Zadar, Croatia
Territory: Archipelago
Inhabitants: 1,455
Area: 25 sqkm
Main occupations: agricultural production of mediterranean type with autochthony, ecology and high quality products (vineyards, olives, marasca, figs, almonds and early vegetables)
The city of Zadar is located in the central part of the Croatian Adriatic coast and also occupies a central coastal position within Zadar County. As the largest city and central hub of the county, the city exerts a great influence not only on its inhabitants, but also on the people in the surrounding areas. The area of the city of Zadar belongs to two larger physiognomic units: the urban region of Zadar, which is larger in terms of population, and the Zadar archipelago, larger in terms of area. The exceptionally long and indented urban coastline offers a variety of uses and at the same time emphasises the maritime and tourist orientation of the area.The island areas in the Zadar region are divided into the northern fragmented group and the long archipelago. The Zadar archipelago consists of several dozen smaller and larger islands, of which less than ten are permanently inhabited, meaning these islands are extremely sparsely populated. However, due to its untouched landscape and clear waters, this archipelago is rising its popularity among desirable places to visit in Croatia. Despite the improved transport connections, the islands of Zadar are still characterised by very different conditions in terms of overall development due to the great distance from the mainland and the city, and the further decline in social and economic activities is an obstacle to the coherent development of the entire area of the city, as well as the revitalisation of the island communities.
Our ambition
The City of Zadar strives to contribute to the creation of an inclusive dialog that can bring about changes in rural areas and help the current inhabitants to develop in a direction that meets their needs, thus improving the quality of life on the islands. By promoting agri-food development and agroecology, we strive to realise the full potential of local micro-economies by introducing sustainable, digital and nature-based innovations in food production to promote the economic and socio-economic regeneration of the islands and achieve equal living conditions with the mainland part of the city. The aim of enhancing the island's autonomy through heightened adoption of energy-efficient practices, also requires the promotion of renewable energy sources and Nature-Based Solutions. Seeking for climate neutrality, this approach also implies striving towards the island self-sufficiency. Orientation towards multimodal mobility implies improving the transport system, improving connections with the mainland and strengthening of inter-island connections with environmentally friendly vehicles. The islands offer valuable conditions for the establishment of a cycling infrastructure. With numerous pre-existing roads, these routes hold potential not only for recreational activities and exploration of the islands' rich natural and cultural landmarks but also for serving as pathways for olive groves, agricultural lanes and crucial fire prevention routes for the local community.
This makes us unique
Islands that are administratively part of the city of Zadar, represent, each in itself, a particular microsystem, and in their totality a fundamental natural-geographical and socio-economic development resource with numerous possibilities. The coexistence of small islands within the urban fabric of the city of Zadar offers an interesting perspective on urban-rural dynamics. In the absence of their own factors that would enable the establishment of island cities, these islands grew into a functional system of the city on the neighbouring mainland (urbo-archipelago). The dynamic between these two distinct but interconnected environments manifest in reciprocal relationship, such as seasonal migrations - residents of the city of Zadar relocating to the islands during the summer, and daily migrations of islanders to the mainland. This relationship introduces a set of opportunities and challenges that are distinct from other (only) mainland urban areas, demanding careful planning, environmental consciousness, and community involvement.