The Center for the Protection and Study of Birds (CZIP) and KANA / who if not an architect have raised concerns over the public calls issued by the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property. The calls pertain to the creation of a conceptual design and a main design, as well as the revision of the main design for Velje Brdo Boulevard, amounting to a total of 95,000 euros excluding VAT, funded by taxpayer money.

The Ministry of Public Works has revealed two public procurements to facilitate the construction of Velje Brdo Boulevard along with necessary infrastructure in Podgorica.

The ministry’s announcement states that this marks the beginning of the “Velje Brdo” project implementation.

“The first public procurement is focused on developing a conceptual design and main project for the boulevard and its infrastructure, with an estimated cost of 75,000.00 euros excluding VAT,” according to the statement.

In a joint statement, CZIP and KANA express concern regarding the legitimacy of these public procurements, questioning the planning or legal documents backing them. They note that the Amendments to the Spatial and Urban Plan (SUP) of Podgorica have yet to be adopted, and the Spatial Plan of Montenegro (SPCG) remains unapproved until 2040. Furthermore, Velje Brdo is not mentioned in current strategic and planning documents.

“CZIP and KANA reiterate that this implementation is occurring without a solid legal and planning foundation, preceded by a poorly conducted public debate in December 2024. They also highlight that professional and civil sector objections were ignored, and no feedback from the debate has been provided, despite claims from ministry representatives that the Amendments would be enacted by year-end,” the statement asserts.

They further suggest that while public funds are being spent on populist initiatives by the government, critical needs affecting the citizens of Podgorica—such as new schools, health centers, public transport, and kindergartens—remain unaddressed.

“Instead, green spaces are being paved over and converted into parking lots, which further deteriorates the quality of life and urban environment in the capital. Given this context, it’s evident that public procurements for conceptual designs and project revisions lack a legitimate basis, as they are not supported by valid planning documents. Spending public funds on these initiatives is unjustifiable and sets a dangerous precedent that must be halted immediately! We urge the Ministry and relevant agencies to suspend all related activities until proper planning documents are established through a transparent, inclusive process involving experts and the public,” the statement emphasizes.

Regarding potential impacts on local biodiversity and ecosystems, they note that the risks are not currently visible, given that constructing a new urban area for 40 residents adjacent to a nature park within a protected natural zone is unprecedented.

“Utilizing land of this magnitude poses threats to numerous plant and animal species by jeopardizing their habitats, diminishing biodiversity, and potentially instigating local extinction events. Additionally, the main water source for the city is at risk, as intensified construction and population growth could contaminate groundwater due to improper wastewater management, chemical pollution, and pesticide usage in urban gardens. There’s also the possibility that the Zeta River may experience alterations in its hydrological patterns due to increased water consumption, surface runoff, and possible discharge of untreated wastewater. The rise in traffic will also contribute to air and noise pollution, aggravating environmental concerns. We call upon the public, media, and institutions to monitor and respond carefully to this situation, as it carries significant long-term implications for legality, urban development, and environmental conservation,” the CZIP and KANA statement concludes.

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