The Parliamentary Committee for Tourism, Agriculture, Ecology and Spatial Planning has approved the Draft Spatial Plan of Montenegro (PPCG), set to remain in effect until 2040. The plan is scheduled for discussion in Parliament, and its adoption is considered a strategic priority.
Svetlana Jovanović, the plan’s lead author, emphasized that the PPCG should not be politicized, as it concerns all citizens and political parties. Although the planning process began in 2018, she noted it is beneficial that the plan is being adopted following the national census. She also stated that no new public debate is required, as the draft plan contains no major strategic changes.
Opposition members criticized the process, claiming that legal procedures were bypassed, particularly due to the absence of an opinion from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, the Ministry of Spatial Planning confirmed that the EPA’s opinion was eventually received.
Jovanović stressed the importance of monitoring the plan’s implementation and urged institutions to develop supporting documents that reflect its strategic directions. She warned of Montenegro’s vulnerability to seismic risks, citing overdevelopment, inadequate infrastructure, and high population density in seismic zones—particularly along the coast.
She clarified that the plan does not authorize construction on Velika Plaža or in Buljarica, stating that it only outlines general land use and that any development must be defined in lower-level municipal plans.
Velika Plaža is mentioned as a potential site for an exclusive tourism complex, provided that environmental and seismic risks are considered. The plan also supports assessing new construction zones on Velje Brdo, especially in the context of housing policy, with municipalities given flexibility to adjust construction areas.
Regarding energy, Jovanović stated that the Komarnica hydropower project is strategically needed but acknowledged public division. The project is undergoing environmental impact assessment, and if found harmful, it will be abandoned. Similarly, the Brajići wind farm is included due to its strategic energy importance, despite local opposition, with conditions set to ensure environmental and community protection.
She underlined that projects aimed at developing northern Montenegro—especially in transport, tourism, and healthcare—must be prioritized. Transport issues between Podgorica and the coast cannot wait several years, or tourism development could suffer significantly.
Former minister Ana Novaković-Đurović criticized the current government for political interference and noted that despite expectations for a new approach, the final version of the plan largely mirrors the previous draft. She warned that under a new agreement with the UAE, investment interests may override strategic planning, undermining the purpose of the PPCG.
