The city of Bihać is located in the northwest of Bosnia and Herzegovina and is known for its exceptional natural beauty and rich cultural and historical heritage. Much of the city abounds with springs, streams, rivers, and underground waters, and the first thing that comes to mind when mentioning this area is undoubtedly the emerald-green Una River, with its famous waterfalls – Štrbački Buk and Martin Brod.
It is precisely these natural wonders that attract visitors from around the world, which is why Bihać pays special attention to the development of sustainable tourism while preserving the natural environment. However, the other side of the coin points to growing threats, such as illegal construction and the concreting of riverbanks, which could seriously damage the natural landscape and biological balance of the area.
What are the city authorities doing to protect natural resources and prevent pollution? What is the Emerald Road project, and what are the latest developments in the city? We learned more from Elvedin Sedić, Mayor of Bihać.
Q: Which natural resources would you single out as the most important for the City of Bihać, and how significant are they for local development?
A: Bihać is no longer an industrial city, and I believe we must come to terms with that. The era of major industrial giants like Gorenje, Kombiteks and Polietilenka is behind us. The time when the city relied solely on industry has passed, and today, in terms of local development, we must think differently. When we talk about resources, especially natural ones, Una is without doubt our greatest natural asset and development potential. It is the foundation of our identity and the lifeblood of this region.
Aside from Una, I would also highlight forest resources, especially timber, which has unfortunately remained underutilised in the post-war period. We failed to develop a stronger timber industry, and there lies room for a serious strategic breakthrough. We have the resource, we have the knowledge, and we need more coordination and vision to transform those natural advantages into sustainable development.
Q: Given that Bihać is the largest city through which the Una River flows, how do you view its potential – environmentally, touristically, and economically?
A: Una is our mirror and, in every sense, our most valuable asset. From an environmental standpoint, our primary task is to protect it. Its cleanliness, flow, banks and natural surroundings are values we must defend and preserve for future generations. From a tourism perspective, Una and its entire environment offer enormous potential. It is a beauty that already attracts visitors from around the world, but one that we must use carefully and responsibly. Tourism development must not come at the expense of nature. I believe that preserving the natural environment and developing tourism are not opposing but complementary concepts. We need to plan wisely and long-term, invest in infrastructure that respects ecological standards, and use natural resources in a sustainable way.
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Q: What are currently the greatest threats to the ecosystem of Una National Park, and how are the Park or local authorities addressing them?
A: The biggest challenge is illegal construction. This is a problem that concerns all of us – the local community, institutions, and every individual. When we concrete the riverbanks and disturb the natural configuration of the river, we are actually damaging its identity. We lose what makes it unique, and with that, we lose tourists, development, and the future. The problem doesn’t stem only from illegal construction, but also from a lack of awareness about the importance of preserving natural spaces. That’s why it’s extremely important to urgently adopt and implement regulatory and zoning plans, which will enable planned, controlled construction within the National Park and along the Una’s banks. Only in this way can we stop further devastation and create a sustainable framework for the coexistence of humans and nature.
Q: What concrete measures are being implemented to prevent pollution and preserve natural resources in Bihać and the wider region?
A: We are acting on several fronts simultaneously, through infrastructure, education, projects and control mechanisms. The City of Bihać continuously invests efforts into preventing pollution and the degradation of natural resources. One of the key projects in this direction is RECIRCLE, through which we are strengthening waste management system capacities by applying circular economy principles. The focus is on increasing recycling rates, separate waste collection and reuse.
Additionally, the SMART DeCARB project is aimed at developing innovative pilot solutions for decarbonising public buildings. This directly contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions and improving energy efficiency, making Bihać part of the broader European energy transition. These projects are not just technical solutions but also important tools for raising public awareness about the importance of environmental protection and responsible behaviour, as well as a strong path toward applying European standards.
Q: Are there any plans to develop new tourist infrastructure, particularly that which respects sustainability principles?
A: In recent years, we’ve worked intensively on developing tourist infrastructure, always with sustainability in mind. Unfortunately, for years this sector was neglected, and many attractive locations were either abandoned or difficult to access.
Through the Emerald Road project, right in the city centre, we’ve started connecting the islands on the Una and forming a circular promenade, which we hope will become one of the most visited spots in Bihać. Inspired by the Una River, the Emerald Road is a symbol of our commitment to preserving nature while also being a vision for developing the urban core in harmony with the natural surroundings.
Furthermore, we’ve improved access to attractions like Štrbački Buk and the National Park, and we’re doing the same in Martin Brod. Through revitalisation of historic towns, our focus has also been on enhancing rest and recreation areas. Besides building a new pedestrian bridge, which is currently under construction, we also plan to build a suspension footbridge that will connect the walkway behind Stens with the Midžić neighbourhood, completing one of the most scenic walking routes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Q: How do you maintain balance between tourism growth and the need to protect natural resources?
A: That balance is precisely the core of our approach. Tourism development must go hand in hand with environmental preservation. We must not sacrifice nature for short-term profit. That’s why we insist on sustainable solutions, respect for zoning and regulatory plans, and investment in infrastructure that protects the environment. Through projects like the Emerald Road, we are demonstrating that it’s possible to develop a tourism product that benefits the local community while preserving the authenticity and natural values that define us. That’s the direction we want to continue pursuing.
Interview by: Jasna Dragojević
The story was published in Energy portal Magazine climate change
