Coincidentally, also in 2006, a small travel media publishing start up began doing research for its first issue of a new Ljubljana city guide, with the first issue of Ljubljana In Your Pocket published the following year. Now, a staggering 19 years and 99 issues later, we celebrate the publication of our 100th edition by sitting down again with mayor Janković to reflect on how the city we love has developed over the interceding years, and where it's headed in the future.
Let's start with some short ones...
For tourists visiting Ljubljana...
One dish they should try... Anything from the Taste of Ljubljana brand.
And one dessert... Jezerškov šmorn.
Union or Laško?... I don't drink beer.
One classic film they should watch... Vesna (1953), so they can compare how Ljubljana has transformed into a modern capital in 70 years, while maintaining its relaxed character.
One modern film they should watch... Belo se pere na devetdeset (2025) [White Washes at Ninety], which I predict will be an international success.
One book to read... Crime novels by Irena Svetek.
One souvenir to take home... Something with the famous Ljubljana Dragon on it.
Must-see events... A match of their favourite sport in Stožice, or a concert, the top-notch Ljubljana Festival or June in Ljubljana, or anything from the rich offer of the city's cultural institutions. As many as 70 percent of events in the city centre are free of charge thanks to our co-financing.
Songs on your personal Ljubljana soundtrack... 'Pridi nocoj v Tivoli' ('Come to Tivoli tonight') by my friend Magnifico, 'Ona sanja o Ljubljani' (She Dreams of Ljubljana') by Jan Plestenjak, 'Tista črna kitara' ('That Black Guitar') by Vlado Kreslin, and 'Mala terasa' ('Little Terrace') by the '60s rock band Bele Vrane would all be included, along with many others.
Okay, now that our readers will have some appropriate music playing in the background, let's roll up our sleeves a bit and discuss how tourism in Ljubljana has developed in recent years.
How do you view the image of Ljubljana as a "green boutique" destination?
I am proud that Ljubljana is a clean, safe, green and friendly city, where people of all backgrounds coexist and respect each other. This is certainly noticed and appreciated by our visitors.Which neighbourhoods outside the centre do you recommend people visit?
The cultural districts of Šiška and Moste are very popular, where numerous events for all tastes take place, and I would recommend all visitors to visit Rožnik, Golovec, a walk along the green belt of Ljubljana, and the Path of Remembrance and Comradeship.Has Ljubljana become too popular among tourists today?
No, but we wish and encourage longer visits with numerous projects, as Ljubljana is a good starting point for discovering the entire Central Slovenia region and the entire country.How do you balance the interests of local residents with those of short-term visitors?
Through dialogue. We regularly check the opinions of citizens in satisfaction surveys, we meet with service providers and caterers, we have adopted a code of ethics for the old town core... The best ambassador of the city is a satisfied citizen, and of course, it is a logical consequence that visitors to the city also enjoy the rich range of events and improved infrastructure.What effect has the increase in the tourist tax had on Ljubljana in recent years?
We allocate the tourist tax funds to improving urban infrastructure, arranging green spaces, and similar projects, so that it primarily benefits city residents.Anything to say about Airbnb?
This kind of legislation is a matter for the state and I am glad that the government has an ear for this topic. We are satisfied with the adopted regulation, we are waiting for the start of its implementation in practice. In Ljubljana, we will limit Airbnb to the summer months of July and August, when there are no students.If someone could only visit Ljubljana once, what time of year would you recommend and why?
Regardless of the season, you will bring home unforgettable impressions and beautiful memories; every season has its own charm in Ljubljana.The best “hidden” destination for a half-day trip in the Central Slovenia region?
The entire region is worth a visit, and I have already visited the Županovo jama (Mayor's Cave). Let visitors find out for themselves where it is hidden.
Now let's roll up those sleeves a little bit more, and discuss some of the many projects - past, present and future - that have been reshaping the city these days.
What achievement are you most proud of in the last five years? And during your entire term of office?
It is difficult to single out just one, but it is certainly a great achievement that Ljubljana was declared the European Green Capital in 2016, which is the highest recognition a city can receive. In 2021, we were declared the best of all green capitals. Ljubljana is the only city in this part of Europe to hold this title, the other cities are at least 1,000 km north of us. This has made Ljubljana recognisable on the world map. I am proud of my colleagues who strive to provide the best service to our citizens every day, and in all these years we have implemented more than 2,400 projects, improving their quality of life. Last but not least, I am also proud of our Ljubljana citizens, where we live together in harmony, despite our differences.What are you most excited about in the coming year?
That we will complete some projects that we have been implementing for some time, such as the completion of the sewage system, which will achieve 98 percent connection to the sewage system, which was only 68 percent 18 years ago when I took over as mayor. I believe that we will finally complete the C0 connecting channel, which will further protect clean drinking water. We will also start some new projects that will significantly improve the quality of life of our residents. We must not forget that there are elections next year, and I will announce my decision on the city holiday, 9 May 2026.If politics and funding were not an obstacle, what projects would you most like to see completed in Ljubljana in the next five years or so?
I always say that this would be the deepening of the railway line in Ljubljana. It is a state project, but I am afraid that I will not see it through.
We joke with friends in Dubai that nowadays Ljubljana is doing its best impression of the emirate – with a skyline full of cranes. What's behind this construction boom?
I am glad that various investors are deciding to build here. Especially since it also concerns apartments, which are chronically in short supply in Ljubljana. With the adopted spatial plan, the city allows for the construction of 40,000 apartments. The greater the supply, the lower and more affordable the price of apartments will be. Our Public Housing Fund is building city apartments for those who need them most. Together with the state and a private investor, we are building the Ljubljana Passenger Centre, where there will be a new railway and bus station, and the city is providing the surrounding infrastructure. Ljubljana is a city that is attractive both for living and for investment, which makes me extremely happy.How will the Emonika project change the city? What are some other major investments?
We are currently drafting the Vision of Ljubljana 2045, which will be the basis for all major investments in the coming years.Emonika will certainly bring about major changes in passenger transport at the national level. Ljubljana will finally get the modern bus and train stations it deserves, and we are already renovating the surrounding roads and adding yellow lanes to ensure optimal traffic flow.
We will adapt the city transport lines to the new passenger centre, and we are also planning to move the depot from its current location in Šiška to the outskirts of the city, in Stanežiče. There, we will enable a new neighbourhood for 10,000 people, and in a relaxed area along Litostrojska Street, we will build a high-rise with city apartments, surrounded by the fourth largest park in the city, which will cover 45,000 square metres.
In terms of the environment, I am most looking forward to the construction of an incinerator, with which we will take care of our waste and no longer export it abroad, thus becoming 70% energy self-sufficient, and heating costs for Ljubljana residents will be significantly lower. I know that some sceptics are concerned about air quality, since Ljubljana is located in a basin and has poor ventilation, but there is no need to worry, because we will build a chimney high enough to exceed the inversion layer, so that the minimum emissions, which will be lower than the lowest European regulations, will not be retained in the basin. We are also planning a circular navigation on the Ljubljanica River.
Housing (or rather, the lack thereof) is a huge problem all over the world – and Ljubljana is no exception. Can the municipality do anything to improve the situation? Or is it more the responsibility of the national government?
It is a collaboration between the city, the state and private investors. Our guiding principle is sustainable and balanced spatial development, based on the principle of building inwards and integrating different social groups into the city. We are planning the construction of urban apartments both in the city centre and in its hinterland, thereby mitigating social differences and providing access to quality living for different groups of residents.300 urban apartments are currently under construction, and we have also already received a building permit for the Povšetova development, where 361 apartments will be built in the immediate vicinity of the centre. We are also building a homeless shelter with 100 beds. The state is also building for the market and for those in need, and we are always available to provide professional assistance to private investors, and the spatial plan, as I have already explained, allows for the construction of 40,000 apartments.
When we last interviewed you, you mentioned that you have a long-term goal of making the Ljubljanica suitable for swimming again – just like it was during your childhood. Do you think that is achievable in the near future? What are your other plans for the river?
In my youth, the Ljubljanica was not suitable for swimming, but now, according to the measurements we regularly carry out, it is suitable most of the time. When we have fully completed the construction of the sewage system in Ljubljana, which will achieve 98% connection, we will, as I have already promised, inspect and, if necessary, manually concrete all the shafts leading into the river. In the future, solar-powered wooden ships will sail on the Ljubljanica, and we are also planning, as mentioned, a circular voyage.Is there a possible solution to traffic problems in Ljubljana?
The biggest problem is that 140,000 vehicles enter Ljubljana daily, with an average of 1.3 people in each. Despite the fact that we are constantly trying to use various measures to get people to change their travel habits and go to their daily errands either on foot or by public transport or by bicycle or by some other more sustainable means of mobility than by car, the majority of them still choose the latter.We have just adopted a new transport strategy until 2032, where our main goal remains to achieve approximately two-thirds of sustainable transport and one-third of private car use, and we already have 62 percent of journeys made in a sustainable way. We hope to be successful in this, because we are already strengthening our public transport with new environmentally friendly buses, and with yellow lanes we are ensuring better flow. In addition, we are improving conditions for cyclists and pedestrians, we have 450 kilometres of arranged cycling paths and more than 20 hectares of pedestrian areas, which is the most in Europe.
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