Tivat’s Trajectory – From Arsenal to Porto Montenegro

  • Abstract:

    This paper examines how and to what extent urban regeneration works in practice through the lens of Tivat’s regeneration. The paper enlightens Tivat’s economic and physical transformation from the town know as a base of the Naval-shipyard “Arsenal” to the nautical-touristic complex “Porto Montenegro”. In the modern history urban development of Tivat was related to the Naval-shipyard “Sava Kovacevic”, most often referred to by its old name “Arsenal”. Since its development in 1889, Arsenal became the main employer in town and shaped the town’s identity. Arsenal employed experienced skilled workers, mostly engineers and craftsmen, and enjoyed an international reputation for a quality ship repair (Radovic, 2015). In 1990’s, the turbulent political and economic situation in ex-Yugoslavia countries and UN sanctions resulted with the downfall of Arsenal and decline of Tivat’s economy. At the same time, Montenegro decided to make a strategic turnover from a socialist centrally planned to an open market economy. Montenegro wanted to attract inward investments and create an image of an attractive tourist destination that would result with economic revitalisation. These circumstances led to the decision made by the Montenegrin government to sell Arsenal to a private investor who showed the initiative to transform it and create the nautical resort “Porto Montenegro”. Regeneration of Tivat, in terms of its vision, seems to be a successful story – the town’s image was changed, Arsenal’s site became an accessible place and new economic opportunities were made. However, this regeneration did not went without consequences.