Five Local Governments Join the Smart Cities Development Program
Kragujevac, Pirot, Veliko Gradište, Raška and Vrnjačka Banja are the first local governments to join the smart city development program through the project “Towards Smart, Green and Sustainable Cities in Serbia.” As part of the initiative, they will receive new infrastructure that will enable significant savings, more efficient resource management and greater citizen satisfaction, it was announced at the project launch conference.
The project is financed through the develoPPP program implemented by GIZ, with the support of NALED, in cooperation with local governments and private partners – Intracom Telecom and Telegroup.
As announced today, the plan is for Raška to receive a smart green space management system by June, while a smart parking system will be introduced in Pirot. Kragujevac and Vrnjačka Banja will develop smart water supply networks, while citizens in Veliko Gradište will receive a new smart station for solar charging of electric vehicles.
“We are pleased that in this anniversary year, when we mark 25+ years of German-Serbian international cooperation, we can support solutions that help cities become smarter and more sustainable. Through solutions implemented by GIZ together with its partners – from smart mobility and green space management to intelligent drinking water systems – citizens will enjoy a cleaner environment, save time and money, and experience tangible improvements in quality of life,” said Sabine Olthof, Director of GIZ in Serbia.
In addition, all municipalities will receive tailored smart city concepts adapted to the needs of their local communities, based on the mapping of key sectors where the implementation of smart technologies would bring the greatest benefits.
“Our research has shown that half of the municipalities in Serbia are currently implementing or have previously implemented pilot projects with elements of smart city development, while another 65% report that they plan such activities. Local governments identify infrastructure, municipal services and environmental protection as key areas for introducing innovation, but obstacles such as a lack of financial resources, underdeveloped infrastructure and limited professional capacities continue to slow their progress,” said Dušan Vasiljević, Director of the Competitiveness and Investment Department at NALED.
The Mayor of Pirot, Vladan Vasić, emphasized that a smart city is not merely a collection of applications, but rather smart governance and rational use of resources in public administration, the economy and environmental protection.
“What we are presenting today is just the beginning. Our goal is to expand these solutions across the entire city and make Pirot an example of how local governments can use technology in the service of citizens,” Vasić noted.
The President of the Municipality of Vrnjačka Banja, Boban Đurović, highlighted the importance of introducing a smart water flow monitoring system, especially during the peak tourist season.
“By implementing this system, we will gain better real-time control. We will no longer depend on physical reports of malfunctions or accidental discoveries of leaks, as the system will instantly detect any irregularity,” Đurović said.
The President of the Municipality of Veliko Gradište, Dragan Milić, emphasized the importance of connecting existing and future digital services with infrastructure projects aimed at improving living standards and supporting economic development. Meanwhile, the Head of the Mayor’s Office in Raška, Srđan Vasiljević, announced that smart water meters will soon be installed on Kopaonik as well.
Marko Janković, a member of the City Council for Projects and Investments in Kragujevac, also announced that the Faculty of Engineering is currently working on establishing the first chair for artificial intelligence in Serbia.
