Circular management for greener cities

Circular management of spaces and buildings and green infrastructure (GI) are spatial development concepts that can support national priorities, and their implementation is a precondition for tackling the challenges caused by climate change; both are elements of the Spatial Development Strategy of the Republic of Croatia, a fundamental document directing spatial development in Croatia. This strategy was adopted by the Croatian parliament in 2017 and resulted in the development of two programmes that aim to support the integration of circularity principles and GI into the Croatian planning system.

The programmes were developed by the Ministry of Construction and Physical Planning of the Republic of Croatia in cooperation with the Faculty of Architecture, University of Zagreb, and the expert consultancy Urbanex Ltd. These medium-term strategic documents will provide stakeholders with a framework for the implementation of circular management of spaces and buildings and support GI during the period 2021–2030.

Circular Management of Spaces and Buildings Development Programme

The building stock in Croatia is changing, and it includes a significant and increasing number of unused spaces and buildings. The Croatian spatial development strategy recognises circular management as a crucial aspect of development and emphasises the importance of circularity – for example reusing existing abandoned spaces, revitalising brownfield areas and encouraging a reduction in construction waste – for sustainable spatial development. The strategy also recognises the significance of increasing energy efficiency in the field of building design and construction.

The Circular Management of Spaces and Buildings Development Programme is a medium-term strategic document aimed at setting out for all stakeholders principles for the implementation of circular management of spaces and buildings. It also aims to promote sustainable, inclusive, safe and resilient cities by establishing construction guidelines based on the principles of the circular economy to support:

the reuse of buildings and spaces and the extension of their lifespan;

an increase in energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources;

the reuse a reduction of existing construction products and materials; in the amount of construction waste.

The programme describes the current situation in the Croatian territory and identifies potential obstacles and development priorities. It also describes measures and implementation activities, evaluates the possible effects of certain actions and identifies sources of financing. The programme sets out three specific objectives.

The development of a system for the circular management of spaces and buildings. This system will include mapping and continuous monitoring of the spatial situation of the building stock, as well as guidelines and methodologies for implementing the circular management of spaces and buildings.

Circular reuse of unused spaces and buildings. To achieve this objective, measures and activities will be identified that will contribute to a reduction in construction waste, improve the energy performance of buildings, conserve resources used in spaces and buildings, and revitalise spaces in which buildings are constructed. Examples of these measures and activities are the rehabilitation of existing national building stock, the promotion of innovation in spatial planning and the implementation of circular management models.

A high level of knowledge and social awareness of circular management of spaces and buildings. This objective will involve informing and educating the general public and stakeholders about circular management of spaces and buildings. Policy-makers at local level have an important role to play here, since the success of these measures will be closely related to the creation of spatial development plans at local level.

The estimated total cost of the implementation of measures and activities under the Circular Management of Spaces and Buildings Development Programme for the period 2021–2030 is EUR 635 million. The programme is currently nearing completion and will be adopted by the Croatian government by the end of 2020. Following the adoption of the programme, the Ministry of Construction and Physical Planning will develop an action plan for its implementation.

"According to the spatial development strategy, “it is necessary to establish new and preserve existing urban GI systems –a network of green areas which contributes to the conservation, improvement and restoration of nature and natural functions and processes in cities”.

Green Infrastructure in Urban Areas Development Programme The aims of this programme are to meet the preconditions for improving quality of life and human health and to contribute to sustainable social, economic and spatial development.

According to the spatial development strategy, “it is necessary to … establish new and preserve existing urban GI systems – a network of green areas which contributes to the conservation, improvement and restoration of nature and natural functions and processes in cities”.

Based on the identified current status of GI in urban areas, the programme outlines development needs and potential, identifies challenges, sets out the vision for development and establishes objectives, priorities and measures for GI development in urban areas. It also describes the economic, social and environmental benefits of urban GI and provides a financial framework for implementation, as well as a framework for monitoring and evaluating GI in urban areas. This programme is intended to establish sustainable, safe and resilient cities and communities by increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and building land, developing GI in the field of building design and construction, and enacting urban transformation and urban rehabilitation.

A review of the current status of GI in the Croatian territory concluded that urban areas encompass a large number of isolated, smaller green areas and a large number of dysfunctional and often undeveloped larger green areas. These areas either have lost their original physical interconnection as set out in spatial plans or were developed at a smaller scale (e.g. at neighbourhood level) without physical interconnection with green areas in the wider environment. Green areas include lines of trees, promenades, isolated sports and recreation areas, playgrounds, lawns, inner courtyards, green areas of building plots, etc. Owing to their monofunctionality and the fact that they are undeveloped, they cannot be considered urban GI. But if we connect them to create an urban network of green areas, and ensure their multifunctionality, these areas can indeed become part of urban GI.

The Green Infrastructure in Urban Areas Development Programme sets out three specific objectives.

Quality planning for and management of GI development – laying the groundwork for mapping and monitoring GI development in urban areas. This objective includes measures for mapping and ensuring the preconditions for the creation of strategic documents supporting GI development at local and regional level. It also includes the set-up of a digital database of GI projects and advocacy for greater international exchange of knowledge on urban GI.

Improved, widespread and easily accessible GI in urban areas – defining measures and activities for planning, construction and landscaping of urban GI. This objective includes the implementation of pilot projects and incentives for GI development, which improve the resilience of urban areas to the effects of climate change. Among other things, the plans include completing 10 pilot projects for GI development between 2021 and 2024 and launching calls for project proposals to develop GI in smaller and larger urban areas, urban corridors, urban networks, etc., between 2023 and 2030.

A high level of knowledge and social awareness of sustainable development of urban areas through GI development. To meet this objective, a framework will be created and measures implemented to promote the GI programme and to inform and educate all stakeholders about it at national, regional and local levels.

The estimated total cost of the implementation of measures and activities under the Green Infrastructure in Urban Areas Development Programme for the period 2021–2030 is EUR 610 million. The programme is currently nearing completion and is expected to be adopted by the Croatian government by the end of 2020. Following the adoption of the programme, the Ministry of Construction and Physical Planning will develop an action plan for its implementation.