The City of Zagreb’s courtyard greening project delivers its first results

In the courtyard of the residential building at Šandor Brešćenski Street 8, Mayor Tomislav Tomašević and Deputy Mayors Danijela Dolenec and Luka Korlaet presented the first results of the courtyard greening project implemented by the City of Zagreb.

The project aims to revitalise forgotten courtyard spaces and transform them into green zones that contribute to a healthier urban environment. The initiative helps mitigate the effects of urban heating, strengthens biodiversity, reduces energy consumption and revitalises city courtyards.

“We are not only arranging courtyards in the Lower Town blocks but also blocks across the entire city between residential buildings, which have great potential for revitalisation. The idea is that the initial capital cost of design and installation of urban equipment is financed by the City, while the maintenance is later taken over by the co‑owners of the buildings,” said Mayor Tomašević, emphasising the importance of such projects for mitigating climate change.

So far, designs have been completed for seven courtyards, with a total value of 345,000 euros including VAT. Works have been completed at Šandora Brešćenskog 8 and Preradovićeva 44-Svačićev trg 17, and by the end of the week the courtyards at Novotnijeva 9 and 13 will also be completed. Work is underway at Klaićeva 21, followed by Basaričekova 3 and Zvonimirova 13.

The transformation of courtyards brings concrete benefits — from mitigating heat islands and filtering air, to retaining stormwater and creating spaces for socialising and rest. The redesigned courtyards offer grassy areas, plantings, urban equipment and naturally shaped seating and gathering zones.

Based on the public call, an additional 236 courtyards were selected, of which 25 will be arranged during the 2025/26 season. Some of these will be financed through the EU Horizon Europe programme as part of the ActGREEN project - Activation of 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 association ODRAZ. The remaining 18 courtyards will be greened with funds from the City of Zagreb.

As part of the project, educational workshops for citizens are also being held, organised by the Faculty of Agriculture. Workshops have so far been held in the city districts of Donji and Gornji Grad, Trešnjevka North and South, and Peščenica‑Žitnjak.

“Citizen participation on the one hand and reliance on contemporary scientific knowledge on the other are goals that matter to us,” said Deputy Mayor Dolenec. “Every courtyard that becomes green has a reduced heat‑island effect, which is especially important in the Lower Town, thereby improving quality of life and also increasing property value for co‑owners,” added Deputy Mayor Dolenec.

She added that, although not obliged to do so, the City of Zagreb implements a wide range of programmes to improve co‑owned private spaces, from arranging plazas and removing graffiti to façade renovation and courtyard greening.

The video can be found on the YouTube channel (source: City of Zagreb), YouTube channel (source: HINA multimedia) and YouTube channel (source: Jutarnji list).