"For me personally, the project confirmed that we need to switch from working in silos to integrating activities at every level.”
The background
When we hear about smart cities, we think of metropolises such as London or New York managing traffic, pollution and services using high-tech devices. However, this is not always the case and Novo mesto proves that small cities can be key players in driving smart developments in regional areas.
Mid-way between two European capitals, Ljubljana and Zagreb, lies the Slovenian city of Novo mesto, a hub that provides services and jobs at a local, regional and cross-border level.
Although the area comes out top in national regional economy indicators, Novo mesto’s low population density – with around 36 500 people living in 236 km2 – hinders the efficient provision of services and infrastructure.
The challenge
Slovenia’s spatial planning framework, which organises how land is used, recognises the regional function Novo mesto plays within the country. Under the umbrella of two European initiatives – the EU Cohesion Policy and the Urban Agenda for the EU – Novo mesto is identified as a strategic node that should be supported in strengthening its regional role and development potential through different interlinked projects.
Given this, it seems logical to identify synergies across different projects and leverage them through a common approach. However, finding the right approach is not simple. How can we make the most of a limited budget? How can we embed each project into a single ambitious strategy? How can we make authorities change their working culture from silos to smart integration?
The action
Novo mesto embarked on this ambitious project to solve these and many other questions.
How can we make the most of a limited budget?
The Slovenian authorities used an EU funding programme known as the European Structural and Investment Funds, channelling the funds across the regions through integrated territorial investment tools. In order to benefit from these tools, Slovenian cities must address multiple policy goals: urban renewal, energy efficiency and sustainable mobility. In this context, JASPERS was asked to support Novo mesto in becoming both a smart city and a hub for the region.
How can we embed each project into a single ambitious strategy?
JASPERS proposed the use of a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) tool. This tailor-made tool brings together different policy areas into a single Excel spreadsheet, which facilitates urban planning through an integrated approach. The MCA tool enables urban planners to identify policy synergies across multiple projects and establish the framework for a common strategy that integrates key performance indicators across sectors, the city and the region. It also helps manage the budget efficiently and make decisions on whether to keep investing in a project or modify it to maximise the investment.
How can we make authorities change their working culture from silos to smart integration?
Setting up a common approach was arduous; however, the trickiest part was to develop project managers’ proficiency in self-assessment. In other words, to change the way they have been working for decades.This required an honesty exercise and proficiency in scoring the goals achieved. JASPERS’ guidance was key to supporting such self-assessment.
The results
For Novo mesto, being smart means figuring out how to manage its resources more effectively. In this sense, smart solutions are not technological; they are those where people are smart in managing cost-efficient processes with the help of technology.
Novo mesto has managed to integrate different projects and objectives into a coherent whole, with all players involved working towards the same goal. The city is now promoting smart technologies and sustainable urban development and supporting inclusive growth.
Three schemes and 11 proposed actions are already revolutionising the urban landscape and improving the lives of residents and visitors.
Initiatives promoting urban renewal and making Novo mesto a more liveable city include the renovation of the main square, renewal of apartments for young families at the main square and the development of new areas such as the Kette Promenade.
New and expanded spaces such as the multipurpose Levicnikova cycling and walking path, the Irca vas and Loka - Kandija footbridges and Kandija Bridge shared space all aim to promote a healthy, active lifestyle.
The retrofit of public buildings and the Kocevarjeva apartments will improve energy efficiency. The savings on energy consumption will have a positive impact on the environment and on energy bills.
Novo mesto is now solving the biggest question: how can we encourage people to stay in the region and improve their well-being? To answer that, the MCA tool will help it with sustainable, green and smart urban development. In the future, Novo mesto also intends to include social infrastructure and social development in its integrated investment programme.
