Petrinja’s Sustainable Reconstruction: EBRD Presents Findings for Post-Earthquake Recovery

Petrinja’s Sustainable Reconstruction: EBRD Presents Findings for Post-Earthquake Recovery

(IN BRIEF) The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has shared the initial findings of a study on the sustainable reconstruction of Petrinja, Croatia, following a devastating earthquake in 2020. The study, funded by the government of Japan, aims to revitalize the city’s economy and incorporate lessons learned from the earthquake. Urban regeneration consultants and civil society experts have been engaged to identify opportunities for sustainable redevelopment and involve the local community. The study presented two development scenarios, including the transformation of a neglected area into a mixed-use residential neighborhood. The EBRD has invested €4.5 billion in the Croatian economy, with a focus on sustainable infrastructure.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 8-Jun-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), a multilateral developmental investment bank, has revealed the preliminary findings of an expert study on the sustainable reconstruction of Petrinja, a city in central Croatia that was severely impacted by an earthquake in 2020.

Funded by the government of Japan through the Japan-EBRD Cooperation Fund, the project aims to create a comprehensive redevelopment proposal for Petrinja, focusing on revitalizing the city’s economy, which has been in decline for several decades. The study also seeks to incorporate the lessons learned from the devastating earthquake.

The first results of the project, titled “Petrinja Post-Earthquake Urban Regeneration – Strategic Support Services (Building Back Better),” were unveiled during an event in Petrinja. The event was attended by Victoria Zinchuk, the EBRD Director for Central Europe, Magdalena Komes, the Mayor of Petrinja, and Iso Masato, the Ambassador of Japan to Croatia.

To attract investment and residents back to the city, the urban development plan for Petrinja must have a forward-looking approach. The EBRD has engaged urban regeneration consultants to identify best practices and opportunities for sustainable, post-earthquake urban regeneration. Civil society experts have also been involved in engaging local NGOs and the wider community to gather insights and ideas for building a more resilient city.

“The ultimate goal of the project is to ensure the solid grounding of future urban regeneration infrastructure projects, which will be discussed with the local community and focused on ensuring long-term resilience, sustainability and liveability as well as boosting the local economy,” said Victoria Zinchuk.

The urban regeneration consultants, KCAP from Switzerland and Urbanex from Croatia, have conducted a comprehensive analysis that includes the impact of the earthquake, local demographics, population movements, economic and social dynamics, green spaces, and existing development plans. They presented two development scenarios, with a particular focus on transforming a neglected area near the former railway station into a mixed-use residential neighborhood that can attract economic and socio-cultural activities.

The Solidarna Foundation, deeply connected to the Petrinja community since its involvement in the earthquake response, presented plans for involving local residents in the project’s next steps through focus groups, workshops, and public presentations.

To date, the EBRD has invested €4.5 billion in the Croatian economy, with over €1 billion dedicated to sustainable infrastructure projects.

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SOURCE: EBRD