Representatives of the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro participated in the conference “Sustainable Urban Mobility for Climate Adaptation” held in Tirana, where they presented the achievements of Montenegrin local governments in this field.
Assistant Secretary General of the Union of Municipalities Marija Kljajić She spoke about the importance of establishing cooperation between different levels of government in order to facilitate the implementation of mobility plans and integration with the Trans-European transport network.
“Sustainable urban mobility is not just a matter of transport. It is a matter of quality of life, accessibility, and the development of our communities. And without a functional system in which all levels of government work together, we cannot achieve that goal. In this regard, the role of municipal associations is very important,” said Kljajić.
She emphasized that the first local sustainable urban mobility plans in Montenegro were developed with the support of GIZ, as well as that the first pilot projects in this field were implemented in selected municipalities.
Over the past eight years, the Municipality of Rožaje has constructed the Brezovački pedestrian and bicycle bridge over the Crnja River, installed ramps for persons with reduced mobility, and marked parking spaces for persons with disabilities at several locations. Several pedestrian and bicycle paths have also been rehabilitated. In addition, three summer pavilions and three weather shelters have been installed, along with one bicycle parking area with eight spaces near the Sports Centre and five bicycle parking facilities in the Brezovačko Brdo city park. The first two children’s playgrounds in the Municipality of Rožaje, “Crnja 1” and “Crnja 2,” have also been built, and the first guidebook featuring a map of pedestrian and bicycle trails through the Brezovačko Brdo city park has been published.
In the Municipality of Bar, bicycle parking facilities have been installed, and specialized ramps have been placed at public institution buildings to provide access for persons with reduced mobility, for which conceptual designs were also prepared at the same time. Bicycle parking stands shaped like car silhouettes were installed next to the parking area at Vladimir and Kosara Square, as well as at the location designated for parallel parking beside the Municipality of Bar building.
In the Municipality of Kolašin, a donation of 10 bicycles was presented to the Kolašin Tourist Organization, covered bicycle parking facilities were installed at several locations, rural walking and cycling trails were mapped, and workshops for children and youth were organized.
The Municipality of Pljevlja was supported in the implementation of the European Mobility Week through workshops for children and youth, as well as through training sessions for local government officials.
The Capital City, as well as the municipalities of Kolašin and Rožaje, received additional support through donations of innovative “Bparco” bicycle parking units, which were installed at several locations.
During the conference, Kljajić also pointed out the challenges faced by local governments throughout the region, including a lack of financial resources, as well as limited administrative and technical capacities.
The conference was also attended by Gavrilo Vuković, secretary of the secretariat for spatial planning of the Capital City, and a representative of the Municipality of Berane Rada Barjaktarović and a representative of the Municipality of Tivat Marija Ulićević. They presented the achievements of their local governments in the fields of urban mobility and climate adaptation.
The conference was organized by GIZ, the Transport Community, NALAS, CIVINET, and ODRAZ, in cooperation with the Albanian Ministry of Tourism and Environment.
