Urbani izziv Volume 35, No. 1, June 2024
: 93-108
(Articles)
UDK: 911.375.1: 338.48-44(23.0)(497.6Bjelašnica)
doi: 10.5379/urbani-izziv-en-2024-35-01-01
Author
Leila Krivošić Dizdarević
International University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Engineering and NaturaSciences, Ilidža, Bosnia and Herzegovina
dleila@ius.edu.ba
Alma Hudović Kljuno
International University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Ilidža, Bosnia and Herzegovina
ahudovic@ius.edu.ba
Title
The rapid urbanization of Mount Bjelašnica: From Olympic Games to neoliberal investments
Abstract
In the early 2000s, Mount Bjelašnica, one of the four
Olympic mountains around the city of Sarajevo, experienced rapid urbanization. In an attempt to create a modern mountain resort, but without a general design vision
and with substantial criticism from residents, new hotels
and other accommodation were built. This article offers
insight into the development of the mountain resort at
Babin Do on Mount Bjelašnica, comparing it with the
development of similar mountain resorts in France. Case
studies are the mountain villages of Flaine and Les Arcs,
both created in the 1960s by prominent architects as a
part of the government program Plan Neige; however,
they have largely been changed and extended since then.
The findings show certain similarities in the urban planning and architecture at Babin Do with the case studies
examined in France, even over a period of sixty years.
Although certain buildings in Babin Do create a positive
mountain resort ambience, the absence of a regulatory
plan that has caused overcrowding with accommodation,
and the lack of common public space along with poor
all-year activities show that this mountain resort cannot
be considered a successful development. Further damage
to nature should be minimized, and development should
have been more considered and sustainable.
Key Words
mountain resorts, urbanization, Olympic Games, Sarajevo, Plan Neige, France