Sarajevo Canton Government project for UNSA continues: We are bringing life back to this part of the city, the Campus is becoming a modern urban oasis for young people

On the occasion of the beginning of works on the construction and arrangement of green and sports areas within the University of Sarajevo Campus, Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, Edin Forto, Minister of Science, Higher Education and Youth KS, Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Nikolić, UNSA Rector, Prof. Dr. Rifat Škrijelj and the Assistant Mayor of Novo Sarajevo for Civil Protection Muhamed Memišević visited this location.

The first phase of works begins with the demolition of five dilapidated buildings and the cleaning of the terrain. Numerous facilities, including a long running track, will give extra dynamism to this part of the city.

This important project, implemented by the Sarajevo Canton Government together with the Municipality of Novo Sarajevo, UNSA and UNDP, will take place in three phases. After the first phase of cleaning the terrain, which should be completed within a month, the construction of temporary green, sports and recreational areas will follow.

Thanks to the project of the Government of KS, the campus will get a completely new spatial identity. It is no coincidence that the Campus, as the engine of spiritual and intellectual development of the Sarajevo region and the state of BiH, is located in the heart of the capital.

Yet the ruins, rubbish, unlit parts and unused space in the highly potent part of the city, gave a picture of a non-domestic attitude towards the common good and an attitude towards progress.

“We are bringing life back to this part of the city by building a sports and recreational zone and giving a new face to the Campus, as students and this city deserve. Wherever we traveled, optimism was aroused by scenes where many young people are on beautifully landscaped green areas in their daily activities. Both UNSA students and this city deserve such pictures“ said the Prime Minister of KS Edin Forto.

According to Minister Nikolić, today's works represent a turn in relation to an extremely valuable resource.

“Until now, there have been sporadic activities on the arrangement of the former barracks, and today's Campus. However, today, for the first time, the works that are part of the systemic approach and joint efforts of the Government of KS, the Municipality of Novo Sarajevo and the University of Sarajevo will begin. The modern urban oasis, as we envisioned it and working together with the EIB, guarantees that we will revitalize the Campus in the near future and enable the exchange of ideas and the creation of innovative solutions. I am happy and proud to participate in the process of urban transformation of the Sarajevo Canton,” stated Minister Nikolić.

Rector Škrijelj said that the University of Sarajevo, after successfully resolving the issue of ownership and establishing the Directorate for Construction and Maintenance of the Campus, gave new impetus to the development projects of this UNSA student center, primarily the construction of the University Library this project of building and arranging green and sports areas.

“Contents envisaged by the project task - a multifunctional trail in the shape of a square, a trim trail with outdoor gyms for exercise, hiking trails with several special horticultural landscaped areas and urban furniture, will be available to students and professors of our University and citizens. I thank the Municipality of Novo Sarajevo, the Government of the Sarajevo Canton and the United Nations Development Program for their support,” said Rector Škrijelj.

According to Memišević, the cooperation with UNSA started immediately after Chief Hasan Tanović took over the mandate, and from then until today, every step was productive and concrete.

“The great challenge is the construction of the University Library, which, after many years of blockades, finally started last year. Today's beginning of the organization of the Campus is an indicator of how important it is to have a common vision and cooperation at different levels of government,” said Memišević.