The 'Ne damo ni lipe' citizens' initiative demands full transparency and expert involvement before the new intervention on Frana Kurelca Street, part of the same project as the controversial removal of linden trees from the main square.
After the public outcry in Karlovac in July 2026 over the removal of the linden tree avenue from Ban Josip Jelačić Square, better known as Stari plac, the city is preparing for a similar intervention. The citizens' initiative 'Ne damo ni lipe' warned on Monday, August 3, 2026, that 24 trees are slated for removal and 14 new ones will be planted on Frana Kurelca Street.
This intervention is part of the same ITU project that included the felling of linden trees on the main city square. According to the project documentation analyzed by the initiative, the plan for Kurelca Street involves a significant reduction in the number of trees.
The initiative stated that it is essential to proceed differently and better this time, and they are requesting a series of concrete steps from the City of Karlovac. First, they demand that citizens be fully and timely informed about the planned intervention, including precise details on how many trees will be cut down, their species and age, the reasons for the removal, and the planned work schedule.
They also call for an interdisciplinary dialogue involving experts in urban planning, landscape architecture, biology, climatology, and nature protection, as well as representatives of civil society and interested citizens.
"We believe it is necessary to act differently and better this time," the initiative's statement reads.
The group also insists on exploring alternative options that would allow the trees on Frana Kurelca Street to be preserved, either in whole or in part, while still meeting the requirements of the infrastructure project. As they point out, this stems from EU regulations on the 'do no significant harm' principle and the obligation for climate proofing of projects funded by cohesion funds.
One of the key demands is an expert and independent assessment of the trees and their habitats before any decision on removal is made. The results of this analysis, they emphasize, should be made available to the public. They also remind of the obligation to comply with the Nature Protection Act, specifically avoiding interventions that disturb habitats during the nesting, feeding, and resting seasons of birds.
"We demand that this time we act with responsibility towards citizens, the city's natural heritage, and in accordance with unambiguous European standards," the 'Ne damo ni lipe' citizens' initiative stated.
Meanwhile, activists from the environmental association PAN and citizens gathered on Sunday, August 2, 2026, for a workshop titled 'City Impressions Archive: Traces of Transformation, Main Square in Karlovac'. The workshop was held near the construction site fence at the Church of the Holy Trinity, with about fifteen participants creating impressions of the square's surfaces and elements on small clay tiles, linking them to personal notes and memories.
The workshop was led by visual artist Marija Graša and Ivana Francišković Olrom. The multi-year project 'City Impressions Archive', running since 2023, is authored by Lana Bede from the Karlovac City Museum. The project aims to collect, in a participatory manner, material evidence about the contemporary city based on what its residents have experienced.
