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Research: Illegal Construction Results from Corruption
The latest survey implemented by the Centre of Civil Communications shows that the corruption in the area of construction reaches to the highest levels of local and central Government. According to the survey, the construction of the more than 10,000 illegal buildings in Macedonia, built since 2000, involve corruption in several stages – from the actual building to the ultimate legalization.
The Survey adds that the official data, available from the State Bureau of Statistics, show that between 2000 and 2004, 49 percent of the illegally constructed buildings were housing or office facilities. Moreover, the exorbitant profits in housing development, estimated at full 100% of the initial investment, enables the developers to play with high bribes.
The mass corruption is suggested by the official numbers of adopted and not executed decisions for demolition of illegally build objects in the country. The official statistics for the period 2000-2004 state that a total of 10,275 decisions were adopted, of which only 17% were implemented. The question is, how did the remaining 83% escape the bulldozers and wrecking crews.
The general perception is that the main instigator of the so-called urban planning chaos is created by the frequent changes in urban plans. For example, only in Skopje we have had several cases of start of constuction of public garages, which overnight transform into attractive residential complexes.
The competent authorities which should sanction the illegal construction say that their inaction and ineffectiveness is due to the problems accumulation over the past 50 years. What they don't explain, however, is why they tolerate the construction of new illegal building, which amount to about 1,500 new buildings each year.
The lack of proper action at the very beginning of construction and the wait for appartments to be sold and new tenants to move in, gives the whole problem a social dimension. Therefore, the only logical conclusion is that the competent authorities knowingly stimulate the urban planning chaos, led by corruptive motives.
This chaos has contributed to Macedonia entering a bizaar situation. In the same state and legal system, some municipalities consider the demolition of illegal construction as success in the fight against this problem, while other municipalities see the legalization of illegally build building as equally big success.
The Centre for Civil Communication concludes that the existing approach to the problem, applied by both local and central authorities, does not guarantee that the problem will soon be solved.
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