City officials announced: “The greening of five Zagreb courtyards has been completed. This also encourages neighbourhood connections.”
During the 2025/26 season, 25 courtyards will be renovated, for which public‑procurement procedures for selecting designers are currently underway.
Courtyards in the historic core of Zagreb, as well as in other parts of the city, are undergoing a green transformation, the City reported.
The greening project aims to revitalise neglected spaces between buildings by turning them into green zones that mitigate the effects of urban heating, enhance biodiversity, reduce energy consumption and contribute to creating a more pleasant and healthier urban environment.
So far, project designs have been completed for seven courtyards, with a total value of 345,000 euros including VAT, and works have been completed at five locations:
- Šandora Brešćenskog 8-12,
- Preradovićeva 44 - Svačićev trg 17,
- Novotnijeva 9,
- Novotnijeva 13,
- and Klaićeva 21 (in the final phase of renovation).
Landscape works at Basaričekova 3 are expected to begin in July, while the renovation of the courtyard at Zvonimirova 13 is planned for autumn to ensure favourable conditions for tree planting.
“Although such investments are primarily aimed at improving courtyards and the quality of life of residents living in the surrounding buildings, their broader social value is multifaceted. By creating greener and higher‑quality urban spaces, the project contributes to improving the living environment for all citizens of Zagreb, as it reduces the long‑term effects of urban heat islands, strengthens the city’s resilience to climate change, encourages neighbourhood connections and raises the overall municipal standard,” said Tomislav Tomašević, Mayor of the City of Zagreb.
The works supported by the City include the removal of asphalt and concrete surfaces, planting of native vegetation and lawn installation, followed by the installation of urban equipment, rainwater‑collection systems, rain gardens and biodiversity‑rich meadows.
In some courtyards, solar lighting, playground equipment and composters are also planned, as well as birdhouses and insect houses.
As part of the project, educational workshops have already been held for residents in the districts of Donji Grad, Gornji Grad, Trešnjevka - North, Trešnjevka - South and Peščenica - Žitnjak, with more planned.
During the 2025/26 season, 25 courtyards will be renovated, for which public‑procurement procedures for selecting designers are currently underway.
Most of them — 18 courtyards — will be greened with funds from the City of Zagreb, while the remaining ones will be financed through the EU Horizon Europe programme as part of the ActGREEN project - Activating Green Courtyards for Carbon Neutrality, which the City is implementing in cooperation with the Faculty of Agriculture, the Croatian Association of Landscape Architects and the organisation ODRAZ.
Source: Tajana Josipović, Večernji.hr
Image: Unsplash
