Urbani izziv Volume 33, No. 1, June 2022
: 122-133
(Articles)
UDK: 711.4:005.212(497.4+497.5)
doi: 10.5379/urbani-izziv-en-2022-33-01-05
Author
Saša Poljak Istenič
Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Institute of Slovenian Ethnology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
sasa.poljak@zrc-sazu.si
Valentina Gulin Zrnić
Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Research, Zagreb, Croatia
gulin@ief.hr
Title
Visions of cities’ futures: A comparative analysis of
strategic urban planning in Slovenian and Croatian
cities
Abstract
Due to overpopulation, pollution, noise, and other ecological and social problems, cities face a worsening quality
of urban life, which requires effective planning of their
futures. Urban visions as an aspect of strategic planning
can be a starting point for a radical transformation of how
towns develop into cities of the future that successfully
address current challenges. This article, deriving from
the anthropology of the future and planning, analyses
how cities imagine their futures and how they narrate
it. It compares the visions of eight Slovenian and Croatian cities – Ljubljana, Zagreb, Koper, Rijeka, Maribor,
Kutina, Nova Gorica, and Hvar – and assesses how they
understand the concept of sustainable development and
take into account its principles (economic, environmental, social, and cultural sustainability). Discourse analysis
reveals that visions often remain on paper only, with undefined elements of sustainability and values. They repeatedly instrumentalize urban realities – that is, natural
and cultural resources – for their goals. To achieve better
cooperation of residents in helping create cities of the
future, visions should be more long-term and imaginative.
Key Words
anthropology of the future, urban planning, cities’ visions, Slovenia, Croatia