Zagreb – A Regional Hub for Dialogue on Climate Resilience, Greening and Sustainable Urban Mobility

Day 1: Transforming Urban Space and Transport Policies / Field Visits to Good Practices

The three-day programme began at the Zagreb Energy Centre – ZEC with a workshop titled “Transformation of Urban Space and Transport Policies”, held as part of the CLIMove project — the ODRAZ initiative connecting climate goals and sustainable urban mobility, strengthening city capacities through expert cooperation.

The introductory presentation was given by Aljaž Plevnik from the Urban Planning Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, who introduced participants to modern people-centred approaches to transforming urban spaces and transport policies.

This was followed by concrete examples from Croatian cities:

• Andro Pavuna from the City of Zagreb presented how city streets are gradually transforming into spaces that enhance quality of life — from strengthening public transport to expanding the Bajs public bike system to residential areas. Examples from Vlaška and Draškovićeva streets illustrated “pull” measures encouraging behavioural change, as well as challenges such as parking zone resistance and ensuring parking availability for city centre residents.
• Mateja Petronijević from the City of Pula showcased ongoing projects such as urban and rain gardens, greening of parking lots and public spaces, installation of public drink fountains, and other sustainable and climate adaptation measures.

Forty five participants representing cities, NGOs, academia, public companies and the private sector worked in groups to discuss fair mobility transition steps, reducing car dependency and involving citizens in change processes.

The afternoon featured field visits highlighting good practices of sustainable mobility in Zagreb:

• A green walking tour through the city
• “Cycling through Zagreb” tour with Bajs
• A ZET bus ride and visits to Končar and ZET, exploring “The rail industry as a stakeholder of climate resilience”

Participants also visited green inner courtyards in Lower Town blocks, part of the pilot project Green Courtyards, presented by Martina Milković-Ivanušević from the City of Zagreb. The project improves microclimates, reduces the heat island effect, and enhances city centre livability.

In parallel, the first meeting of the NALAS Working Group on Climate Resilience and Sustainable Urban Mobility was held to present goals and planned regional activities.

Day 2: 10th CIVINET Forum – Zagreb as a Regional Centre of Dialogue

The second day was dedicated to the 10th CIVINET Forum, held at the Hilton Garden Inn hotel. Over 100 participants from the CIVINET Slo-Cro-SEE network and regional partners gathered, confirming Zagreb’s role as a regional centre for dialogue on climate resilience and sustainable mobility.

The conference “Climate Resilience of Cities – Greening and Planning Sustainable Mobility” was opened by:

• Lidija Pavić-Rogošić, Director of ODRAZ and representative of the CIVINET Secretariat
• Marv Barbullushi, Regional Cooperation Council (RCC)
• Nedim Begović, Transport Community
• Miodrag Kolić, NALAS
• Alexander Erlewein, GIZ, project Green Agenda: Adaptation to Climate Change in the Western Balkans – WB Adapt
• Luka Korlaet, Deputy Mayor of the City of Zagreb

The programme included:

• A presentation on climate resilience in urban mobility and the WB Adapt project activities
• A presentation on risk assessment and climate adaptation strategy development
• A panel on the synergy between climate neutrality and resilience in urban systems, emphasising the role of local authorities
• Discussions on innovative approaches and cross-sector cooperation for green, resilient cities

Pedro Homem de Gouveia from the POLIS Network enriched the event with his talk on the three key challenges of modern mobility: climate, cohesion and competitiveness. His insights framed discussions on how transport systems can be simultaneously climate-responsible, socially just and economically competitive.

Participants exchanged experiences from many Southeast European cities — from adapting infrastructure to extreme weather to integrating transport, spatial and green space planning.

Key highlights included:

• Climate still isn’t high enough on strategy agendas, but its importance is rapidly rising.
• Climate resilience must be a right, not a privilege – all citizens should benefit from safer, greener and more pleasant cities.
• If cleaner air and emission reductions are genuine goals, the state must ensure political and regulatory support, proper tools and clear commitment – together with the citizens.
• Urban greening is already happening, visible in projects like rain gardens, green courtyards, public bicycles and improved public transport.
• For a true paradigm shift, legal barriers must be removed, professional capacities strengthened, and all stakeholders – local authorities, experts, civil society and citizens – systematically engaged.
• Climate resilience doesn’t happen by chance – It results from cooperation, knowledge and thoughtful action.

Before the conference, the 12th Annual Assembly of the CIVINET Slovenia–Croatia–SEE Network gathered cities, ministries, institutes, faculties, and private and civil sectors from six countries, presenting directions and planned activities for 2026.

The day concluded with a ceremony marking 25 years of ODRAZ, highlighting key achievements and allowing participants to network and celebrate together.

Day 3: Urban Mobility Academy for Climate-Resilient Cities

The final day featured the Urban Mobility Academy for Climate-Resilient Cities – Module 1, an ODRAZ educational programme for representatives of cities and institutions from Western Balkan countries working on transport planning and climate policies.

The introductory session was delivered by Pedro Homem de Gouveia from POLIS, who spoke about resistance to change and the need to leverage political will, noting that resistance often comes from professionals themselves.

The Academy is part of the WB Adapt project within the Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans, promoting climate adaptation, especially in urban transport. It focuses on developing tools and decision-making strategies to plan and implement adaptation measures effectively at the local level.

The first module explored how climate change affects transport, infrastructure, and urban quality of life, identifying concrete measures to increase resilience – from green and blue infrastructure to sustainable mobility solutions.

Participants analysed good practice examples from the region and Europe, developed their own adaptation ideas, and discussed how to make their cities safer, greener and more liveable by 2030.

Through a combination of lectures, group work and discussions, participants formulated practical actions for their local contexts and agreed on tasks between modules to translate new knowledge into real projects and practices.

With this event, Zagreb once again confirmed its role as a key regional actor in shaping policies that make cities greener, more resilient, and more liveable.

View the photo gallery HERE.

Event organisers: ODRAZ / CIVINET Slo-Cro-SEE Network Secretariat, NetZeroCities, Transport Community, NALAS, GIZ, ActGREEN, REAL RIS.