Podgorica needs new space for housing and urban development, making the planned Velje Brdo neighbourhood a major opportunity for the Montenegrin capital, Mayor Sasa Mujovic has said.
He told RTV Podgorica that the city had effectively reached the limits of its current development area, while demand for affordable housing continues to grow. According to him, Velje Brdo could help address those pressures, provided construction is carefully managed.
The mayor praised plans for relatively low-rise buildings, limited construction density and substantial green areas, saying they reflected his vision for Podgorica’s future growth.
Mr Mujovic also criticized earlier planning decisions that allowed excessive construction in some neighbourhoods, including Zabjelo, where residents have opposed further development because of overcrowding and poor living conditions.
The capital now faces the challenge of balancing residents’ concerns with the rights of investors who had previously received permission to build. Similar disputes have emerged near Gorica hill, where local opposition has challenged a planned residential development.
According to Mr Mujovic, such cases underline the need for Podgorica to identify new areas where housing and other urban development can take place under better planning standards.