More than 19 million euros for the development of green urban infrastructure in Zagreb County

As part of a working visit to Velika Gorica, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Physical Planning, Construction and State Property Branko Bačić today awarded 12 contracts for green urban infrastructure development projects in the Zagreb County, with a total value of EUR 19.13 million. On that occasion, he also visited the Pilot Project for the Development of Green Infrastructure and/or Circular Management of Space and Buildings. 

Accompanied by the Director of the Directorate Irena Križ Šelendić, the Head of Sector Ivana Milan Marković and associates, Minister Branko Bačić presented the contracts to representatives of local government units from the Zagreb County in Velika Gorica. The award ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Prefect of Zagreb County Damir Tomljenović, the Mayor of Velika Gorica Krešimir Ačkar and the Director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund (FZOEU) Luka Balen. 

Today's contracts are the last of a total of 72 contracts, worth 131 million euros, awarded for projects that will cover more than 340,000 residents, the planting of 87,000 new trees and shrubs, and the greening of 330 hectares of land in 18 Croatian counties. 

Minister Bačić emphasized that green urban infrastructure projects are important for the quality of life of citizens. In addition to contributing to a more beautiful appearance of cities and municipalities and preserving biodiversity, they also contribute to achieving the goals of a climate-neutral Croatia and Europe by 2050. 

"The more such spaces we build, the more we contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Life with green urban infrastructure is more pleasant and beautiful. We are not only designing cities to look more beautiful, but we are also contributing to reducing CO₂ emissions," he said. 

Mayor Ačkar emphasized that Velika Gorica is facing the challenges brought by climate change, which require new planning and investments. 

"Investments in climate change adaptation require significant funds, which we could not provide without the support of the Government, the relevant Ministry and the Fund. In addition to adapting to climate change on almost 100,000 square meters, we will adequately respond to the challenges and provide all our fellow citizens, especially the youngest, with a safer and healthier environment," he asserted. 

FZOEU Director Luka Balen emphasized that these projects are a continuation of the Government's investment in the development of green infrastructure, for which both European and national funds have been secured. 

“Thousands of trees and other vegetation have been planted with these funds so far. These contracts will contribute not only to reducing emissions and adapting to climate change, but also to a higher quality of life in urban areas,” he said. 

Deputy County Prefect of Zagreb County Damir Tomljenović expressed his satisfaction with the work of the mayors and heads of municipalities on numerous projects that contribute to the development of the county. 

“These 12 contracts for cities and municipalities of Zagreb County are a continuation of the large investments that have arrived in our county. We will invest 150 million euros in single-shift teaching, we are investing 22.5 million euros in green infrastructure, and there is also 20 million euros for energy renovation; we continue to do everything that is important and useful for our citizens,” he said. 

Contracts worth almost 20 million euros for a greener county and a better quality of life 

Minister Bačić today awarded contracts for the following projects: 

Municipality of Brckovljani – project “Green Park Božjakovina”. The construction of a new park, planting trees and shrubs, landscaping of walking paths and canopies, construction of a fitness zone and children's playgrounds and installation of solar lighting are planned. Grants amount to 2,778,297.95 euros. 

Town of Sveti Ivan Zelina – project “Construction of green infrastructure”. The project includes several locations where the planting of new trees and shrubs, installation of urban equipment and structures for urban fauna and renovation of walking paths are planned. Grants amount to 2,111,910.06 euros. 

Town of Velika Gorica – project “Children's Green Network – Plemeniti Pauković”. It includes several locations where children's playgrounds and sports and recreational zones will be arranged. The project includes planting trees and shrubs, installing new park equipment, building a bicycle and pedestrian path, and planting tree avenues in several streets. The grant amounts to 4,448,696.98 euros. 

Municipality of Kloštar Ivanić – project “Renovation of the Park of Croatian War Veterans and the Entrance Part of the Sports Park”. The project includes the construction of pedestrian paths, children's and recreational zones, and residential areas, planting new trees and shrubs, and the construction of a green parking lot for cars and bicycles. The grant amounts to 432,301.65 euros. 

City of Jastrebarsko – project “Development of green infrastructure in the Domagović settlement”. In addition to planting avenues and trees in public parks, the construction of children’s playgrounds, a fitness zone and the installation of new urban equipment for spending time in nature are planned. Grants amount to 1,018,638.52 euros. 

Municipality of Dubravica – project “Development of green infrastructure in the area of ​​the Municipality of Dubravica”. In several locations, the planting of trees and shrubs and the installation of urban equipment and structures for urban fauna are planned. Grants amount to 347,429.88 euros. 

City of Vrbovec – project for the development of the main city park. It includes the landscaping of public areas in the city center. The parks will be enriched by the planting of new trees and shrubs and the installation of urban equipment for spending time in nature. Grants amount to 447,720.96 euros. 

City of Vrbovec – project to build a bicycle path with a tree-lined avenue, to develop the area around the monument to the victims of fascism and to build two green parking lots with associated greenery and to install new urban equipment. Grants amount to 1,240,275.27 euros. 

Municipality of Brdovec – project “Green infrastructure of the Januševec zone”. The plan is to develop new park areas, plant trees and shrubs, and install urban equipment and a pergola to make spending time in nature more pleasant. Grants amount to 1,900,039.92 euros. 

Municipality of Pušća – project “Green urban infrastructure in the area of ​​the Municipality of Pušća”. The project envisages the development of several locations, including the area around the square, the children's playground and the area around the cemetery. The plan is to plant trees and shrubs, install new urban equipment and to develop pedestrian areas. Grants amount to 1,358,993.28 euros. 

Municipality of Stupnik – project “Green infrastructure within the Municipality of Stupnik”. It includes the development of several locations, namely the environment of existing green and neglected areas. It is planned to plant trees and shrubs, install new urban equipment and play equipment, and develop pedestrian areas. The grant amounts to 494,719.06 euros. 

Municipality of Jakovlje – a project to establish a large urban network by forming urban corridors and developing urban points in the settlement of Jakovlje. The project includes the development of several locations, including a park with a square, a children's playground, and other public areas. It is planned to plant new trees and shrubs, renovate the square, and install new urban equipment and play equipment. The grant amounts to 4,448,696.98 euros. 

As a reminder, the contracts were awarded based on the public call of the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Property "Development of Green Infrastructure in Urban Areas", for which funds were provided from the European Regional Development Fund through the Competitiveness and Cohesion Programme 2021-2027. Due to the great interest, the allocation of funds was increased from 71 to 131 million euros, which finances 72 green infrastructure development projects across Croatia. 

22.4 million euros of European funds were allocated for green urban renewal projects in Zagreb County. In addition to today's contracts, the development of 11 Green Urban Renewal Strategies was financed, which were allocated 298,294.51 euros in grants for eight cities and three municipalities. Four pilot projects for the development of green infrastructure are also being implemented, with a total value of 3,013,575.55 euros, in Jastrebarsko, Dugo Selo, Vrbovec and Velika Gorica. Minister Bačić visited one of them today. 

Pilot project in Velika Gorica an example of integrating green solutions into urban space 

The pilot project for the development of green infrastructure and/or circular management of space and buildings – “PAUK U VG (Connecting Alternative Urban Corridors in Velika Gorica)”, on Trg Seljačke sloge, was the first green infrastructure development project implemented in Velika Gorica. Its goal was not only to plant new trees and arrange public areas, but also to change the way space is used by connecting green areas, increasing the resilience of settlements to climate change and creating a more pleasant living environment. 

The project created a unique network of green urban corridors and urban points that connect social, sports, educational and cultural facilities in Buševac, as well as a new avenue of trees in Vukomerička Street. The activities included planting trees, landscaping buildings, installing green facades and pergolas, birdhouses and insect hotels, and arranging the square and building pedestrian and cycling areas, among other activities. The project has greened more than 9,000 square meters of public areas, planting 201 indigenous trees and 41 shrubs. The value of the project is 1,054,060.58 euros, of which 1,025,590.58 euros are grants. 

Mayor Ačkar pointed out that the pilot project is an example of the direction in which Velika Gorica will develop and announced the adoption of a new urban plan, which will increase the share of green areas to 45%.