INVEST SLOVENIA GREEN · CREATIVE · smart LJUBLJANA IS YOUR FIRST CHOICE A CITY OF HUMAN SCALE Ljubljana is the geographical, political, scientific and cultural center Residents: 288.607 of the Slovenian nation. With more than 288.000 inhabitants it is the largest city in the country and an important driver of re- Residents in region: 5 37.712 gional economic growth and innovation. The polycentric city of Companies in region: 54.670 short distances is comprised of 17 district communities. The star Public green area per capita: 542 m² shaped city form gives the people the access to parcs and natural environment from any location in less than a 10 minute walk. Overnight tourist stays: 1.021.929 In 2016, Ljubljana was the holder of the prestigious title Europe- Realized projects in the past 10 years: over 1.700 an Green Capital. In the opinion of the European Commission University: top 3% of best universities by SICRIS the city made the highest number of changes with regard to the Research organisations: 429 sustainable transformation that follows an integrated approach Students: 35.093 to the environmental management in the shortest period of time. Art galleries: 57 In the following pages we present five key reasons as to why investing in Ljubljana is a sound decision. Museums: 28 HIgh QualITY OF LIFE FOR eacH anD EVerY citiZen ST In the past 10 years Ljubljana implemented over 1.700 pro- nitions. All these accomplishments have put Ljubljana on jects to further increase the quality of life. Among these the world map and strengthened its recognizability which is there are a few long-awaited projects that were not realized above all reflected in the interest of the international public during the stagnation time. Ljubljana’s extraordinary devel- and the beauty of the city. opment is felt at each and every step. The city is marked by Ljubljana is a safe, open and friendly city developing with a diverse high-quality cultural and numerous sports 1 all generations in mind. With our own examples we are events for all generations. Ljubljana is also distinguished by its well preserved and easily accessible natural strengthening the mentality that we are all equal and REASON environment, great biodiversity and varied landscape. It can live together in a community that respects diversity. A is precisely because of the vicinity of the preserved nature city which is friendly towards children, the youth, the elderly and the intertwinement of the built and natural environment and the impaired is also inclusive towards visitors and mi- that the Ljubljana Urban Region is unique among European grants from across the world. The survey on the quality of metropolitan regions. Numerous public space re-arrange- life in European cities in 2015 conducted by the European ments have greatly contributed to the higher quality of life statistical office indicates that over 92 percent of Ljublja- and brought in numerous international expert recog- na citizens are satisfied with the life in our city. InnoVATION hub Ljubljana is a city of inspiration bringing together young porting the creation of a unique innovation ecosystem in creative people who give the city its youthful character. The Slovenia and opening doors to investors and the interna- ND University of Ljubljana is renowned for its study pro- tional business environment. They offer opportunity for grammes in natural, technical and social sciences, humani- young innovative companies to test their business ideas ties and medicine. University teachers and researchers are in practice. With its innovations and creative solutions the demonstrating their scientific work in the field of medicine, city is ever more appealing to larger domestic and foreign 2 science and technology to reach the advanced level at companies which want to test their innovative technologi- home and abroad. The University’s guideline of co-creat- cal solutions. ing and bringing together science, education, economy REASON In future the character of a progressive city will be marked by and the wider social environment is successfully fulfilled the Centre for the Promotion of Science and the Nation- through the Slovenian Innovation Hub, Career Centres and al Institute of Biology with the new Natural History Muse- the Institute for Innovation and Development. um. Next to the Technology Park Ljubljana we will build the RD New businesses are greatly supported by the Ljubljana Uni- Hydrogen City, which will serve as a cluster of production versity Incubator which is winning international recognition. and high technology research activities. This infrastructure In 2015, two innovations centers sprang to life in Ljubljana, will allow Ljubljana to become an experimental city attractive namely, the ABC Accelerator and the ABC Hub, sup- to talented, creative people with innovative ideas. 3 AppealinG INVesTmenT locaTIon REASON Warsaw The revitalization of the city center in recent years The region hosts companies’ headquarters employ- km 1060 has significantly contributed to the revival of busi- ing a significant share of the Slovenian population Krakow 840km ness activities in the area. Developers and the lo- and generating over a third of the Slovenian Berlin Prague 1000km 765km Bratislava cal community have begun to consider the quality gross domestic product. Therefore the Ljubljana 440km Munich Vienna of public space as the most important element in Urban Region is the economically most developed 410km 380km Budpest shaping the image of a successful city. A positive city region in the country. Since Europe covers a vast Salzburg Graz km Zurich km km 440 720km 285 190 image significantly influences the city life and is an territory, European macro-regions play an important Bern Zagreb Belgrade 840km 140km 530km important factor for its economic and social devel- role. From this perspective Ljubljana’s competitive LJUBLJANA Bucarest Milano 1140km Turin 500km opment. It also helps to reveal advantages and new advantage is its geostrategic position. Ljublja- km Sarajevo Paris 630 500km 1250km Sofia Venice Split 900km development opportunities, and is especially im- na and its region are situated at the crossroads of 245km 450km Verona portant in adopting fundamental strategic decisions major European transport routes. The city’s fa- Marseille 350km Dubrovnik 1100km Genova 630km Nice 630km km Rome which are changing the city. Ljubljana is one of 26 vourable location gives companies fast access to 800 km 760 Athens 1620km Barcelona municipalities in the Ljubljana Urban Region with Europe and serves as an entry point to the Balkan 1400km Neaples 960km most acquired knowledge and human potential in markets. Slovenia as a country is known for being Palermo Slovenia: key state, scientific, research, educational »just one phone call away from anyone, including km 1670 and cultural institutions are all concentrated here. the president«. RIse OF CONGress anD cultural TourIsm Ljubljana is an architecturally rich city with many cultur- sen Ljubljana as the venue of international conferences, al layers sedimented over millennia since the Roman Emo- meetings of eminent institutions and associations as well TH na giving the city its distinctive spirit of place. Friendly as an incentive travel destination. Annually there are over and in every season interesting Ljubljana is a magnet for 14.000 cultural events and different festivals held in visitors from near and far. This brought about a record the city. The Ljubljana Summer Festival with its rich and rise in overnight stays and significantly reinforced the in- high-quality artistic programme also attracts many tour- 4 ternational reputation of the city’s trademark. By promot- ists. Diverse gallery and museum activities comple- ing and strengthening city tourism we are making an im- ment the vibrant cultural image of the city. In the next portant contribution to the economic development of the period the key cultural infrastructure projects of the city REASON city. Ljubljana is also an important center for specialised will be the renovation of the abandoned bicycle factory international fairs and the home of the largest con- Rog and the old sugar factory Cukrarna. New gallery and gress center in Slovenia. As a particularly profitable exhibition space of large dimensions will host larger exhi- industry with a high income potential, we are strengthen- bitions and events of contemporary art, such as the world ing congress tourism and promoting business meetings wide known Biennial of Industrial Design and Ljubljana Bi- throughout the year. Numerous organisers have thus cho- ennial of Graphic Arts. INVesTorS FRIendlY TH Ljubljana is the best-managed city in the country with brownfield areas which are now bustling with activity. New a strong vision and a recognizable brand. The City projects are creating new jobs in the city, increasing Lju- Hall is putting enormous efforts in order to make the busi- bljana’s competitiveness and strengthening its economic ness environment in the Ljubljana region more attractive to position. both local and foreign capital. The city offers a high living The well-organised City Administration provides quality 5 standard, security and tolerance. Open widely to for- services and efficient project management under the eign investors and experts, the city is gradually acquiring a leadership of its dynamic mayor. The mayor of Ljubljana REASON cosmopolitan character and image. The key sectors the is the executive manager and the budgetary officer of the City Hall wants to develop