Image by Maja Jovanovic / City of Belgrade

Belgrade, Serbia

Greening City

Welcome to Belgrade, Serbia's vibrant capital and largest city with a population of 1.6 million. Situated at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, Belgrade occupies a key geographical position at the crossroads of the Pannonian Plain and the Balkan Peninsula. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe and the world, Belgrade traces its roots back to the 6th century BC with the influential Vinča culture.

Image by barurezeki

Greening Cities will participate in capacity building through UrbanbyNature and will test the UNP development framework, ensuring that their renaturing activites meet the requirements of the Urban Nature Platform.

Urban Nature Efforts and Challenges

Currently, Belgrade has approximately 16% of its territory covered by forests and 15% by green spaces, which contribute to its ecological diversity and urban resilience. Despite these natural assets, the city faces challenges such as the lack of a robust legal framework for renaturing infrastructure, insufficient implementation of planning regulations, and the need for stricter enforcement and inspection of green initiatives.

Overview of Current Initiatives

Belgrade has taken significant steps to improve its urban green infrastructure:

Green City Action Plan for City of Belgrade: Adopted in 2019, this plan reserves all green spaces for urban forests, parks, squares and tree-lined areas, ensuring future greening opportunities.
Development strategies: The city is actively developing a Green Infrastructure Strategy and an Urban Forest Development Programme (2025-2035) to further enrich its natural landscape and improve environmental quality.

Role in UNP+

Belgrade joined the UNP+ project to strengthen its green plans and biodiversity initiatives. The city aims to raise public awareness of the importance of biodiversity while improving and expanding its natural spaces.

Want to get involved?

In collaboration with the City of Belgrade, the ICLEI World Secretariat, ICLEI Europe and local partners, the UrbanByNature's South Eastern Europe Hub (UbN SEE) was launched in 2022. This initiative focuses on nature-based solutions and urban climate adaptation and involves more than 20 cities from the region.

Belgrade invites residents and organisations to participate in shaping its green future:

Support green initiatives: Stay informed about local projects and get involved in community-led efforts to improve green spaces.
Join the conversation: Work with local authorities and organisations to advocate for sustainable urban development practices.