Many residents in the areas of Bar under Rumija express concerns about their safety. They are unhappy with the condition and atmosphere of numerous public spaces, feeling that these areas should be more adequately equipped. This perception influences their daily habits.

They crave more activities and events in communal areas and wish to have a say in the decision-making process regarding these matters. Certain locations are consciously avoided, while specific routes home include protective measures.

This sentiment was revealed through research conducted by the NGO “Pogon” from Bar, under the direction of Milena Djukic and Tamara Curovic, which gathered data last December on how primarily women, but also men, utilize public spaces in this coastal city.

The study included an online survey, qualitative interviews, and a gender analysis of local public policies concerning public spaces. A total of 29 field interviews were conducted with women residing in Bar or the surrounding municipality.

The respondents come from diverse neighborhoods: Šušanj, Sutomore, Stari Bar, the city center, Makedonsko naselje, Bjeliši, Polje, and Virpazar, with ages ranging from 19 to 67.

According to the December 2023 population census, Bar has a total population of 45,812, representing 7.35 percent of Montenegro’s overall population, comprising 22,258 men and 23,554 women.

Despite their varied backgrounds, a common pattern of behavior regarding the use of public space emerges among women in Bar.

“Barsko Šetališe kralja Nikola is the most favored public space, frequently used for walks, relaxation, travel from Šušanj to the city center, or recreation. Following this, women often visit children’s parks or dog-friendly areas, along with local public spaces, sports fields, the square in Sutomore, Virpazar, and beaches,” summarizes the qualitative interview analysis.

The needs of women in Bar differ based on their locality. One interviewee from Virpazar highlighted the necessity for a pharmacy in her area and proposed a mobile pharmacy as a viable solution, also suggesting that the use of public space in Virpazar could be significantly improved:

“Activities are scarce here, aside from the fading Wine and Char Festival. It’s time for Virpazar to rejuvenate with events like concerts, literary evenings, and cultural programs, similar to those in Bar.”

Survey results indicate that many women in Bar perceive public spaces as unhygienic, emphasizing the urgent need for improved sanitation. They specifically mention the city and Šušanj beaches as being particularly unsanitary throughout the summer tourist season.

This dissatisfaction contributes to their choice to spend leisure time in commercial venues. Only one interviewee mentioned her preference for camping outdoors, while the others gravitated toward commercial establishments.

Two middle-aged women noted that they only venture out due to health concerns and the unsuitability of public spaces for individuals with chronic illnesses. They criticized the condition of children’s parks, highlighting potential hazards.

They expressed a desire for more benches, trash cans, and accessible restrooms in Bar…

“Conditions can be dire; sometimes repairs are made, but there are persistent issues. These dreadful restrooms in Šušanj require payment, and the whole city feels like a public toilet for men, leaving women to bear the brunt,” recounted one interviewee.

Feeling Safe Only in Familiar Places

“Since I mostly drive everywhere, I feel safer. If I were on foot like before, it would be a different story. This fear drives me to use my car more, especially since I once lived in the top of Šušanj,” shared one participant when asked about her sense of safety in Bar.

Despite its accolades, the Bar promenade holds unpleasant memories for some, as one interviewee recalled witnessing inappropriate behavior there while walking with her sister.

The same 25-year-old expressed that her experiences often include feelings of being followed and fear when alone in public spaces.

At first glance, women in Bar might say they feel safe, yet in-depth interviews reveal a contrasting narrative—they feel secure only in their vehicles, among familiar acquaintances, in known places, with companions or partners, and during daylight hours.

Familiarity with their surroundings contributes to a sense of security, but they remain on high alert. Their city navigation becomes considerably complicated at night, avoiding numerous locations deemed unsafe. Common responses included references to dimly lit streets, poorly lit passageways, the outskirts of town, and areas surrounding abandoned buildings.

Several interviewees noted a tendency to avoid regions where groups of men congregate, particularly those known to consume alcohol and drugs, creating the potential for unsafe scenarios. Areas near the Bar Municipality administration are particularly concerning.

“I indeed feel unsafe in Bjeliša and Taraboških junaka streets, which lack sufficient lighting, heightening my unease,” stated a 24-year-old participant.

Another cited the passageway between the Bar Gymnasium and “Blažo Jokov Orlandić” Elementary School as a place to avoid, marking it as poorly lit and potentially hazardous due to open manholes.

They pinpointed the Ilin bus stop along with the main bus and train stations as some of the least safe locations, describing them as ominous and under-maintained. Key issues include neglect, inadequate lighting, and the presence of “suspicious individuals.”

One regular at a private gym expressed discomfort with outdoor gyms, noting they are perceived as “male territory,” contributing to a lack of safety awareness.

Rarely Using Public Transport

These observations were substantiated by an online survey, analyzed by Sonja Dragovic, an urban planning researcher at the University Institute of Lisbon and a member of the KANA group.

The survey had 454 respondents, of which 53.5 percent were women. The analysis focused on the accessibility, comfort, and equipment of public spaces in Bar, as well as engagement in decision-making.

“A particularly alarming finding is that 55.9 percent of respondents never utilize local public transportation in Bar, with an additional 30.2 percent reporting that they infrequently use it. Only 4 percent claim to use public transport frequently, with only 1.3 percent using it daily,” wrote Dragović.

Regarding rail transportation, 32.4 percent never use it, while 47.8 percent use it rarely—once a month or even less. These statistics are concerning, especially since Bar is the only Montenegrin coastal city with rail connections to the capital and broader rail networks.

Among public space amenities, respondents favored benches (65 percent), walking paths (60.1 percent), green areas (57.5 percent), adequate lighting (43.6 percent), and children’s playgrounds (41.2 percent).

On the subject of missing facilities, 72 percent noted a lack of public restrooms, and 61.5 percent highlighted the absence of drinking water fountains. Additionally, free beach furniture (57.9 percent), bike paths (45.6 percent), and sufficient lighting (42.5 percent) were listed as lacking.

“The survey reveals that many respondents rate the lighting in public spaces as both adequate and insufficient, indicating disparities in public space equipment across various city areas and the need to address these differences,” adds Dragović.

When considering the physical accessibility of public spaces in Bar, 48.2 percent affirmed that obstacles, such as parked cars and construction sites blocking sidewalks, hinder access.

“Furthermore, 41.6 percent acknowledged inadequate street lighting, 37.4 percent complained of lacking sidewalks, and 37.2 percent indicated a lack of restrooms accessible to people with disabilities. A significant 35 percent noted a scarcity of space for strollers,” according to the survey analysis available to “Vijesti.”

Seeking Direct Involvement

Almost every participant expressed a desire to be involved in decision-making within their local community in various forms.

Middle-aged women preferred communication via phone or in-person meetings, while younger respondents leaned toward online interactions. Several wished for decision-makers to visit their neighborhoods to highlight local deficiencies, as seen in Virpazar. Only one participant opted out of engagement due to past experiences and distrust in institutions.

Yet, regarding processes surrounding the future urban development of Bar, most surveyed citizens feel uninformed and uninvolved—36.1 percent claimed ignorance of these processes, while only 4.8 percent stated they were well-informed.

Additionally, a vast majority (74.4 percent) reported they had not participated in decision-making processes related to the spatial and urban development of the city, which could include public debates, protests, signing petitions, commenting on proposals, or engaging in local government decisions.

“This illustrates a significant opportunity for improvement in citizen engagement concerning shaping public spaces and policies tied to future spatial developments,” concludes Sonja Dragović.

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