Intensive preparations for the establishment of the new university centre in western Slovenia, which started in 2000, initiated a huge row between Nova Gorica and Koper over the location of the university’s headquarters building. Since the coast represents one of the more densely populated parts of Slovenia, Parliament chose Koper in 2003. Koper’s location prevailed, a mixed-language district with an Italian minority in Slovenia and a Slovenian one in Italy. The decision to locate the university on the coast created an opportunity to link the project for the new university’s spaces with the restoration of run-down buildings of historical value.