This paper was based on a qualitative research that strives to gain a deeper insight into the lives of current residents and those who moved out of the small city of Opuzen. The purpose is to describe and explain the way in which Opuzen represents a city with the potential for a green-blue development paradigm. The research is divided into three categories through which was wanted to achieve a better understanding of this paper’s topic. The first category refers to the green paradigm in which is analyzed the development and significance of agriculture, the second category refers to the blue paradigm in which is analyzed the role of Neretva river and how the benefits of the natural resource represent the synergy of the greenblue paradigm that can achieve the well-being of the inhabitants. The third category refers to the social aspect which allows better insight into demographic, social, cultural and political changes over a wider period of time in order to explain the advantages, disadvantages and challenges that society faces, all through the prism of the green-blue urban paradigm. Also, in this paper are represented strategies that, with their goals and guidelines, formulate instructions for improving the quality of life and overcoming the current challenges that rural areas and small cities face. The research is aiming to a better understanding the current state of the city, but also to determining the necessary development goals.