Velika Gorica

63,517 inhabitants, 328 km2 – 6th largest city in Croatia

42°N-16.04°E, close to the
capital City of Zagreb in the central
part of the Republic of Croatia

average annual precipitation of 495 mm and an annual average temperature range from -4 to 27℃

URBAN DEVELOPMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

The urban area covers only around 13 km2 (ca. 4%) and was intensively constructed during the 1970s and 1980s. With 32.000 inhabitants, the urban population density is around 2.500 people per km2 compared to 193 people per km2 on average for the whole of the municipality. Urban green space accounts for about 1 km2 , with a target to reach 1.6 km2 corresponding to 40 m2 per inhabitant. Free urban public gardens have been introduced to interested citizens, covering close to 12,000 m2 .

Separation of rainwater from the sewage system, accomplished in the 1970s, is based on grey infrastructure solutions, which partly causes flooding in downstream rural settlements.

In the near vicinity, lowland, humid wooded areas host the highest woodland biodiversity nationally. Agricultural land and forested land account for 37 and 38% of the land area respectively, water surfaces 4% and settlements 20%.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL PRESSURES

High traffic, heating with wood and oil combined with vast agricultural areas around the city and close vicinity of the main state airport contribute to excessive pollution, particularly to airborne particles during winter months.

Land take for increasing urbanisation due to the proximity to the capital, Zagreb, add pressures on existing ecosystems. During recent years the city experienced an increased frequency and scale of flooding events and heat waves.

Size

63,517 inhabitants, 328 km2 – 6th largest city in Croatia

Position

42°N-16.04°E, close to the
capital City of Zagreb in the central
part of the Republic of Croatia

Climate

average annual precipitation of 495 mm and an annual average temperature range from -4 to 27℃

NBS IN FOCUS

Adaptation to flooding in peri-urban areas through retention of urban surface rainwater (e.g. green roofs) and re-naturalisation of existing rainwater channels combined with the development of a new recreational area and new cycling/hiking/horseback riding lanes

Addressing pollution of airborne particles through planting of street trees to disperse and catch pollutants and rinse it to the rainwater drainage system

Addressing urban heat island effects through analysis of impacts of existing urban trees and suggestion for afforestation using native species for biodiversity, depaving and installing green roofs (combined with solar power)

Enhancing liveability, social inclusion and biodiversity through mapping urban biodiversity, improving management, expanding existing urban green areas and maintaining existing areas with high biodiversity

ULL ACTIONS

  • Incubation of “green” startups in Velika Gorica’s new business incubator
  • Inclusion of citizens in participatory boards comprised of citizens, institutions, university, schools, utility companies, private sector and other representatives of local stakeholders, aiming to devise a catalogue of all possible NBS sites within the territory of Velika Gorica
  • Raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity and natural surroundings for sustainable urban living among citizens, and particularly children and youth

ULL OUTPUTS

  • Technical documentation for reconstruction of public building roofs to “green roofs”, including monitoring of local microclimate before and after the reconstruction
  • Installation of solar panels on the above-mentioned green roofs, financed through crowdfunding campaign initiated through REGREEN
  • Preliminary design and study documentation for renaturalisation of rainwater canal
  • Survey on public parks and green spaces management and citizens needs
  • Awareness raising events on local biodiversity, nature and green jobs opportunities
  • Educational materials for general public, school and pre-school children

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