Workshop on integrated transport and spatial planning in Croatia
EUKI project “CLIMove – Co-creating Climate and Mobility Sustainability” organised a workshop on integrated spatial and transport planning and green financing in Poreč, Croatia. Participants learnt that interdisciplinary spatial and transport planning delivers better, more inclusive and more resilient solutions. The focus was on accessibility, safe active mobility, connected transport systems and alignment with climate and social objectives. They also recognised that traditional funding is insufficient. Cities should link budgets to climate targets and strengthen local capacity – for example, through green bonds, ESCO models, participatory budgeting and blended finance.
The aim was to encourage participants to change their planning approach – moving away from a sectoral and reactive approach towards an integrated and systematic one. In addition, the organisers sought to explore innovative ways of financing measures and projects that contribute to climate neutrality.
An integrated approach to spatial and transport planning assumes that the way we plan ambition, but it is systemically planned and built today through concrete spatial decisions. Green financing and budgeting enable the implementation of such solutions by aligning budgets with climate goals and using available funding sources, which is especially important in the context of the new financial framework of the European Union.
“Climate resilience is not a future that is being awaited, but a present that is being strategically planned and actively built, it is not a luxurious ambition, but a necessary responsibility for current and future generations.”
Gordana Lalić, CEO of the Municipal company for the construction of Croatian city Poreč-Parenzo
Day 1: Integrated Transport – Spatial Plannings
Participants analysed three possible locations and assessed their suitability regarding the availability of facilities and transport connections.
In the second part of the workshop, participants took on the roles of different stakeholders (residents, visitors, employees, tenants) and defined their needs, daily movement patterns and obstacles. Based on this, concrete measures were proposed in the planning and construction phase, as well as long-term solutions for spatial development.
It was concluded that solutions should be based on:
- Enhancing accessibility through wider sidewalks, tactile surfaces, ramps and safe pedestrian infrastructure;
- Introducing lower speed zones (e.g. 30 km/h) and noise reduction measures;
- Development of green infrastructure and urban equipment (trees, shading, benches, public taps) to reduce heat islands and increase comfort;
- Improving safety through public lighting and sound signalling;
- Strengthening connectivity of all forms of transport (walking, cycling, public transport);
- Parking management (capacity analysis, usage regulation) and ensuring public transport (e.g. minibus lines).
It was emphasized that changes are possible through small but strategic interventions in existing infrastructure, but they require clear priorities and consistency in decision-making. Also, to encourage changes in habits, it is necessary to prioritize the provision of quality pedestrian and cycling infrastructure over car infrastructure, and in order for the entire planning process to function, it is necessary to develop and interdisciplinary approach.
Day 2: Green and Innovative Financing
The second day of the workshop was dedicated to the financial framework for achieving climate neutrality, with an emphasis on available sources of financing and their possibilities for application at the local level.
Participants discussed on the topic of innovative financing models for climate neutrality projects. The participants analyzed different sources of financing and developed proposals for possible ways of financing in the local context with a focus on projects that support the goal of climate neutrality of cities.
It was emphasized that traditional financing models are not sufficient to close the financial construction of the green transition and that a shift towards blended and innovative approaches is necessary.
The need for cities to take on the role of catalysts that connect public, private and civic sources of financing was highlighted, using instruments such as green bonds, Energy Service Company (ESCO) models, participatory budgeting and blended finance.
Combining different sources and strengthening local capacities was highlighted as a key direction to bridge the financial gap and enable long-term, sustainable implementation of the climate transition.
Conclusion
The discussions showed that key challenges remain sectoral planning, car dominance, reactive action and lack of interdisciplinary capacity, with weak links between planning and financing. The need for an integrated approach linking spatial and transport planning with climate objectives and budgets, strengthening accessibility, managing transport demand and implementing climate validation was highlighted as a direction for action. Innovative financing models, combining sources of funding and strengthening local capacity are essential for a successful transition, with a shift to a strategic, long-term approach that puts community needs and quality of life at the centre.
The workshop was organised by ODRAZ in cooperation with the City of Poreč and Net Zero Cities initiative. The workshop was attended by more than 40 participants, including representatives of ministries, cities and municipalities, representatives of public transport and the civil sector, and experts working on climate neutrality and EU programs.
More about the workshop is available HERE.