ActGREEN Project Final Conference: Green Courtyards as Urban Infrastructure for Climate Resilience

Final Conference of the ActGREEN Project

In the opening part, participants were addressed by:

• Nebojša Ivančević, Project Manager (City of Zagreb)
• Irena Matković, Deputy Head of the City Office for Construction, Physical Planning, Building and Reconstruction (City of Zagreb)
• Vlatka Berlan Vlahek, City Advisor and representative of the Energy Cities / NetZeroCities consortium

Why ActGREEN? – From Courtyards to Climate Infrastructure

In the opening remarks, it was emphasized that the impacts of climate change are increasingly felt in neighbourhoods, streets and courtyards, which is why cities are becoming a key level of action.

In this context, the ActGREEN project encouraged the green transformation of urban courtyards, the development of nature-based solutions, and the involvement of citizens in building more sustainable communities.

A key point was the implementation model, which does not rely solely on the city budget, but combines European funding, partner investments and a participatory approach—enabling faster delivery of pilot interventions and strengthening local capacities for climate neutrality.

Expert Programme: Landscape and Nature-Based Solutions

An expert framework and a broader perspective on the importance of landscape solutions in developing greener and more resilient cities—along with reflections on experiences from the ActGREEN project—was provided by Assoc. Prof. Iva Rechner Dika, PhD (University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture).

The expert segment dedicated to landscape and nature-based solutions also featured distinguished international experts:

• Nigel Thorne, Honorary Member and former President of the International Federation of Landscape Architects – Europe
• Albert Fekete, PhD, Director of the Institute of Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning and Garden Art

Discussions repeatedly highlighted that landscape is the foundation of urban resilience, not merely a “decoration” or aesthetic add-on—especially in cities exposed to heatwaves and extreme rainfall.

The Citizens’ Voice: “My Green Courtyard”

One of the most memorable parts of the conference was a discussion with residents of the greened courtyards, focusing on the social and psychological effects of green spaces and the importance of resident participation to the project’s success. The discussion was led by Assist. Prof. Jana Kiralj Lacković, PhD (Faculty of Agriculture).

This session confirmed that green courtyards, in addition to microclimatic benefits, also bring visible improvements to everyday quality of life—from more frequent outdoor use to stronger neighbourly connections.

Designers’ Experiences: From Idea to Implementation

Challenges and experiences related to preparing project documentation for Zagreb’s green courtyards were shared by the landscape architects involved in the project, in a discussion moderated by Assoc. Prof. Ines Hrdalo, PhD (University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture).

The focus was on practical aspects of implementation: aligning solutions with existing administrative and technical frameworks, and the importance of good preparation for long-term maintenance.

Key Messages from the Conference

At the end of the programme, conclusions were summarised as guidelines for further scaling up green interventions across the city:

• An attractive space draws people in.
• Climate resilience is built through a series of smaller, connected interventions.
• Green courtyards are part of urban infrastructure, not just an aesthetic solution.
• Citizen involvement is the foundation of long-term project sustainability.
• Small interventions can have a big impact if they are well designed and maintained over time.

In conclusion, it was emphasized that green courtyards are becoming the foundation of green and social infrastructure, and that the ActGREEN project demonstrates how knowledge, practice and community can be successfully connected.

More about the ActGREEN project: actgreen.zagreb.hr