From Post-Socialist to Sustainable: The City of Ljubljana

Abstract

This article analyzes the process of city center revitalization using the case of the City of Ljubljana. In 2016 it became the first and (so far) only post-socialist city to acquire the European Green Capital Award. In the process of transforming the city over the last ten years, many positive changes were achieved. These are primarily reflected in improvements to the urban quality of life; that is, changes based on the urban sustainability principles. More public spaces with greater accessibility were created in the city center (expansion of pedestrian and bicycle zones, reduction of car traffic and closure of certain streets to cars, a higher number of visits to the city center and hence more cultural and tourist attractions, more green spaces, etc.). The study was conducted using semi-structured interview methods and focus groups with selected experts (spatial experts from various disciplines). The results showed that the revitalization process in Ljubljana had more positive consequences than negative ones, although some experts also criticized the achievements and pointed out certain shortcomings. However, given the definite improvements in citizens' quality of life, it can be argued that Ljubljana has become a post-socialist sustainable city that clearly follows western European urban development patterns, which is a clear deviation from the socio-spatial urban processes that still characterize most post-socialist cities, especially large ones.

Stakeholders’ Perceptions on the Role of Urban Green Infrastructure in Providing Ecosystem Services for Human Well-Being

“…In addition, the growing number of NGO initiatives in the city dealing with the development and restructuring of green spaces shows public interest and need for high-quality green spaces [38][39][40]. This indicates that despite the good intentions of the city of Ljubljana and the existing development programs to promote the urban green system, the existing UGI does not fully meet the needs of the stakeholders [41,42].…”

Is urban sprawl a threat to sustainable development? A review of characteristics and consequences

“…In Eastern Europe, urban sprawl was considered as an outcome of post-socialist of autocratic transformation into liberalization of economic and social well-being (Kovacs et al, 2019;Gotovac & Kerbler, 2019). In the USA, early spatial form of sprawl occurred after World War II because the perception of the new suburb is safer, more desirable and cheaper than urban alternatives (Benites-Gambirazio, 2017;Franklin & Plane, 2019;Dibble et al, 2019).…”

From Intention to Implementation of Vertical Green: The Case of Ljubljana

“…Categorised as a medium-sized European city, it combines the offer of a metropolis with the approachable feel of a small town [1]. Ljubljana's development over the last decades has supported its transition from a post-socialist city to a contemporary capital that successfully integrates cultural heritage restoration with the refurbishment of open spaces in the city centre [2]; however, the share of green spaces and consideration of green system development goals are not consistent. The wider city area (urban centre and hinterland) is reported to have a high proportion of green spaces per inhabitant [3].…”