Promotion and implementation of inclusive protection concept of the river Djetinja gorge
The City of Uzice implements the concept of inclusive protection and promotion of the river Djetinja gorge. Interventions include applying innovation logic to restore people-nature-culture connectivity and social cohesion through technologically enabled inclusive, participative, transparent, responsible, responsive and accountable interactions and transactions. Improving of management system of protected natural area in order to secure long-term existence the most endangered species and habitats
Regional
Serbia
The City of Uzice and the municipality of Cajetina
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Yes
IPA : Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance
Project title: New life of Neolithic heritage in recognized natural areas of great importance - NeoLIFE. Total value: 593.939.96€. Donor: European Union through Cross-border Programme Serbia – Bosnia and Herzegovina under the Instrument of Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II). Lead partner: City of Uzice. Partners: City of Tuzla, Municipality of Milici, Art School Uzice. Duration: 24 months (2019-21). Overall objective: Contribution to the cultural identity enhancement of the Serbia - Bosnia and Herzegovina cross-border area through efficient cooperation between the cross-border partners on revitalisation of the Zlatibor district and Tuzla Canton’s cultural heritage. Specific objective: Preservation of the cultural and historical heritage of the cities of Uzice and Tuzla through establishment and promotion of the sustainable cultural heritage simulation models based on networking and the process of experience transfer between partners in the cross-border area.
Project title: THEMATIC – Tourism based on innovative capacities. Total value: 1,448,999,17 EUR. Donor: European Union through the Interreg ADRION Program 2014-2020. Lead partner: University of Basilicata, Italy. Project location: 6 countries of the ADRION region (Italy, Greece, Albania, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia). Project duration: 3 years (March 1, 2020-February 28, 2023). General objective: to promote the development of a sustainable and affordable tourist economy in the ADRION region, based on natural, cultural and historical resources. Specific objectives: Establishing a network and implementing a strategy and action plan for capacity building for sustainable and accessible tourism; and Development and transfer of innovative methodologies of sustainable and affordable tourism with pilot actions
No
Yes
2022-08-01
As a representative of an organisation
Name of the organisation(s): City of Uzice Type of organisation: Public authority (European/national/regional/local) First name of representative: Predrag Last name of representative: GAVOVIC Gender: Male Nationality: Serbia Function: Deputy Mayor Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: 52 Dimitrija Tucovica Street Town: Uzice Postal code: 31000 Country: Serbia Direct Tel:+381641797188 E-mail:predrag.gavovic@uzice.rs Website:https://uzice.rs/
URL:https://www.instagram.com/graduzice/ Social media handle and associated hashtag(s): Djetinja, klisura, Stapari, Stapark, Stari grad Uzice, Zelena staza
URL:https://sr-rs.facebook.com/uzice/ Social media handle and associated hashtag(s): Djetinja, klisura, Stapari, Stapark, Stari grad Uzice, Zelena staza
URL:http://www.klisuradjetinje.rs/en/home/ Social media handle and associated hashtag(s): Djetinja, klisura, Stapari, Stapark, Stari grad Uzice, Zelena staza
The river Djetinja gorge is recognized as leverage for tourism development in the Western Serbia. Area covers a territory starting from the Uzice urban core, along Djetinja river up to the artificial lake Vrutci, including more than 856 ha of the protected area. The area extending over the territory of two local self-governments is characterized by preserved nature, unusual morphology, thermal and mineral springs, valuable monumental heritage, beautiful landscapes, diverse flora and fauna with a large number of endemic, relict and endangered species of flora and fauna. Soft interventions were made at creating a favorable environment for nature-based activities and recreation of the local population and visitors, outside the often extraordinary polluted area of the industrial center with a specific relief which does not enable conditions for quality leisure time.
In the last few years soft investment cycle in historical sites and activity-based tourism infrastructure in the gorge has started. Along the path, old tunnels are illuminated what enables a daylong use of the space for outdoor activities. Since 2017, the promenade become fully accessible for all, including persons with disabilities after the vertical access elevator was built. Setting up park equipment along the gorge as ecologically significant area of the Ecological Network in Serbia and opening of archaeological open-air museum StaPARK (2022) as unique cultural and historical attraction has accelerated investments from local and regional level in further development of the Western Serbia tourism sector. Interventions in digitization, such as the creation of a digital guide through Užice Old town and a multifunctional virtual guide for Djetinja gorge provide a suitable hub for interaction and coordination of all resources in the Djetinja gorge.
Nature preservation
Nature-based solutions
Cultural and natural diversity
Responsible behavior of local society
Accessibility
The river Djetinja gorge is recognized as leverage for tourism development in the Western Serbia. Area covers a territory starting from the Uzice urban core, along Djetinja river up to the artificial lake Vrutci, including more than 856 ha of the protected area. The area extending over the territory of two local self-governments is characterized by preserved nature, unusual morphology, thermal and mineral springs, valuable monumental heritage, beautiful landscapes, diverse flora and fauna with a large number of endemic, relict and endangered species of flora and fauna. Soft interventions were made at creating a favorable environment for nature-based activities and recreation of the local population and visitors, outside the often extraordinary polluted area of the industrial center with a specific relief which does not enable conditions for quality leisure time. Sustainability of the area is ensured by: creation of a study on the protection of the gorge, adoption of a detailed regulation plan for the Old Town, designing a management model for the area, establishing the Neolithic open-air Archaeological park Stapark, accessibility of disabled persons, digitalizing natural and cultural content, limiting motor traffic, introducing electric-powered linear traffic and creating the conditions for practicing nature-based activities (walking and hiking, kayaking, sports climbing, zip line, cycling, fishing, outdoor recreation, swimming). Also, small interventions were made in the arrangement of places for picnics and rest, installation of tourist signage and waste management. Long promenade starting at the City Beach with old hydropower plant (1900) below the Old Town (14th century), along the abandoned narrow-gauge railway route (1979), through tunnels, all the way to the Stapari spa and newly opened archaeological open-air museum StaPARK (2022) to Rujan Monastery and Lake Vrutci was rewarded the European Greenways Award in the Excellence category (Limerick, Ireland).
In the last few years soft investment cycle in historical sites and activity-based tourism infrastructure in the gorge has started. Along the path, old tunnels are illuminated what enables a daylong use of the space for outdoor activities. Since 2017, the promenade become fully accessible for all, including persons with disabilities after the vertical access elevator was built. Setting up park equipment along the gorge as ecologically significant area of the Ecological Network in Serbia and opening of archaeological open-air museum StaPARK (2022) as unique cultural and historical attraction has accelerated investments from local and regional level in further development of the Western Serbia tourism sector. Interventions in digitization, such as the creation of a digital guide through Užice Old town and a multifunctional virtual guide for Djetinja gorge provide a suitable hub for interaction and coordination of all resources in the Djetinja gorge. Virtual content enables their curation and dissemination for: understanding of cultural and natural diversity; conservation of diversity and its use sustainably; promotion of the education and raising awareness about a treasure trove of cultural diversity for social, economic and environmental growth; and online building capacity for the conservation and sustainable use of overall heritage. The improvement of the content and cultural-historical values was realized through partial reconstruction and conservation of the Old Town (14th century). In 2017, the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments, with the support of the Ministry of Culture, implemented the reconstruction and preservation of the upper part of the Old Town and the installation of protective fences, which made this location accessible to visitors and become became a part of wider tourist offer. Residents and visitors have access to additional contents for recreational purposes in the city vicinity as well as enjoying nature and cultural facilities.
Revitalization, protection, presentation and economic valorization of immobile cultural assets and protected natural assets in the Djetinja gorge are based on principles of participation and sustainable planning. These processes were set up on strong participation of the public, private and civil sector stakeholders (meetings, interviews, on line consultation). The process of creation of the development plans are fully transparent in all stages, sensitizing the population, the professional public, land owners, investors, and representatives of NGO sector in order to ensure their inclusion in the planning process and to achieve a stronger synergetic effect of local economic development and urban planning. Communication with stakeholders is based on their segmentation and creation of communication tools for each defined target group. Consultations, meetings, obtaining information on the necessary conditions of authorities, organizations and companies issuing conditions and requirements in the process of drafting the documents and opening a dialogue with investors and other stakeholders enabled early identification and prevention, management and harmonization of potential conflict proposals of private, public and civil sectors. For communicating with this segment of the target group, presentation methods, interactive panels and focus groups were used. By participating in the planning process, they improve their knowledge and understanding of the need for planning, and the acquired knowledge has a feedback impact on the level of their participation. Citizens' participation itself means two-way communication and spreading information that additionally activates the citizens and develops their social awareness. Strengthening of a public-private dialogue and ensuring extremely wide participation of all sectors provided access to information of public importance, in addition to traditional methods of advertising and information.
The concept of environmental protection is the backbone of spatial development of the city of Uzice. The focus is on improving and protecting the environment, but also on protecting and promoting natural and cultural-historical heritage, with controlled and selective economic valorization of natural, monumental and other cultural values. The entire population of the city of Uzice (70.172), especially from the urban area, is introduced with revitalization, protection, presentation and economic valorization of immobile cultural assets and protected natural assets in the Djetinja gorge and actively participates during all stages of the process. Bearing in mind that the city is situated in a valley and that in the recent years it has been facing serious problems of the air pollution during the heating season as well as the drinking-water supply problems, the administration direct development towards the area of the river Djetinja gorge as a natural exit which offers facilities for excursion tourism, activity holidays, and special interest tourism. By different types of interventions, cultural habits and trust in cultural values of local population are improved, while needs for intercultural relations and intercommunication are strengthened. Unemployed population gained the opportunity for seasonal employment, especially in tourism sector, presentations and old crafts manufacturing, hospitality, animation etc. Special attention has been given to accessibility of the sites for the children and people with disabilities, especially in terms of access, movement and adjustment of presentations and animations to their special psycho-physical needs. Population of all ages, active in various sports (bicyclists, hikers, and walkers) benefits from the creation of additional contents. The interventions have positive impact on satisfying cultural needs of disabled people, children and youth population through adjustment of the interpretation to their specific needs.
Action is based on local initiatives and driven by local actors reflecting potentials and needs of territory and stakeholders. In the domain of investment in the development of the area, various actors of the international, national, regional and local levels are involved. At the international level, these are mainly projects implemented with the support of the European Union. In the last five years, the City has invested more than €1.000.000 in the improvement and enrichment of tourist content in the Djetinja Gorge, with the support of the EU PRO, Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, The U.S. Ambassador's Fund For Cultural Preservation, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Justice, and the EU through the IPA CBC program. At the regional level, the City of Uzice has achieved significant cooperation with: Regional Development Agency Zlatibor, Regional Chamber of Commerce, and Regional Center for Waste Management Duboko, in the consultative and development frameworks. At local level, more than 15 stakeholders from public sector (Toursim organization of Uzice, National Museum Uzice, Tourism Organization of the West Serbia Region, PUC Veliki park, newly established Open-air archaeological museum StaPark, Museum-tourist facility Sarganska osmica, Carobni breg – visitor center of the Mokra Gora Nature Park); NGO sector (Association Izazov Tare, Association Kapedunum, Sport club Stari grad, Mountaineer clubs Rujno and Ere, Association Alasi sa Djetinje and Association Ljubitelji banja); and Zip line "Stari grad", PR Klisura 031 - "Djetinja Challenge" and Tara Hostel hiking Center as SMEs involved in overall area development. The city of Užice has also achieved significant cooperation with the Archaeological Institute, the Institute for Nature Protection of Serbia, the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments of Serbia, the Western Serbia Academy of Applied Studies, the Secondary Art School...
Interventions provide new forms of presentation and interpretation of natural and cultural heritage and possibility to renew existing capacities. Educational institutions in Serbia contribute to the proper animation of sites and presentation of culture to the wider public and enable their students to actively participate in creation of storytelling. Professional associations of archeologists, conservers, art historians and history fans ensured professional design and authenticity of the exhibitions. In terms of integration in tourism offer and promotion, 2 local and 1 regional tourism organizations gained tools for promotion of sites on national and international markets with the aim to increase its visibility. Tour operators recognized the importance of introduction of new contents in tourism offer and included it as integral part of their tours. Primary and secondary schools' students got the opportunity for organization of practical classes in nature, workshops related to history, archeology, conservation, manufacturing and other thematic animations. This enables students to be familiarized with their culture and cultural values, to experience real life and to express individual creativity. Uzice National Museum got missing knowledge on lucrative management and contribution in development of new forms of historical heritage presentation. Students at archeology, ethnology and anthropology study programmes have received the opportunity to research and improve professional knowledge and experience on the selected sites, as well to actively participate in operations and presentations of the sites. Added values: upgrading and presentation of unique culture heritage; enhancing inter and multi sector cooperation; introduction of innovative interpretation and increasing awareness of local population. The actions boost creation of favorable investment environment and enable self-employment and opportunities for generation additional income.
Environment protection is one of the most important issues in the EU countries and its future members with the aim of long-term utilization of natural habitats and saving the most precious and most endangered plant and animal species, respectively creating a possibility for sustainable managing the already existing natural resources, in ecological and economic sense. Overall objective is to contribute to improving of management system of protected natural area in order to secure long-term existence of the most endangered species and habitats. Specific objective is to establish a sustainable system of management and utilization of protected area of the Djetinja gorge. Keeping and protecting the natural resources is possible only if a sustainable and functional system of managing is established according to legal regulation. Uzice local self-government recognized the need for further regulation of the Djetinja gorge. R1 is focused on established institutionalized frame for managing the protected area of Djetinja gorge. Group of activities related to this result are dedicated to creation of the institutionalized frame that includes management of the landscape of extraordinary features. On the other hand, R2 is related to the improvement of soft and hard infrastructure in protected area. Activities include the improvement of infrastructure conditions in accordance with the needs of the local community and tourists, fully respecting the postulates of environmental protection. R3 is dedicated to raising public awareness of importance and utilization of protected areas includes activities as education of target groups and final beneficiaries for managing, utilization, and possibilities for improving the protected areas. The education includes the decision makers, stakeholders, NGOs members, as well as educational institutions. R4. The project and protected area promoted at all levels refers to establishing promotional system on local, regional and national Medias.
Interventions include applying innovation logic to restore people-nature-culture connectivity and social cohesion through technologically enabled inclusive, participative, transparent, responsible, responsive and accountable interactions and transactions. Innovations have been applied in the: Physical accessibility (investing in the infrastructure accessibility of the protected area by establishing a vertical lift for vulnerable groups, especially those with difficulty moving, mothers with children, the elderly, nature lovers with different transportation means - bicycles, scooters, rollerblades and e-bikes; Transportation (the introduction of electric-powered line transportation along a 7-km long track for the transportation of children, the elderly, and people with disabilities); Animation (introduction of functional animation models for presentation of unique Neolithic culture heritage in order to increase awareness of local population and tourists, especially of disabled people, children and youth population and professionals); Information availability (designing a single multipurpose virtual guide available at www.klisuradjetinje.rs providing a suitable hub for interaction and coordination of all resources in the Djetinja gorge including 3D virtual tour of the area) and Digitalization (the digital multimedia guide of the Old Town of Uzice provides all necessary information about the site and a historical overview of the fortress and its rulers, through a guide and an audio recording of all historical documents in four languages: Serbian, English, Russian and German. In this application, the web visitor is enabled to create his own route through the medieval fortress, passing through the route is a virtual experience accompanied by multimedia material with a 3D display of objects and objects of that era, which refer to specific positions on the map. Thus, the guide is adapted for people with disabilities).
Planning and managing a protected area is a big challenge in daily practice. Achieving management goals in particularly valuable nature areas depends on the tradition and heritage of the area. The City of Uzice implements the concept of inclusive protection, which, in addition to the protection goals, includes the sustainable development of the area without endangering the special natural values under protection. Sustainable use of protected areas implies the implementation of a series of activities related to the use of natural resources (forestry, hunting, agriculture and fishing, tourism, etc.) as well as for spatial planning, with the aim of long-term preservation of natural and cultural values (traditional architecture, craftsmanship, specifics related to the traditions of the local population). Inclusive protection as concept of socio-economic development is implemented with an emphasis on the participation of the local community in the development and implementation of management plans. The concept of sustainable use of natural resources and goods is applied with the significant involvement of the local community, by ensuring the effective involvement of the public in the decision-making process; introducing mechanisms that enable the provision of financial and other benefits to local community through management measures and sustainable use of natural resources; ensuring the transparency of the decision-making process and the implementation of protection measures; ensuring the availability of information to the public; introducing mechanisms for improving the cooperation of managers of protected area and associations, and improving the system for resolving conflicts of general interests and property rights in protected area. The applied approach refers to shared responsibility, joint decision-making, prioritization, broad participation, inclusion, financing and monitoring system.
Management model. Applied management model based on the concept of inclusive protection is transferable to all areas that apply traditional i.e. conservative area-based management process. The involvement of the local community and a wide network of stakeholders with clearly divided development roles has proven to be a model that is applicable despite the strict concept of legal regulation related to nature protection.
Participatory approach. Approach that has been applied in preservation of the cultural and historical heritage in the Djetinja gorge through establishment and promotion of the sustainable cultural heritage simulation model based on networking and the process of experience transfer between partners (opening of Neolithic Archaeological open-air museum StaPARK in 2022 as unique cultural and historical attraction in the region) is recognized as a successful model of reactivating cultural heritage and involving the wider community (students, researchers, educational and cultural institutions, associations and professionals) in the process of the visitor animation and promotion. This is a new form of historical heritage presentation which could be transfer in interpretation of other historical values in the region. Tourism organizations also have the opportunity to transfer know-how as preserving the heritage and raising its visibility is important for the community.
Responsible behavior. Education of high school children and students is a base for building socially responsible behavior and transferring experience to their peers. Educations of target groups represent the way of promoting a certain behavior regarding existing natural resources.
Safeguard biodiversity. The City of Uzice implements the concept of inclusive protection, which includes the sustainable development of the area without endangering the special natural values under protection.
Promotion of healthy lifestyles. Improved soft and hard infrastructure in protected area of Djetinja gorge encourages physical activity among the entire population and especially among preschool, school children and persons with disabilities. Promoting walking or bicycling even for short distances helps incorporate physical activity into a daily routine.
Application of modern technologies. Applied modern technology in the information availability, communication and promotion of the area takes innovation and creativity to the next level. The communication function has been improved. People are better connected through information technology. Lifestyle has become easier.
Reducing pollution. The introduction of electric vehicles in the Đetinja gorge and ban on the movement of motor vehicles leads to energy savings and cost reduction, and certainly the most significant is the elimination of part of the pollution that contributes to air and soil pollution.
The use of traditional and local products. The project involves preserving and strengthening the production of local and traditional products with: improved nutrition (lack of chemicals, high-nutrients content), food safety, preservation of small farm lands, reduced agricultural footprint, and contribute to the economy, environment, community and personal well-being.
