REPUBLIC OF CROATIA Statement by Matija Salaj Assistant Minister Ministry of Physical Planning, Building and Housing UN Conference on Human Settlements Istanbul, Turkey 6 June 1996 Mr. Chairman, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of the delegation of the Republic of Croatia, let me be permitted to express our great pleasure for having the opportunity to participate at this important UN conference, present our country, and hear the valuable experiences of other countries, in the joint efforts to ensure a better quality life in human settlements and communities in the future. What is the attitude that Croatia has taken in regard to this particular issue in its national physical planning strategy? Urbanization is a civilisational process in which, throughout history, towns have constituted cerebral and nervous tissue, managing and impacting their socio-economic surroundings. Urbanization does not constitute a problem in itself, it is more the question of its aspects and alternatives manifested in uncontrolled sizes, wastefulness, sociological misfortunes, urban hygiene, environmental disturbances, and overall poor quality of life. The central settlements system represents almost the entire physical planning design, programme, and strategy, because it articulates all spaces and interspaces, as well as all infrastructural and communications systems for the networking of towns and settlements. That is why, based on strategic and conceptual guidelines on settlements system, all the accompanying programmes must be elaborated as well, in order to support optimum land reclamation stop, urbanization, and littoralization processes, preserving or stressing regional characteristics of space and its settlements. Geographical properties of Croatia are, among other, reflected also in the structure, population, and typology of its settlements. Towns and settlements were shaped under the influence of different historical, civilizational, and cultural circles that were mixed or confronted in this area dominated by a strong Mediterranean culture influence in the country's coastal parts, and Central European in its northern and central parts. The basic urban network has a long-standing tradition of over several centuries. Today's centers system in Croatia has resulted from industrialization after WW II. Towns are mostly developed as multi- functional centers, although in some of them respective functions are of especially pronounced importance (e.g. industry, traffic, or tourism). Over the past about 30 years, considerable urbanization-related processes have occurred in Croatia They are less manifested in the urbanization of the entire country's territory i.e. in the development of urban lifestyle in numerous little towns that are historically characteristic of Croatia, and more so in the moving of population from smaller towns and rural areas into larger towns, particularly in the urbanized areas of Zagreb and the 3 large regional centres. In the Republic of Croatia, we may single out about 700 different focal points/settlements with about 120 towns (populated by some 80% of the country's total population number), out of the total of 6,694 statistically defined settlements. About 61% of the territory has rural characteristics; 27% has transitional - urbanized, and 12% has urban characteristics. Population distribution (according to area types) is almost opposite: about 66% of the population lives in urban areas; about 15% in transitional urbanized areas, about 19% in rural areas. It is obvious that the process of settlement restructuring has not been completed yet, so that we may expect further structural changes. They may currently be observed as increase in the number of medium- sized settlements and their faster population number increase, with a simultaneous increase in the number of small settlements with rapid population loss trends, many of which will remain without permanent residents, or will become merged with larger settlements. By continuing the process of uncontrolled population concentration (primarily through immigrations), the discrepancy between the two basic spatial categories - the urban and the rural one - will become even more pronounced in the urbanized areas, which is why it is more than clear that the key to the solution of the problem lies in returning a part of the basic functions to rural areas. Viewing the fact that the urbanization process cannot be redirected rapidly or considerably, since it results from the modern civilizational value system and the socio-technological development level, the process needs to be understood first, and then followed by efforts aimed at controlling and directing it. This may be achieved by planning an optimum central settlements system, as well as by directing urban activities in them, and orientating and optimizing management of the entire urban regions' or micro-regions' space. CONCEPT OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA The Concept defines long-term objectives for urban development and planning. As a collective synthesis for sectorial considerations, commitments and views of development in the Croatian national area, it sets the starting points and objectives for the management of space. The Strategy is based on the following guidelines and starting points: - the complete and absolute reintegration of the entire national territory and maximising the efficient linking of major development focuses and national centres; - providing the conditions for the return of displaced persons as soon as possible to their homes and native place of residence they have been forced to abandon; - an integrated approach to planning and managing (governing) the national area, the environment and development; - establishing new criteria for national area evaluation; - rational management, the use and protection of resources which would provide for permanent and steady development; - orienting activities and the economy in compliance with conditions in the area and environmental criteria; - alleviating and correcting the demographic disturbances and a more regular distribution of the population; - orienting urban development towards the function of creating a system of settlements; - promoting the development of medium-scale and small-scale towns and development tres, and stemming the growth of the population in larger towns; - the reasonable use and exploitation of urban land, particularly in regard to protecting valuable and fertile agricultural land; - the conservation and reconstruction of historical towns and settlements as places of architectural identity; - providing conditions to keep the population on islands, near the boundaries and in the highlands; - the rehabilitation of rural areas and improvement in living quality where it is needed and possible, while concurrently preserving village features, natural resources and cultural goods. OBJECTIVES The main objective is to establish a settlement reconstruction system and re-constitution of social communities Achievement of as even a spatial distribution of the population as possible (without major changes or migrations into larger Cities), in view of harmonizing development and achieving optimum utilization of land resources, with a gradual population of areas suffering from depopulation and at the same time having pronounced natural advantages. The elaboration of a polycentric development model based on a network of towns (4 large cities, about 12 larger towns, county centres, smaller towns, local centres) gathering round and servicing denser population areas. The keeping and population of people in rural areas trough the strengthening of local centres' and central settlements' functions (particularly servicing, social, health care and economic functions). At the same time, trough the strengthening of the function of settlements, the purpose is to create conditions for the development of economy, in accordance with the respective area's characteristics and particularities, as well as enable local communities for the development and conservation of physical values. This is the reason why it is necessary to do the following: - Set a new system of central settlements consistent with the counts territorial organisation (counties, towns and municipalities); investigate and determine indicators and criteria for defining cities; - establish the typology of towns and their regional characteristics, as well as guidelines and measures for the preservation of regional properties of towns and settlements; - Identify sociological and culturological "critical masses" of the settlement communities' number of inhabitants that may be the most widespread hierarchical and the lowest functional settlement types in the country's "urban network"; - Identify indicators on space utilisation for the expansion of cities and settlements; - Historical centres must be reconstructed as the places of urban architectural identity, in the function of services, culture, quarterly activities and housing; - All natural and manmade values and human resources must be used in the function of a more even regional development, as a condition of an optimal overall development and spatial organization of the Republic of Croatia; - In small and medium-scale urban centres, increase the share in the number and size of housing, work, service and recreational functions, in order to influence more favourable demographic developments and overall development of the area in question; - Housing construction must be directed towards settlements, in compliance with the demographic and economic revitalisation strategy ACTIVITIES Principal activities of importance for human settlements over the past five years in Croatia have been targeted at the same time towards transformation of the overall property management system and towards the remediation of war consequences. The complexity of tasks and high costs necessitate a highly professional approach, rational and efficient organisation, considerable financial resources and a considerable amount of time. The basic activities are expressed in the reconstruction concept of the Republic of Croatia. The most important activities on the national level are focused on: - The legislative measures required to establish the system and to identify implementing tools; - The adoption of incentive measures for the return of displaced persons, stimulation of entrepreneurship and other economic policy measures for war-affected areas; - Providing funding for reconstruction from the Government budget and acquiring finances from international financial institutions; - Identifying priorities in the reconstruction and development of national infrastructure facilities; - Establishing international co-operation in regard to issues of reconstruction and development in the Republic of Croatia The main activities on the county, municipal and communal authorities level are: - To plan urban development and environmental protection; - To formulate reconstruction programmes for regional and communal infrastructure; - To identify priorities in the reconstruction meeting county i.e. local needs; - To provide the preconditions for the rapid and easy implementation of reconstruction and development projects, particularly for the new entrepreneurship. MONITORING PROGRESS The new law prescribes the obligation of producing two-year reports on the state in the Croatian national area for the entire territory of the State, counties, towns and municipalities. Obligation has been set for the state administration and other administrative bodies to establish an information system and documentation on space. In 1994, the Croatian Government adopted the Draft Programme on Information Infrastructure Development for Urban and Environmental Management. The Programme includes four projects: 1. Urban Development System 2. Urban Development Database 3. Spatial and Informative Basis of Territorial Units and Settlements 4. Housing and Utility Infrastructure This will enable the monitoring of the urban development state, construction of settlements, residential buildings, as well as the dynamics of growth in equipment by communal and social standard facilities. A systematic monitoring of urban indicators shall also be established. Depending on thus acquired experience, the need for the monitoring of urban indicators for all the towns and cities in Croatia will be determined. The Central Bureau of Statistics and its related services on municipal level are prepared to expand data compiling and processing in compliance with the methodology elaborated for HABITAT II. INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION AND ASSISTANCE The Republic of Croatia, being a sovereign state, has joined the UNCHS HABITAT activities in 1993. The National Committee for HABITAT II became operational in the summer of 1994. Co-operation established with the UN Centre for Human Settlements (UNCHS-HABITAT) has resulted in the organization's missions to Croatia in the course of 1993 and 1996. The first mission had the task of making assessments in the area of housing and human settlements, particularly regarding the war-torn cities. Measures were proposed for the continuation of co-operation in the area of identifying national housing strategy, land management, central and local authorities' relations, and issues related to the country's transition process. The second mission visited Croatia in April/May, 1996. The Workshop entitled "Settlement Revitalization Under Conditions of Postwar Reconstruction" was held at the same time, with the purpose of presenting basic experience gained in the area of reconstruction and revitalization of settlements after war destruction. Croatia organized the Workshop with the support and financial assistance provided by UNCHS. Their representatives participated in expert presentations and discussions. The result of the second UNCHS mission is a proposal for the elaboration of an international reconstruction programme for the City of Vukovar. The Workshop's adopted conclusions may be indicated as follows: It has been established that the reconstruction process may prove, as it was shown on the example of many war-torn towns, to stand for progress in architectural practice, zoning thought, and legislation advancement. During the reconstruction process, experts were trained, and numerous institutions gained valuable experience. Sustainable development of human settlements, being the most complex result of man's activities, is closely associated with the natural and cultural environment, and dependent on it. Revitalization of towns and settlements appears as a particularly complex task under conditions of postwar reconstruction. It is both time-consuming and requires substantial, as well as thorough preparation and expertise. Reconstruction requires prompt action, in view of the urgent need for rehabilitation, as well as timely processes that would ensure the desired sustainable development. Both of these components are equally significant. Revitalization of settlements under conditions of postwar reconstruction requires international co-operation and assistance. This is essential, because the required resources exceed the country's capacities. Reconstruction and development of human settlements requires a more efficient appreciation of cultural identity and continuity, being among important preconditions for achieving sustainable development. In surroundings were relation towards natural and cultural heritage is at a higher level, inhabitants meet their living requirements with more satisfaction. In the scope of prerarations for Habitat 1I, Croatia has joined the Indicators Programme. Indicators have been identified at national level and for City of Zagreb, Croatia's capital. Today's manner of statistical data gathering and presentation, as well as the enterely new territorial distribution since the country's attainment of soveregnity, have rendered the presentation of numerous data required somewhat difficult. Appreciating the possible Indicators Programme significance for the monitoring and orientation of processes in human settlements, we are making efforts in order for the Indicators Programme to become included into, as well as developed and advanced within the national towns and cities system. For this purpose, and with the Support of the Republic of Croatia Towns, Cities and Municipalities Association, the most significant country's towns and cities have already been included into the Indicators Programme. We are deeply convinced that this conference, whose task it is to create better conditions for the development of human settlements, can and has to co-ordinate both attitudes and action, through the institution of a joint international system of parameters, criteria, and objectives for the advancement and orientation of human settlements' planning and the quality of life in them. We should like to congratulate the UNCHS for having organized this large conference, as well as for its so far co-operation with our country. We should like to extend our thanks once again for the recognition of our difficulties and the assistance having enabled our own contribution in terms of experience in the area of human settlements' planning. To our friendly country of Turkey, the city of Istanbul, and our kind hosts, we should like to extend our thanks for their welcome which we shall keep as a dear memory, and use it as an incentive for future co-operation. Thank you