• We are interested in the activities within GAP project. First of all, what a concrete benefit will have the final beneficiaries of the services of your Department?

Verica Kunić, B.Sc. Architecture: Our cooperation with GAP has been lasting for almost three years, and in terms of that, we really actively participate in the project work. Basic idea of this project is introduction of new way of the planning and land use (zoning). Now, we are trying, within the Law that is still in force, to apply new planning methodology. Concretely through RP of central area of the Banjaluka Town, together with IURS, it was carried out its application.

Second important segment of GAP`s project is introduction of GIS software within the urbanism area. Certainly, this is useful and valuable for final beneficiary, because it is in essence to save time and space in which acting. Our service will have in digital form, all information about one micro-location (current situation, geodetic basement, possibility of intervention on that object). Therefore, it will only take basic data about site for getting detailed information in which direction it may be planned on some microlocation. Parties will get new information at once – after entering the cadastral number into data base. Therefore, it implies submission or non submission of the claim for urbanism approval, depending on coordination of information and wishes of the client.

• It has been announced the introduction of location terms as well as the new principle of planning – zoning?

Verica Kunić, B.Sc. Architecture:Location terms are the form, which is in the procedure of alteration of Law on spatial development. It is tried to reduce a number of required procedures, which are in legal obligation. Certainly, that is not simple. It is very simple to say – it won`t be required urbanism approval, it will only be required location terms. Theer is an idea that it should be a technical document giving information what may be planned in certain area. However, lawyers are still in dilemma – how and in which way to respond if party or some of the neighbors is not satisfied with certain solution? Which mechanism of complaints should be provided? And, as soon as you grounds for appeal, then it is administrative act, and it is Law on general administrative procedure and in essence it doesn`t differentiate from Decision on urbanism approval. Our aim is not to formally change the title of document, but to change the essence of it, that is to shorten the procedure. In terms of that, that would be my role within team. So, until there are provided all required conditions, and to the moment of Law adoption, I think I will not be a follower of some new text of Law. In terms of that, it is an idea that there is no urbanism approval, except as administrative act. I will say again, that it is not an easy process and this is a very complex area. Unsettled property – legal structure is main problem, then, land ownership which now has become inviolable. In former times, it was directed construction, big complexes were public owned, one investor on one block. Now, there are urban matrixes divided in small pieces, in great number of individual owners, which makes difficult realization of one contemporary urban entity, which looks beautifull in space and which is attainable in terms of property-legal affairs.

• When will the activities within GAP project be completed?

Verica Kunić, B.Sc. Architecture: I don`t want to praise our team, but we have started our activities even before the cooperation with GAP. They recognized our ideas and together continued in that direction. There is basic agreement, that center for licenses should be officially opened at the end of April or beginning of May. It is not about opening of new office. It is located in our room no.19, which opened two years ago, in which parties getting all information. All documents are in digital form, for information be as qualitative as possible. In meantime, we made an agreement with Inova firm, which related to the software for application of GIS technology, as well it started the staff training, provided six new machines that support software, and we made an agreement with Republic administration for geodetic and property – legal affairs, in order to get their geodetic basements for insight. We have started many activities not visible for now, but I hope that all this effort, in practice, to come to the light.

• Does the Department for spatial planning have a new organization structure?

Verica Kunić, B.Sc. Architecture: After two years of analyses, we offered the proposal of opening of the new sections within our department, and finally, there were opened three new departments. Only Department for spatial development did not have any sections. Of total received post coming into Municipal government, 40% will be processed by third department, and those are mostly, the most complicated files with staff involvement of 4%. So, there were opened three new departments: for urbanism, for building licences and inspection certificates and Department for documentation, which legally needed, and presented a technical and logistical support to all departments. In this way, it has been created a better organization in aim of more qualitative work. It was employed 19 new workers, dated on February 1st, and since then this has been a specific matter, which still in development phase. But, I believe this will soon become one segment showing quality and improvement. Once more, I will emphasize that efficiency of this department and final outcome (urbanism approval and building licence), wich in great measure depending on many other elements. In terms of that, it was signed the last year, within the GAP project, Memorandum of understanding with all infrastructural organizations, with the Ministry for spatial development, civil engineering and ecology, Institute for construction and Land register, for all giving the maximum on the way towards common goal.

• Which activities have been accomplished in the field of town development initiatives, and which have been planned for the following period?

Verica Kunić, B.Sc. Architecture:

Banjaluka has always been a beautiful town, full of green and beautiful structures, but now it experiences its full renaissance. First of all, in terms of cleanliness and tidiness, it is obvious expansion of construction works. Park `Petar Kocic` became a distinguished ambient, which acknowledged by expert public. During a last year, there were completed two significant international bidding. One is related to revitalization and remodeling of Kastel fortress. Now, it is planned realization through phases. Certainly, first we must provide the funds and investors according to the model public-private. But, it is important that Kastel story has started to live.
Second international bid is Conceptual design of RP of Vrbas riverbank that is currently neglected. There are lots of problems with `wild construction`. Unfortunately, these two important biddings went paralelly, and we received only four works for Vrbas River. All works bought up, and it started with preparation of Regulatory Plan, for which it will be used ideas for all bought up works, combined them with ourown ideas. Certainly, there can`t be performed any radical changes, but it can be protected riverbank, and be introduced the facilities compatible with the way of the development of the river and the riverbank.

Earlier, it was realized one more bidding for the square development, at place of former `Zenit` and that solution certified through RP of central area of Town, which adopted at Parliament meeting. Realization of this area will be our first future activity, as well implying settlement of property relations on that land. The idea is that area should be one ensemble which will be connecting the street  `Gospodska ulica`, and the street `Veselina Masleše` with the street Bana Milosavljevica, closing with the square at Theatre building. One more idea, quite avant-garde, which supported by majority, will be carried out in that area, and that is sinking of the communication of `Kralja Petra I Karađorđevića` from Theatre to Palas site. In this way, it will be formed central pedestrian zone of urban matrix of town and this town will be found among pleiad of European towns recognized by this type of communication.  

There are significant activities related to landscape development (repair of pavements, landscaping, clearing...). One of the problems presented the newsstands that disturbed the town appearance. In central zone, it was identified the type of stands and reduced the number of prefabricated- dismantling structures, and further on, we will continue with solving of that problem in concentric circles in relation to central zone.
Therefore, one of planning activities is construction of few public garages, since it is obvious a traffic collapse in the town.

• Soon, it will be announced the Competiiton for conceptual design of commemorative monument for the soldiers of The Army of Republic of Srpska?

Verica Kunić, B.Sc. Architecture: That area is urban treated with Regulatory plan `Jug 7`.  Currently, we are looking for concrete solution of landscape development and development of commemorative complex, which will be set up by author`s design. Commission of the bidding gave general terms for design of this monument leaving the freedom of artistic expression. We asked from the Ministry for soldier affairs the feedback about what kind of information they want to put within the table of contents of the conceptual design: names of soldiers, which symbols and characteristics... Currently, we are in the final phase of the formation of project`s task of the Bidding that will be of public character.  Hardening curcumstances of that surface, which is around 4000 m2, is traffic restriction. So, bidding is related to conceptual design of commemorative complex implying urbanism solution and solution of commemorative complex that will be located there.

• You have travelled a lot, which European town has won your sympathies and why?

Verica Kunić, B.Sc. Architecture: All European towns, which have not been experienced what we have, and which in their development have not had the falls such as destruction of the space, and then reconstruction, are in advantage at very start. I would set aside Prague, which impressed me with architecture of almost all styles, dated from XII century up today. I have been especially impressed by its urbanism concept, that is, chronology and pureness in terms of clear frontage lines, clear street frontages, clearly defined locations for relevant objects, traffic solutions, which all contribute to cleariness of town appearance. In certain parts of Prague, line of facades reconstructed, refined, which is reflection of expansion and enthusiasm, and there are left town blocks as the symbol of epoch of grayness. Also, I am delighted with clearly defined central zones in most of European towns. I would emphasize the breaking up of taboo in Graz – old town complexes are under protection of UNESCO, and it is in direct proximity to Kunst hause, which is modern object and the subject of many positive and negative discussions. But, all who come in Graz will certainly visit that structure. So, there is no restraint, no end of life. One of examples is Luvr museum and glass pyramid in front of it, which is radically different, but which promote antiquity, and give the characteristic of new age.

• What is your opinion about cooperation with Institute for Urbanism of RS, j.s.c.  Banjaluka?

Verica Kunić, B.Sc. Architecture: I am fully satisfied with the cooperation with the Institute for Urbanism. The Institute is the house having a long business tradition, and which competent for all activities that carries out for Town Administrative Service. In terms of that, Institute is our direct partner within GAP project. Therefore, The Institute already entered into new methodology of planning. I would like to emphasize again, we live in transition time, transfer on new way of planning, but we have a great expert support of IURS and willing, which is the most important.