Jovanović: Serbia Adopts Plans Without Public Debate, Costing Citizens Dearly

Nikola Jovanović, director of the Center for Local Self-Government, has sharply criticized the Serbian authorities' method of adopting development plans, stating that the process consistently bypasses public discussion and citizen input.

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the bypass is very important and must be done, but the big problem is that plans are made without public discussion and without consulting citizens, and it turns out that the bypass does not bypass, but divides several settlements in Pantelej.

Jovanović pointed to the general regulation plan for the Pantelej municipality in Niš, which includes a railway bypass, as a prime example of this flawed approach. While acknowledging the necessity of the bypass to divert transit traffic from the city center, he highlighted that the current route divides several settlements within Pantelej. This has understandably angered residents who are demanding a route that does not disrupt their lives.

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We have dangerous materials in Belgrade that are not transported by bypass, but through the Vračar tunnel through the city center.

This pattern of decision-making, Jovanović stated, is not an isolated incident but a rule across Serbia. He drew a parallel to Belgrade, where hazardous materials are transported through a central tunnel instead of a bypass. He expressed dismay at the widespread disregard for citizens, who are often presented with faits accomplis rather than being involved in the decision-making process. This occurs in Niš, Belgrade, and Kragujevac, among other cities.

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citizens are part of the decision-making process, not always presented with a fait accompli.

According to Jovanović, this lack of foresight and citizen consultation leads to repeated work and increased costs, as new plans and projections become necessary when routes are changed. He emphasized that time is a valuable resource, and delays caused by such mismanagement not only waste public funds but also disrespect the dignity and lives of citizens. He also noted a recent session of the Belgrade Assembly, where a proposed public-private partnership for city security was removed from the agenda, which he considered a significant victory for public and expert opinion.

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Time costs, our lifespan is limited. That is why we often complain when some work is delayed, because we will not live forever. Time is a resource.