Minister of Spatial Planning, Urbanism, and State Property, Slaven Radunović, has announced that the first residents will be able to move into the buildings located in Velje Brdo by the end of next year or in 2027.

In response to Prime Minister Milojko Spajić’s earlier claims that residents would begin moving in by mid-2026, Radunović emphasized that while there cannot be discussions about delays, the estimates may vary. He stated that a few months’ difference is insignificant for a project of this magnitude.

Radunović made these comments during a parliamentary session while addressing questions from MPs.

Prime Minister Spajić initially presented the Velje Brdo project in September of the previous year, aimed at meeting the housing demands of citizens under favorable conditions. Radunović had previously indicated that the project could eventually accommodate around 40,000 residents.

“Once the Spatial Urban Plan for the Capital City is approved, you can expect trucks and excavators to start working at Velje Brdo. Will residents be moving in by mid-2026? I doubt that will be possible, but whether it is three months earlier or six months later is inconsequential for a project of this scale. It’s crucial to understand that such projects require extensive documentation to be prepared. Personally, I would estimate that the first move-ins will happen by the end of 2026 or in 2027, which is quite fast. Delays only happen when time is wasted; if all possible steps are taken, then we can discuss a weaker estimate. A few months should not matter,” Radunović expressed, suggesting that the project might span a decade.

Final Adjustments to Podgorica’s Urban Development Plan

Radunović highlighted that the Velje Brdo project is nearing changes to the Podgorica Urban Development Plan. This will assess all natural and artificial potentials and constraints relevant to the project, establish the required infrastructure, and ensure connections to other parts of the city and surrounding areas.

“The area involved in the Velje Brdo project will be thoroughly developed at the general level, and the plan will map out the phasing of the implementation. The preparations for the amendments to the Capital City’s Urban Development Plan are in their final stages, specifically finalizing the report from the public review that has taken place,” he noted, adding that amendments for Tuzi and Zeta are also being prepared to consider increasing the population capacity.

Democratic Party of Socialists MP Aleksandra Vuković Kuč questioned this project, emphasizing it was announced just before the local elections in Podgorica.

Radunović responded, stating it’s inconsiderate for the opposition to inquire about the planning documentation and the Spatial Plan given the obstructions faced in Parliament.

Vuković Kuč queried if Radunović would resign in mid-2026 and if he would urge Spajić to do the same, arguing that commitments had significance until Spajić’s administration.

“He made several promises regarding the Montenegro Business District, the highway during the Herceg Novi elections, and other initiatives, yet none have been fulfilled. Why isn’t a similar project to Velje Brdo being initiated in Nikšić?” Vuković Kuč questioned.

Progress on the PUP for Herceg Novi

The New Serbian Democracy party inquired about the status of the PUP for Herceg Novi, to which Radunović replied that the delay is unrelated to the ministry or himself personally. He explained that significant objections from the Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage had halted progress, totaling 40 concerns, but he is optimistic about completing the process by the end of the month or in May.

“We are making corrections to the plan to align it with the feedback provided. Once we receive approval from the Administration, the proposal will be forwarded to the Government,” he stated.

Social Democrat MP Branislav Nenezić asked about the decision that resulted in the new atlas of bathing areas nullifying all tourist boat docks along the Bar Riviera. He pointed out that this action threatens 19 registered carriers and effectively undermines the industry in Bar Municipality.

Radunović clarified that those particular locations in Bar are state-owned, recognized as cadastral plots, but were not acknowledged by the Municipality. He elaborated that due to the late submission of the transporters’ initiative, the working group could not consider it. Such locations near beaches pose safety risks for swimmers, he added.

He asserted that the Public Company for Coastal Zone Management is exploring alternative docking locations and is awaiting feedback from transporters on these suggestions. Nenezić responded that the areas in question measure just 15 meters each without nearby beaches and seeks clarity on how their removal was deemed necessary.

Radunović emphasized that the beaches flagged were identified by the atlas, which noted the associated dangers.

Municipalities Under Pressure

The Civic Movement URA inquired about the timeline for transferring the Port of Budva to the Municipality. Radunović clarified that the handover occurred in 2023, but the Municipality was unprepared at that time, leading to its transfer to Morsko dobro.

He also commented on the tender process for beach leases, mentioning that some who initially claimed they would not remain in business later offered significantly higher lease amounts.

“There’s no rationale to devolve well-functioning operations to municipalities that struggle to manage pressures during the season. Every mayor faces challenges due to past commitments,” he concluded.

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