Sesvete Set for Major Transformation: New Centre, Parks and Housing

Zagreb's city assembly will vote this week on changes to the General Urban Plan (GUP) for Sesvete that could reshape the eastern district, turning former industrial sites into a new town centre with affordable housing, parks and better transport links.

The updated plan focuses on three key areas: the former Sljeme factory, the former Badel site, and the old Ciglana brickworks, according to Nikša Božić, head of the City Institute for Spatial Planning.

The Sljeme site, next to the railway station, is seen as the biggest opportunity. Plans include a mix of public, business and residential buildings, with a strong emphasis on affordable homes. A music school is already under construction there.

A public competition will be held to design the new centre and connect it with the existing centre and the Novi Jelkovec neighbourhood. That connection is planned as a series of themed parks, sometimes called 'the new Zrinjevac' because its width matches the famous downtown park. It will allow public facilities, cafes and sports areas.

The Badel area west of the centre will become a mixed residential and commercial zone, with a public park along the Vuger stream. The city will buy land for a kindergarten and park, while a private investor will develop the rest with a pedestrian walkway to the centre.

At Ciglana, part of the site will become green space and sports facilities, while the rest will be mixed use with a required clinic and kindergarten. A new road will link Bjelovarska and Varaždinska streets.

In Duboki jarak, a new residential neighbourhood could be built after a forest evaluation study. Traffic changes include new pedestrian and cycling links across the railway in the centre and grade-separated crossings outside it.

The plan also aims to adapt to climate change and improve public infrastructure. The current GUP dates from 2003 and has been amended six times, so officials say a comprehensive update is needed.