Rebellion Over New Apartments in Borovje: Residents Collect Signatures, Crying 'It's Our Last Meadow!'

Residents of Zagreb's Borovje neighborhood are rallying against a proposed development that would construct 11 new apartment buildings on a cherished local green space, which they refer to as their "last meadow." The project, intended to provide affordable housing for approximately 1700 new residents, has sparked significant opposition due to concerns about the strain on already overburdened infrastructure.

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The proposal is to build 11 new buildings on our last meadow. This brings 1700 new residents to infrastructure that is already bursting at the seams!

Protesters highlight that the local kindergarten and school are already at capacity, and the health center cannot accept new patients. They fear the influx of new residents will exacerbate traffic jams and parking shortages, potentially hindering future traffic solutions. The development is planned for a seven-hectare area, with discussions about its urban development plan ongoing since 2006 and a recent public hearing for the Borovje-South plan.

While the official plan designates over half of the future settlement for parks, lawns, and green spaces, including a sports field with a spectator area and playgrounds, residents are unconvinced. They are actively collecting signatures for a formal objection to be submitted to the authorities. Their demands include reducing the number of buildings, preserving the "green soul" of the neighborhood, and setting back buildings from the main road to allow for future expansion of a key street.

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Kindergarten and school do not have enough capacity, the health center already does not accept new patients, traffic collapse and lack of parking will only get worse, future traffic solutions will be impossible.

The residents' petition emphasizes the destruction of the only remaining greenery and animal habitat in the area. They are organizing signature collection points at the entrance to the Borovje Health Center over several days. The core of their protest lies in the fear that the development will irrevocably damage the quality of life in their neighborhood by overwhelming its essential services and eliminating valuable natural spaces.

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We demand a reduction in the number of buildings, preservation of the green soul of the settlement, and moving the building away from the road for future expansion of Ulica I. gardijske brigade 'Tigrovi'.