/slovar/1370.html

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ANNEX 1 Project sheets: Best practices

Leagal issues

Best Practice 01: Planica Nordic Centre

Social issues

Best Practice 02: Gorje Municipality Best Practice 03: Subsidized Housing Kranj

Building innovation Issues

Best Practice 04: Iskratel and RC IKT Kranj Best Practice 05: Elderly Housing Preddvor

COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 60 BEST PRACTICE FACT SHEET

Project name: Planica Nordic Ski Centre Location: Planica Type of building: sport and infrastructure facilities Type of action: new construction, regeneration Client: Kranjska Gora Municipality, Ministry for Education and Sport, Centre for Sport Planica Designer/Project team: Abiro, Stvar, Akka General contractor: Imos d.d. Year of construction: in progress Cost: 43.000.000 Eur Awards/Certification: /

References: /

EU ACTIONS / Systems evolution ‐ Efficient water PERFORMANCE Seismic safety Energy efficiency Type of materials Building process efficiency Smart City building automation management LEVELS

Climate action Concrete, Brick, Wood, Glass Adition to existing structures

Health, demographic Coworking with different expert Landscape interventions with Reactivation of degraded Optimized solar contribution, changes, wellbeing building envelope insulation teams natural means infrastructure

Secure, clean and efficient Sun collectors, heat pump energy

Inclusive, innovative and Connected to sewage grid with Struct rules after Skopje 1963 National and EU founds,, reflective societies earthquake, EUROCOD water treatment plant Collaboration of all stakeholders

PROJECT DESCRIPTION SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGTHS The Planica Nordic Ski Centre is a national project which includes the renovation of the WEAKNESSES existing ski jumping centre and the construction of a new cross‐country skiing centre. The good accessibility, quality of landscape design (green areas, different sports grounds), professional sports infrastructure, entire complex will permit the organisation of top‐level international competitions, not only international reputation, recreational possibilities through all the from the viewpoint of the number of visitors but particularly from the viewpoint of year, hi quality architecture integrated with fabulous landscape, still in construction , possible hi maintenance costs organisational logistics of simultaneous ski jumping and cross‐country skiing events. The good cooperation of all stakeholders (EU, Ministry, Municipality, local community), good support in legislation project was won through an open competition in which Abiro architects, Stvar Architects and Studio AKKA landscaping bureau were selected to design the sports facilities and to lay out the OPPORTUNITIES nearby areas to be developed, energy efficient building ‐ upgrade surrounding area. One of the major renovation challenges at all events include Bloudek's old THREATS to clean energy sources, branding of the area through state of finishing all phases in the foreseen time (danger of losing part Giant Ski Jump and the ski flying facility designed by the Gorišek brothers. They are both under the art sport complex and sport events (world cup, world of the EU founds), marketing of the complex has to be championship in Nordic sports), Possibilities of cooperation with national technical heritage protection; however, they need to be redesigned and extended constant and smart, unclear goals of the committee Italy and Austria – common sports events, new job opportunities under the current FIS standards.

BEST PRACTICE FACT SHEET

Project name: Municipality of Gorje development Location: Municipality of Gorje Type of building: settlements, landscape Type of action: development/regeneration Client: Municipality of Gorje Designer/Project team: depending on public tenders General contractor: depending on public tenders Year of construction: established in 2006 Cost: / Awards/Certification: /

References: /

EU ACTIONS / Systems evolution ‐ Efficient water PERFORMANCE Seismic safety Energy efficiency Type of materials Building process efficiency Smart City building automation management LEVELS

energy refurbishments of the Use of wood in future constructions Climate action existing buildings

Health, demographic Energy efficient planing Dense built tissue changes, wellbeing

Secure, clean and efficient Use of sustainable technologies energy

Inclusive, innovative and sewage grid with water treatment private‐public partnership‐funded Strict rules after Skopje 1963 Integrated design, Future reflective societies earthquake, EUROCOD plants inhabitants’ participation schemes

PROJECT DESCRIPTION SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGTHS Municipality of Gorje is a new municipality, which was established in 2006. It is a group of villages and WEAKNESSES hamlets, located about 5 kilometres from the well known tourist spot Bled. Gorjansko area extends from the location of the municipality in the region, Alpine‐Karst climate edge of Bled municipality ‐ elevation of 603 m to Mali Triglav mountain ‐ 2,700 m above sea level. A large part above the inversion border, natural and man made heritage, dispersed population, migration movements from the villages of the municipality lies in Triglav National Park, which is the main reason for the development risk. Triglav Natural Park, Radovna River, recreational possibilities, to the towns, regional motorway as a part of local good reputation, excellent leadership and commitment on local When independent, Gorje municipality started to actively search for development goals that would improve infrastructure of roads, heavy transit of wood, lack of level, interviews with local inhabitants, experts, architectural competitive economic strength, financials, land use/cover the quality of life for the local people and secure an economically stable and prosperous environment for local students workshops change businesses. An inquiry among all local inhabitants was done in order to get all the insides into needs and wishes of the people followed by an architectural and urban planning workshop. All of these inputs were used OPPORTUNITIES to make a basis for municipality development program. The program was put on public display and further THREATS urban diversity and strengthening of identity, energy efficient comments and ideas were gathered until the year of 2008. After that Municipal Spatial Plan (consists of building ‐ upgrade to clean energy sources, preventing future strategic and execution part) was in preparation and was accepted in the beginning of 2014. decreasing economy in recent years, tax legislation, traditional pollution, tourism and community in a sinergetic relationship, In the future Gorje municipality must actively work on execution of this plan with caution for territorial capital. familiar life changes ageing of the population, long term new recreational possibilities, self‐sufficient production of food, Temporary local needs must be translated into sustainable long term development. The basis was done and now it is recession culinary art, woodd products as added value (tradition) time for action. BEST PRACTICE FACT SHEET

Project name: Housing Sotočje Location: Kranj Type of building: residential Type of action: new construction, urban regeneration Client: Kranj Municipality, Housing Found of Slovenia, Sava IP Designer/Project team: Bevk Perović arhitekti General contractor: / Year of construction: 2009 Cost: / Awards/Certification: Plečnik Medal 2011, nomination for Mies van der Rohe Award References:

EU ACTIONS / Systems evolution ‐ Efficient water PERFORMANCE Seismic safety Energy efficiency Type of materials Building process efficiency Smart City building automation management LEVELS

Concrete, Brick, Aluminium, Climate action Deep facade ‐ loggias Textile Compact, simple shape

Health, demographic Optimized solar contribution, Polluted ground‐ cleaning First intervention in degraded

changes, wellbeing building, envelope insulation before construction area next to the city centre

Secure, clean and efficient Remote heating system Location neat city centre energy

Inclusive, innovative and Strict rules after Skopje 1963 Connected to the sewage grid private‐public partnership‐

reflective societies earthquake, EUROCOD with water treatment plant funded scheme

PROJECT DESCRIPTION SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGTHS Sotočje housing complex is located in a 19th century industrial area on the confluence of WEAKNESSES rivers Sava and Kokra in Kranj, a city approximately 15km from Ljubljana. Degraded industrial location of the buildings (citi centre, riverbank), quality of grounds are, due to its vicinity to historical centre and attractive natural position, slowly landscape design, brownfield redevelopment, recreational traffic infrastructure still in construction (connection to the possibilities, privacy enabled, scale of the complex, award city), devastated neighbouring areas , lack of social mix developing into a quality habitation area of the city. The settlement, comprising 142 housing winning architecture units, sits on a raised platform just next to the river confluence, right below the former medieval city located on the hill. Formerly a rubber factory, the area was heavily polluted, requiring a radical ground‐cleaning process before building could commence – therefore the OPPORTUNITIES THREATS raised platform is not only a garage, but also a sound environmental solution. nearby areas to be developed , energy efficient building, lack of finances to further develop and integrate nearby areas , upgrade to clean energy sources, young users – start up no real strategy for developing nearby areas apartments

ISKRATEL & RC IKT

Project name: ISKRATEL & RC IKT technological park

Location: Kranj Type of building: commercial/educational/business

Type of action: new construction /energy refurbishment/ Brownfield redevelopment

Client: ISKRATEL & RC IKT Designer/Project team: NAVA ARHITEKTI, d.o.o. General contractor: ARMAT, d.o.o. Year of construction: 2012 Cost: 3.500.000,00 eur Awards/Certification:/

References:/

EU ACTIONS / Systems evolution ‐ Efficient water PERFORMANCE Seismic safety Energy efficiency Type of materials Building process efficiency Smart City building automation management LEVELS fixed sollar protection with Aluminum, Steel, Wood, Glass Compact, simple shape Climate action perforated aluminium sheets.

optimized solar contribution, Green atriums make quality and renewal of a factory building Health, demographic building envelope insulation bright working environment into office space changes, wellbeing

Remote heating system Secure, clean and efficient

energy

Connected to the sewage grid private funded scheme Strict rules after Skopje 1963 Inclusive, innovative and with water treatment plant earthquake, EUROCOD reflective societies

PROJECT DESCRIPTION SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGTHS ISKRATEL company complex is situated on the outskirts of Kranj. Formally used primarily as a factory this 250 meter by Brownfield redevelopment, flexible quality office space, location WEAKNESSES 250 meter structure has transformed into an office building for the company although parts of production line still exist of the buildings near motorway, good accessibility, quality of undeveloped interior (RC IKT), economical crises, mixed landscape design (green areas, children's playgrounds), parking, on the location. Main problem concerning the renovation was quality working environment that was achieved with ownership, marketing and recognition, long term recession kindergarden for employees, industry and startup connection introduction of large atriums in the central parts of the complex. Atriums stretch from the roof to the ground. They are posibilities green, planted with local vegetation and trees and provide relaxing and bright working environment. Beside the atrium a new representative entrance hall was added to the complex, marking the main entrance in the company. OPPORTUNITIES RC IKT Kranj is a part of ISKRATEL company complex. 250 meter long 10 meters wide, three story structure was best chances for a true start‐up and technology hub not only IT THREATS refurbished into a low energy building, new entrances were added and a new landscape design was done together with companies, nearby areas and rest of the complex to be no real strategy for future user, lack of finances , recession a parking lot. Umbra grey perforated aluminium facade makes the long building less visible from the distance since it is developed, energy efficient building ‐ upgrade to clean energy bordering open fields and also makes good sun protection while still allowing open views from the workplace while sources sitting. Open office space can inhabit any kind of business but is perfect for start‐up companies with IT potential because of the collaboration with the IT giant ISKRATEL.

ELDERLY HOUSING PREDDVOR

Project name: DSO Preddvor

Location: Preddvor Type of building: residential Type of action: new construction/energy refurbishment/regeneration Client: DSO Preddvor Designer/Project team: NAVA arhitekti,d.o.o. General contractor: Gorenjska Gradbena Družba d.o.o. Year of construction: 2013 Cost: 2.850.000,00 eur Awards/Certification: 5 year EU monitoring on energy efficiency

References:/

EU ACTIONS / Systems evolution ‐ Efficient water PERFORMANCE Seismic safety Energy efficiency Type of materials Building process efficiency Smart City building automation management LEVELS

Sun collectors, Smart ventilation Fiber concrete, Steel, Wood Complex energy sufficient Climate action Sunshading of lodgias system refurbishment

Health, demographic optimized solar contribution, building envelope insulation New generation of elderly care changes, wellbeing

Secure, clean and efficient

energy

private ‐public funded scheme Inclusive, innovative and Strict rules after Skopje 1963 earthquake, EUROCOD Connection to water treating plant reflective societies EU founds

PROJECT DESCRIPTION SWOT ANALYSIS

Elderly housing Preddvor is situated near the castle Turn in Preddvor. The castle is also part of the complex and due for WEAKNESSES renovation in the future. Architecture from the 70's in which the new building was constructed makes a quality space STRENGTHS next generation of elderly care, efficient management, positive economical crises, connection with the village and young together with the castle and surrounding forest but had with it's specific shape many energy consumption issues and employees, good accessibility, mountain karst climate, population, land ownership, variety of outside activities was hard to preserve and refurbish. In order to do that, interior refurbishment was necessary in which next generation extraordinary environment, castle Turn of elderly care was enforced through extensions on the back side of the building that form common rooms for the inhabitants living in family groups. Rooms are consequently bigger and they all have bathrooms with showers which was not the case in the past. New landscape design was done in the beck side for the inhabitants to enjoy the beauty and shade of the forest. Renovation of the common dining hall was done as a multifunctional hall that can house any OPPORTUNITIES THREATS development of castle Turn, development of other objects on kind of working therapy, hobbies, events or dining. site with new program, new extension possibilities, energy lack of finances for completion of the castle, financial crises, efficient building ‐ upgrade to clean energy sources, use of land ownership, complication with neighbors concerning new surrounding land for working therapies and food production extension

ANNEX2 Case study analyses/workshops

Case study 01: Gorje

Case study 02: Gorenja Vas Poljane

Case study 03: Jesenice

Case study 04: Jezersko

Case study 05: Kranj

Case study 06: Preddvor

Case study 07: Šenčur

Case study 08: Škofja loka

Case study 09: Tržič

Case study 10: Železniki

Case study 11: Cerklje na Gorenjskem

Case study 12: Bled

Case study 13: Bohinj

Case study 14: Radovljica

COUNTRY REPORT SLOVENIA April 2014 61 CASE STUDY 01: GORJE MUNICIPALITY

PROFILE established: 2006 area: 119 km2 inhabitants: 2917 (2013) population density: 25/km2 settlements: 12

LANDSCAPE

SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

‐ location of the municipality in the region ‐ dispersed population ‐ Alpine‐Karst climate above the inversion border ‐ migration movements from the villages to the towns ‐ natural and man made heritage ‐ regional motorway as a part of local infrastructure ‐ Triglav Natural Park of roads ‐ Radovna River ‐ heavy transit of wood ‐ recreational possibilities ‐ lack of competitive economic strength ‐ good reputation ‐ financials ‐ excellent leadership and commitment on local level ‐ land use/cover change ‐ architectural students workshops ‐ forests ‐ ekological farming ‐ high quality drinking water

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

‐ urban diversity and strengthening of identity ‐ decreasing economy in recent years ‐ energy efficient building ‐ upgrade to clean energy ‐ traditional familiar life changes sources ‐ ageing of the population ‐ preventing future pollution ‐ long term recession ‐ tourism and community in a synergetic relationship ‐ wood transport through the urban areas ‐ new recreational and tourism possibilities ‐ government legislation ‐ saw mill and wood processing facilities ‐ wood and metal products with added value (tradition)‐ self‐sufficient production of food ‐ culinary art (tradition) ‐ natural spring water bottling PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES valid strategic development documents: Regional development program 2007 – 2013 Farming and Forestry strategy, Bled Municipality, September 1997 Countryside development programme, 2006 Strategy of development of Gorje Municipality, December 2011 valid execution development documents: Municipal Spatial Plan (consists of strategic and execution part) – in completion

SOCIAL ISSUES population structure: aging index: 116 (ratio between old (65+) and young (15‐)) population growth: 5,8/1000 (Slo 1,8/1000, 2010) households: 1117 (3 members on average) education (together 2391, 2002): without education: 0.6%, partial elem. school: 4.5%, elem. school: 23.6%, voc. school: 32.3%, second. school: 27,4%, higher educ.: 5.6%, uni.: 6%. employment structure: unemployment rate: 7% (Slo. 11,5%, 2011) work. active population: 1122 (197 works in Gorje) daily migrations: 845 ‐, 80 + (2010) 169 farms (28 self‐employed farmers) – mostly eco friendly farming av. net. salary: 897 Eur (Slo: 999, Eur 2011) farming: as farming activity is decreasing, the municipality subsidizes farming in difficult conditions, programmes for revitalisation of rural landscape, co financing of specific projects, organises education for farmers. Traditional farming in difficult conditions on steep slopes should be encouraged and promoted also in tourism as an activity. business: as the municipality at present isn’t able to provide enough space for forthcoming business initiatives, its goal is to develop a business zone in partnership with the Municipality of Bled, support for business oriented educational programmes (Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Craft and Small business Slovenia), initiation of governmental business aid programmes. Private business create yearly 17,8 Mio Eur profit (2011). Best opportunity is wood processing and harvesting. Ways of transporting the logs from the forests do the saw mill should be investigated so that the transport doesn't go through the centres of villages which is a problem since new roads aren't allowed with government legislation. High quality spring water found in the area can be bottled and exported with the label of well preserved nature in Gorje municipality.

tourism: 9208 overnights (44% foreign), average 3 stays – in order to development the municipality will reserve funds for technical support for projects, that could apply for regional cohesion founds, support at developing new tourist products. welfare: Kindergarten and elementary school cower all needs (the kindergarten is being extended) – future considerations for a adequate scholarship politics, elderly are accommodated in adequate facilities in neighbouring municipalities Jesenice and Radovljica (4 citizens are subsidized), all medical care needs are covered, lack of social housing, need for a trans‐ generational centre (sports, social and leisure activities). infrastructure: Traffic: State Street leads through the village centres and degrades them, streets are not maintained ‐ the municipality is trying to ensure additional maintenance means from the state and European founds. Water supply: 35% of the grid in not maintained, 25% of households is not connected to the public water supply grid ‐ considering the Operative Water Supply Programme in the future.

development goals: Sustainable development of economy, cultural and natural landscape, with the activation of the countryside potentials. Well being for inhabitants, open for new businesses, interesting for visitors.

GREEN BUILDING INOVATION ISSUES

Housing: Enabling affordable housing loans. Subventions for non profit rents.

Energy renovation of existing buildings: Municipal and Governmental level financial stimulations – ecological found for use of natural materials, energy upgrade of the building skin. Executed energy‐consumption and renovation of local elementary school (Municipal and other founds).

Waste management: Investing in a waste assembly centre – in partnership with Bled Municipality, investing in new sewage system and connection to a water treatment plant Building small water treatment plants in the countryside.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

As Gorje Municipality has the advantage of the unobscured natural environment and existing craftsmanship traditions it should use its potential for developing its one brand ‘Gorje’ that would mean the best (ecological) food and other product. This could ignite a new socio‐economic circle.

New public building should be introduced that could work as a municipality centre. Its purpose should be multifunctional. Low cost, simple design community hall well integrated into the village urban structure can become a market, cinema, lecture hall, event hall, educational facility, etc.

Farm tourism can also focus on traditional ways of life as an active tourist activity. Picking of herbs and mushrooms, cleaning of woods, etc. can all become part of active tourism and teambuilding with educational and culinary quality.

Local products should have a possibility of common advertisement and management in order to supply the neighbouring municipality of Bled and it's vast hotel net with quality natural products.

Wood transport can be rethought. Since the logs are transported from the woods with tractors on cart tracks, they could easily be transported the same way to the saw mill. Legislation allows new cart tracks and they can serve also to as bypass for wood transport in villages.

Sources:

1. Občina Gorje: Strategija razvoja Občine Gorje, 1. novelacija, December 2011 2. http://ls.lex‐localis.info/KatalogInformacij/VsebinaDokumenta.aspx?SectionID=839483b7‐8b72‐ 4cb8‐85cd‐25786bbd504f, April 2014 3. http://www.stat.si/obcinevstevilkah/Vsebina.aspx?leto=2012&id=40, April 2014 CASE STUDY 02: GORENJA VAS‐POLJANE MUNICIPALITY

PROFILE established: area: 153 km2 inhabitants: 7.250 (2010) population density: 47/km2 settlements: 73

LANDSCAPE

SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

‐ living space of high quality ‐ low education structure and absence of specific ‐ good geographic position expertise ‐ intact natural landscape ‐ lack of investment founds ‐ preserved traditional skills ‐ lack of business attitude ‐ rich natural, cultural, historical heritage ‐ lack of accommodation capacities ‐ high quality of countryside ‐ big share of small unsufficient farms ‐ infrastructure for marketing of local products ‐ good public and economy infrastructure ‐ public interest for bonding and collaboration ‐ rich social activities

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

‐ further development of local products ‐ inconsistent and unadjusted legislation ‐ further development of tourist offer ‐ frequent changes of legislation at different fields ‐ development of social services ‐ lack of favourable founds for investments ‐ development of customer services ‐ regulations and standards are not adjusted to small ‐ use of alternative energy sources producers ‐ ecological and sustainable farming ‐ lack of founds for development projects ‐ self‐sufficient farming, bigger farms, integration of ‐ lack of trust and collaboration small farms ‐ connecting with neighbouring municipalities

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES valid strategic development documents: Municipal spatial plan (2010) Municipal detailed spatial plan for Stari Vrh, Videm‐OŠ Poljane, Toplice Kopačnica, Zapreval ZAP 70–2 (BT), Srednja vas, Gorenja vas, (2011, 2012, 2013) Development program of the countryside of the municipality (2007‐2013) valid execution development documents: Municipal Spatial Plan (consists of strategic and execution part)

SOCIAL ISSUES population structure: aging index: 68 (ratio between old (65+) and young (15‐)) population growth: 10,0/1000 (Slo 1,8/1000, 2010) employment structure: unemployment rate: 5,6 % (Slo. 11,5%, 2011) work. active population: 2.930 employed: 961 self‐employed:324 av. net. salary: 925,86 eur (Slo: 999 eur, 2011) farming: Strengthening supportive environment for the development of local potentials, new jobs and activities on the countryside. Municipality wants to promote nature‐friendly farming, to upgrade a common infrastructure for developing and marketing products of higher quality. They will continue to upgrade the existing infrastructure in rural areas in order to increase accessibility and ensuring equal quality of life in rural and urban areas. Municipality will encourage reanimation and reconstruction in certain rural centres and heritage rural areas and co financing of specific projects, organise education for farmers. business: municipal founds for small business and self employed persons, farming and forestry promoting entrepreneurship covering the entrepreneurial workshops for primary, female entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship for young people 69 companies, 438 employed, 143 self‐employed (2005)

tourism: Municipality of the Gorenja vas ‐ Poljane has a rich natural, historical and cultural heritage, well‐developed on‐farm activities. These are opportunities that need to connect to a high‐ quality tourism programs and market them as a joint product of the whole area of the municipality. STC Stari Vrh is beloved skiing area in the region Natural landscape has a big potential for sports, leisure and tourist activities renovated thermal baths Kopačnica (natural hot water spring) renovation of Visoko mansion, Stefan’s house the municipality also co‐finances other projects and products in the field of tourism. Tourist organisation in Skofja Loka also carries out promotion and marketing trips to the Rupnik Line (2ww defence infrastructure) for the municipality. The main goal for the Rupnik Line is to get a status of historical heritage. Gorenja vas ‐ Poljane also co‐finances the participation of Tourism Skofja Loka in the frame of Regional Development Agency BSC and regional destination organization of Gorenjska.

welfare: new kindergarten Dobrava (2010) renovation of local library (2012) acquired site for building an old peoples home municipal contribution for new‐born (2012) one time subvention for socially endangered citizens infrastructure: Traffic: Infrastructure upgrade of local street Trebija–Stara Oselica, bypass road Gorenja vas was build with help of the state and EU founds Water supply infrastructure was built with the means of European found for regional development (Četena‐Ravan‐Zapreva, Trebnje‐Poljane‐Škofja Loka) – completed 2013 Building of small water treatment plants for private houses and public buildings –municipal subvention (2013) Extension of water treatment plants Gorenja vas and sawage infrastructure Trabiva‐Hotavlje‐ Gorenja vas (2013‐2015) Sawage grid: Javorje was built with the means of European found for regional development (2012) development goals: To provide quality life within the local community and recognisability of the Poljanska valley

GREEN BUILDING INOVATION ISSUES

Energy renovation of existing buildings: primary school Poljane: partial façade renovation upgrade to renewable energy sources: biomass, sun collectors under the patronage of BSC regional agency and REAAL project (Swiss contribution) ‐85% energy refurbishment of local health centre and municipal facility (2012) ‐ REAAL project (Swiss contribution) roof and façade renovation of the primary school Luče

Waste management: Waste assemble and recycle centre Todraž is one of the most advance facilities in the country.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

Gorenja vas‐Poljane municipality has a big potential in natural landscape for sports, leisure and tourist activities. Connecting with neighbouring municipalities and developing specific places will help the region’s recognisability. The development should be focused on marketing of local crafts, which would also generate new job possibilities and higher interest among young people. Farming is one of the biggest potentials for the area. Municipality should encourage small farmers to collaborate. That would lead to optimization of farming that should focus on natural, ecologically friendly and healthy products as a label of the region.

Sources:

1. http://www.obcina‐gvp.si/?lang=&option=first_page (April 2014) 2. http://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ob%C4%8Dina_Gorenja_vas_‐_Poljane (April 2014) 3. http://www.stat.si/obcinevstevilkah/Vsebina.aspx?leto=2012&id=38 (April 2014) 4. http://www.uradni‐list.si/1/content?id=98350 (April 2014) 5. http://www.obcina‐gvp.si//assets/projekti/projektiobcinegvp2012.pdf (April 2014) CASE STUDY 03: JESENICE MUNICIPALITY

PROFILE established: 1995 area: 75,8 km2 inhabitants: 21.650 (2010) population density: 286/km2 settlements: 13

LANDSCAPE

SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

‐ third biggest municipality in the Gorenjska region ‐ unsuitable reputation of the municipality ‐ administrative centre for Kranjska Gora, Žirovnica ‐ inability of coordination at the regional level for municipalities strategic projects of the region ‐ health and economy centre for upper Gorenska ‐ lack of communication between stakeholders at all region, levels ‐ identified areas for economic development ‐ reduction in revenue from the municipal budget ‐ preserved industrial‐technical tradition and ‐ public institutions are focused on infrastructure not knowledge on the content, marketing, small business initiative ‐ global company Acroni from the institutions ‐ well preserved facilities of the metalworking ‐ lack of specific development proposals from citizens heritage (Stara Sava, Savske jame, Pristava) and organizations ‐ closeness of well touristic developed destinations ‐ decrease in revenue from the municipal budget ‐ well‐developed network of social and medical ‐ high prices of the land programs and institutions ‐ unused areas with degrading infrastructure in the ‐ sport tradition (hockey) former iron manufacture area (degraded area of the ‐ available water resources city center) and in areas owned by Slovenia Railways ‐ well‐developed energy grid (BROWNFIELDS) ‐ enough apartments ‐ lack of development centers, business culture, ‐ good traffic connections tradition and motivation ‐ architectural workshops ‐ lack of touristic infrastructure (overnight accommodations) ‐ unorganized tourist offer

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

‐decay of the existing catering services and accommodation facilities ‐ lack of social and health programs ‐ ageing of the population ‐ poor care for elderly ‐ social poverty ‐ disorganization of natural areas for sports activities ‐ lack of professional staff due to declining financial resources ‐ unused empty halls with no program ‐ unfinished renovation in the old town (Stara Sava) ‐ no suitable jobs for highly educated workforce ‐ bad state of sewage and water distribution system, traffic infrastructure ‐ bad energy performance ‐lack of non‐profit housing and housing infrastructure ‐ financials

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

‐brownfield development and exploitation, ‐public missunderstanding of industial heritage potential reprogramming and renovation of existing industrial for reuse heritage ‐ failure to implement the development strategy ‐ quality public space in former industrial areas ‐ lack of state support (finances) ‐ encouraging entrepreneurial logic in public ‐ long term recession institutions ‐ the collapse of medium and small enterprises ‐ systemic regulation and support for entrepreneurs ‐ lack of foreign investors ‐ municipality’s initiative for development and new ‐ abandonment of farms and landscape reforestation connections ‐ lack of sport marketing ‐ promote innovation activities – technology park ‐ brain drain ‐ Acroni (biggest ironwork facility in Slovenia) ‐ high‐rises in bad state ‐ specialization of individual industries (navtic, energetics, health) ‐ iron and daffodils as a main tourism product ‐ daily tourism ‐ tourism and community in a synergetic relationship ‐ countryside development ‐ modern architecture of high quality ‐ cultural tourism ‐ realisation of regional projects GORKI and CERO ‐ exploitation of water resources ‐ renewable energy sources ‐ new housing development ‐ hospital, home care center, elderly home ‐ MOTOR‐ mobile touristic incubator

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES valid strategic development documents: Municipal development plan (2011‐2025) Municipal spatial plan (2013)

valid execution development documents: Municipal detailed execution plan (2011‐2025)

SOCIAL ISSUES population structure: aging index: 114 (ratio between old (65+) and young (15‐)) population growth: 0,4/1000 (2009) (Slo 1,8/1000, 2010) households: 4988 (2002) education (2002): without education: 1,08%, partial elem. school: 7,42%, elem. school: 27%, voc. school: 30,25%, second. school: 25,98%, higher educ.: 3,9%, uni.: 3,99%. employment structure: unemployment rate: 9% (Slo. 11,5%, 2011) work. active population: 8,786 employed: 6,741 self‐employed: 449 av. net. salary: 942,65 Eur (Slo: 999 eur, 2011) farming: municipality is planning to develop entrepreneurship in rural areas, subsidizes and promote complementary activities in rural areas. Special attention will be intented to the sale of domestic products in the local market Jesenice. Under this measure, the municipality wants to achive a comprehensive and thematic development for villages and touristic rural centers.

business: main municipality goal is to improve the business environment and decrease unemployment. The main focus is on increasing the offer of competitive business locations, establishment of a development centre and inovations.

tourism: Jesenice wants to become an attractive tourist destination for daily tourists. Closeness of the tourist centers and its position represent a great potential for niche tourism. Their goals are to restore, build, and maintain tourism infrastructure. Municipality wants to develop innovative tourism products, effective marketing and management of tourism.

welfare: Jesenice municipality has a well‐developed primary and secondary health care network, therefore they want to strengthen this field to be more competitive. They wish further to develop children and social welfare, sport and recreation opportunities and programs for leisure activities. Further development of quality public space should also be the main goal in the future. infrastructure: Typical is a good level of sewage and water distribution systems, but very worn out and in need of renovation. Municipality’s plan is to maintain and build new systems by priorities. Railway and highway make Jesenice very accessible. development goals: The municipality wants, to establish models to improve degraded land, buildings and residential neighbourhoods along with the state and private owners/investors with means of sustainable development. In accordance with national and European legislation, local environment is expected to reduce emissions and greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency and increase energy supply from renewable sources. Revitalization of the modern city centre which must be well connected to the new city centre that is in development on the former industrial ground by means of quality green public space and secondary pedestrian and cycling net.

GREEN BUILDING INOVATION ISSUES

Housing: existing empty apartments should be used as subsidized housing. Energy refurbishment of the existing residential facilities.

Energy renovation of existing buildings: Municipal and Governmental level financial stimulations – ecological found for use of natural materials, energy upgrade of the building skin. Executed energy‐consumption and renovation of local elementary school (Municipal and other founds).

Waste management: current waste management infrastructure is sufficient for all the needs at the present moment.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

Jesenice municipality should support and develop new (creative) industries. That will keep young intellectuals and attractive new investments together with new subsidized housing schemes and other attractive housing. Jesenice should become a municipality with high quality of life. In order to achieve that, public space and green areas are crucial. Industrial architecture can house any kind of programme but can be in the minds of general public hardly expectable. Quality public space can change the way we look at this areas and makes an authentic and highly recognizable contemporary image and label of the city.

Sources: 1. Občina Jesenice: Občinski razvojni plan, 27.10 2011 2. https://www.stat.si/obcinevstevilkah/Vsebina.aspx?leto=2012&id=57 3. http://www.jesenice.si/sl/pomembni‐projekti 4. http://www.uradni‐list.si/1/content?id=115726 CASE STUDY 04: JEZERSKO MUNICIPALITY

PROFILE established: 1998 area: 68,8 km2 inhabitants: 672 (2010) population density: 10/km2 settlements: 2 villages (11 hamlets)

LANDSCAPE

SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

‐ Češka koča is well known mountain hut ‐ mostly one day tourist destination ‐ natural resources – possible spa resort ‐ undeveloped tourism ‐ surrounding mountains ‐ unused natural landscape ‐ mountain karst climate ‐ lack of employment possibilities ‐ recreational possibilities ‐ few development opportunities because of ‐ pure water sources protective natural heritage ‐sheep farming ‐ small size of the municipality (small founds) (authentic sheep breed “Jezersko‐solčavska ovca”) ‐ remote location ‐self‐sufficient farming ‐ after denationalisation hotel Kazina and local ski ‐clean and preserved natural environment slope became private and are not functioning since ‐quality food products ‐ local community and farm land owners are not ‐ new private hotel, opened in 2008 interested in tourist development ‐ lake

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

‐ collaboration with Tržič, Preddvor, Kamnik, Solčava ‐ land and property ownership and over border Austrian municipalities ‐ continuation of young people moving out ‐ tourist and leisure potential of the lake ‐ isolated population ‐ small scale tourist economy ‐ farm tourism ‐ possible foreign investments ‐ new establishment of tourist organization (private‐ public partnership) ‐ marketing of Jezersko municipality ‐motivation of citizens for new business challenges

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES valid strategic development documents: Municipality Statute 2011 Municipal spatial plan: status draft Regional development program 2007 – 2013

SOCIAL ISSUES population structure: aging index: 117 (ratio between old (65+) and young (15‐)) population growth: 1,5/1000 (Slo 1,8/1000, 2010) households: 230

employment structure: unemployment rate: 6,5% (Slo. 11,5%, 2011) work. active population: 258 employed: 26 self‐employed: 26 av. net. salary: 849,45 eur (Slo: 999 eur, 2011) daily working migrations to other regions: 33,6% , 9% works in the municipality, 4,2% works on farms farming: sheep farming as a traditional activity – local products stimulation of ecological farming, orchards, grazing business: development of different small sectors deriving from local capacities extensive forest enable exploitation of wood and wooden products tourism: hiking, cycling, nordic, cross country skiing, winter sport tourism Health and active family tourism organized active children and youth tourism elderly tourism motivation and team building regional park Kamniško‐Savinjske Alpe was established in a collaboration with Kamnik, Luče, Predvor and Solčava cable car towards Češka koča and Koča na Vadinah infrastructure: sewage system is not finished yet water treatment plant was built at Češka koča and Koča na Vadinah sewage and water infrastructure in planning for residential areas that are to be developed planning new sewage and water infrastructure, connected to the local water treatment plant construction of small bio water treatment plants on areas of dispersed settlements. Electric energy supply is sufficient and combined with the energy provided by small hydroelectric plants street grid is sufficient and public transport is effective development goals: small intervention in the landscape sustainable tourism and exploitation of natural means with farming preserving the green and sustainable image of the municipality

GREEN BUILDING INOVATION ISSUES

Housing: housing structures with more than 4 apartment units are not allowed‐ all new build structures have to correspond with the small scale of existing buildings.

Waste management: the municipality wants to build new waste collection centre – possibility of EU founds

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

Jezersko municipality should use its natural beauties, traditional craftsmanship and food production to invite new investors in developing better tourist capabilities. Different tourist groups should be encouraged to stay in the area for more than a day's trip. Organized children and youth tourism such as boy scouts and summer colonies has great potential because of specific location closed from all sides. Jezersko is also a great destination for elderly because of the climate and intergenerational effects are synergetic. EU found, national founds, swiss founds for regional development and energy refurbishment should be better exploited. Wood production has great potential and in collaboration with Preddvor municipality a sawmill and better wood processing facilities should be developed.

Sources:

1.ftp://193.95.192.36/Public/MinistrstvoZaZdravje/2010/122‐9‐ 09%20OPN%20Jezersko/3_priloge/35_obr/opn_jezersko_obrazlo%C5%BEitev.pdf, April 2014 2.http://www.bsc‐kranj.si/resources/files/doc/SONARAVNI/Priloga_st_1_k_Aktivnosti_1a_‐ _Celotna_analiza_stanja_2.pdf, April 2014 3. http://www.stat.si/obcinevstevilkah/Vsebina.aspx?leto=2012&id=58, April 2014 4. http://www.jezersko.si/, April 2014 CASE STUDY 05: KRANJ

PROFILE established: 1994 area: 150,9 km2 inhabitants: 54.308(2008) population density: 362/km2 settlements: 51

LANDSCAPE

SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

‐ third biggest municipality in Slovenia ‐ general development situation and institutional ‐ Administrative centre of the Gorenjska region frame ‐ concentration of financial institutions in the region ‐ lack of competitive economic strength ‐ Few large global businesses ‐ poor public transport and road infrastructure in the ‐ large industrial and technical heritage highlands. ‐ good connectivity (X corridor), capital, airport ‐ waste management ‐ Brdo congress centre ‐ water distribution and pollution ‐ large net of educational facilities ‐ lack of proper education for support of local ‐ Cultural heritage businesses ‐ sport and recreational facilities ‐ poor use of abandoned building fond (brownfield) ‐ new shoping destinations (green brownfields)

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

‐ establishment of region policy ‐ unrealization of strategic plan ‐ energy efficient building ‐ upgrade to clean energy ‐ decreasing economy in recent years sources ‐ ageing of the population ‐ preventing future pollution ‐ long term recession ‐ better use of EU founds ‐ intensive farming in some regions ‐ private‐public founding ‐ Ljubljana as a threat for migration of young people ‐ historical monuments ‐ sport as a development opportunity

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES valid strategic development documents: Regional development program 2007 – 2013 Countryside development programme, 2006 Strategy of sustainable development of City Municipality of Kranj 2009‐2023, May 2009 valid execution development documents: Municipal Spatial Plan (consists of strategic and execution part)

SOCIAL ISSUES population structure: aging index: 115,3 (ratio between old (65+) and young (15‐) population growth: 4,7/1000 (Slo 1,8/1000, 2011) households: 18.190 (3 members on average) education (2002): without education: 0,56%, partial elem. school: 4,76%, elem. school: 25,06%, voc. school: 24,72%, second. school: 28,95%, higher educ.: 5,77%, uni.: 10,18% employment structure: unemployment rate: 10,3% (Slo. 11,5%, 2011) work. active population: 22.692 (12.802 works in Kranj) daily migrations: high migration levels from the region and to the capital of Ljubljana 559 farms– mostly integrated farming av. net. salary: 951,52 Eur (Slo: 999, Eur 2011) farming: Most of the farms are dealing with cattle (82%) to which most of the crops are adapted. 59,9% of farm owners are older than 62 year and only 6,4 younger than 42. Also the education of farmers is poor, only 6% have proper farming education. Although ecological farming is subsidized and there are numerous economical benefits only 7 farms of all are practicing this kind of land use. Goal is to further support ecological farming through education and workshops in combination with tourism in order to make a common rural identity in which all of the participants can find their place. business: according to its tradition Kranj will further encourage businesses that form the core of Gorenjska innovative technological identity: information / communication technologies, new materials/polymers, mechatronics, energy and environmental technologies. Beside this the municipality will encourage growth of micro and small businesses. The idea is to make use of abandoned industry complexes and redevelop the sites into new areas that will attract and support business growth, especially new young prospects, with introduction of business incubators, startups and technological park. tourism: Kranj, as a city of renowned history, with many historical monuments and people that lived and worked in the area, should put more effort into promotion of its benefits through numerous festivals and happenings, that would encourage people to visit the city. City centre should, through its programme, promote a high quality of life which results in vibrant range of activities for the inhabitants that make the city and what is in the end what tourists are experiencing in a positive way. Promotion of local products, cultural and ethnological heritage, architecture and local specialities should become common identity for everyone living, working and visiting the city. welfare: Investments in educational facilities is furthermore establishing Kranj as a cultural, economical, educational and administrative centre of Gorenjska region. Focus on higher levels of education that can also support local businesses as well as subventions for deficitary professions is helping to improve the connection between education and practice and should connect both in the process. Improvement in elderly care through variety of programmes that form the fifth generation of elderly care that promotes alternative and local solutions. Improvement and development of regional medical centre. Investments in cultural and sport facilities. Kranj as a city of sports through a new sport centre and sustainable management of open areas for leisure and sport. infrastructure: Good connection to highway, airport of Ljubljana, railway and local areas. investments in improving distribution and quality of drinking water connection between old city centre and the riverbank of Sava river should be established development goals: communal infrastructure business and innovation regional educational centre Sport and health infrastructure culture and tourism

GREEN BUILDING INOVATION ISSUES

Housing: Sustainable renovation of large residential neighbourhoods New eco friendly housing development and strategic use of land

Energy efficiency refurbishments of existing buildings: Municipal and Governmental level financial stimulations – ecological found for use of natural materials, energy upgrade of the building skin. Energy efficiency refurbishments of local infrastructure, schools, health facilities,... Energy efficiency refurbishments of abandoned industrial complexes and reuse for puposes of education, sport, culture and business.

Waste management: Mane goal considering the communal infrastructure is to establish sustainable waste management which includes renovation of the central waste water treatment plant and four new small plants in surrounding areas.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

Main potential for the municipality of Kranj is the river bed of Sava river which is full of abandoned industrial complexes. This poses the main problem and solution for development. Energetic refurbishment and reuse of the existing building fund with good spatial management and development of quality surrounding areas would take care of two problems at the same time with less financial input than any other development proposal in the area. Best place to start is the riverbank of Sava river under the old city centre. Communication in a form of an urban lift should be provided. Typology of industrial complexes can inhabit every program and in this case should provide mixed use as an extension and connection of the old city centre with the river where business, culture, education, sport and health facilities can find their place and form a compact and vibrant new city of Kranj.

sources:

1. Strategija trajnostnega razvoja Mestne občine Kranj 2009–2023, 6.5.2009 2. http://www.kranj.si/ 3. http://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mestna_ob%C4%8Dina_Kranj 4. http://www.stat.si/obcinevstevilkah/Vsebina.aspx?leto=2011&id=72 CASE STUDY 06: PREDDVOR

PROFILE established: 1994 area: 87 km2 inhabitants: 3.545(2011) population density: 101/km2 settlements: 14

LANDSCAPE

SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES ‐ cultural heritage: castle Hrib, castle Preddvor, castle ‐ strict and unadapted government legislation Turn, st. Peter church ‐ undeveloped village centre ‐ hi quality natural environment (mountains, forests, ‐ lack economic activity lake) ‐ hi rents ‐ low pensions (systemic problem) ‐ 70 % forest coverage ‐ no long term development plan ‐ problem of private ‐ concentration of public programs within the village property of Preddvor. ‐ land use ‐ Kokra river and old water mills ‐ cultural heritage in bad state ‐ local hot water system ‐ heating with wooden biomass ‐ mountain karst region (climate) ‐ exemplary case for sustainable upgrade (social and ecological) ‐ use of sustainable technologies and materials

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS ‐ Strategy of sustainable development of Municipality ‐ poor government legislation of Preddvor 2015‐2030 ‐ misunderstanding between municipality needs and ‐ Establishment of village Preddvor as urban centre government agencies for the municipality by means of sustainable ‐ continuity of young people moving out to cities urbanization and renewal of degraded areas. ‐ inflexible legislation ‐ spatial politics (systemic ‐ use of existing quality and potential building fond problem) ‐ mountain karst region as a medical, family and sport ‐ municipalities low financial means tourism destination ‐ long and complex execution of the Municipal spatial ‐ collaboration with other municipalities of same plan interest (Jezersko and Golnik) ‐ better wood processing facilities and sustainable products with added value ‐ new small hydroelectric plants ‐ new job opportunities ‐ intergenerational sinergies

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES valid strategic development documents: Regional development program 2007 – 2013 Countryside development programme, 2006 valid execution development documents: ‐

SOCIAL ISSUES population structure: aging index: 124 (ratio between old (65+) and young (15‐) population growth: ‐4,2/1000 (Slo 1,8/1000, 2011) employment structure: unemployment rate: 7,1% (Slo. 11,5%, 2011) work. active population: 1.369 av. net. salary: 866,51 Eur (Slo: 999, Eur 2011) farming: municipality is financialy supporting activities and education of farmers. business: Best business opportunity is production and processing of wood. Due to a lack of processing industry this activity is not well economically exploited in Slovenia. Existing sawmill and processing plant should be further developed with special consideration for the environment. Side products such as wooden biomass is than used for the remote heating of homes. Small family business should be encouraged in order go gain better economical activity needed for the young population to stay in the area. tourism: Tourism should make better use of existing facilities and natural resources. Two unused castles should gain proper program so that their renewal will be financially feasible. New programs in health tourism could be provided also tourism and health centre for elderly could be enforced. Preddvor is the last stop before the steep climb to Jezersko. Cycling is popular in the area and has great potential in the future which opens many new opportunities. welfare: good public infrastructure renewed and energetically efficient elderly home good potential for quality public space infrastructure: remote heating on biomass small but prominent hydroelectric plants development goals: village centre development new hydroelectric plants new tourist and health accommodation capacities

GREEN BUILDING INOVATION ISSUES

Housing: New eco friendly housing development and strategic use of land

Energy efficiency refurbishments of existing buildings: Municipal and Governmental level financial stimulations – ecological found for use of natural materials, energy upgrade of the building skin. Energy efficiency refurbishments of local infrastructure remote biomass heating system

Waste management: New sewage and waste water system

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

Preddvor with its mountain karst climate has good potential for health tourism. Mixed program should be enforced. Tourism, health centre and local population must form together a lively and vibrant centre of the village Preddvor as well as the location of castle Hrib and lake Črnava. Exceptional nature makes the municipality a perfect place for young families. The landscape should be preserved, country and field roads maintained, old and former existing tree‐lined lanes should be repaired. All of this would make foot and bicycle connection better providing social interaction and healthy motor free environment. Wood processing and wood products should be encouraged. Municipality could develop a wood centre with machines that many craftsmen can't afford for them to use. This centre would cover more than only one municipality and would serve also as learning and training facility for the surrounding area.

sources:

1. http://www.preddvor.si/ 2. http://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ob%C4%8Dina_Preddvor 3 . http://www.lex‐localis.info/KatalogInformacij/VsebinaMape.aspx?SectionID=bb2cec4a‐4416‐ 47c9‐ae5e‐a09c91b0955d 4. https://www.stat.si/obcinevstevilkah/Vsebina.aspx?leto=2013&id=128

CASE STUDY 07: ŠENČUR

PROFILE established: 1994 area: 40 km2 inhabitants: 8.433(2011) populationdensity: 209/km2 settlements: 12

LANDSCAPE

SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

‐ condense population in urban areas ‐ lack of competitive economic strength ‐ two large centres ‐ poor public transport and road infrastructure ‐ large business zone ‐ waste water management ‐ young population ‐ integrated farming ‐ vast farming fields ‐ good connectivity (X corridor), capital, airport

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

‐ new ways of connections between settlements and ‐ problems with land ownership distribution of public programs ‐ intensive farming in some parts ‐ energy efficient building ‐ upgrade to clean energy ‐ decreasing economy in recent years sources ‐ long term recession ‐ preventing future pollution ‐ better use of EU founds ‐ eco farming ‐ open sport and leisure activities

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES valid strategic development documents: Regional development program 2007 – 2013 Countryside development programme, 2006 Program of development plans Municipality of Šenčur 2013‐2016 valid execution development documents: Municipal Spatial Plan (consists of strategic and execution part)

SOCIAL ISSUES population structure: aging index: 84 (ratio between old (65+) and young (15‐) population growth: 4,3/1000 (Slo 1,8/1000, 2011)

education (2002): without education: 24, partial elem. school: 355, elem. school: 1591, voc. school: 1722 second. school: 1678, higher educ.: 268, uni.: 495 employment structure: unemployment rate: 6,9% (Slo. 11,5%, 2011) work. active population: 3.494 av. net. salary: 987,36 Eur (Slo: 999, Eur 2011) farming: Municipality will encourage special legislation, to support technological reconstruction of farms, further education of farmers, development of shared farming facilities, complementary activity and alternative ways of farming. Encouragement should be enforced for farmers to start with ecological food production. Fields are surrounding the settlements so this kind of land use would also contribute to a healthier environment for the residence. business: Large business zone with over 100 firms in Šenčur has been successfully developed employing over 1000 people. confounding for programs of employment, business and education of future entrepreneurs. tourism: new theme paths for visitors and cycling net will connect small settlements within the municipality that already have a history of traditional events throughout the year. welfare: Maintenance of existing educational, sport, and cultural infrastructure. Future development of care home for elderly in Šenčur. infrastructure: Good connection to highway and airport of Ljubljana Investments in road infrastructure

development goals: countryside connectivity development of care home for elderly in Šenčur Investments in road infrastructure new sewage system and waste water treatment plant

GREEN BUILDING INOVATION ISSUES

Housing: New eco friendly housing development and strategic use of land

Energy efficiency refurbishments of existing buildings: Municipal and Governmental level financial stimulations – ecological found for use of natural materials, energy upgrade of the building skin. Energy efficiency refurbishments of local infrastructure

Waste management: New sewage system, connection and development of new waste water treatment plant in collaboration with surrounding municipalities.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

Main potential for the municipality of Šenčur is its urbanized landscape typical for this part of Gorenjska region. Small settlements surrounded by fields and small islands of woods make perfect country side experience for visitors and especially local population. Secondary connection grid should be established, divided from motorways, that will allow pedestrians and cyclists safe and quick connection between settlements. Small municipality can in this way work as a green city where fields and woods make for the parks and settlements become urban centres each with its own supporting program for the whole population.

sources:

1. http://www.sencur.si/ 2. http://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ob%C4%8Dina_%C5%A0en%C4%8Dur 3. https://www.stat.si/obcinevstevilkah/Vsebina.aspx?leto=2013&id=167 4.http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:‐V0wa5t5xo4J:www.lex‐ localis.info/files/ce24436f‐70e7‐4de2‐8701‐ c86e44bfd98e/2539518241520000000_NACRT%2520_RAZVOJNIH%2520_PROGRAMOV%2520_2013 ‐2016.doc+&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&client=firefox‐a CASE STUDY 08: ŠKOFJA LOKA MUNICIPALITY

PROFILE established: 1994 area: 146 km2 inhabitants: 22.894 (2013) settlements: 62

LANDSCAPE

SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

‐ geostrategic position in the region ‐ empty buildings an degraded areas of the old ‐ unique cultural heritage historical city centre heritage ‐ unspoiled nature heritage areas ‐ unorganized traffic connections, especially ‐ craft and business tradition with main roads ‐ good college and higher education centre ‐ deficient touristic infrastructure and product offer ‐ developed sport infrastructure ‐ lack of apartments and social infrastructure for ‐ diverse and live cultural activity young families ‐ relatively good demographic trends ‐ absence of strategic plans ‐ strong volunteer and society activity ‐ high unemployment in the younger population ‐ strong local affiliation ‐ unorganised suburban space, including green areas ‐ adopted Municipal Spatial Plan ‐ unequal infrastructural development of urban and country areas ‐ inappropriate spaces for the library and the kindergarten ‐ energy inefficient public buildings

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

‐ revitalisation and renovation of the old ‐ decreasing economy in recent years historical city centre heritage ‐ tax legislation ‐ completion of traffic bypass and connection roads ‐ traditional family life changes ‐ specialisation in main local activity and knowledge ‐ ageing of the population ‐ supporting "start ‐ up" companies ‐ long term recession ‐ self‐sufficiency with food and energy ‐ negative impacts of climate change on the operation ‐ better use of railway connections of the ski area, the occurrence of floods, landslides ‐ renovation and regeneration of village public areas and other natural disasters ‐ use of EU funds ‐ involvement of private initiative in the field of local self‐government ‐ revitalisation of residential neighbourhood "Novi svet"

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES valid strategic development documents: Regional development program 2007 – 2013 Countryside development programme, 2006 Strategy of development of Škofja Loka Municipality 2014 ‐ 2025 valid execution development documents: Municipal Spatial Plan (consists of strategic and execution part) – in completion

SOCIAL ISSUES population structure: aging index: 100,7 (ratio between old (65+) and young (15‐)) households: 8.008 (3 members on average) population growth: 5,2/1000 (Slo 1,6/1000, 2011) education (2012): without education: 4,2 %, elem. school, voc. school: 53,4 %, higher educ., uni.: 21,3 % employment structure: unemployment rate: 7,5 % (Slo. 11,5%, 2011) work. active population: 9328 daily migrations: 56% ‐, 51,2% + (2013) 459 farms (278 self‐employed farmers), 4 eco certificate farms (2013) av. net. salary: 936,30 Eur (Slo: 999, Eur 2011)

farming: Good natural conditions, preserved and increasingly active farms, processing plants, and increased interest in gardening are the basis for a more ambitious direction of the county of Škofja Loka and its residents in local self‐sufficient food production. The municipality could subsidize and organise specific projects and education for farmers. business: Strong craft and business heritage is present in the county of Škofja Loka. The municipality’s primary focus in the next period is the integration of entrepreneurial skills at all levels of education and encouragement to create new businesses. Metal manufacturing, tourism and the production of local foods is on primary list. Special attention should be given to providing the necessary planning documents and infrastructural conditions for investors. Investment in degraded and unused industrial areas and facilities should be made. Efforts of schools to develop good programs in accordance with the expectations and needs of the local undertaking should be supported. Citizens ought to be encouraged to acquire new knowledge and to improve the overall educational level through lifelong learning.

tourism: Due to strong history of an old town Škofja Loka, the projects and activities of "Colorful Loka" are the primary orientation, connecting renovation of the medieval city with tourist and cultural program. The old historical town is seen as the initial value of this county that can attract more visitors within the entire area. The municipality should pay special attention to attract investors to the old town empty buildings, especially for the purposes of tourist, local or culture‐related activity. Due to the unspoiled nature and many natural sights throughout the county, the municipality should also focus on the development of open recreational areas, parks and traces in nature. welfare: In the future the municipality should focus on the needs of young families, older people and intergenerational integration. There should be enough space, human and material resources provided for the high‐quality pre‐school education in kindergartens. Intergenerational centres where various organizations could offer new types of services for the elderly should be established. Municipality should co‐participate with partners in the development of the first pilot residential building for young families. Municipality should subsidize renovation of the buildings and rents for young people as well as people with local craft business in the historical city centre. infrastructure: The concept of sustainable mobility is build on current planning practices with quality and is ensuring better mobility of the population. The efforts of the municipality should also focus on the improvement of the accessibility of Škofja Loka to the main roads and the reduction of vehicular traffic in the municipality settlement centres. The attention should be paid to pedestrians and cyclists, and to greater use of public transport. Municipality is investing in sewage treatment plant Škofja Loka and Reteče and in the missing sewage network in the flat part of the county, which will reduce the risk of pollution of soil, surface waters and groundwater. The following will be needed in the rural and mountainous areas as well by use of smaller systems and small water treatment plants. development goals: Sustainable development of the economy, the cultural and natural landscape, with the activation of the countryside potentials should be a priority. Well being of inhabitants, openness towards opportunities for new businesses and creating interest for visitors is a goal of development. Highlighting the existing qualities and legacy with strategic revitalization and renovation is what is specific to this area.

GREEN BUILDING INOVATION ISSUES

Housing: Renovation of empty historical city buildings, which don’t have good enough living conditions at the moment, should be co financed for renovation to encourage young people to stay in old city centre and practice their business on site. There are already build areas of residential character that should be renovated. Special attention should be paid to the residential area called "Novi svet". Neighbourhood lies near administrative centre of the town of Škofja Loka. In correlation of public and private financing, strategic and organized revitalisation should be made. Lack of organized public place, services and program is enabling quality life in this neighbourhood of great potential. Children's playground, green park areas, green organized parking facilities, community's common areas ( sport, wellness and play room), social services (child care, elderly people help, ect.) would benefit living quality. The municipality should renovate certain amount of apartments and subside rents for young families and all their social service needs on site. Establishment of community initiative should be encouraged by co financing strategic revitalisation plans.

Energy renovation of existing buildings: In accordance with the recently adopted local energy concept, the municipality should carry out energy a renovation of five kindergartens and schools as well as improve energy management, promote the substitution of energy sources with sustainable sources in the settlements and reduce long term emissions from individual buildings. Special focus should be paid to the renovation of the old cities infrastructure to provide healthy and comfortable living conditions.

Waste management: Since the year 2000 the municipality has successfully established a separate collection of waste at the source of its creation. During the campaign "Clean Slovenia" in the year 2010 a vast majority of illegal dumps ware removed. Every year the municipality in cooperation with local communities, associations and institutions should organize a spring cleaning campaign.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

As Škofja Loka municipality has the advantage of the natural environment, the cultural heritage, the still existing craftsmanship and business tradition, it should focus on the regeneration and the renovation of its existing qualities. Empty and devastated spaces of the old building areas, suburb areas and natural sites should be filled with new programmes and functions. Very potential case of existing neighbourhood revitalisation is area called "Novi svet". With encouragement through co financing of well prepared list of inhabitant's needs, prepared as a vision of the entire neighbourhood development, high quality community living would be established. Social, leisure and space infrastructure in forms of parks, parking lots, children's playgrounds, sport, wellness and play room, children's and elderly care, etc. would expand inhabitant's living area to the whole neighbourhood. The main historical and cultural heritage site of the county – the city of Škofja Loka, represents an important traffic hub that connects the Selška and Poljanska valley with rest of the country. The development of by‐pass roads would bring the opportunities to close many parts of city centre and allow quality public space to form. City centre should be full of small businesses, shops, cafés and restaurants instead of developing new shopping centres in the surrounding areas. Municipality should encourage that by means of tax legislation and subsidised rents. This renewed old town would attract tourists and serve locals and neighbouring county’s inhabitants to sell their local products and have a strong, lively and vibrant centre. Quality of life in the city would increase rapidly; young people would move beck and the town would become a true cultural, business and trading centre in the area.

sources:

1. Občina Škofja Loka: STRATEGIJA RAZVOJA OBČINE ŠKOFJA LOKA 2025+ Zelena Loka, modro mesto 2. http://www.stat.si/obcinevstevilkah/?leto=2013 CASE STUDY 09: TRŽIČ MUNICIPALITY

PROFILE established: 1994 area: 155 km2 inhabitants: 15.196 (2011) settlements: 35

LANDSCAPE

SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

‐ strategic traffic position in the region ‐ low level of education among local people ‐ vacant settlement capacities with municipal infrastructure ‐ administrative barriers for domestic and ‐ industrial tradition and heritage foreign investments ‐ potential renewable energy sources ‐ unfinished municipal infrastructure ‐ unspoiled nature ‐ absence of strategic plans ‐ family ran farms ‐ deficient touristic infrastructure and product offer ‐ traditional local events ‐ energy inefficient public buildings ‐ high risk of natural disasters (floods, avalanches, ...) ‐ unfavourable age structure, lack of education and financing in farming activity ‐brownfields (abandoned industry sites and buildings) ‐ ownership of brownfields OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

‐ renovation and revitalization of empty ‐ increasing leakage of high educated labour abandoned industrial buildings ‐ tax legislation ‐ social entrepreneurship programmes ‐ traditional family life changes ‐ specialisation in traditional crafts and knowledge ‐ ageing of the population ‐ mountain farms with complementary programs ‐ long term recession ‐ supporting "start ‐ up" companies ‐ negative impacts of climate change on the operation ‐ use of EU funds of the ski area, the occurrence of floods, landslides ‐ use of renewable energy sources (sun and water energy) and other natural disasters ‐ high competition of neighbour counties ‐ reprogramming and redevelopment of abandoned ‐ unwillingness for change by private partners owning industry sites abandoned industrial sites. ‐ quality public space ‐ tax legislation for abandoned sites to encourage renewal

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES valid strategic development documents: Regional development programme 2007 – 2013 Countryside development programme, 2006 Strategy of development of Tržič municipality 2008 ‐ 2020 valid execution development documents: Municipal Spatial Plan (consists of strategic and execution part) – in development

SOCIAL ISSUES population structure: aging index: 1 / 100 is 122 (ratio between old (65+) and young (15‐)) households: 5.239 (3 members on average) population growth: 1,1 /1000 (Slo 1,6/1000, 2011) employment structure: unemployment rate: 11,4 % (Slo. 11,5%, 2011) 2011 ‐ work. active population: 6.092 daily migrations: ‐ 399 farms av. net. salary: 858,58 Eur (Slo: 999, Eur 2011) farming: Better connection between farming and tourism should be made. Complementary activity and branding of farming products would help the family ran farms, which are the main form of farming in this county, to develop. Municipality should invest in specialized knowledge, young labour force and promotion of contemporary farming technologies, practices and forms.

business: Municipality of Tržič is facing connection problems between companies, education infrastructure, private and public sectors of investment and between existing facilities and contemporary market needs. Tržič has a heritage of industrial tradition and infrastructure which should be revitalized and subsidized to be rented to young perspective companies with visions. Lack of high educated labour capacities should encourage municipality to invest in correlation with private investors in new education centres. Empty old industrial structures could be used to accommodate specific educational programs ‐ social entrepreneurship. tourism: Municipality has a great opportunity of nature related tourism. Much of the touristic infrastructure is already build, but needs renovation and development. One of these are ski resorts, cycling infrastructure and mountain tracking paths. Complementing the farming activity with touristic programs would benefit both sides, tourism and farming. Providing sufficient touristic accommodations should be focused on establishing “open farm house” principle. Old abandoned industrial buildings should be renovated and transformed into visitors attracting programs. Tržič as the main centre of the county could provide its empty spaces to become market places for local products from dispersed small farms and craft business, places for existing traditional events that are well known abroad and places for cultural presentations as museums, galleries and theatres. The vicinity of the country border would mean extra visitors and investors for these programs. welfare: Low level of education among local people presents a barrier regarding the development of strategic plans. Main focus of the county should be in establishing, co financing and promoting of new forms of education and social infrastructure. In the future the municipality should focus on the needs of young educated people so that they will have better prospects to stay on site. Municipality should invest in the renovation of old empty industrial buildings to accommodate so much needed local public programs, such as libraries, schools, kindergartens, sport halls, retail stores etc.

infrastructure: Good traffic connection and vicinity of neighbour towns is a quality of the county, which will be even more developed with planning of the "Pan European traffic corridor" with its railway "E 65" trace that is foreseen to connect Ljubljana ‐ airport of Brnik ‐ Kranj ‐ Jesenice. Tržič has a great potential for use of renewable sources (sun energy, water energy, etc). Investments and strategic plans should be made in development of this infrastructure. Municipal infrastructure has been already upgraded, but some more additional work needs to be done in some of the settlements. By‐pass road in Tržič should be finished, cycling paths should be established and parking capacities should be planned. development goals: Sustainable development of economy, cultural and natural landscape, with the activation of the countryside potentials. Wellbeing for inhabitants, openness for new businesses, attractions for visitors. Establishing a strong business and education centre in the direction of social entrepreneurship.

GREEN BUILDING INOVATION ISSUES

Housing: Enabling affordable housing loans. Subventions for non‐profit rents. Municipality should subsidize renovations of the existing structure in order to provide better conditions for performing local business activities.

Energy renovation of existing buildings: In accordance with the recently adopted local energy concept, the municipality should carry out energy rehabilitation of the local buildings and subsidize the energy renovation of private housing.

Waste management: The municipality should provide more separate collection sites of waste at the source of its creation. New compost landfill location should be established.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

Low educational level of local people, empty and abandoned old industrial town buildings, strong industrial tradition and heritage are the main plus and cons of today’s Tržič county. All these parameters should be connected and developed through strategic plans into new, specific programmes. Renovation of old abandoned factory building in combination with quality green public space around them can make an attractive new image of the Town Tržič. Renovated spaces should accommodate local social infrastructure, sport facilities, shops, alternative working‐living apartments, foreign and local business, educational programs and development of social entrepreneurship. They would provide a sustainable model of maintaining social, economic and environmental state of the county.

sources:

1. Občina Tržič: STRATEGIJA RAZVOJA OBČINE TRŽIČ 2008 ‐ 2020

2. http://www.stat.si/obcinevstevilkah/Vsebina.aspx?leto=2013&id=188

CASE STUDY 10: ŽELEZNIKI MUNICIPALITY

PROFILE established:1994 area: 164 km2 inhabitants: 6.781 (2011) settlements: 29

LANDSCAPE

SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

‐ good recognisability of the county ‐ very closed terrain as a valley ‐ unspoiled nature and cultural heritage ‐ dispersion and weak connection of villages ‐ craftsmenship and business tradition ‐ weak traffic connections, long distance to the ‐ successful local companies main motorway ‐ traditional local events ‐ unfinished municipal infrastructure ‐ potential of sport activity ‐ absence of strategic plans ‐ strong volunteer and society activity ‐ deficient touristic infrastructure and product offer ‐ strong local affiliation ‐ energy inefficient public buildings ‐ adopted Municipal Spatial Plan ‐ high risk of natural disasters ( floods, avalanche, ...)

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

‐ self‐sufficiency with food and energy ‐ decreasing economy in recent years ‐ revitalisation of old mill spots on river Sora ‐ tax legislation ‐ strengthening of mountain farms with ‐ traditional familiar life changes complementary activity ‐ ageing of the population ‐ specialisation in main local activity and knowledge ‐ long term recession ‐ supporting "start ‐ up" companies ‐ Negative impacts of climate change on the operation ‐ develop by‐pass roads to connect settlements of the ski area, the occurrence of floods, landslides ‐ renovation and revitalization of settlements in public and other natural disasters areas ‐ pollution of air and vegetation ‐ use of EU funds ‐ involvement of private initiative in the field of local self‐government

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES valid strategic development documents: Regional development program 2007 – 2013 Countryside development programme, 2006 Strategy of development of culture in Železniki municipality 2013 ‐ 2017 Strategy of development of tourism in Železniki municipality 2013 ‐ 2017

valid execution development documents: Municipal Spatial Plan (consists of strategic and execution part)

SOCIAL ISSUES population structure: aging index: 1 / 100 is 86 people (ratio between old (65+) and young (15‐)) households: 2.084 (3 members on average) population growth: 3,4 /1000 (Slo 1,6/1000, 2011) employment structure: unemployment rate: 5,8 % (Slo. 11,5%, 2011) 2011 ‐ work. active population: 2.929 av. net. salary: 842,18 Eur (Slo: 999, Eur 2011)

farming: Municipality of Železniki has two farming areas: flat lands and mountains. There is lack of specialized knowledge, young labour source and financing in this activity. Flatlands have a potential of complementary programs and due to the river Sora production of electrical energy. Small hydroelectric power stations could be built on the spots where old mills used to stand. Due to scarce land and heavier processing, farmers in the surrounding mountain villages are increasingly turning to complementary activities such as rural tourism, "open farm house", sheep and goat breeding, etc. Municipality should co‐finance and subsidize special farm programmes, education and complementary activities.

business: Today Železniki is a city longer than two kilometres with developed electrical and metal industry (Niko, Domel, Libra) and the timber industry (Alples) that also provides jobs for many people in the surrounding villages. Municipality increasingly supports the craft, which also presents an important part of economic development. Lack of settlement connectivity is also a problem for local business to develop. Subsidised and encouraged common region branding would help small craftsmen and companies to establish a local production. Giving concession for forestry, hydroelectric energy production, sandpits and other activities would encourage complementary activities of farmers.

tourism: Železniki has great opportunities in nature related tourism. By extending farming activities with touristic programmes both sides, tourism and farming, would benefit. If sufficient touristic accommodations would be needed to be established, municipality should encourage form of "open house farm" principle. Farm house settlements in the mountains are one of the strongest touristic opportunities of this county. Flat land of the county has its greatest opportunities on the culture heritage touristic spots. By reorganizing roads, old town centres would be freed of heavy traffic and available for touristic and local activities. Character of flat land area has an opportunity for cycling tourism as well. welfare: In the future the municipality should focus on the needs of young people so that they will have better prospects to stay on site. There should be enough, human and material resources about how to use and expend the qualities of local heritage. Intergenerational centres, where various organizations could offer new types of services for the elderly, should be established. Municipality should co‐participate with partners to develop centres to promote local business and support local production. Existing sport facilities should be renovated. infrastructure: The efforts of the municipality should focus on improving the accessibility of small settlements of the county to the main roads and the reduction of vehicular traffic in the municipality town centres by organizing by‐pass roads. Attention should be paid to pedestrians and cyclists, and to greater use of public transport. Existing wastewater treatment plant and municipal infrastructure is overloaded and should be upgrade and developed. development goals: Sustainable development of economy, cultural and natural landscape, with the activation of the countryside potentials. Well being of inhabitants, openness for new businesses, attractions for visitors. Self sufficient electrical energy with establishing small hydroelectrically stations.

GREEN BUILDING INOVATION ISSUES

Housing: Enabling affordable housing loans. Subventions for non profit rents. Municipality should subsidize renovations of the existing building structure in order to provide better conditions for performing local business activities.

Energy renovation of existing buildings: In accordance with the recently adopted local energy concept, the municipality should carry out energy rehabilitation of the local buildings and subsidize energy renovation of private housing.

Waste management: The municipality should provide more separate collection sites of waste at the source of its creation.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

As Železniki municipality has the advantage of natural environment, cultural heritage, craftsmanship and business traditions, it should focus on developing regeneration and renovation of existing qualities. The program and infrastructure of farm settlements in the mountains, which now don't live by their true potential, could be revitalized and become an important touristic attraction and local business source. Returning to already existing practices in the past in a new contemporary form could become a very strong identity of the county. This could be done by subsidising small hydroelectric power stations on the spots where old mills used to stand. Centre of Železniki should be revitalised and filled with programmes promoting local brand products.

sources:

1. Občina Železniki: RAZVOJNI PROGRAM OBČINE ŽELEZNIKI 2009 ‐ 2015 2. http://www.stat.si/obcinevstevilkah/Vsebina.aspx?leto=2013&id=206 CASE STUDY 11: CERKLJE NA GORENJSKEM MUNICIPALITY

PROFILE established: 1994 area: 78 km2 inhabitants: 7.122 (2011) settlements: 30

LANDSCAPE

SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

‐ Ljubljana international airport location ‐ unfinished Municipal Spatial Plan ‐ beloved ski centre Krvavec ‐ absence of strategic plans ‐ natural and cultural heritage ‐ deficient tourist accommodation and product offer ‐ strategic traffic position in region ‐ areas endangered by floods ‐ strong tourist offer ‐ industrial tradition and heritage ‐ family ran farms ‐ traditional local events ‐ strong local community program

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

‐ new housing facilities for young people ‐ tax legislation ‐further development of ski resort with better ‐ traditional family life changes accommodation capabilities. ‐ ageing of the population ‐ mountain farms with complementary tourist programs ‐ long term recession ‐ use of EU funds ‐ negative impacts of climate change on the operation ‐ use of renewable energy sources of the ski areas, the occurrence of floods, landslides ‐ railway trace E65 and other natural disasters ‐ pollution of idyllic country side with suburban program ‐ further airport development ‐ lack of long term airport development on the government

side

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES valid strategic development documents: Regional development program 2007 – 2013 Countryside development programme, 2006 valid execution development documents: Municipal Spatial Plan (consists of strategic and execution part) – in development

SOCIAL ISSUES population structure: aging index: 1 / 100 is 84 people (ratio between old (65+) and young (15‐)) households: 1.985 (3 members on average) population growth: 6,5 /1000 (Slo 1,6/1000, 2011) employment structure: unemployment rate: 7,1 % (Slo. 11,5%, 2011) work. active population: 2.943 av. net. salary: 1.182,71 Eur (Slo: 999, Eur 2011) farming: Most of the land in this county is agricultural (60 %). A big part of it lies on flooded areas, and this problem is still not strategically solved. Another big part of the land are forests under nature conservation. The production of traditional farming products as complementary farm program should be exposed as a tourist attraction.

business: Cerklje county has a strong strategic traffic position, which is a very favourable factor for business and company establishments. Ljubljana international airport in located in the municipality and has strategic location for eastern flights coming to Europe to become the main transit airport in the area, providing lot's of new jobs and businesses. Big economic influence is also one of the biggest ski resorts in the country – the Krvavec ski resort. These two establishments provide a large number of working positions and are mentioned as the main subjects of further development in the strategic plan. tourism: Cerklje has a great opportunity in nature and culture related tourism. One of the related sites is a well known ski resort on the mountain of Krvavec, which is the main tourist attraction in this area. The county has big potential in the development of suitable cycling infrastructure and mountain tracking paths. As municipality should provide sufficient tourist accommodations the plan could be focused on using "open farm house" principle. This complementary program of food production farms should become a typical offer of this area. welfare: Due to very good traffic connections, the main county's settlements offers perfect "sleeping areas" for people working in bigger cities like Kranj, Ljubljana and other surrounding towns. The social infrastructure, which was needed in order to provide care of this settlements is also established. The county of Cerklje has developed many social centres and programs that are still being upgraded. infrastructure: A main project of infrastructure –the "Pan European traffic corridor" with its railway "E 65" trace is foreseen to connect Ljubljana ‐ Ljubljana international airport ‐ Kranj ‐ Jesenice. Municipal and road infrastructure has been already upgraded. Strategic plans and investments in cycling paths and mountain hiking paths should be established. Investments and strategic plans should be made in the direction of solving flood problems on farm lands.

development goals: Sustainable development of economy, cultural and natural landscape, with the activation of the countryside potentials ought to be a priority. To preserve the wellbeing of inhabitants and attractiveness for visitors by means of maintaining the idyllic country site character.

GREEN BUILDING INOVATION ISSUES

Housing: Development goals of municipality is to provide more quality real estates between the two neighbouring settlements of Cerklje and Dvorje. Municipality should focus on enabling affordable housing loans and providing subventions for non profit rents in order to keep local young people on site.

Energy renovation of existing buildings: In accordance with the recently adopted local energy concept, the municipality should carry out energy rehabilitation of the local buildings and subsidize sustainable energy renovation of private houses.

Waste management: The municipality is active in connecting with the private sector to organize cleaning campaigns for the public environment. The infrastructure of separate collection of waste at the source of creation is well established.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

County of Cerklje na Gorenjskem has a good strategic position. Its traffic connections provide the possibilities to maintain the countryside intact and free from excess urbanisation as well as to establish quality affordable living environment for people that want to live in the country side and work in the cities. The big strategic traffic plan of building railway trace E 65 as a part of "Pan European traffic corridor" should be developed with great care in order not to spoil the idyllic landscape and to pollute the countryside with suburban program structure. The development of the Municipal Spatial Plan in accordance with "export research opinions" should be among other things the county should focus on when connecting the strong forest heritage as part of the unspoiled nature with the big potential of its touristic development, which already exists in the area.

sources:

1. http://www.cerklje.si/1.0.html 2. http://www.stat.si/obcinevstevilkah/Vsebina.aspx?leto=2013&id=17

CASE STUDY 12: BLED MUNICIPALITY

PROFILE established: 2006 area: 72 km2 inhabitants: 8.141 (2011) settlements: 10

LANDSCAPE

SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

‐ Lake Bled ‐ unorganized strategy to attract investors ‐ unspoiled nature and culture heritage areas ‐ unorganized strategy to upgrade municipal infrastructure ‐ high quality international reputation ‐ undeveloped traffic organization in settlements ‐ good traffic connectivity / roads, railway ‐ absence of strategic plans ‐ good business and educational centres ‐ undeveloped urban space, including green areas ‐ strong tourist tradition ‐ lack of ecological farming ‐ developed sport infrastructure ‐ lack of domestic labour in tourism ‐ diverse and live cultural activity ‐ energy inefficient public buildings ‐ strong volunteer and society activity ‐ lack of high quality culinary offer ‐ strong local affiliation ‐ big, well known sport and cultural events

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

‐ family ran tourist offer ‐ decreasing economy in recent years ‐ development of well being tourist offer ‐ tax legislation ‐ development and upgrading of already ‐ traditional family life changes existing sport events ‐ ageing of the population ‐ completion of traffic bypass and connection roads ‐ long term recession ‐ renovation and regeneration of city public areas ‐ ‐ use of EU funds ‐ involvement of private initiative in the field of local self‐government

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES valid strategic development documents: Regional development program 2007 – 2013 Countryside development programme, 2006 Development program of Bled municipality 2009 – 2020

valid execution development documents: Municipal Spatial Plan (consists of strategic and execution part) – in development

SOCIAL ISSUES population structure: aging index: 149,6 (ratio between old (65+) and young (15‐)) households: 2.989 (3 members on average) population growth: 5,4/1000 (Slo 1,6/1000, 2011) employment structure: unemployment rate: 7,7 % (Slo. 11,5%, 2011) work. active population: 3.166 daily migrations: 60% ‐, 40% + (2007) 298 family ran farms and 1 eco certificate farm av. net. salary: 949,81 Eur (Slo: 999, Eur 2011)

farming: Area of Bled county consists of two geographical parts: flat land area and area of mountains with forests and high plateaus. Triglav national park covers significant percentage of nature as well. Farming isn't one of the most recognisable activities in this area but is still very important to be properly developed to support other forms of local and tourist programs. Municipality should subsidize and encourage complementary programs like eco production and tourism on existing family farms. Well developed educational infrastructure of Bled should be used to introduce this kind of knowledge to the local people. business: Bled has a strong impact on tourist economy of Slovenia. Its offer, products and activities include active role of small local companies and their interconnection. County of Bled is strong in business and educational network. Many high quality companies and educational institutions have their management seat here. Level of high education among local people has big percentage but is more or less unused in local employment capacities. Statistic frame shows lack of highly educated labour in county's job scheme. County has higher number of employment places than the number of active working citizens which shows in high daily migrations to the county.

tourism: Bled has a strong tradition in tourism. Its capacities have big influence on country's and regional tourist offer. Main quality of this area are unspoiled nature and recreational sites, with lake Bled, good climate and tradition in tourist offer facilities. Family ran farms; hotels and pensions should be more encouraged and included in tourist offer. Lack of small, family ran tourist business in Bled, which used to be typical in this area and the emergence of big public tourist complexes contribute to disappearance of cosy and intimate ambience of the city. Municipality should subsidize small private forms of tourist program with high quality offer in order to avoid flood of average mass tourism. Along with these strategic goals disadvantages like deficient gourmet offer and other could improve. welfare: Social facilities like schools, kindergartens, health institutions, etc. should be renovated. Statistics show that number of inhabitants in Bled decreases, which is assumed to be consequence of unorganised development strategies. Upgrading and development of traffic, municipal and social infrastructure is behind of fast increasing fluctuation of visitors. This has impact on everyday life of local population. It shows in traffic fluctuation problem, noise and pollution, lack of public space, etc. By investing in non ‐ profit apartments and by subsidizing renovations, young people would be given opportunity to stay on site. infrastructure: One of the main priorities in county's development is the upgrading of all kinds of infrastructure. Settlement's centres should be released of heavy traffic by building already planned by‐pass roads. Municipal infrastructure should be renovated and developed, with special attention to drainage of storm waters. The attention should be paid to pedestrians and cyclists, and to greater use of public transport. Municipality has approximately half of households connected to the sewage treatment plant and municipal network by now. development goals: Well being of inhabitants, openness towards opportunities for new family ran businesses is a goal of development. Sustainable development of the economy, the cultural and natural landscape, with the activation of the countryside potentials should be a priority. Activating local community initiative groups of different experts to be strongly involved in strategic plans.

GREEN BUILDING INOVATION ISSUES

Housing: Some of devastated areas of previous industry should be revitalised into housing areas. The ratio of private in public interest should be balanced to provide favourable conditions for young people and families. Already existing public places in the centre and around organized housing should be revitalised into parks, playgrounds and recreational areas.

Energy renovation of existing buildings: In accordance with the recently adopted local energy concept, the municipality should carry out energy renovation of public social buildings. Sustainable energy sources should be co financed.

Waste management: Upgrading separate collection of waste at the source of its creation. Campaigns of eliminating illegal dumps cleaning campaigns should be organized by the municipality in cooperation with help of local communities, associations and institutions.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

Bled has very clear image of its tourist tradition, which still gives it strong character. Building new development goals should start from those very first foundations, which presented strong vision and high quality offer. Organizing a chain of genuine local particularities and to develop them would raise the level of quality and direct county's evolvement into the goal direction. In that way local population and its tradition would be strongly involved in providing and developing labelling scheme of this area. By presence of local tradition, authentic picture of this area would be supported. Existing sport and cultural capacities, family ran farms and proprieties and existing public open spaces should be renovated in accordance to revitalize already present potentials. Lake Bled, as the main attraction of the county, should be treated as a whole, with one strategic plan development, to connect all different sites and activities of the coast line with strong "fil rouge".

sources:

1. Občina Bled: RAZVOJNI PROGRAM OBČINE BLED 2009 ‐ 2020

2. http://www.stat.si/obcinevstevilkah/Vsebina.aspx?leto=2013&id=6 CASE STUDY 13: BOHINJ

PROFILE established: 1994 area: 334 km2 inhabitants: 5.223(2011) population density: 16/km2 settlements: 24

LANDSCAPE

SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES

‐ lake Bohinj , Savica waterfall and Sava river ‐ lack of competitive economic strength ‐ Triglav and triglav lakes ‐ poor public transport and road infrastructure ‐ Triglav national park ‐ waste water management ‐ developed ski and mountain tourism ‐ degraded urban areas ‐ specific location surrounded by mountain peaks ‐ abandoned and neglected tourist facilities ‐ railway connectivity with coastal regions and Italy ‐ uncontrolled and badly planed urbanization in the ‐ traditional farming and food production past ‐ sustainable harvesting of wood ‐ sawmill and wood processing plant ‐ cultural heritage

OPPORTUNITIES THREATS

‐ Strategy of sustainable development of Municipality ‐ poor usage of existing facilities and further ruination of Bohinj 2015‐2030 ‐ long term recession ‐ Establishment ob Bohinjska Bistrica as urban centre ‐trust between people for realization of crucial for the region by means of sustainable urbanization development plans and renewal of degraded areas. ‐ government legislation ‐ Better train connectivity with Bled and Ljubljana as well as the coastal regions. ‐ better use of EU founds ‐ eco farming ‐ more open sport and leisure activities (new ski centre) ‐connection with surrounding municipalities in tourist and product promotion ‐ better wood processing facilities

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES valid strategic development documents: Regional development program 2007 – 2013 Countryside development programme, 2006 Strategy of development and marketing of the destination Bohinj 2012‐2016 valid execution development documents: Municipal Spatial Plan (consists of strategic and execution part) ‐ in development

SOCIAL ISSUES population structure: aging index: 146 (ratio between old (65+) and young (15‐) population growth: ‐1,7/1000 (Slo 1,8/1000, 2011) employment structure: unemployment rate: 7,9% (Slo. 11,5%, 2011) work. active population: 2.053 av. net. salary: 786,03 Eur (Slo: 999, Eur 2011) farming: Farmers are mostly raising cattle and sheep as the land is divided into flat valley surface and highlands with meadows ideal for grazing which results in specific quality milk products that will be enforced through marketing as a label ob Bohinj. business: Best business opportunity is production and processing of wood. Due to a lack of processing industry this activity is not well economically exploited in Slovenia. Existing sawmill and processing plant should be further developed with special consideration for the environment. Local specialities and food production should be better exploited for the purpose of tourism since it is main activity in the area through out the year. tourism: Tourism should make better use of existing facilities which are in many areas neglected or abandoned. They make up for many lost opportunities in the area. Other tourist accommodations should be enforced with special note on exceptional experience of natural surrounding and local way of life. Bed and breakfast, camp hotel, camps and mountain lodges should make up for the young population visiting Bohinj as an active holiday destination. Better accommodations should also be provided on the ski ground Vogel where the infrastructure already exists. Promotion and help for alternative ways of active tourism should be enforced. In recent year the municipality established a cyclist path from Bohinjska Bistrica to the lake Bohinj. New ski centre is being planed od the location above Bohinjska Bistrica, improving and further establishing Bohinj as a ski destination. welfare: Maintenance of existing educational, sport, and cultural infrastructure. Development of Bohinjska Bistrica as a centre of municipality with all supporting programs and open public areas Renovation of village centres

infrastructure: investments in waste water management and central water treatment plant good connectivity through a railway tunnel connecting coastal regions with mountain regions development goals: promotion of Bohinj as a label urban reconstruction investments in waste water infrastructure new tourist accommodation capacities

GREEN BUILDING INOVATION ISSUES

Housing: New eco friendly housing development and strategic use of land

Energy efficiency refurbishments of existing buildings: Municipal and Governmental level financial stimulations – ecological found for use of natural materials, energy upgrade of the building skin. Energy efficiency refurbishments of local infrastructure

Waste management: New sewage system, connection and development of new central waste water treatment plant.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL

Bohinj is a renowned tourist destination with activities inviting visitors throughout the year. Main problems are degraded urban areas and abandoned or poorly maintained existing tourist facilities. Bohinjska Bistrica is well connected by road and train with surrounding areas and should become the urban centre for the whole region. Sustainable development and good urban plan is needed for the area which will be able to repair the damage that has been done in the past and will deal with programmatic and problematic dysfunctionalities in the space. Existing Building fond should become an opportunity rather than a problem and more effort should be imposed into it's renewal and reuse. Municipality could encourage typical natural food products through introduction of a common market hall where local population, hotels and tourists could buy products from all the parts of the region. This type of organisation would promote Bohinj as a label, it would help tourist workers easier excess to local delicacies for them to include in their offer and inform tourists about the location of farms for them to visit personally and see food production in the making.

sources:

1. http://obcina.bohinj.si/ 2. http://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ob%C4%8Dina_Bohinj 3 . https://www.stat.si/obcinevstevilkah/Vsebina.aspx?leto=2013&id=8