Filip Zoričić: I see Pula as a modern, developed, and green city

An interview with the Mayor of Pula, Croatia

Filip Zoričić was born in Split in 1982. He has a PhD in interdisciplinary humanistic sciences and is a member of various civil rights organisations.

For 13 years, Zoričić worked as a high-school teacher of history and the Croatian language. In addition to this, he was also the headmaster of Gimnazija Pula. After this, Zoričić became councillor of Pula’s Old City District and in June 2021, he assumed the office of mayor.

Now, Zoričić has spoken to TheMayor.EU to discuss his vision for the future of the Croatian city.

Mr Mayor, how would you describe the city of Pula and what are its main attractions?

Pula is a 3,000-year-old city where Romans, Venetians and Austrians have lived. It is a military and industrial city, and we are most proud of the Colosseum as it is one of the best-preserved in the world. In Europe, Pula is most famous as a concert destination, with the Pula Film Festival taking place for over 60 years in the amphitheatre.

Furthermore, Pula is surrounded by the largest fortification system in Europe: 20 fortresses, 40 km of underground tunnels and a beautiful coastline. But most of all, we are proud of our fellow citizens and their creativity and the underground culture.

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted life and business in Pula?

Covid affected emotion, a lot of people lost their jobs, but most of all, it left a mark on children, students, and their ability to grow up normally and go to school.

You assumed office earlier this year in June. What projects or initiatives do you plan to launch to help accelerate the city's post-COVID recovery?

We want to help entrepreneurs get back to normal as soon as possible and work as before. We want to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises, better scholarships for young people and more outdoor events.

Pula is a coastal city with a rich history. What plans does your administration have for the preservation of its nature and heritage?

We want to become a green city in the next 4 years by restricting the entry of cars into the protected old town and thus protect the city, citizens, and monuments. We are introducing several kilometres of bicycle and hiking trails, renovating parks.

As a newly elected mayor, what is your vision for the future of Pula?

Pula is a university and student city that now has 60,000 inhabitants – I see it as a city of 100,000 inhabitants. I see Pula as a modern, developed, and green city, a city of children and youth. To be such, we will develop a special housing policy, a way of scholarships, credit incentives, the establishment of an IT campus and a business zone, as well as a start-up campus.