REPORT ON PARTICIPATION AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PROTECTED AREAS “PROTECTED AREAS IN FUNCTION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”

Federal Ministry of Physical Planning participated in the International conference on protected areas “Protected Areas in Function of Sustainable Development” organized by the Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism on 6-8 November 2008 in Bihac.
Mrs. Hanka Musinbegovic, Assistant Minister, Federal Ministry of Physical Planning held a presentation on “Planning for areas with specific characteristics of significance for the FBIH”. The Presentation itself included law regulation in  the field of physical planning, procedure for determination of areas with specific characteristics of significance for the FBIH, adoption of a Decision on the preparation of the planned documentation, protection measures in areas with specific characteristics with special emphasis on the guiding principles for sustainable spatial development of the European Continent, adopted by the Committee of Ministers responsible for regional planning, harmonization of economic and social demands with ecological and cultural functions that will lead to a long-term, comprehensive and balanced spatial development. Implementation of the guiding principles requires direct cooperation, cohesion in both  sectorial and physical planning policy.
The World Bank, the European Commision to BiH, Academy of sciences and arts Sarajevo, Ministry of Physical Planning, Civil Engineering and Ecology of RS, The State Institute for Nature Protection of Croatia, Una Sana Canton Government, Bihac Municipality, NGOs , individuals and organizations  dealing with environmental issues and nature protection, and other numerous attendees  from the region participated in the respective Conference.

29 October 2008

Mr.sci. Salko Obhodjas, Minister of the Federal Ministry of Physical Planning met a delegation of the World Bank Doing Business Mission, helmed by Mierta Capaul.
During this meeting, Doing Business 2008 Report on Business in South East Europe was discussed focusing on issuance of construction permits being one of the report’s indicators.
Attendees have been introduced recommendations for reforms in Bosnia and Herzegovina within Doing Business, by Mierta Capaul, project leader.
Mr.sci. Salko Obhodjas has informed the delegation of the various activities undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Physical Planning concerning Amendments and Modifications of the Law on spatial planning and land utilization on federal level in order to accelerate and simplify the procedure of issuance of construction consents.
The meeting concluded that all activities undertaken by the Ministry are in compliance with certain recommendations of the Mission, expressing readiness for mutual cooperation aiming at creation of more prosperous business climate in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.  

Based on the proposal of the Federal Ministry of Physical Planning,  the FBIH Government has made a Decision  to declare Vranica Mountain an area with specific characteristics of significance for the FBIH, aiming at protection of Vranica Mountain, conservation of flora and fauna,  of numerous of natural monuments and natural beauties, as well as natural-cultural, geologic and hydrologic heritage. 

The basis for the designation of area coverage is a planned decision taken from the spatial plan of RBIH from 1981-2000. The final description of area boundaries will be provided by the spatial plan of the respective area. It has been explained already, massif of Vranica Mountain along With Zec Mountain represents the oldest Paleozoic core of BiH’s mountains.
Considering the natural features, there is Prokosko Lake, which from the natural heritage perspective represents an object of the first category.
Moreover, today a Decision on Spatial plan preparation for the areas with specific characteristics for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina –Vranica 2008-2028 has been.  

Press release 

Master Plan Council for the historical urban area of Mostar for the period 2007-2017 held its constituting session on 14 October 2008 in Mostar , in the building of the FBiH Government.
At the constituting session the Rulebook on work of the Council has been adopted and analytical-documentation basis for the preparation of the Master Plan for the historical urban area of Mostar 2007-2017 has been considered.
In addition to the Chairman and members of the Council, the meeting was attended by Mr. Zarko Markic, Head of Urbanism and Construction Department of the City of Mostar, representatives of the Commission to preserve national monuments, Mrs. Amra Hadzimuhamedovic and Mrs. Alisa Marjanovic, as well as ICOMOS representatives, Dr. Jukka Jokilehto, Dr. Laura Baratin , Dr. Carlo Cesari and Dr. Mehr Azar Soheil.

Master plan Council for the historical urban area of Mostar for the period 2007-2017 consists of 14 members.  Prof. Dr Amir Pasic has been appointed Chairman of the Commission.  Federal Ministry of Physical Planning has established the Master plan Council to monitor and direct preparation of the Master plan for the historical urban area of Mostar 2007-2017. The Council consists of the representatives of the relevant federal ministries, representatives of professional, scientific and other institutions, representatives of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton and of the City of Mostar.  

Mr.sci. Salko Obhodjas, Minister of the Federal Ministry of Physical Planning has signed the Contract for  preparation of the Spatial plan for the areas of specific characteristics of significance for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina „Corridor Vc Highway“ with  a Consortium consisting of IPSA d.d Sarajevo, BIH Urban Institute, Sarajevo and Eco-Plan, Mostar. On behalf of the Consortium, the Contract has been signed by Prof.Dr. Esref Gacanin, Director of the IPSA d.d , Sarajevo.  Following the completion of the public tender procedure, the Contract has been signed.
Corridor Vc Highway is a part of Pan-European Transportation network, which has been accepted as such by all interested States at Helsinki Conference which was held in 1997. During the respective Conference, Helsinki Declaration was adopted and it envisaged creation of 10 additional Pan-European corridors and their branches. Spatial plan preparation for the areas of specific characteristics of significance for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina “Corridor Vc Highway” will determine the volume of areas of specific characteristics of significance for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina  of Vc Highway throughout the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Thus, preconditions will be created, enabling issuance of urban planning, construction and utilization permit for the “Corridor Vc Highway”. The area covering Corridor Vc Highway” is designated an area of specific characteristics of significance for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Spatial plan preparation for the areas of specific characteristics of significance for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina „Corridor Vc Hihgway“ involves two phases: preparation and drafting phase of the spatial base, including common and specific  aims for  spatial planning and development, as well as preparation of pre-drafts, drafts and proposals  for  the  Spatial plan of the Corridor Vc Highway