Spajić: More than 15,000 citizens households applied for the Velje Brdo project; Radunović: Even those who criticized us should celebrate today, the first phase includes 630 apartments

The vision of decision-makers is only good if it aligns with the real needs of citizens. More than 15,000 households have shown that they believe in this project and have formally applied - said Prime Minister Milojko Spajić on the occasion of the start of construction of the Velje Brdo boulevard, as well as the future Podgorica settlement.

From today, according to him, we can say that the vision is merging with reality and that the Velje Brdo project has begun.

- Many doubted, but I think this is one of many steps that will follow. There is a delay of several months, evidently, but the most important thing is that the project has started and that we can see a shovel in the ground - said Spajić.

Several months of delay

When asked when the first move-ins could be expected, the Prime Minister replied that those who accused them of this being a pre-election trick and serving only electoral purposes are now the same people complaining about a delay of several months and who obstructed the adoption of the Spatial Plan.

- The adoption of the Spatial Plan was delayed by seven months due to the inability to hold public hearings. Despite all the obstructions, I believe this project is progressing at a satisfactory pace and I am convinced that citizens will be satisfied - said Spajić.

Asked again about the timeline, he said he believes the delay is only a few months.

- I am convinced that we will all witness the opening of Velje Brdo in the future. Stay tuned and follow it - said Spajić.

When asked whether it is realistic for the first apartments to be completed by 2027, he replied that we will see.

- The delay is very small and everything will happen within a timeframe that citizens will understand. The most important thing is that 15,000 families have applied for this project. I am convinced that this number will grow. It is natural that citizens, after such a campaign, did not believe the project would start, but today we can see that it is truly being realized and we expect even greater interest - said Spajić.

Asked whether there will be priority groups, whether people who already own property will be able to buy apartments, and when the rules will be published, he said that the rulebook is being finalized.

- We have excellent cooperation with the World Bank and other institutions that are helping us with this rulebook. There are global experiences that clearly show how to address social policy through housing policy. More affordable square meters are greatly needed by citizens, and we want them to be able to afford housing at normal prices and live in their own country in their own homes - Spajić emphasized.

Responding to a question about whether the price of €1,000 per square meter would remain given inflation, he said they would fulfill everything they promised.

The Prime Minister was also asked about the European path and a meeting with the opposition, noting that after this beautiful gathering he is going to meet them and that he is pleased about it.

When told that opposition representatives said they would not attend because they do not want to simulate democracy ahead of the official visit of Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, he said that „coffee and cake will be waiting for them“.

- Thank you very much - Spajić added.

A special day

Minister of Spatial Planning, Urbanism and State Property Slaven Radunović said that this is a special day for Montenegro.

- We are on the verge of realizing the largest urban development project in Montenegro’s history. Today is a ceremonial day, and even those who criticized us from the beginning, who doubted that the Prime Minister and I were engaged in political marketing, should celebrate. When they saw that was not the case, they turned to discussing delays, and eventually questioned the international competition - said Radunović.

He added that, as they said then and say now, they will appreciate those who stood by them.

- And those who did not, we invite to rejoice with us, because this is for the benefit of both the critics and the skeptics. This will relieve Podgorica, lower property and rental prices, and I warmly recommend all young couples, tenants, and people in need to apply. We will build as much as necessary - Radunović emphasized.

As much as needed, the state will invest.

- We will also enable commercial construction and sales - he said.

Asked whether the environmental impact assessment would be completed by the end of the year when apartment construction is planned to start, Radunović said they should have long stopped responding to questions based on concerns raised by unnamed parts of the public, referring to them as „certain environmental activists“.

- Many have fallen silent in the meantime. I greatly respect the civil sector, but there are so-called specialists who try to spoil the game. We don’t have time to waste on such responses. You heard about the studies, those will be completed, otherwise, it would make no sense to do them after construction begins. Be upset with us if we waste time doing nothing, but making predictions about global trends, fuel availability, and similar issues - we cannot talk about months when dealing with projects of this scale - Radunović said.

He specified that the first phase currently underway includes 630 apartments.

- That is a huge number, about one-third of Blok 5 (a Podgorica settlement). The second phase will begin immediately, meaning that while the first phase is under construction, the second will also proceed, and so on. Our success is the well-being of Montenegro’s citizens - Radunović said.

Retaining young people

Podgorica Mayor Saša Mujović emphasized that Podgorica is the administrative and cultural center of Montenegro, and through this project they aim to retain young people while also helping citizens with insufficient income solve their housing issues.

- I insist that this settlement be a true example of a humane living environment, that Podgorica finally returns to the good examples of urban design we had in the past. Podgorica is a city that requires space and openness. I want us to demonstrate and implement all that valuable knowledge in architecture and planning here - Mujović stressed.

He added that he would not like to ever again see in Podgorica what exists within the detailed urban plans of Zabjelo Ljubović, Gorica C, and the City Quarter.

- Buildings should be constructed in accordance with requirements, but housing density must be appropriate, and construction must be accompanied by adequate infrastructure - Mujović said.

The Velje Brdo settlement, he noted, will not be good if it consists only of buildings.

- We will require that each new residential block be accompanied by kindergartens, schools, and other infrastructure projects. Only then will this settlement be representative and beneficial for the citizens of Podgorica - Mujović said.

Manipulations

Minister of Public Works Majda Adžović said that it is now clear to everyone that the announcements are over and that one of the largest projects in Montenegro - Velje Brdo - has officially begun.

- Manipulations aimed to create distrust, from mocking the idea itself to public claims that it was unfeasible, and when the Government showed that it is feasible, the only thing left was bargaining over deadlines - Adžović said.

According to her, unlike other large projects, this one has the potential to solve one of the most pressing issues - housing for citizens who cannot afford property at current market prices, as well as for tenants.

She said she is glad they have moved from offices to the field.

- This is what building Montenegro looks like in practice - she added.

Water supply

Director of Podgorica Waterworks Aleksandar Nišavić said that at the beginning of January, in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Works, a working team was formed to develop solutions and a strategy to determine the required water quantities for this settlement without burdening the existing water supply system.

- A strategy for hydrological and technological research is being prepared regarding the required drinking water quantities, as well as wastewater management systems. A study on the impact on the Mareza water source is also underway. The Capital City is also working on a water supply strategy in which all water resources will be examined to ensure that this settlement functions smoothly without jeopardizing the overall system - said Nišavić.