Located in the heart of Zagreb, the former slaughterhouse and livestock market Zagrepčanka is being transformed from a forgotten brownfield into a flagship example of climate-resilient urban regeneration area. Through the Co-Innovation Lab, this centrally located site becomes a living laboratory for tackling urban heat islands while creating a greener, healthier public space for the city inhabitants and biosphere.
The lab is closely aligned with Zagreb’s Green Urban Development Strategy, ensuring that innovation on the ground directly supports long-term city planning and climate goals.
Co-innovation Lab 3 brings together the North West Croatia Energy and Climate Agency (REGEA), the City of Zagreb, the University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, and GDi LTD.
Nature-based Solutions at the Core
Lab 3 places green infrastructure at the centre of urban transformation. By introducing urban forests, tree corridors, green roofs, shaded public spaces, and permeable surfaces, the lab demonstrates how NbS can cool the city, improve environmental quality, and restore biodiversity, even in dense, built-up areas.
These interventions are designed not only to reduce heat stress, but also to make the city centre more liveable, attractive, and resilient for residents and visitors alike.
How the Lab Comes to Life
- Engagement and co-creation through workshops, design sessions, and public events that invite stakeholders to shape the future of the site
- Pilot interventions, including shaded areas and water-sensitive surfaces, to test how green infrastructure reduces heat and improves comfort
- Monitoring and evaluation to measure environmental and social impact and continuously improve solutions
- Integration into urban planning, ensuring that lessons learned feed directly into the city’s Green Urban Development Strategy and future projects
The photos are provided by the City of Zagreb