“Cooperation with the university and students is an important part of our work because it allows us to combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience and jointly contribute to the sustainable development of our county.”
On 9th December 2025, the Institute for Physical Planning of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County hosted second-year students of the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management of the University of Rijeka, majoring in Sustainable Development Management, and students of the joint undergraduate Urban Sustainability course, which is being run within the European network of universities YUFE (Young Universities for the Future of Europe).
The Director of the Institute, Adam Butigan, welcomed the students present, after which the Institute representatives – Vedrana Petrović, Robert Heberling, Mia Šimičić and Dado Jakupović – explained the role, purpose and importance of spatial planning and urbanism in practice with a specialist lecture.
During the lecture, students had the opportunity to learn more about the process of developing, coordinating and monitoring the implementation of spatial plans at the regional and local levels, as well as how to manage the spatial planning information system and the procedure of amending and complementing spatial plans.
Through numerous practical examples, students were able to analyse data about the condition of the area through the geoportal of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and understand their importance in decision-making.
The cooperation between the Institute for Physical Planning and the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management continues through the professional practice of students, as well as through joint expert and research projects.
The scientific and professional cooperation of the Institute with the academic community is of exceptional importance because it contributes to the exchange of knowledge, the development of professional competencies and the improvement of spatial planning practice.
The Institute for Physical Planning of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County would like to thank the Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management of the University of Rijeka for the visit and the students’ expressed interest.
The Institute will continue to develop forms of cooperation with partners from the academic community through professional internships, education and joint projects that connect science, the professional and public administration for the benefit of the local community.