Belgrade's new bollards spark anger over illogical placement, obstructed access

New bollards and concrete planters have appeared in central Belgrade, sparking criticism from residents and civic groups over their illogical placement and potential to impede emergency services. Nataša Pantić of the Stari Grad civic association described the installations at the corner of Kralja Petra and Uzun Mirkova streets as haphazard, with rows of bollards, chains, fences, and planters creating a confusing and obstructive urban landscape.

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It's hard for anyone to see a pattern given that we have a row of bollards with chains, then a row of fences, then a row of planters, all in one place.

"It's hard for anyone to see a pattern given that we have a row of bollards with chains, then a row of fences, then a row of planters, all in one place," Pantić stated. She added that the city authorities have not provided any explanation for the installations or disclosed their cost to Belgrade's citizens. "We only have arrogance, as always, and the ignoring of demands to disclose how much this costs us and what it's all for," she said.

Pantić suggested that while the bollards might be intended to prevent cars from entering sidewalks or to protect pedestrians, there are better ways to achieve this without making the city "shackled in metal and steel." Residents are unhappy, reporting that the bollards hinder access for emergency vehicles and make the sidewalks look like "small prisons."

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We only have arrogance, as always, and the ignoring of demands to disclose how much this costs us and what it's all for.

N1 sent an inquiry to the Secretariat for Information regarding the bollard installations but had not received a response by the time of publication.

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people's movement is made impossible, it looks ugly, like a small prison on the sidewalk.