Slobode Street, as the city's main street, should be a permanent pedestrian zone in order for Podgorica to get back what it has lost in recent years - and that is the corso, Preokret announced.
They said that one of the key priorities of their local policy is to bring life back to the city center and protect public space from usurpation.
"We are advocating for the return of Slobode Street to its true function, which is the promenade known as the corso - a place where our fellow citizens can move freely, walk, socialize and enjoy themselves, without noise, pollution and the danger of traffic," the announcement states. .
Preokret pointed out that Slobode Street "used to be teeming with people", but today it serves as a transit station where no one lingers.
"The key reason for this is the fact that priority is given to motor traffic in this street. During the day, instead of murmurs and human voices, the sound of engines and sirens is heard, along with frequent illegal parking along the road and on the sidewalks. After 17 p.m., when the street becomes a pedestrian zone , cars regularly violate the no-passing rule for motor vehicles without authorization, endangering the safety of pedestrians, which is why people move less and less along the route that used to be a corso," the announcement reads.
They added that they will start revitalizing Podgorica's main promenade by submitting an initiative to the Assembly of the Capital City to permanently convert Slobode Street into a pedestrian zone, "with the aim of restoring the corso as one of the former trademarks of Podgorica".
"Returning this street to its true users - pedestrians - would bring not only an improvement in the quality of life, but also economic, cultural and tourist prosperity. There are numerous examples in the environment and the world that show that pedestrian streets are full of people, which is why the income of business establishments in such zones. There are many examples in the region, from the center of Ljubljana, to well-known examples of shopping streets in Vienna and Madrid," said Preokret.
They stated that the conversion of Ulica Sloboda would not disturb the daily functioning of the locals.
"Tenants of Slobode Street have access to parking from Karađorđeva, Balšića and Hercegovačka streets, as well as from the parking lot behind Bek. On the other hand, the realization of such a project does not require large financial resources, since it is only necessary to install appropriate barriers in order to protect the pedestrian area. As in other pedestrian zones, business establishments can be allowed to deliver goods in the morning hours," they added.
"We believe that Podgorica can become a model for how modern cities adapt to the needs of their citizens. By restoring the Podgorica corzo as a central pedestrian zone, the city will become a more pleasant and attractive place to live and work. This is a chance for the heart of the city to become a space where people gather, in which new shops are opening and which attracts tourists with its authentic atmosphere", the announcement concludes.
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