SPATIAL-FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT UNITS FROM A SECURITY ASPECT

Observing, analyzing and comparing functional authority that local self-government units (LSGUs) have in developed countries, in comparison to LSGUs in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H), precisely in B&H autonomous entities, it can be stated that B&H is still far behind from modern society. Although there are valid and comprehensive legal regulations, both on a national and entity level, in practice, those regulations have not yet been fully implemented. The legal regulations in two autonomous entities differ when it comes to regulating LSGU as well as their jurisdictions. The purpose of the paper focuses on the comparison of legal regulations of LSGUs in Bosnia and Herzegovina on an entity level, and only in some segments will those regulations be compared to regulations that can be found in developed countries. In order to achieve the defined goal of the paper, which is that a properly spatially and functionally organized LSGUs can offer a higher level of security and safety to the population that living in its territory, unlike LSGUs that are neither spatially nor functionally organized, several scientific methods will be used, such as: the method of synthesis and analysis, induction and deduction, comparison, and, to some extent, generalization. The result of this paper is reflected in the recommendations provided to improve the safety and security of LSGU. A variety of activities needs to be undertaken, such as: spatial planning improvement, technological innovations, coordination between services, decentralization of security structures, improving legislative and regulatory framework, strenghtening resilience to natural disasters and the role of community and citizen. LSGU plays a key role in shaping the security policies that respond to specific challenges faced by the community. Integration of modern technology, development of flexible management methods and improvement of LSGU capacities are the basis for creating of secure and more resilient communities in the future.