• Could you explain us more detailed what actually does the Spatial Plan mean and what is the relevance of this document?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: Spatial Plan is a long-term strategic document of one territory. This Plan defines the global development directions, the scheme of spatial organization, as well as the resources necessary for the development of Republic Srpska. Also, it is going to serve as the foundation for the preparation of the spatial plans of municipalities and other spatial ensembles within Republic Srpska.

• In which way are the projects of economic development allocated within the areas of Republic Srpska?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: Basic concept of the development that being used in the Spatial plan of Republic is a polycentric development model, which has been applied not only within the field of economy, but as well within other fields of expertise. Basic development directions together with the regional centers as generators of the development were defined by the Plan. Primary development directions that connected with the secondary ones are found in a northern part of RS in the direction from Novi Grad to Bijeljina, then in a eastern part of RS there are two directions, one direction from Bijeljina to Istocno Sarajevo and the other from Visegrad to Trebinje. Unlike the first phase of the Spatial Plan of RS, this plan as well foreseen primary development direction in a eastern part of RS.

Expert’s team for the preparation of the Plan account for that priorities of this Plan realization are found within the sector of infrastructure.  It is to be expected that the biggest changes will occur within the sectors of power supply and road traffic. It has been planned the connecting of several bigger towns in a northern part of Republic Srpska – connection that going from Bijeljina to Novi Grad; then the power supply which will be based on a significant energetic potential, first of all on hydro potential (Drina, Vrbas, Upper horizons), coal and other alternative energetic resources (first of all energy of wind and biomass). Therefore, great attention was paid to the field of tourism – environment conservation and a controlled tourist development. Special priority should be given to the development of undeveloped regions including 24 municipalities of the Republic Srpska. Those are mostly the border rural municipalities, found in all regions of the Republic.

• Does a prolonged adoption of this document have any negative consequences on its quality and application?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: No, it doesn’t have. During the procedure of preparation and enactment of the Plan, the Institute for Urbanism closely cooperated with the institutions of Government of RS. In meantime, it formed the new Government that as well brought the new planning elements. We wanted those planning elements to become the compositional part of our documents, and because of that it prolonged the deadline. In that period, it developed some other initiatives that could be of high significance for the Republic Srpska.

• Did the recent war conflicts that happened in this region, make an impact on the Plan preparation?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: The Republic Srpska is a relatively new political territory and the part of former Bosnia and Herzegovina, so after the Dayton agreement it occurred the necessity for preparation of this kind of document. We started with the preparation of I phase of the Spatial Plan of RS (1996 - 2001), so this Plan would only be continuation of the preparation for period up to 2015 year.

• In which way did transition problems and taking up the new social system have an impact on passing the Spatial plan and modifications of its projects?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: Well, I may say that is the basic prerequisite for getting down to work on preparation of this document. We are aware of that a complete political and economic situation has changed, and as a consequence it some changes occurred in the way of planning, and resulted in the changes within planning process. There is no more so called. “socialist planning”, planning economy, investment funds that existed in nineties. Also, it is relevant to emphasize that there is `a higher level of democracy` within the planning, i.e. wide public more involved in the process of the plan making, and the plans are more flexible ones.

• What did these plans include, and in which measure have been respected the natural resources?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture:  Contents and structure of the Spatial plan was determined by `Regulation on plan contents` that published in Official Gazette of RS, 2003 year (07/03). There are many fields of activity that are analyzed in the Plan of which the most significant ones are; population, house holding, system and network of settlements, economic activities, public services and other social activities, infrastructure, and the field of environment protection. Taking into account the principles of sustainable development, the Plan in a great measure dealt with the protection of natural resources, and their rational use, which especially specified in the clauses and guidelines for the carrying out of the Plan.

• How are inherited problems (such as coordination of the regulations with European standards, removal of administrative barriers, unregulated spatial – planning documents) slowed down the preparation of Spatial plan and in which way?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: During the preparation of this document, it respected the obligation of the coordination of this Plan with other development documents. Spatial Plan of RS coordinated with the following:

European documents for spatial development (Basic principles of sustainable development on European continent, Perspective of EU spatial development), Spatial plans of the neighboring countries (Spatial plan of Serbia, Spatial plan of Montenegro and Spatial development strategy of Croatia), and Sector strategies and plans within Republic Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina

Unfortunately, the lack of Development strategy of RS in a great measure made difficult the preparation of this Plan, and the Spatial plan of the Federation of BiH. Other significant problems  that we met at the beginning of this document preparation is a lack of population data (it wasn’t taken a census in Bosnia and Herzegovina, so we used data from 1991 year, and for some fields – for example: residence data even from 1981 year); data about economic organizations and total situation of economy, the lack of great number of sector analyses and strategies.

• Have you coordinated the control measures of monitoring and implementation of individual projects, as well as penal norms that could occur if it comes to the violation of legal provisions?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: Spatial plan doesn’t have a character to apply sanctions to some appearances or processes within the space; it may only define the clauses and guidelines for carrying out of planning solutions. Textual part of the Plan as well included the obligation that the certain documents should be brought until the end of 2015 year together with phases of preparation, and also establish the coordination body that would follow up the Plan implementation.
That, first of all, related to the development strategy (in general), housing policy, development strategy in the field of economy (forestry, industry, power supply, tourism), infrastructure  (railway infrastructure, power infrastructure, elimination of communal poverty) and environment protection.

• In which measure have been emphasized the leading principles for sustainable development such as connecting of urban and rural areas, improvement of territory coordination and approach to information development?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: It has already mentioned that polycentric development used as basic model and observed the principles.

• Has the value of natural resources, natural and cultural heritage been increased?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: As we place something under protection, its value increases i.e. when we define certain use of land that increases the value of land (depending on its use).
Main reason for the establishment of protected area is preservation of some type of biophysical processes or situation such as wild population, environment, natural landscape or cultural – historical value.
Potential benefits from protection of natural and cultural – historical heritage are:

• conservation of biodiversity,
• conservation and evaluation of cultural – historical resources,
• creation of economic values through tourism development,
• educational and scientific benefits etc.

• In what measure have you included the development, conservation and use of energetic resources in this plan ?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture:Concerning the power supply, basic determinations of the Plan are: the resources should be managed in a rational way, it should be worked on the increase of energetic efficiency within the industry, traffic, building construction, make the first steps in development of alternative energy, and that the focus of sector should be placed on renewable domestic and more favorable sides of energy.

It is a fact that in total production of electric power in RS, it dominates hydro energy with around 55 % of total electricity production, while 45 % falls to thermal power stations. Foundation of the hydro power supply development in the following period is made by HP  Krupa and HP Banjaluka – low course or instead of them HP Banjaluka – middle course on  Vrbas, water power plants in the catchment of Trebisnjica (Upper Horizons), HP Buk Bijela on Drina, and other power plants on Drina. In the horizon of Plan, it will be constructed the second block of TP `Ugljevik`, TP `Stanari`, and be increased the energetic capacity of TP `Gacko`.

• Did you develop the project of tourism development in accordance with natural potential, such as the construction of sport-recreation terrains, investment in rural tourism, protection of the cultural monuments and cherishing of history and tradition?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: Greater significance should be given to tourism and catering in the planning horizon than it was a case in former period. Existing and planned protected natural areas (national parks, parks of nature, protected regions, etc.), cultural heritage (archeological sites, construction heritage),  rivers (Drina, Vrbas, Una, Pliva...), mountains (Jahorina, Romanija, Orjen, Zelengora...) and infrastructural corridors present a good foundation for development of different tourism branches; from rural to eco – tourism, from winter and mountain to sailing, transit and cultural – historical tourism. We may say that tourist potentials are relatively equally allocated in the territory of Republic, and eight tourist zones defined.

• Are there analyzed the methods of limitations of natural effects and protection from natural catastrophes (flood, earthquake, fire and similar)?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: Yes, protection from natural disaster, technical risks and war conflicts is a compositional part of the Spatial plan. As consequence of the war conflicts, and one of the biggest problems of RS and Federation is an existence of mine fields.

Until the end of planning period in 2015 year, it planned, in cooperation with BHMAC, de-mining of around 80 % of mine fields, and reduction of `suspicious` mine surfaces. Priority should be given to the most mine – polluted municipalities: Doboj, Teslic, Samac, Petrovo, Zvornik, Srebrenica and etc. Also, getting the flood control system ready on the rivers (which during the war suffered damages) and construction of the new flood control systems for the surfaces and communications exposed to flooding.Other planning measures would be: a strict application of the seismic construction, a prohibition of the construction of residential and economic facility in the area with a high landslide hazard, regulation of the watercourses, a strict application of the fire protection regulations, construction of the new purpose storage of basic protection etc.

• In which measure have you protected the national parks, landscape regions and reservations of nature?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: What it is considered to be optimum in terms of the nature of Republic Srpska, is placing under the national protection around 15 – 20 % of its total surface. Also, it is necessary to prepare the categorization of natural heritage and so called. `Red lists` of endangered species of flora, fauna and mushrooms, since this regions is extremely rich in different and a rare species, and many of them are in danger of vanishing. This Plan included the protection of the following:

• 9 National parks (Sutjeska, Kozara, Treskavica and canyon of Bistrica, Lastva – Orjen, Maglic and Zelengora, canyon of Tara – one part, canyon of Drina and Susica, Ozren, Vitorog),
• 14 regional parks (the parks of nature),
• 102 recreational, cultural, scientific and other protected regions,
• 10 reservation of nature, and
• 13 commemorative parks and monuments.

• Did the documentation of Spatial plan include the projects of agricultural and cattle breeding development?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: In regard to the natural conditions and the fact that around 60 % of population directly or indirectly related to these branches, I may conclude that agriculture and forestry have a very significant role in the economy of RS. Primary task is preservation and the best possible use of agricultural land as the resource and that is, of the most fertile land. It is necessary to prevent conversion of agricultural land into construction one, as well as rehabilitation of hilly-mountain area that effected by erosion. Agriculture of the Republic doesn’t meet the requirements of population concerning the production of crops, fruits, vegetables, cattle, and it is recommended that the production should be organized in the way, to fulfill the needs of population, and then be oriented to the export of grapes and plumbs. At same time, it could, in a significant measure, be increased the fattening of cattle and sheep, fish production, and capacity of production in bee keeping. Agricultural production will be transformed in direction of intensification on one side (in northern part), and on the other side in direction of organic food production with `marked` geographical origin (in eastern part).

• In which measure, with this Plan, foreseen the reconstruction and building of the schools, hospitals and children’s nurseries? 

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: In last two decades, social – economic and political events as well affected the social infrastructure. Because of big natural and migratory trends of population, it occurred the necessity for making the changes in spatial arrangement and capacity of public services.
In the following period, it is anticipated the increase of the number of children that will be included  in the pre-school education and training, and it planned the construction of children nurseries in municipal centers, if required (Ribnik, Pelagicevo, Petrovo, Istocno Novo Sarajevo and Istocna Ilidza).
Concerning the elementary education planned up to 2015 year, it is necessary to construct around  20 schools, and to create the conditions for working in one shift, with organization of all-day dwelling in the school (Banja Luka, Sarajevo, Gradiška, Pale, Zvornik, Bijeljina, Novi Grad, Janja, Jezero,...).
It is necessary to construct as well 7 new structures to provide 100 % of the capacity required for high school education (Banja Luka, Lukavica, Bijeljina, Pale), as well as to construct the student’s dormitories in Lukavica, Pale, Zvornik, Foca, Bijeljina and some other towns.
Concerning the university education, there were planned the new university facilities in Zvornik, Pale, Bijeljina and Doboj, as well as the construction of 3 student’s dormitory in Banjaluka, per one in Foca, Doboj, Bijeljina and Prijedor.
All mentioned facilities are related to the public sector. In terms of health care, by opinion of our team, system of health care facilities formed. Territory of the Republic is well covered with the health institutions, from the level of health center up to higher level, and it won’t be changed. It will only be changed the individual facilities – with extension, adaptation or material and staff accomplishment.

• In which measure, with this Plan, included the construction and rehabilitation of road, railway and air traffic, as well as the use of navigable rivers?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: Great attention is paid to the issue of infrastructure, since it is one of basic development factors.

Besides the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the existing road network, it as well planned the construction of the motorway from Bijeljina to Novi Grad, from Banjaluka towards Kupres; expressway from Istocno Sarajevo to Visegrad (connection towards Serbia), and expressway from direction of Stolac across Ljubinje and Trebinje up to Montenegro. In regard to the railway traffic, followed with recovery and reconstruction of railway infrastructure, it as well planned the construction of the railway Banja Luka – Gradiska, then Bijeljina – Brcko – Samac, railway connection of Brod (Brod – Pod-novlje – Derventa – Koprivna).

Within water transport, it planned the following:  

• clearing of the channel and development of river Sava for normal navigation from Jasenovac to Belgrade, as well as
• starting the preliminary works on realization of lower parts of the watercourse for the conduct of regulation measures and construction of water engineering structures for navigation (Drina, Bosna, Una, Vrbas).

Also, it considered the construction of harbors in Brod and Gradiska, as well as the ports in many municipalities.
Within the air transport, it is planned to modernize and reconstruct the current international airport `Mahovljani` (Banja Luka), as well as the new construction of airport in Trebinje at site of Zupci and the airport “Istocno Sarajevo’’ in Sokolac (Glasinacko polje).

• Could you distinguish the most relevant projects planned with Spatial Plan that will considerably change the quality of living in RS?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: All projects foreseen by the Spatial Plan have a development function, and will contribute to the improvement of the quality of living and the standard of living, such as the projects within the field of construction:

• traffic infrastructure (motorways, expressways, primary routes),
• electric infrastructure (water power plants),
• energetic infrastructure (gas pipeline),
• social infrastructure facility (education, culture); then,
• development projects within the following economic activities;
• agriculture,
• forestry,
• energetics,

• Do you have a sufficient number of experts engaged for the realization of Spatial plan?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: Ministries of the Government of RS, local administration and authorized institutions are put in charge for the implementation of Spatial Plan of RS.

• Could you count up the leading people working on this project and their engagement?

Dalibor Bjelica, B.Sc.Architecture: In the preparation of the Spatial Plan of Republic, it participated lots of experts from IURS, but as well from other institutions. The leaders of the Plan were Prof. PhD Milan Bursac coming from the Geographical Institute ‘’Jovan Cvijić’’ at Serbian academy of art and science from Belgrade and  Branko Bojovic from the Institute for architecture and urban planning, Belgrade, Serbia.