Municipality of Maribor
Project FunReg PolicyNet
NEWSLETTER no. 3
Municipality Mosciano Sant'Angelo
Municipality Rijeka
Maribor, September 2013
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Table of Contents
1.
Fifth Event in Maribor, Slovenia ............................................................................................. 2
2.
Sixth Event in Graz, Austria..................................................................................................... 4
3.
Seventh Event in Mosciano Sant Angelo, Italy ................................................................... 6
4.
The Forecast of the following Events ................................................................................... 8
5.
Contact data of project partners ............................................................................................ 9
The FunReg PolicyNet project turns into the final phase. In recent months we have
organized three project events. Topics that have been discussed are following the
outlined plan. Events are getting consistent form that enables all partners an
intensive exchange of views. Over the past events and topics that have been
discussed we realize that all local communities and functional regions facing similar
challenges. Through presentations and experience exchanges, we notice that some
of the challenges we solve on the same way and in some cases, our approaches are
different. This diversity and the search for new ideas and solutions give our meetings
and gatherings special added value.
Except project partners, the event are also attended by interested institutions and
organizations from the local environment. Many times citizens join us, whether they
are interested in topics of our events, they wish to obtain additional information,
express their opinion, ask questions the persons responsible, or out of curiosity.
In the following we will briefly introduce the three events, which were performed
during the period from March to mid-July 2013.
1. Fifth Event in Maribor, Slovenia
Lead partner Municipality of Maribor has organized fifth event in Maribor. We have
spoken about very relevant topic, waste management in functional region. The event
took place from 25th to 27th of March 2013.
The representatives of company Snaga Ltd. from Maribor presented the topic of
waste management in Maribor functional region. The company is public utility service
for collecting and processing waste on the area of city Maribor and neighboring
municipalities. For the company that works according to the European standards in
the field of waste, the management of processing collected waste becomes the
central activity focusing the future development.
They presented the area of waste management such as collecting, separating and
waste disposal. In Maribor functional region is the waste management situation as
follows: a high degree of separation and collection of waste is established, the project
of construction of pre-treatment of waste is in the implementation phase, the city is
setting the location of the WTE device, but it is also known that in the medium term
there will not be the landfills in the area.
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They also said that, in Maribor there is well developed system of collecting and
sorting of non-communal waste, most of separately collected fractions (much like in
the rest of Europe) are exported (China), a smaller part of waste from industry is
processed in Slovenia. In recent years, they record a substantial decline in mixed
communal waste from the industry, which shows the development of the waste
management in companies, construction waste is processed in private companies,
as well as metal - a traditional activity in the region.
Fifth event in Maribor
Fifth event in Maribor
In Maribor operates wastewater treatment plant that clean waste water from sanitary
and storm sewers. Operation of the WWTP has presented the secretary of the Office
of Utility, Transport and Spatial Planning, Municipality of Maribor. Intermunicipal
Office for Environmental Protection and Conservation of the Municipality of Maribor
presented the activities and projects in the field of environmental protection.
Presentations of waste management were also given by representatives of the
project partners. In the area of Rijeka functional region company Čistoća Ltd. Rijeka
is providing the service of waste management. Company is operating in the cities
Rijeka, Bakar, Kastav, Kraljevica, Čavle, Jelenje, Klan, Kostrena and Viskovo. They
observe that the total amount of waste turn down from 2007 to 2012 (decrease was
almost 100%). They deposit waste at the waste collection center in Mariščica.
In the functional region of Graz, a public service of waste collection runs company
Holding Graz Services. Company collects other and hazardous waste, organic waste,
paper, glass bottles, clean the area around the container. Waste is sorted and
disposed to the processing center.
Waste collection takes place according to the "catch-up system" - it is easier to take
waste away when it is packed in yellow bags. In year 2012 in Graz collected 170,000
tons of waste together, of which 50,000 tons of other waste, 30,000 tons of organic
waste, 25,000 tons of paper and 7,000 tons of glass.
The last day of the event we viewed collection, separation and disposal of waste on
the area of Maribor funtional region. Representatives of company Snaga showed us
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some collectiong point in the city. They also took us to close temporary landfill in the
suburbs of Maribor.
View of the recycling island in Maribor
View of small gas-fired power in landfill
Dogoše
2. Sixth Event in Graz, Austria
Sixth project event took place in Graz in Austria. The Municipality Graz hosted the
event. It lasted two days on 13th and 14th May 2013. The central focus of the event
was mobility in functional region.
Participants in the project presented the measures of each municipality traffic
services to control the traffic system, to resolve conflicts in the operation of the
system and implement the objectives in the field of sustainable mobility. It turns out
that the aims of traffic in cities are very similar, almost identical. They relate to the
provision of traffic flow, encourage the use of public transport as well as finding
solutions to the stationary traffic.
Austrian project partners have invited numerous guests who have prepared a
concise review of transport policy in the functional region of Graz. The concept of
regional mobility in the region of Styria is based on the actions and investments in
transport infrastructure. Important was the agreement between the municipalities
(Graz and neighboring municipalities). In the town of Graz they have prepared the
concept of mobility, Graz 2020. The main principles of transport policy in Graz are:
the sustainability in the spotlight as the Graz is city of short distances, the need for an
integrated view of mobility and mobility in the urban area is the right path for
environmentally friendly mobility.
The Styria Transport Association presented a unified tariff system Styria. The main
objective is to integrate the various transport systems and to establish a single ticket.
With this system they began in 1994 in the area of Graz, in the following years it has
been extended to a broader range of Styria. They wish to encourage the use of
public transport with a single ticket which is very simple for the residents. On this way
they connected almost all transport companies in the wider area.
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They presented also a Trams network in Graz, which is being developed since 1980.
It is a form of soft mobility, which emphasis pedestrians and cyclists as the central
users of the public transport. This kind of mobility is encouraged mostly by the
environmental groups. Reduce car usage to optimal levels, speed reduction
(between 30 and 50 km / h) and the regulation of parking in the city.
Sixth event in Graz
We tested the mobility in Graz
Project partners from Maribor presented renovation of the city road network with a
change of driving and cycling network in Maribor. A representative of the municipality
showed the road regulation, bike trails, streets, pavements and pedestrian areas in
the city of Maribor. He also showed the various solutions of changing the traffic
regime, which should be friendly to all traffic users.
City of Maribor promotes cycling and develops the cycling culture. The representative
of Maribor cycling network introduced a few projects that have been implemented in
recent years in the city and surrounding, which enabled the construction and
development of the cycling network. The network is a non-governmental organization
which acts in the areas of transport planning, cycling tourism, traffic safety and
education.
Municipality of Rijeka has presented the city as an important transport junction on the
territory of Croatia and beyond. Rijeka is Croatia's largest port, is an important
logistics center and a strategic road junction. In recent years the city carried out three
major logistics projects: the new western container port, new sports harbor and a
new residential neighborhood. City is responsible for the development of urban
transport and it maintains the road network. Company Rijeka promet Ltd. function as
the transport public service. Their mission is to improve the efficiency of the transport
system in the city, to improve traffic safety, to reduce pollution, to regulating the
transport system they want as close as possible meet the needs and desires of
residents.
Particular attention is paid to public city transport, bus transport without delay. The
priorities are: the extension of the green wave for buses, information about the
movements and bus arrivals, payment with a smart card or mobile phone.
The second day of the event we went on a tour of Graz by public transport, with the
slogan "Try mobility in Graz." We looked at the operation of public transport, saw the
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priorities of the organization and the development of roads in the city center and
some residential neighborhoods, where passenger traffic is completely subordinated
to the public, and how the traffic can be unobtrusive element of the living
environment, not only the part of technical system.
3. Seventh Event in Mosciano Sant Angelo, Italy
The seventh event of the FunReg project discussed the topic of tourism in the
functional region. In the period from 8th to 9th July 2013, we met again in the Italian
Moscianu Sant 'Angelo. Tourism is actual topic in last few years and has big
potentials. The regions, project partners are coming from, have in this area great
development potentials and opportunities. It was therefore interesting to look at how
local communities and functional regions respond to the situation, as the economic
crisis has also affected this segment, in particular, changed tourists consumption
habits.
Hosts from Mosciano have presented the tourism in funtional region Abruzzo with
spatial focus on province Teramo. Region Abruzzo includes:
1. National park Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga: the largest protected area in
Europa and precious, natural heritage and environmentally unique area,
extraordinary flora and fauna.
2. 6 natural Reserve (Badlands from Atrija, river Fiumetto, riverbeds Salinello,
castle Cerreto, regional park of river Vomano and natural Reserve Corno
Grande).
3. Marine oasis along the coast.
They also establish protected areas: marine protected area called "Torre di Cerrano"
and the Marine Park Piceno.
University in Teramo – Faculty for Tourism and sport has presented first-cycle
degree programm in tourism studies and their international involvement. With this
programm they want to approach the education of young people to the needs of the
tourist industry. They are involved in many international programs, such as:
Erasmus, Comenius, Leonardo da Vinci and Grundtvig. In this way, young people
and employees obtain practical skills at home and abroad, thereby expanding their
knowledge and increase job opportunities.
Hereinafter two tourism organizations presented themselves. First were a destination
management company DMC Costa dei Parchi d'Abruzzo and second Regional Hotel
Association Federalberghi. They primarily help in development of tourism products
that are interesting to tourists and to keep them as long as possible in their area. At
the same time they assist to individuals and groups who wish to start businesses in
the field of tourism.
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Seventh event in Mosciano
Seventh event in Mosciano
Then the presentations of project partners have followed. First were partners from
Graz. The strategic position of touristic Graz is the result of three different segments:
 Graz, the cultural capital – appealing contrast of the historic old town and
Eggenberg Palace being a World Cultural Heritage site, and the remarkable
contemporary architecture like the Kunsthaus and the Murinsel. Graz is also listed
as a UNESCO City of Design.
 Graz, the capital of culinary delights – the culinary offer, the competence in wine
and beer and the wonderful atmosphere of the city are - without a doubt - the
main assets of Graz. The goal is to provide the tasty products of the surrounding
area, events lasts whole year.
 Graz, the city of knowledge – the universities and research institutes are definitely
more than just a solid basis for the congress and convention competence of Graz.
They guarantee a successful business location. Two largest are „World Filtration
Congress (WFC) in April and „ÖGIM“(annual meeting of the Austrian Society of
Internal Medicine) in September.
City of Maribor presented tourism potentials, which are mainly a variety of tourist
infrastructure, a destination that has in radius of 30 km more than 0.5 million
inhabitants. Tourism is one of the development priorities, picturesque landscapes,
diverse cultural and natural heritage, easy traffic access.
In Maribor and the surrounding area dominate following forms of tourism: a) winter
ski tourism on Pohorje, b) city tourism, c) rural tourism and d) walking tourism. In year
2012 Maribor with surroundings recorded 302,500 overnight stays. Average tourists
stay 2.5 days, most of them coming from Croatia, Hungary, Germany, Austria and
Italy, mostly in July and August, January and February. This was followed by
presentation of VinoCool project.
Municipality Rijeka presented tourism on Kvarner area. The Kvarner tourist region
includes some of Croatia's most diverse natural landscapes: coast, islands and
highlands. The name Kvarner comes from the Latin word Quaternarius meaning "four
cardinal points”. Thanks to the favorable climate on the coast, winter health tourism
started developing as early as 1880, later shifting to the summer months. A new
destination to be discovered where mid European and Mediterranean cultures meet,
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unique combination of sea shore and highlands, great cultural heritage, UNESCO
Intangible Heritage.
The specialty of city Rijeka tourism is to encourage connection and presentation of
tourist attractions through internet. One of these services is the free wireless (Wi-Fi)
connection. Internet signal covers the downtown area, part of Trsat, the swimmingpool complex at Kantrida, the Centre Zamet and the cinema "Art-kino Croatia".
AdriaGUIDE Rijeka - Travel Guide with navigation for the city of Rijeka provides
most important information for visitors. They can find over 450 interesting points in
AdriaGUIDE and receive live information, so they can easily plan & enjoy trips.
Information is divided in to 9 basic categories. Languages: English, German,
Croatian, Italian.
QR CODE - Rijeka’s monuments tell their stories through the modern technology as
well – all smartphones and tablets owners can scan the QR codes marked on them
and get more information in English, German, Italian and Croatian language.
Entrance to National Park of Gran Sasso
Visit to Museum in the National park
On the second day we visited the National Park Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga. It is
located in the mountainous part of the region of Abruzzo in central Italy. Gran Sasso
forms the central part of the Gran Sassa e Monti della Laga National Park. It was
established in 1993 and holds the highest mountains in continental Italy south of the
Alps and is part of the Apennines mountain range that runs the entire length of the
Italian peninsula. Teramo and L'Aquila are the nearest cities. Town Assergi at the
foot of the mountains is the nearest village. By bus we saw a couple of interesting
points on the plateau and the Museum of the National Park.
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4. The Forecast of the following Events
Till the end of the project there will be implement still 2 events. Dates of events and
topics that will be discussed are as follows:
No
1
2
Place
Rijeka
Maribor
Date
23. – 24. 9. 2013
6. – 8. 11. 2013
Topics
Strengthening local/regional identity
Final project event
If you are interested in any topic and theme of designing the model of functional
regions, we invite you to join us at our next events.
5. Contact data of project partners
Our activities in the FunReg PolicyNet project will succeed only with your
cooperation, information, suggestions and ideas. We use this opportunity to invite
you to participate in our activities. You can find all contact and details of project
partners on the project website:
http://www.projekti-maribor.si/funreg.
Best regards,
Partners of FunReg Project
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