What We Can Learn from the Process of Urbanization of a Mountain Tourist Resort: The Zlatibor Case
What We Can Learn from the Process of Urbanization of a Mountain Tourist Resort: The Zlatibor Case

Author(s): Milorad Filipović, Miroljub Hadžić, Miodrag Vujošević
Subject(s): Economy, Tourism
Published by: Udruženje ekonomista i menadžera Balkana
Keywords: Tourism; Sustainable development; Spatial development; Urbanism
Summary/Abstract: Serbia started the transition in 2000 using a neoliberal development approach. Since 2012, a populist model of development has been underway. In such an environment the mountain tourist resort of Zlatibor became an example of an inadequate decision-making process, with inevitable negative long-term outcomes. Speeding up in reforming construction permits, unfortunately, made room for too fast urbanization of Zlatibor. Granting construction permits on the local level, without a comprehensive development plan of the destination as a broaden development frame, was a wrong reforming step. It is complicated by political fighting between the top (Republican) level and local level of governing, regarding interests. An additional problem is related to the wrong defined place for decision – making process. Namely, Zlatibor became too large and too rich for its local capital, Čajetina. The aim of the paper is firstly, to envisage development problems of Zlatibor, potentially “Mountain Kaludjerica”, like ecological, infrastructure and touristic disaster, if rapid, chaotic urbanization continues, and secondly, to point out some institutional, decision making and practical steps toward neutralization of these negative outcomes.

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