Citizens against the removal of lipas in Karlovac: 'It is the culmination of a communal disaster'

In Karlovac, residents have staged a protest against the removal of ancient lime trees on Ban Jelačić Square, accusing local authorities of acting with political intent. The controversy emerged after the city’s reconstruction efforts led to the demolition of the historic tree grove, which had stood since the 400th anniversary of the city's founding. A group of citizens, representing the initiative “Gradske četvrti Gaza,” criticized the decision as part of a broader pattern of mismanagement under Mayor Damir Mandić and his administration. The dispute began following the temporary halt of reconstruction works due to public backlash over the destruction of the lime trees. Despite this, the City Council decided to continue with the project. According to Ana Hranilović Trubić, head of the Department for Construction and Environmental Protection, the area being renovated spans more than eight thousand square meters, with plans to plant 18 new lime trees. However, Mayor Mandić has stated that according to a landscape study, these trees should never have been planted there due to the asphalt-covered terrain. The project was originally designed by architects Krešimir Roga and Vinko Penić, who won the best award in an urbanistic and architectural competition in 2009. The citizens' group, however, views the current actions as emblematic of a larger municipal disaster. They argue that the city has suffered years of neglect and poor planning, particularly during the implementation of the Aglomeracija Karlovac, Duga Resa project, which cost 65 million euros of public funds. During this period, they claim the city received poorly constructed sewage systems, leading to widespread damage. Residents pointed out that unqualified contractors working on the Aglomeracija project damaged 20% of the protected residential areas within the historical core of Karlovac, the so-called Staro Gradska Zvijezda. These areas include some of the city’s most cherished Baroque palaces, which are strictly protected. The citizens further accused Mayor Mandić of sabotaging a council decision from March 2025, which mandated the restoration of buildings damaged during the Aglomeracija project. They noted that work halted last summer and that funding for repairs remained uncertain. Additionally, the group criticized the public company “Vodovod i kanalizacija” for estimating losses in the city’s water supply system exceeding 70%. They argued that the company can no longer guarantee constant access to clean water, forcing citizens to judge water quality themselves, a situation they likened to the water infrastructure in Africa. Representatives from the political parties Možemo! and SDP, along with members of the Union of Retirees, strongly condemned the removal of the lime trees, calling it a symbol of repression by the city administration and a disregard for citizen input and professional expertise. Dobriša Adamec, a member of the City Council from Možemo!, emphasized that over 4,000 citizens had opposed the removal, making it more than just a question of trees, it was about the relationship between the government and its citizens. He added that the lime trees had survived wars, earthquakes, storms, and four years of construction on the Aglomeracija site. Their destruction, he said, was the result of a deliberate choice, not because they were unhealthy. He warned that the mayor would have to answer to the citizens of Karlovac for this action. Similarly, Ehlimana Planinac from SDP expressed concern over the state of the city’s infrastructure, noting that the incompetence of the authorities is evident in the execution of the Aglomeracija project, including the murky water in homes.