EU PROGRES

Through the European Partnership with Municipalities Programme – PROGRES, the European Union and the Government of Switzerland will extend 175,000 Euros to support the design of detailed regulation plans in the municipalities of Prokuplje, Trgovište, Ivanjica, Preševo, Medveđa, Surdulica, Bojnik and Crna Trava.

The design of the following detailed regulation plans has been approved: for the Hisar Hill and Rastovnica Lake tourist zones in Prokuplje, for the Brestovac Accumulation Lake tourist zone in Bojnik, for the industrial zones in Preševo and Trgovište, and for the economic development zones in Surdulica, Medveđa and Ivanjica.

The design of detailed regulation plans will clearly define the requirements and possibilities for building residential and business facilities in these zones. Together with spatial and general regulation plans, detailed regulation plans are prerequisite for the issuance of location and construction permits.

“Investors will not invest their capital before they check whether the local self-government plans allow for the construction of the facilities they want to build, whether they can obtain the required permits easily and quickly, how well the locations they are planning to invest in are, or will be, equipped with communal infrastructure. In other words, municipalities with spatial and urban plans pursuant to which they can issue location permits to interested construction partners can count on them continuing with their activities,” Marin Krešić, PROGRES’ expert consultant, said.

The design of the plans is stipulated by the Law on Planning and Construction, whereby this PROGRES activity is helping the municipalities also in applying the relevant legal provisions.

The eight municipalities were provided with support in the design of their plans within the second public call for proposals for funding the design of planning documentation which PROGRES opened in July 2011. They will contribute 22,000 Euros to the design of the plans, which are to be completed and adopted by end 2012. Within the first public call for proposals, PROGRES supported the design of three general regulation plans, eight detailed regulation plans and a study, which is an integral part of the spatial plan.

Apart from supporting the design of planning documentation, PROGRES will also help the municipalities improve their infrastructure, advance the quality of services they provide the citizens and businesses and promote their development potentials. Particular attention will be devoted to helping the local self-governments improve their respect of good governance principles: accountability, transparency, citizens’ participation, equality and efficiency.