According to data from the European Environment Agency, Zagreb is the greenest capital city in the European Union. With the aim of further strengthening this status, the project Activating Green Courtyards for Carbon Neutrality (ActGREEN) seeks to improve the quality of urban areas and promote an environmentally conscious way of life.
The goal of the project is to transform private and semi‑public spaces into green oases with low CO₂ emissions. The added value of this project lies in citizen involvement and strengthening the local community, with an emphasis on improving the urban environment and adapting to climate change.
During the implementation of the project, numerous innovations are planned, such as new green areas, tree planting, LED lighting powered by green energy, bicycle and scooter racks, children’s playgrounds, rainwater‑recycling systems and high‑quality urban furniture.
The planned interventions will include a range of sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions, such as planting trees to increase biodiversity and create shade, introducing additional green areas to improve the local ecosystem, and installing permeable surfaces that allow rainwater to infiltrate the soil, thereby reducing stormwater runoff and the risk of flooding.
A key aspect of the project is community involvement. Residents and relevant stakeholders will be actively included in the process from the very beginning, and their ideas and suggestions will be incorporated into the final design of each courtyard. In this way, their needs, preferences and concerns will be taken into account throughout all phases of planning and design.
Public meetings, workshops and consultations will be held to gather information and feedback, ensuring that the final design not only reflects the wishes of the community but also meets the goals of environmental sustainability and long‑term environmental benefits.
