📋 Tender Overview
On May 23, 2024, the 10th anniversary Urban Forum took place in Koper. The participants were welcomed in the opening address by the director general of the Directorate for Space and Construction at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Space (MNVP), dr. Nataša Bratina.
She pointed out that green areas such as parks and recreational areas contribute to the development of sports and recreation, which in turn contributes to the general development of cities and a higher quality of life.
The co-organizers of the event, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Spatial Planning, the Association of Municipalities and the Institute for Geostrategic, Legal and Futuristic Research and Consulting - GFS, titled and prepared the forum within the framework of this year's forum's guiding principle Development of Sport and Recreation for Urban Development. The Urban Forum offered an insight into many good practices from Slovenia and abroad, which have already successfully implemented projects in this area.
dr. Nataša Bratina, general director of the Directorate for Space and Construction , said in her opening speech that " the central theme of this year's forum - the connection between sports and recreation and sustainable urban development - is extremely current and important." At a time when cities are facing the challenges of climate change, growing urbanization and social inequalities and demographic changes, it is crucial that we recognize sports and recreational infrastructure as an important factor in improving the quality of life. With the help of sports and recreation areas, together with the green system of cities, we not only revitalize degraded urban areas, but also promote a healthy lifestyle, social inclusion and economic development. It is important to realize that such projects not only bring improved infrastructure, but also new economic opportunities: opening jobs, reducing social differences, achieving climate resilience and establishing social contacts, relieving and relaxing residents." The Ministry is working with the field of sustainable urban development and focusing on green infrastructure in cities, intensively deals with and prepares various professional starting points. dr. Bratina pointed out that "with the spatial development strategy of Slovenia 2050, we have set ourselves the goal of preventing the excessive densification of urban settlement by achieving or maintaining at least 40% of the share of public and open green areas in settlements and cities. We have published manuals and recommendations, which show different approaches and spatial decisions, which can be a source of new ideas and help in implementing new quality solutions even outside the established frameworks.
Austrian architect Peter Lorenz from Lorenz atelier presented the challenges and opportunities of urban development, emphasizing the complexity of cooperation and realization of plans due to different interests. The author of the Ilirija pool project in Ljubljana focuses on the integration of sports and cultural facilities into urban life with denser and mixed use of space, which prevents isolation and underutilization of land and will be an example of good practice. He emphasized the importance of mixed use of space in cities and that sports facilities should also be included in the city center.
M.Sc. Saša Heath - Drugovi? from the Association of Municipalities of Slovenia pointed out that in their sustainable urban strategies, all municipalities have defined areas for sports and recreation. In the period 2014-2020, within the framework of Integrated Territorial Investments, 44 sports and recreation infrastructure projects were financed, and in the new financial perspective in the period 2021-2027, the financing of 21 sports and recreation infrastructure projects, including green infrastructure, is foreseen, with an expected co-financing of 37 million euros.
Lecturer from the Faculty of Sports Assoc. dr. Marta Bon pointed out that athletes experience the sports space as their second home, where faith, soul, love and passion are intertwined. Asst. dr Boro Štrumbelj pointed out the importance of swimming, that people prefer to swim rather than soak, so planners should take this into account when mixing pools in the space. He emphasized that swimming is a sport and recreation for all age groups. Various options for using swimming pools, as well as natural swimming pools, were also presented.
dr. Igor Bizjak from the Urban Institute of the Republic of Slovenia emphasized that spatial planning of green areas is key to promoting physical activity and improving the health of city dwellers. For different types of physical activity, it is necessary to ensure adequate spatial conditions, which include accessibility for all and consideration of the needs and wishes of all users. As an important aspect in planning, he also pointed out the lecture of the Olympic Committee of Slovenia with an emphasis on: accessibility of sports facilities, integration of green areas, social inclusion through sports, promotion of a healthy lifestyle, organization of sports events, educational programs, support to local sports clubs and organizations, and as an integral connection with urban planning.
At the forum, landscape architect Jana Kozamernik (landscape architecture studio Landstudio 015) also presented the first-prized competition solution of the municipalities of Izola and Koper, which together with the Chamber of Architecture and Space of Slovenia (ZAPS) announced a joint public project competition in October last year for the selection of the most suitable solution for arranging the coastal strip between Koper and Izola.
