Osijek Gets a New Pedestrian Zone: New Ante Starčević Square on the Way
Mayor Ivan Radić announced a comprehensive renovation of the city center, with part of Županijska Street becoming a pedestrian zone.
Mayor Ivan Radić announced a comprehensive renovation of the city center, with part of Županijska Street becoming a pedestrian zone.
Osijek Mayor Ivan Radić has announced plans for a comprehensive renovation of Ante Starčević Square, which will also include converting part of Županijska Street into a pedestrian zone. The news was released on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, and was reported by Osijek Express.
At one of the last City Council sessions, just before the summer of 2026, Radić emphasized that the city is pursuing a comprehensive solution rather than piecemeal interventions. "We are planning a completely new Ante Starčević Square, and the project will also include turning part of Županijska Street into a pedestrian zone. We are going for a comprehensive solution, not piecemeal interventions," said Mayor Radić.
According to unofficial information from Osijek Express, Županijska Street will be a pedestrian zone all the way to the roundabout with Ulica Hrvatske Republike.
Osijek has been working for years to reduce traffic in the city center. Cars once drove across Ante Starčević Square, in front of Hotel Central, and through Strossmayerova, Pejačevićeva, and Županijska Streets. Tvrđa was also busy with traffic, but the trend is to reduce traffic in old town cores.
To compensate for the potential loss of parking spaces from part of Županijska Street, the City has arranged parking lots near Zeka, on Strossmayerova Street, and at Blok Centar II, with work also underway on Ulica Hrvatske Republike. Radić stressed that the City will not abandon its major projects.
"We will not give up on any of our major projects. All projects are proceeding according to the planned timeline. We have managed our finances responsibly over the past five years, and our debt is not high. The City of Osijek has not received a written warning that it must cut costs," said Mayor Ivan Radić.
The Mayor added that the City will continue to use European funds and other available funding sources and will soon present projects for a new city market and a new City Library. An urban-architectural competition will be announced for the renovation of Ante Starčević Square, which will also include the expansion of the pedestrian zone.
