Podgorica City Assembly adopts Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan – Efficient, secure and accessible transport for all

The local parliament of Podgorica has adopted its very first Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP). In a highly participatory process aimed at taking a human-centered perspective, the plan has been developed over the past 10 months.

A growing and modern capital, Podgorica has witnessed a variety of concerns on transport and quality of life: While public transport has operated only insufficiently, the number of cars in the city has rocketed and safety concerns have arisen. Moving through the city by any means of transport has become increasingly strenuous and unpleasant for citizens of Podgorica.

Moving through the city by any means of transport has become increasingly strenuous and unpleasant

In May 2019, the Montenegrin capital started the process to develop a SUMP, supported by the project for “Sustainable Urban Mobility in South-East European Countries II” (SUMSEEC II) that is implemented by the GIZ Open Regional Fund for Energy Efficiency (GIZ ORF-EE) and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Document is dealing also issues of planning, safety, walking, and cycling

Secretary for Transport Lazarela Kalezić, as the head of the working groups, has been overseeing a complex process that is connected to all other sectors.

“In this document, we are not only dealing with public or urban regular transport, but also issues of planning, safety, walking, and cycling,” she said.

Therefore, the working groups have included members of different secretariats of the city administration, representatives of the cycling NGO Biciklo.me and of GIZ, as well as local and international experts and, have been backed by a network of regional exchange.

The SUMP process has involved around 5,000 inhabitants of Podgorica

GIZ ORF-EE Project Manager Jasna Sekulović emphasizes the participatory and integrative approach of the concept.

“By conducting analyses and surveys, workshops and promotion events, overall, the SUMP process has involved around 5,000 inhabitants of Podgorica who have shared their ideas; over 45 stakeholders have regularly participated. This open approach is key to designing a human-centered concept,” she said.

Podgorica in line with trends in cities in the world and the EU

The SUMP encompasses a wide array of measures on strategic urban mobility planning, regulating parking, modernizing public transport and improving conditions for cycling and walking. The Plan’s adoption on February 24, is a major milestone to realize the vision of a Podgorica focussed on the human and on quality of life.

“We want to profile Podgorica in line with the trends in cities in the world and the EU: a city with efficient and safe public transport,” Secretary Kalezić says.

The next steps will be for the city to implement these actions, now building on experience and a big network that provides knowledge and support.