Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation

City of Mostar

PCU

Number:

Date:

World Bank

Infrastructure Sector Unit

Regional Office for

Europe and central Asia

 

 

Report on the state of the project

“Old Bridge” in Mostar

Bosnia and Herzegovina

 

Period from 1st July 1999 to 31st December 1999

 

 

 

 

PCU Deputy director                                                                                  PCU director

 

Anton Novak                                                                                              Rusmir Čišić

Signed                                                                                                      Signed

 

 

 

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Pilot cultural heritage project

 

Table of contents

 

1.     Introduction – basic information about the project.................................................. 2

1.1.History................................................................................................................ 2

1.2.Bridge description.............................................................................................. 2

1.3.The soil below the Old Bridge foundations
consists of the several layers..............................................................................
2

1.4.Existing state...................................................................................................... 3

2.     The basic objectives of the project.......................................................................... 3

3.     Establishment of the Project Coordination Unit....................................................... 4

4.     Project activities...................................................................................................... 5

5.     Neighbourhood program......................................................................................... 8

6.     Infrastructure......................................................................................................... 10

 

 

 

 

1.       Introduction – basic information about the project

 

1.1.       History

 

Mostar has been established in 14th century and it began developing in the area around the wooden bridge suspended on chains. Thereafter the town developed quickly taking priority over Blagaj, even older city, which up to that time was the capital of Herzegovina.

 

In 1468 the Ottoman period begins. At that time Mostar consisted of 19 houses, but linking those two parts of Herzegovina, it soon developed a big strategic and trading importance and it has become a crossroads point from the north towards south and from the east towards the west. That is why the old wooden bridge protected with towers, in which the guard called “Mostari” resided, had to be replaced with a new bridge which would better meet the needs of increased traffic. The building of the bridge begins in 1557, at the request of the Sultan the Magnificent, and it lasted for 10 years. The new bridge has been designed by the architect Hayrudin, the pupil of famous Sinan, and that bridge was finalized in 1566. On both sides of the bridge two towers have been built which at that time hosted a garrison numbering 160 soldiers.

 

1.2.       Bridge description

 

The basic bridge dimensions have been the following ones:

The span between two built supports of the bridge (defined as the span) varies from 28,52 metres and 28,71 metres.

The overall height of the support measured from the lowest bank level amounts 18,3 metres at the left Neretva riverbank and 15, 5 metres at the right riverbank.

The interior arch part has been designed following the radius of 20 arshins (1 arshin = 0,712 m)

The breadth of the bridge, including the fence, was 4,5 m.

Bridge entrance level is 57,3 metres above sea level

Bridge crown level is 62,33 metres above sea level

 

River bottom level below the bridge middle is approximately at metres above sea level

Note: mnm indicates the level marked in relation to the sea level of 0 metres.

 

Main dimensions of the bridge support:

 

­          The length of the bottom side of the upstream support on the left bank is 30 metres.

­          The length of the upper side of the upstream support on the left bank is 14 metres.

­          The height of the lower front part on the left bank is 6 metres.

­          The height of the upper front part on the left bank is 11 metres.

­          The length of the lower side of the downstream support on the left bank is 10 metres.

­          The length o the lower side of the downstream support on the left bank is 18 metres.

­          The height of the front part on the right bank is 16 metres.

­          The height of the downstream support on the right bank is 13 metres.

 

1.3.       The soil below the Old Bridge foundations consists of the several layers.

 

­          Gravel and sand in the riverbed.

­          Loosely connected conglomerates below the founddations and in the riverbed.

­          Hard conglomerates below the foundations.

­          Layers of marly clay below the conglomerates.

­          Marly soil.

 

In the loosely connected conglomerates below the foundations in the riverbed the connections consist of calcite with scarce quantities of clay, iron, organic substances, and the fine granulation of quartz and feldspar. The links are very prone to washing out. Hard conglomerates are tightly connected.

 

1.4.       Existing state

 

The bridge was destroyed in 1993 with the horizontal hits from the tank, located at the small “Stotina” hill, downstream of the bridge on the right riverside. The result of these hits is the complete destruction of the bridge, some hits in the bridge supports and of course some secondary impacts to the construction remains. After the destruction a fragile pedestrian suspension bridge was set up. At the left bank and the right bank the concrete foundation of the doors were made on the top of the bridge remains, serving in addition as the counterweight for the suspension cables.

In early 1995 heavily damaged pedestrian bridge was replaced with a heavier and sturdier suspension construction.

In the spring of 1998. this pedestrian bridge was disassembled and it was replaced with a metal construction having a wooden floor, and the same bridge was located upstream from the former bridge, in order to free the walls and the supports for the works in the reconstruction.

On 16th December 1999 a large wave of Neretva river completely destroyed the abovementioned bridge.

In September 1997 a Hungarian battallion of SFOR, assisted by Hídépítö from Budapest, started to excavate and to collect the stones of the Old Bridge which are located in the river. The extracted stone was set aside at the built platform, located downstream from the bridge on the right river bank (50 metres off the bridge).

In May 1998 Hídépítö company with a team of scuba divers carried out a visual inspection of the riverbed and the topographic recording of the cavities in the lower part, in the vicinity of the foundations.

The first detailed recordings and the investigations which were carried out on the bridge, as well as the analyses of the stability of the bridge construction, were implemented in 1960. These investigations have shown that some works to the repair of the rock to which the foundations of the support and at the arch of the bridge lean are indispensable.

 

2.       The basic objectives of the project

 

The aim of the project is to improve the climate for reconciliation among the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina by way of recognizing and the restoration of their joint heritage in the city of Mostar. The reconciliation among the constituent peoples is largely considered a preconditions for te economic revitalization and the social cohesion in the post-conflict situation in the country. The objective will be implemented by way of the unique partnership in the support to the culture which covers the local community, the government of the country, UNESCO, World Monuments' Fund and the Aga Khan Culture Trust Fund.

This project will improve as well the economic life of the city of Mostar, and the whole region of the Herzegovina-Neretva canton. As the biggest point we draw your attention to the touristic development. The city of Mostar has been renowned for its cultural historical heritage and the Old Bridge. With reconstruction of this project city of Mostar will get back to tourism, and the overall development of running of hotels by small businesses. These expectations we substantiate with the fact that in the vicinity there are the places of Međugorje and Blagaj. These two places are even nowadays visited by a high number of pilgrims from all over the world. By the building of the Old Bridge it is to be expected that a large number of tourists will come to the city of Mostar. The vicinity of the Mostar airport, which is already operational for the civilian traffic will create ever bigger opportunities to visit the city of Mostar. With the development of tourism, small businesses, we expect to raise the overall standard of the citizens of the city of Mostar.

 

3.       Establishment of the Project Coordination Unit

 

With the decision of the city government of city of Mostar numbered 01-1768/98 dated 1st December 1998 the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) was set up, as a financially and legally independent unit. With the decision of the city government on 22nd June 1999 for the Project Coordination Unit director was appointed Mr. Čišić Rusmir, and for his deputy Mr. Anton Novak. For the assignments of the expert collaborator was appointed Mr. Gilles Pequeux in behalf of the European Committee.

 

­          Ante Šain has been appointed for procurement assignments

­          Dr. Damir Zaklan has been appointed for financial assignments

­          Ermana Omerović has been appointed for accounting assignments

­          Prof. Dragi Pavlović – a main translator

­          Sanja Landeka – Project Coordination Unit secretary

­          Rifat Frenjo driver and

­          Vesna Efendić the translator for Mr. Pequeux.

 

The Unit is located in the central zone in the premises covering 200 square metres. All the decisions regarding the accomodation, furnishing, and the selection of the employees the Project Coordination Unit of the Old Bridge building has harmonized with the World Bank.

The World Bank gave the no objection for all the employees, and looked into their expertise for certain assignments (Addendum no. 1 – Project Coordination Unit organization chart). The adaptation of the premises has been carried out by the "Stari Mostar" Foundation in the central zone of the city of Mostar. As well it implemented the purchase of furniture, and a certain number of computers. These activities the "Stari Mostar" Foundation carried out in July and August 1999. The address is: Adema Buća 17, Mostar. Up to the building of the abovementioned Project Coordination Unit premises, the employees have been working in very difficult working conditions since they have been forced to change their working locations incessantly.

Project Coordination Unit registration was carried out in the cantonal court of the Herzegovina canton in Mostar.

A joint account has been opened in the Institute for the payment circulation – District, and the bank account has been opened in the Hrvatska banka (Croatian bank) Mostar.

If we see the quoted activities:

 

­          Appointment of the director, his deputy

­          Project Coordination Unit registration

­          Opening up of the joint account (Institute for the payment circulation)

­          Opening up of the bank account (Croatian bank)

­          Building of the rooms

­          Establishment on the parity basis the employees of the Project Coordination Unit

­          Procurement of furniture and computer equipment

­          Procurement of vehichle

­          "Stari Mostar" Foundation ceasing to operate

­          appointing of a person for procurement

­          appointing of a person for accounting assignments

­          the training for the accountant and the financial expert have been completed

­          all the contracts among the city, World Bank and the UNESCO have been signed

 

The fulfillment of all the conditions, and the remaining conditions, which we have received by the project leader, A. K. Nassau, and it, had 20 points, the World Bank on 3rd December 1999 PROCLAIMED THE CREDIT OPERATIONAL.

 

4.       Project activities

 

With the establishment of the Project Coordination Unit the first activity was the cleaning the Neretva riverbed from the remains of the destroyed Old Bridge. As it has been pointed out in the beginning of our report, the SFOR units partly executed the stone extraction in 1997. In the July of 1999, Project Coordination Unit made a decision to implement the final cleaning of the Neretva riverbed from all the remains of the Old Bridge.

This operation began on 19th July 1997, and it lasted till 20th August 1999 when the SFOR units (the Hungarian battalion) were engaged again. Project Coordination Unit by means of engagement of the domestic executing agencies implemented the preparatory activities at the ramp, platform and the sand platform. We would like to highlight the excavation of the stone arch of the Old Bridge, which weighted 40 tons.

UNESCO expert team has been specially insisting that the part of the arch should be extracted in full in order to implement a detailed analysis of the connectivity of the stone, mortar, dowels, and so forth.

As well we would like to point out the engagement of Elektroprivreda Federacije BiH which organized a joint meeting with the Project Coordination Unit representatives and agreed upon the terms (800-1800) of the biological minimum 50 m/second during the time of the implementation of the stone extraction operation. We have to stress that it was the first meeting where at the same table was sitting the tow companies after the past clashes.

The extracted stone of minor dimensions was set aside at the platform. At the platform was carried out a duly disposal, sorting of the extracted stone, in order for the Institute for the protection of the cultural heritage of the city to begin marking, recording and making photographs of the extracted stone.

The quoted analysis will be especially important for the expert team. The expert team at its third session held on 30th June 1999 in Mostar made a decision that the same materials for the building of the Old Bridge have to be utilized with the advanced building technologies. As well it was pointed out that the extracted stone would not be able to be used since it has remained in water for six years, and it lost its particular features. As then the decision for the purchasing of the additional stone quantities was made, and the extracted stone would be used as a one-off specimen.

In July 1999, we set down to preparing the project assignment for the geological investigations. We have sent the tender invitation to the following companies:

 

1.      ARCADIS TRISCHLER & PARTNER (Germany)

2.      Conex-Yeralti Aramacilik (Turkey)

3.      Geotehnika (Croatia)

4.      Institut za geologiju (BiH)

5.      ISMES – GRUPPO ENEL (Italy)

6.      Simon & Christensen (Luxembourg)

 

Pre-tender meeting it was proposed the 30th July 1999, but it was not held in the agreed term since the “Stability Pact” was held in Sarajevo then, and the aircraft traffic in Bosnia and Herzegovina was blocked. Pre- tender meeting was held on 5th August 1999 at 930 in Mostar. At the meeting were present the following companies:

 

1.       Geotehnika – Zagreb

2.       Yon.-Tven. Conex-Yeralti, Geološki zavod

3.       Simon & Christiansen

 

The remaining companies have not expressed the readiness to participate in the pre-bid meeting. At this meeting the Project Coordination Unit team has answered all the questions of the firms present. At the meeting it was demanded for the term of tender 24th August to be prolonged for 15 days and that it should take place on 20th September 1999 at 1400. With the World Bank’s approval the new deadline was accepted completely. On 20th September till 1400 hours the following bids came in:

 

1.       Geotehnika – Zagreb

2.       Yon.-Tven. Conex-Yeralti, Geološki zavod

3.       Simon & Christiansen

 

The offer of a German Company Arcadis Trischler & Partner came with a big delay. With the World Bank consultations a decision was made that the quoted offer should not be opened, but to be returned to the quoted German Company. Project Coordination Unit has followed World Bank advice, and it has returned the quoted offer. At the bid opening were present the quoted companies. As the tender was a public one, minutes have been drawn up, and it was forwarded to the World Bank. As the tender committee was not harmonized, we had to harmonize it with the mayor Mr. I. Prskalo and deputy mayor S. Oručević, and owing to those reasons we were not able to start the evaluation of the quoted bids. As the tender committee was harmonized, the tender committee consisted of:

 

­          Project Coordination Unit director Čišić Rusmir

­          Project Coordination Unit deputy director Novak Anton

­          Procurement Šain Ante

­          European Commission G. Pequeux

 

These are the permanent committee members whereas the UNESCO representative is changed depending on the field covered in tender in question. In case of geological investigations was present the UNESCO representative Prof. Gojković Milovan. From 1st December 1999 to 3rd December 1999 tender committee carried out evaluation of the bids arrived. On 3rd December 1999 we sent minutes in the World Bank in order to receive official no objection regarding the selection of the company for the geological investigations. On 3rd December 1999 Project Coordination Unit received the official no objection by the World Bank that for the geological investigations was appointed Yon-Tven. Company Conex-Yeralti – Geološki zavod SA. Presently Project Coordination Unit is working on the preparation of the contract for the quoted company in order for the works to commence as soon as possible.

In July 1999 we also worked on the preparation of the preliminary project assignment relating to photogrammetry, calculations and estimate. The payment of this activity will be carried out from the donation of Italian government, taking into account that the requirement was set that for the photogrammetry field only Italian companies should be invited. For the field of photogrammetry three Italian companies entered their names for the competition. The preparatory meeting in the field of photogrammetry was 7th January 2000. Laboratory tests were also taken into consideration at the beginning in September 1999, so that we set down to preparing the preliminary project assignment. We drew up a short list of 6 bidders, and we sent their references to World Bank to make comments. This activity was completed on 17th December 1999.

From 12th December 1999 to 17th December 1999 a very important operative meeting was held in Mostar where the World Bank representatives were present:

 

­          Lawrence Hannah – Task Team Leader

­          Ahmet Gokce – procurement specialist

­          A. K. Nassau

­          Siew Chai Ting – financial system in SA

­          Vesna Frančić – implementation in SA

 

Project coordination team consisted of:

 

­          Čišić Rusmir–Project Coordination Unit director

­          Novak Anton– Project Coordination Unit deputy director

­          Dr. Damir Zaklan – financial expert of Project Coordination Unit

­          Omerović Ermana – accountant

­          Šain Ante – procurement officer

­          G. Pequeux – tehnical consultant

 

The main problems which have been dicussed and analyzed at this meeting were:

 

1.       Acquisition of 400 m3 of stone for the building of the Old Bridge.

2.       Organization of the meeting for the donors, in order to acquire the remaining means for the project implementation.

3.       Adoption of the plan deadline for the 2000.

4.       Adoption of the financial plan for the 2000.

5.       Administrative budget preparation.

6.       Neighbourhood program.

7.       The collaboration of the Aga Khan Foundation, World Monuments' Fund, UNESCO and World Bank with Project Coordination Unit.

 

Project Coordination Unit representatives stated as the biggest problem the acquisition of the additional stone quantities (400 m3). "Stari Mostar" Foundation has carried out in 1998. the purchase of 400 m3 of tenelija stone from the Mukoša quarry, and it transported the stone and placed the stone duly to the designated locality. At the meeting of the expert team which was held on 30th June 1999. it was concluded that the 400 m3 which was acquired would not suffice, and the team has demanded from the mayor and the deputy mayor to provide in the Mukoša quarry the additional stone quantities in order not for the building of the Old Bridge to come into question. As well it was pointed out that presently that there was no means for the purchase of the stone. After the detailed discussion a conclusion was made to find the means for the acquisition of the additional stone. The means for the acquisition of the additional stone quantities will be sought by means of donors of governments of Turkey, Slovenia and Croatia or else the new credit resources would be approved by the World Bank.

The basic assignment of the Project Coordination Unit is the restoration of the Old Bridge, Tara and Halebija towers, and the structures at the Old Bridge locality – the towers.

However the Project Coordination Unit has to encompass the infrastructure and the neighbourhood as well.

 

5.       Neighbourhood program

 

This program Project Coordination Unit will work together with the City Administration, and the Aga Khan Foundation. Aga Khan Foundation set aside 400 000 USD for structures in neighbourhood and the infrastructure. Here we deem important the preparation of the complete project documentation, with appropriate urban planning approvals. We would like to prevent the hodgepodge ruling at the neighbourhood structures. Here we specially accentuate the hodgepodge of the roofs and façades, which create the ugly ambient to the surroundings, and thus disturb the urban planning authenticity.

With a view to the preparation of the neighbourhood program Project Coordination Unit sent requests to the appropriate institutions for the issuing of the urban planning approvals, cadastre statements, land-registry certificates and in such a way intends to complete the administrative preparations.

 

ENCLOSURE

 

Re: information about the works in the Old Bridge restoration in Mostar by Aga Khan Culture Trust Fund, World Monuments' Fund

 

Aga Khan Culture Trust Fund and World Monuments' Fund

Mostar Project

 

 

Activities in the period

March 1998 – December 1999

 

Based on agreement with "Stari Mostar" Foundation signed in March 1998 (Mayor Safet Oručević, Dr. Stefano Bianca and Bonnie Burnham

The technical component has been accomplished in full cooperation with the Institute for the protection of the cultural heritage of Mostar.

 

A.      Planning

(Planning Component)

 

1.       Digitalization of the map of the city

2.       Historical analyses

3.       Conceptual plan for the urban area of Mostar

4.       Photographic archives

5.       Computer archives of data

6.       Regulation plan of the old part of the city with 1500 structures

 

The overall realized amount (according to the international norms) around 540 000 USD

 

B.      Project of rehabilitation of the Old Bridge surroundings

(Neighbourhoods Rehabilitation Component)

 

1.       Detailed elaboration of the elements quoted under the component A. – planning with the architectural-implementation drafts of the quoted structures and detailed economic elaboration

2.       Restoration operation in the structures A4-102, A4-103, A5-7a

 

C.      Project of restoration of the structures with monumental character

(15 priority buildings)

 

1.       Complete recording of the state, proposals for restoration

2.       Publication

3.       Test consolidation of Lakišić’s house

 

The overall realized amount (according to the international norms) around 125 000 USD

The total realized amount 700 000 USD

Information which may be useful:

 

 

Research Centre for Islamic History Art and Culture

IRCICA

Istanbul

 

 

MOSTAR 2004 PROGRAM

 

A.

Fifth workshop was realized in July 1999.

Sixty-four persons participated. Seven projects were elaborated.

Total costs in 1999 190 000 USD.

 

In all the projects of Mostar 2004 347 participants from 25 countries took place.

The total value of the program in the period 1994-1999

Costs of the participants, work in particular institutions, publication 935 000 USD.

Partners: IRCICA, city of Mostar, Aga Khan Culture Trust Fund, UNESCO, UNPD, Municipality of Istanbul, local technical partner Institute for the protection of the cultural heritage of Mostar

 

B.

One project was realized comprising 45 accomplished projects of Mostar 2004.

 

Reconstruction of the Nezir-aga’s mosque, donor Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi, Sheik of the Charge.

Total value 500 000 USD. Administrative partner "Stari Mostar" Foundation, technical partner Institute for the protection of the cultural heritage of Mostar

 

C.

In 2000. realization of four new projects is planned.

 

6.       Infrastructure

One of the crucial issues in the old part of the city is the completion of the infrastructure problems. It is very important to find the means for the solution of the infrastructure (water supply, electric energy supply, sewage, and post office services). After the building of the Old Bridge, it would be very unpleasant and inconvenient to start the works relating to infrastructure.

We opine that during 2000. we should provide the means for the quoted works, and that this activity should be completed before the building of the Old Bridge.

Infrastructure implemented in the right way in the old part of the city would improve the rent collection for the business premises which are let to rent, and thus to provide a substantial part of the means for the IDA credit repayment.

The accomplished infrastructure and the surroundings of the Old Bridge and the old city part will make a much more beautiful picture to the visitor’s eye, and to every citizen of the city of Mostar.