Barutana urban development controversy in Skopje

Controversy has emerged regarding the proposed Detailed Urban Plan (DUP) for the Barutana area on Mount Vodno in Skopje’s Centar Municipality.

Initial criticism from Levica party advisor Andrea Jankov focused on allegations of numerical manipulation. Jankov argued that while the plan claims to reduce construction volume, it actually represents a “two-and-a-half-fold increase in total residential surface area,” which would place an infrastructure burden on citizens rather than private investors.

As the debate progressed, opposition expanded to include environmental and safety concerns. Biljana Ivanolska and local residents warned that the plan ignores the historical importance of Vodno’s forests, potentially leading to soil erosion, landslides, and flash floods. Residents have circulated a petition to withdraw the plan to preserve hiking paths and prevent traffic congestion.

The situation has become politically charged, with VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM councilors voting in favor of the plan, while opposition groups such as ‘Shansa za Centar’, Levica, and ZNAM voted against it. Following the public presentation, Mayor Goran Gerasimovski requested a public apology from the ‘Shansa za Centar’ group, alleging unprofessional behavior.