- Funding Programme
- Year
- 2021
Supporting green post-earthquake reconstruction of buildings and sustainable urban regeneration in Croatia
The Commission aimed to facilitate post-earthquake reconstruction efforts and green urban regeneration process outlined in the Croatian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). By providing technical support to the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction, and State Assets, the project strengthened the Ministry’s capacities to guide cities and municipalities in implementing the NRRP’s measures and to accelerate the development of sustainable and efficient solutions for green urban regeneration, taking into consideration European good practices.
Context
In the wake of the earthquakes that struck Croatia in 2020, causing staggering material losses exceeding EUR 17 billion, there has been an urgency to start revitalisation of damaged public buildings and urban areas. This urgency was intertwined with the reforms outlined in Croatia’s NRRP, particularly focusing on reforms “Decarbonisation of buildings” and “Introduction of a new model of green urban renewal strategies and implementation of a pilot project for the development of green infrastructure and the circular management of buildings and space”.
These ambitious reforms aim to significantly reduce energy consumption within the buildings sector and lay down a solid foundation for the sustainable development of municipal territories. However, these reforms faced several challenges. Navigating the complex post-earthquake reconstruction practices posed technical, institutional, financial, and regulatory obstacles. Additionally, there was a need to develop sustainable and green urban regeneration approaches, not only to rebuild infrastructure but also to build resilience and sustainability in line with EU policy objectives.
Support Delivered
The technical support provided to the Croatian Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction, and State Assets was funded by the European Union through the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) and implemented by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in collaboration with the European Commission. With the focus on implementing green transition and sustainable urban regeneration, the support included analysis and providing recommendations for various aspects of the legal, institutional, technical, and financial frameworks, drawing insights from both international best practices and local contexts. Moreover, the support included preparation of guidelines for implementing local green urban renewal strategies and developing a methodology for mapping urban heat islands, all aimed at strengthening Croatia’s resilience against climate change risks.
Results achieved
The project results will support the Ministry in their ongoing efforts to advance application of green transition measures in the reconstruction and equip local authorities with the tools necessary for sustainable urban regeneration planning.
The Guidelines for implementation of local green urban renewal strategies at the local level serve as a valuable resource for the Ministry and consequently for the local authorities facilitating the effective implementation of green infrastructure solutions. Already, cities and municipalities are utilising these guidelines in their planning processes. Furthermore, thanks to the technical support provided, Croatia will be one of the first countries in the region to have a methodology for the identification of urban heat island effects, thus laying the groundwork for climate-resilient spatial planning, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for citizens.
More about the project
You can read the documents related to the project here: