Rural-urban relations in Ljubljana region – 4 areas, 4 experiences

Topics

• Governance capacity
• New forms of decision-making, Policies and instruments

Abstract

Rural areas surrounding major Slovene urban centres (Ljubljana, Maribor, Celje, Kranj) has in the past 50 years – first under socialist era of planned urbanization and industrialization – undergone radical modifications. Pressure has somehow been softer in last 15 years and qualities of rural areas became increasingly attractive. Among those elements of rural area high ''price'' - recreation, healthy (organic) traditional food products, cultural experience - quality of living environment and low prices of land have had most profound and often negative impact. Spatial, cultural, social and economical consequences of the above mentioned push-pull elements in rural-urban relationship are most evident in the case of Slovene capitol city of Ljubljana. There are 4 areas of rural landscape. 1.Ljubljana Marshland area – area of extraordinary nature and culture heritage extending southern from city centre. On one side planned to be a natural park ( Ljubljana city garden), while on the other – as in all last 600 years – threatened by intensive agriculture, and in last 50 years by legal spread of traffic, housing and business elements. 2. Eastern countryside of Ljubljana municipality (Eastern part) – once area lagging behind, this hilly rural area has in last 10 years developed an attractive agriculture, gardening and recreation products. After the starting impetus by Ljubljana Municipality authorities, all activities are run by local interest groups. 3. Rural patches within Ljubljana City area. Area of agriculture production for daily needs of vegetables and recreation. After it was minimized by growth of city and infrastructure, now city authorities plan to abandon most of agriculture production to protect underground water resources. 4. North and North-West rural periphery - central part of Ljubljana basin, the most fertile but at the same time most urbanized rural area That is a consequence of strong impact of Ljubljana and number of satellite-towns. In fact none of them is completely rural anymore, and there is a question weather they all could still be classified as rural. Questions remain. What is going to be the future identity and functions of rural areas surrounding Ljubljana and other urban centres in Slovenia. Should the policies and funds be dedicated in liberal manner for ''natural'' development, or they should prioritize their ''traditional'' or ''rural'' functions. This largely depends on who and how will make part of local development initiatives.

Reference to the original publication

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