The 40th anniversary of the Institute for Physical Planning of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County was marked at a scientific and professional conference held today at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rijeka.
The Institute has adapted its name and organisational structure several times over the past four decades to reflect the changing context and evolving legal framework. Today, the Institute formally and actually connects several roles in the function of the County’s spatial development. From the primary role in the preparation of the County’s spatial plan, through the control of the preparation of the spatial plans of towns and municipalities, to the analysis of the condition of the area. Alongside the preparation of expert materials necessary for the development of spatial plans and the maintenance and digitalisation of a comprehensive archive of physical planning documentation, the Institute’s integrative role in the overall development of the County was highlighted. In addition to its core activities, the Institute has recently focused on climate change adaptation and increasing the public's role and participation in spatial planning processes.
After welcoming speeches by the hosts, the Institute’s Director, Adam Butigan, the Mayoress of the City of Rijeka Iva Rinčić, the County Prefect Ivica Lukanović and the representative of the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets Mr Tonči Glavinić, today’s programme continued with a scientific lecture by Professor Marcin Dąbrowski from the Department of Urbanism of the Delft University of Technology entitled Spatial Planning in Times of Change: Challenges and Opportunities for the Future.
“Professor Marcin Dąbrowski reminded us that spatial planning today takes place in a world of constant change – from climate to economic and technological. But it is precisely in these changes that opportunities also lie: for planning to become bolder, more innovative and focused on future generations. Only with an interdisciplinary approach, the international exchange of experiences and responsible spatial management can we ensure a resilient, sustainable and just future for all citizens in times of climate change.”
The lecture served as an introduction to a panel discussion, in which experts from various sectors shared their views and thoughts on the subject of spatial planning in a time of accelerated and often unpredictable climatic, social, economic, demographic, and technological changes.
The panel reaffirmed that space is our most valuable resource and that its preservation requires wisdom, science and cooperation. Resilience and adaptation must become guiding principles – in housing, tourism, energy and risk management. Climate change represents the greatest challenge of our time, as its effects are increasingly evident in the form of more frequent extreme precipitation, the activation of landslides, coastal pressures, and the need for an accelerated energy transition.
At the end, the gathered guests had the opportunity to view the prepared multimedia exhibition, which symbolically offered a cross-section of the Institute’s activities. Numerous spatial plans, publications, expert materials and applications on which the Institute has worked over the past 40 years were presented.
A complete overview of the Institute’s work has also been prepared in an interactive form, via the story of the Institute available HERE.