Sarajevo

1. Cultural Melting Pot: Sarajevo is often referred to as the "Jerusalem of Europe" due to its unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, with a diverse population that includes Bosniaks, Serbs, Croats, and Jews. This rich cultural tapestry is reflected in the city's architecture, traditions, and culinary offerings. 2. Historical Coffee Culture: Sarajevo has a deep-rooted coffee culture that dates back to the Ottoman Empire. The city is home to numerous traditional cafes known as "kafanas," where locals gather to enjoy coffee, socialize, and play chess. The city also hosts the annual Sarajevo Coffee Festival, celebrating this integral part of its heritage. 3. The Tunnel of Hope: During the Siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s, the Tunnel of Hope was constructed to connect the city with the outside world. This underground passage allowed residents to transport food, medicine, and other supplies into the city, playing a crucial role in the survival of its inhabitants during the war. Today, a portion of the tunnel has been preserved as a historical site and museum.

The housing market in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is experiencing significant growth. The average price per square meter for new dwellings in Bosnia and Herzegovina increased to 2851 BAM (approximately 1455 EUR) in the second quarter of 2024, up from 2775 BAM (approximately 1414 EUR) in the first quarter. In Sarajevo, the price per square meter can range from 1,200 to 2,000 EUR, with new apartments in high-demand areas reaching up to 6,500 BAM (approximately 3323 EUR) per square meter. The total number of housing units in Sarajevo is not readily available. However, the semi-annual real estate market report for the Federation of BiH indicates that there were 10,522 sales contracts in the first half of 2024, with a total value of 727,875,445 BAM (approximately 372 million EUR). The rental market is also on an upward trajectory, but specific figures on the number of renters versus homeowners are not available. The median price per square meter to rent and buy an apartment in Sarajevo is not explicitly stated in the sources provided. Public, social, and cooperative housing play a role in the city, but their share of the housing market is not specified in the available data. The focus is primarily on private housing and market trends.

The current city administration in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, faces significant challenges in addressing housing needs, particularly for vulnerable groups. The city lacks an adequate social housing scheme, and there is considerable pressure on major urban centers, including Sarajevo, due to the post-war recovery and demographic changes. To address these issues, various programs and initiatives have been implemented: 1. **Social Housing Projects**: Organizations like the Austrian NGO Hilfswerk International, in collaboration with local authorities, have built social housing residences in several municipalities, including Sarajevo, to provide permanent housing solutions for vulnerable people. 2. **Durable Solutions for Collective Center Residents (DSCCR)**: Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has established a program to provide holistic housing solutions for families returning to Bosnia and Herzegovina after being displaced. This program includes self-help methodology, partnerships with local government and NGOs, and support for sustainable communities. 3. **Policy Recommendations**: Studies and reports have emphasized the need for a comprehensive social housing policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including rent subsidies, housing allowance schemes, and rental housing models to address the housing needs of vulnerable groups such as displaced persons, Roma, elderly, and young couples. These initiatives aim to create more affordable and sustainable housing options in Sarajevo and other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The role and dimension of housing cooperatives in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, are not extensively detailed in the provided sources. However, general information on cooperative housing in Europe and specific regional initiatives can offer some insights. Cooperative housing in Europe is recognized as a viable model for addressing housing affordability and sustainability issues. Organizations like Co-operative Housing International and Housing Europe promote cooperative housing models and advocate for supportive policies. In the broader region of Central and South-Eastern Europe, initiatives like MOBA Housing SCE, a network of organizations from the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Slovenia, and Serbia, work to develop cooperative housing models tailored to local needs. While specific information on Sarajevo is lacking, these regional and European efforts suggest that cooperative housing is gaining attention as a solution to housing challenges. However, without direct references to Sarajevo, it is difficult to identify specific lighthouse projects or local policy regulations promoting cooperative housing in the city. In summary, while there is a growing interest in cooperative housing in Europe and the surrounding regions, detailed information on Sarajevo's specific initiatives and policies is not available in the provided sources.