Most of Sarajevo population lives on surrounding hills which represents one of the main problems in the segment of achieving sustainable urban mobility. The only two available transportation options are ecologicaly unacceptable cars and minibuses. In winter season Sarajevo copes with large amount of snowfall that has complete suspension of motor traffic on slope parts as consequence.Voulnerable category of populations (elderly and kids) in these conditions aren't able to fulfill their everyday obligations and needs. Current strategies of settlement development in slope parts and their mobility are oriented on individual vehicles and difficult movement of public transport (minibus). Sarajevo is getting a plan of sustainable urban mobility for the first time in 2020 which emphasizes approachable sustainable mobility for all the citizens in its assumptions and goals.[1]
[1] SUMP SA_ Plan održive urbane mobilnosti Sarajeva, GIZ ORF-EE
The old part of Sarajevo consists of settlements built in time of Turkish rule with all determinants of that period still remaining untill these days. Level of motorization and increased urban mobility led to problems with moving in this city part. Bearing in mind higher demand for safe, healthy and pleasent living as well as perserving cultural and historical heritage, it is needed to find inovative sustainable and ecologicaly clean solutions of urban mobility.
Two slope parts of the old Sarajevo town Bistrik and Vratnik arose approximately at the same time and there is constant longing of residents for bigger and easier both interconnection and connection with central part of the old town called Baščaršija.
Bearing in mind history of Bistrik, origin of the settlement that goes back to Turkish rule and most important of all structure of the settlement, streats and movement, innovation of urban mobility in 21 century is a big step forward to increased urban mobility of residents. Bistrik is one of the oldest settlements in the city, placed on left coast of the river Miljacka, that administratively and historicaly belongs to municipality Stari Grad Sarajevo. Bistrik is located on the north part of hillly slope part of old town.
Vratnik is located on the south part of old town. Fortified old town Vratnik was built in 18 century ad and it represents a national monument since 2005. Vratnik is tourist attraction especially for its architercture and city view.
These two settlements that are positioned accross each other (north/south) connect only by coming down to the old town center (Baščaršija and City hall Vijećnica) and it is still the only possible type of communication in between.
For this kind of connecting two slope settlements are interested citizens but also visitors because of big opportunities that include access to cultural-historical places but also natural picnic areas located on top of both settlements-Zmajevac beyond Vratnik and Trebević beyond Bistrik with great potentials for mountain climbing, mountain biking and skiing.
Considering space of both settlements as well as center of old town, besides Canton Sarajevo for this kind of solution are interested City Sarajevo, municipality Stari Grad, municipality Istočno Sarajevo, mountaineering societies and olimpic part of Sarajevo, (on slopes of Trebević is positioned olympic bobsled track that is going under renovation in the coming period).
The key achievements of the project are reflected in:
The implementation of the project will:
By presenting the project and communicating with stakeholders to the local community, we encountered mistrust in the success of the project, due to its innovation. Also, resistance was expressed in the segment of public transport and the established way of behavior and communication of local public transport operators, which offered something that partly forces them to change and change the mode of transport.
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
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