The new plots are located across five areas of the Croatian capital: Novi Zagreb – zapad, Novi Zagreb – istok, Peščenica – Žitnjak, Stenjevec and Sesvete. Each plot covers 50 square metres and will be available to successful applicants for two years free of charge, with the possibility of extending the period.
The programme is open to people with permanent residence in Zagreb who do not own, co-own, lease or otherwise use other cultivable land. Applications are open for 15 days following the publication of the city’s public call.
Zagreb launched the City Gardens project in 2013, and it has since grown to 16 locations with more than 2,250 plots covering around 24.5 hectares of cultivable land. Residents use the gardens to grow vegetables, berries, herbs and flowers, while the spaces also provide opportunities for spending time outdoors and connecting with neighbours and nature.
The initiative reflects a wider interest in urban gardening and community green spaces, as cities look for ways to preserve areas for nature while giving residents access to fresh produce and outdoor activities.
For people living in apartments without access to private land, the city gardens offer a chance to grow their own food close to home. At the same time, the project gives otherwise underused urban land a practical community purpose and contributes to greener and more sustainable neighbourhoods.
With the latest 85 plots, Zagreb is continuing a programme that has become a permanent part of the city’s urban landscape, combining local food production, recreation and community life.
