Zagreb announces major traffic, parking and public space projects

Zagreb

The City of Zagreb is continuing its efforts to modernise traffic management and reclaim public space for residents, with a new wave of projects focused on sustainable mobility, road safety and quality of life.

Mayor Tomislav Tomašević confirmed that 2026 will mark a key phase in the city’s transport reforms.

“In 2026, we are continuing to bring order to traffic and return public space to citizens. We are starting with a comprehensive parking analysis and the development of a Park & Ride system to reduce congestion. At the same time, we are expanding pedestrian zones and building a new cycling magistral route,” Tomašević said.

Comprehensive Parking Analysis Underway

Following the introduction of block-based parking and a fairer distribution of public space last year, the city has launched a public procurement process for a professional analysis of parking capacity across Zagreb.

The study aims to improve parking availability for residents, enhance pedestrian safety and encourage more sustainable forms of transport. Currently, paid parking covers only around 5% of the city’s surface area, significantly less than in comparable European cities such as Vienna and Ljubljana.

The analysis will examine parking occupancy rates, user profiles, proposals for new tariff and dynamic pricing models, reform of resident and preferential permits, and measures to curb illegal parking.

The estimated value of the study is €150,000, with a completion deadline of nine months.

New Park & Ride Locations Planned

At the same time, Zagreb has launched procurement for the design of modernised and new Park & Ride facilities. Planned locations include Podsused, Sesvete (Ninska Street), Remetinec Rotor, Dubec terminal and Gračansko Dolje. Additional potential sites are being analysed along Sarajevo Road, at Zapruđe Rotor and Mihaljevac terminal.

All locations are planned as modern intermodal hubs, integrated with public transport and the city’s Bajs public bicycle system. The possibility of introducing a single combined ticket for parking and public transport is also being considered.

The project is valued at €80,000, with a nine-month timeframe.

Together with the ongoing public procurement for a study to optimise the city’s bus network, these initiatives aim to deliver a safer, more efficient and sustainable transport system, while increasing public space and improving access to mobility.

Expansion of Pedestrian Zones

Before further pedestrianisation, the city will carry out detailed traffic and urban analyses, including traffic simulations and assessments of impacts on residents. Access for residents, deliveries and emergency services will be carefully ensured.

Procurement has begun for the design of expanded pedestrian zones in:

• Gajeva Street (from Berislavićeva to Teslina)

• Teslina Street (towards Praška)

• Full pedestrian conversion of Pod zidom Street, with special supply arrangements for Dolac Market

• Pedestrianisation of the western section of Martićeva Street

• A conceptual design for expanding the pedestrian zone on Kaptol, from Bakačeva Street past the Cathedral to Opatovina, including reorganisation of bus traffic

Access to pedestrian zones will be modernised using retractable bollards and video surveillance, with special attention paid to residents’ needs and emergency access. The estimated value of this project is €25,000, with a two-month deadline.

New Cycling Magistral Route Along Former Railway

Zagreb is also continuing to expand its cycling infrastructure. A procurement process has been launched for the conceptual design of a nearly 9-kilometre cycling and pedestrian magistral route along the former Samoborček railway line.

The route will connect western districts — Trešnjevka, Vrapče, Stenjevac, Prečko and Podsused — with the city centre. The project is valued at €25,000, with a two-month completion period.

New Parking Rules Already in Force

The city also reminded residents that new General Conditions for the provision of parking services on regulated public parking areas came into force on 1 January 2026.

Under the new rules, all commercial parking tickets, hourly, daily, monthly and annual, are valid exclusively in the zone for which they are purchased.