Spatial plan of Montenegro until 2020 - Ada Bojana

This definition is widely in compliance with the definition given in Article 19 of the new Law onSpatial Planning and Arrangement: “Spatial plan of the Republic is a strategic document and ageneral basis for the organization and spatial development of the Republic. The Plan definesnational objectives and measures for spatial development in accordance with overall economic,social, ecological and cultural-historical development of the Republic.”In accordance with the definitions given in previous and present Law, the function of the Plan isto provide a framework for the spatial development of the territory of Montenegro. This includesdefining of: general principles and objectives of spatial development based on sustainabledevelopment, area and sub-area specific objectives and principles of spatial development based onsustainable development, sector and sub-sector specific objectives and principles as far as requirements of spatialand spatially related sustainable development are concerned, guidelines to be considered in the elaboration of sector policies and more detailed spatialplanning documents on the national and local level.The Plan is not to be understood as a “development plan” or even as an “investment plan”. It isnot possible to determine the realization of investments on particular locations by the Plan (forexample the construction of hydropower plants or the construction/upgrading of roads). Alllocation defining is done primarily based upon the purposefulness of the particularlocation for a certain use (for example natural protection, settlement development, trafficlines, tourism, accumulations) with the aim to preserve these appropriate locations fromother uses which are in contradiction or show considerable negative impact on theidentified priority use.The Plan also cannot provide precise data on capacities of tourist facilities (accommodations,ski lifts, marinas, etc.) which should be maintained in particular areas in Montenegro within theperiod until 2020. Suitable areas for the development of tourism or specific segments of tourismand locations of larger tourist facilities like marinas, have to be defined in the Plan. By providingprinciples of the development of these areas and locations, the ecological and social carryingcapacity is respected and sustainable development ensured. Figures mentioned in the text -e.g. relating the number of tourist accomodation units – describe the maximum values inaccordance with sector documents like the Masterplan for Tourism Development and not thenumber of units which have to be constructed in the period of duration of the Plan.Whether the particular use will be realized or not, is not the subject of the Plan but of sector andlocal planning as well as of further analyses of environmental impacts, social acceptability andeconomic efficiency. The greater the limitations for spatial use are, the more important the useof this instrument becomes for the preservation of certain locations. Size, topography, naturalvalues and achieved structures of Montenegro demand careful use of the available resources.Locations and areas appropriate for certain uses have to be protected from misuse. Thisincludes the need to protect unique and valuable natural resources as well as the preservationof appropriate locations and areas in order to ensure a long-term economic development andmitigation of social imbalances.The Spatial Plan of Montenegro, thus, is the general strategic framework for sustainabledevelopment and represents the basis for harmonizing different sector and non-sector policieswhich have spatial consequences.Another important element in spatial development of Montenegro is the fact of widespreadillegal construction and misuse of land, which creates great obstacles for sustainabledevelopment. The practice of illegal constructions and misuse of land cannot be stopped by theprovisions of the Plan. Only a change in certain laws and regulations and only the strengtheningof the inspection system can contribute to the improvement of the existing situation.The function of the Plan is to verify sector requirements referring to long-term spatialdevelopment using integrative i.e. inter-sector approach which is in accordance with anoptimum use of the area as a limited and undoubtedly non-renewable resource. This oftenleads to:2