Londža Urban Greening Project

The pilot is planned at the Londža 2 location – a densely populated area with a very low percentage of permeable green surfaces and high heat-stress exposure. Under the Be Ready project, “green acupuncture” measures are foreseen planting of native tree species, installing green shading structures, and improving permeable surfaces to enhance thermal comfort and biodiversity.
The pilot location Londža 2 was selected due to its position within one of the most densely populated local communities in Zenica, characterized by a low percentage of permeable surfaces, high building density, and a pronounced heat effect during the warm months (lderived from UHI report). For these reasons, the area was identified as an ideal site for applying the green acupuncture measure – a small but strategically significant intervention that contributes to improving the microclimate and mitigating the effects of heat waves.
The total surface area of the location is 1,321 m², and all implemented measures were carried out in accordance with the existing spatial planning documentation.
The total surface area of the pilot location Londža 2 is 1,321 m². The pilot primarily benefits the residents of the Londža local community, one of the most densely populated urban areas in Zenica. The key beneficiaries include vulnerable population groups such as the elderly, children, and people with health conditions who are more sensitive to high temperatures and urban heat stress. In addition, the broader local community benefits from improved environmental quality, increased green spaces, and enhanced thermal comfort in public areas. Approximately 300–400 residents living in the immediate vicinity of the Londža 2 site benefit directly from the implemented green measures through increased shade, improved air quality, and reduced surface heat.
Indirect benefits extend to the wider Londža neighborhood, reaching an estimated 2,000–3,000 inhabitants, who will experience improved local microclimatic conditions, biodiversity, and overall environmental resilience.
This area covered by the Regulatory Plan “Odmut, Jalija and Talića Brdo”, with a total surface of 33.10 hectares, represents one of the most densely populated parts of Zenica, with 12.345 inhabitants and an average population density of 353 inhabitants per hectare. For comparison, the average population density in the central urban area is approximately 151 inhabitants per hectare, clearly indicating an exceptionally high concentration of residents in this part of the city.

Green acupuncture measure was carried out with the aim of enhancing the aesthetic and decorative function of the space, increasing biodiversity, and preserving endemic and strictly protected species such as the Serbian spruce (Picea omorika) and yew (Taxus baccata).
As part of the landscaping the following has done:
• existing yew, birch, and plane trees were pruned,
• 108 ornamental shrubs were planted (dwarf yew, lavender, barberry, yucca, feather grass),
• 138 ornamental perennials (carex, ivy, blue grass),
• 13 dwarf trees, including yew, Japanese maple, and mountain pine
• 5 Serbian spruces.

The Serbian spruce (Picea omorika), an endemic and strictly protected conifer species, naturally distributed only in the limited area of the Danue River basin, in western Serbia and eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. It contributes to reducing urban heat island effects through its dense evergreen canopy, which provides shade, lowers surface temperatures, and improves air quality by capturing dust and pollutants.
Through this intervention, the adaptability of this endemic species is being tested in an urban environment, with the aim of enhancing microclimatic balance, biodiversity, and climate resilience within the city.
In addition, the surrounding surfaces were enriched with white stone and river pebbles as well as pine bark, giving the area a natural and harmonious appearance. WPC seating boards were installed at 12 locations, creating a pleasant space for residents to rest and socialize.
The on-site works lasted for 15 days, during which the location was transformed into a well-arranged and functional green area intended for daily use by citizens, improving the overall quality of life in the community.

The intervention significantly improved microclimatic conditions in the Londža 2 area by increasing shaded and permeable surfaces. Newly planted trees and greenery have reduced heat stress and will provide a more comfortable environment for pedestrians and residents in upcoming years. In addition, the area’s aesthetic and recreational value has been enhanced, and local biodiversity strengthened through the introduction of native vegetation.

The pilot was co-designed through the Local Climate Sandbox Workshop (29 May 2025) with participation from city authorities, urban planners, climate-adaptation experts, businesses and civil society. A local stakeholder coalition pact, which had been previously established and formally signed, also participated in the process, ensuring coordinated input, stakeholder engagement, and alignment with local development priorities.

The expected environmental impacts are predominantly positive. The creation of new green and permeable surfaces contributes to mitigating the urban heat island effect, improving air quality, increasing biodiversity, and enhancing microclimatic comfort, particularly for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children. Additional benefits include reduced surface runoff, improved soil permeability, and strengthened ecological resilience.
No significant negative impacts were identified, as the pilot avoided large-scale land alteration and applied environmentally sustainable materials and methods. The action demonstrates good practice in integrating environmental and social considerations into local urban development, consistent with EIA principles and the objectives of sustainable urban transformation.

The pilot confirmed that small, well-targeted interventions can have significant local impact if combined with community engagement and awareness campaigns. The experience gained can be shared with other municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region through peer exchanges, workshops, and national climate adaptation networks.

Based on the experience of implementing the green acupuncture pilot in Zenica, the following recommendations are proposed for cities planning similar small-scale UHI mitigation actions:

Start with a clear UHI diagnosis
Conduct a detailed assessment of local heat hotspots, vulnerable groups, and microclimatic conditions. Evidence-based mapping ensures that the selected pilot location brings maximum impact with minimal investment.

Choose small, feasible, and highly visible sites
Pilot locations should be compact, accessible, and situated in dense neighbourhoods where improved shade and vegetation will produce immediate benefits. Visibility increases citizen engagement and political support.

Engage citizens and local coalitions early
Co-design workshops, consultations with residents, and involvement of local coalitions ensure ownership, reduce resistance, and improve the suitability of selected measures. Involving vulnerable groups directly leads to more socially inclusive solutions.

Integrate pilots into existing urban planning documentation
Aligning interventions with regulatory plans, land-use rules, and maintenance responsibilities prevents delays and facilitates long-term sustainability.

Use native and climate-resilient plant species
Prioritise species that tolerate heat, drought, and urban conditions. Testing endemic or protected species, when appropriate, can add ecological value and support biodiversity