Improving mobility for pedestrians in Zagreb (Croatia)

Apr 14, 2025Croatia, Inspiring initiative, Sustainable Mobility

ACCTING aims to understand the impact of Green Deal policies on vulnerable groups, prevent inequalities, and produce knowledge and innovations to advance behavioural change at individual and collective levels for an inclusive and equal European Green Deal. Read our report on all 693 mapped initiatives.

Improving post-lockdown mobility for pedestrians in Zagreb (Croatia)

1% Za Grad (1% For the City) is a citizens’ platform aimed at civic improvement and respect for public goods. The collects small scale, usually climate and environment-driven, municipal improvement initiatives in Zagreb, Croatia.

The platform was founded in 2012 and increased in reach and prominence after the platform ‘Zagreb je naš!’ came to prominence in 2017. Since then it has increasingly gained traction with the local government. Mr Saša Šimpraga is listed as a founding member of the initiative and is today supported by dozens if not hundreds of citizens who propose improvements and petition the local authority at various levels.

Expanding city centre pedestrian zones
The platform is significant for its advocacy of expansion of city centre pedestrian zones, in particular at Masarykova street and Vlaška street, following lock downs and a devastating earthquake in 2020 which is still awaiting reconstruction. Going by foot is often the most oppressed mode of mobility in the city of Zagreb, outside of pedestrian zones but sometimes even in them. People with mobility issues compete for restricted space, for example with cyclists and scooters. In pedestrian zones primacy is given to pedestrians, speed of any other vehicles is reduced and social acceptance of primacy of pedestrians is enforced. By expanding pedestrian zones, the initiative benefits vulnerable citizens with mobility impairments, as well as citizens without access to urban vehicles.