Significant progress has been made when it comes to adapting to the Green Agenda in the construction sector, but there is still much room for improvement in digital transformation
For all of us – not only as businesspeople, but also as citizens of the Republic of Serbia – the conditions and quality of the environment we live in are one of the key issues. Recognising and defining “green building” concepts and other elements of the green agenda through regulations that govern construction, and ensuring the considering of energy efficiency, sustainable materials and technologies, as well as waste management and water and air protection, when planning and building properties represents an important new development from that perspective.
When it comes to the construction industry specifically, one of the goals that we consider as being very important is bringing the functionality and accessibility of the Utility Cadastre closer to that of the Real Estate Cadastre. One of the main prerequisites for this was met through amendments to the Law on the Procedure of Registration in the Real Estate Cadastre and Infrastructure Cadastre, introducing the Infrastructure Cadastre.
Another significant improvement, at least on paper, is the resolution of land ownership issues and the mixed forms of state and private ownership, through the abolition of the conversion of usage rights into ownership rights on construction land, with compensation for the widest possible circle of individuals.
Green Transition in the FIC’s Focus
What concerns all of us, not only as workers but as residents of the Republic of Serbia, are the conditions and quality of the environment that surrounds us. Recognising and defining the concepts of “green building” and other elements of the green agenda through construction regulations is essential. When planning and building, it is necessary to consider energy efficiency, sustainable materials and technologies, as well as waste management and the protection of water and air, which represent significant new developments from this perspective
Notable progress has also been achieved in the energy sector, through the introduction of electronic services for procedures related to the issuance and extension of energy permits, acquiring the status of a privileged electricity producer, as well as procedures linked to the preparation of environmental impact assessments.
However, when it comes to digital transformation and improving procedures in this sector, it seems that both the administrative authorities and the construction industry weren’t sufficiently prepared for the implementation of new solutions in the field of construction, so the desired effects of such legislative solutions are still to be seen, hopefully in the near future.
The issue of efficiency certainly remains one of the critical aspects of every administrative procedure, and it is necessary to further strengthen administrative capacities to make progress in this regard.
The committee’s focus will be on supporting the reform of the Real Estate Cadastre, improving the efficiency and timelines for obtaining building permits, and continuing cooperation with the Ministry of Mining and Energy on green transition and the decarbonisation of the economy.