Architect attacks critics of underground tanks: 'The country is urbanally devastated, and we are dealing with non-theme'

The city of Zagreb has become embroiled in controversy over the installation of underground waste containers at the intersection of Illica and Ban Jelačić Square. A legal complaint was filed against the city by renowned Croatian lawyer Nika Pinter, who claims that the project violated procedural rules and lacked necessary permits. According to Pinter, she submitted the complaint based on law because she believes the construction of the containers at the entrance to Ban Jelačić Square is inappropriate. She further stated that upon reviewing documentation, she found that the installation proceeded without all required documents and that procedures were not followed. Pinter noted that according to a ministry report, the Ministry did not include guidelines from the Conservation Office in the Urban Planning Regulation, which they were obligated to do. In response, the spokesperson for the City of Zagreb, Dinka Živalj, defended the decision, stating that the location on Ban Jelačić Square is the best possible site for the underground bins due to its proximity to residential areas and existing infrastructure. She emphasized that the location passed all criteria and evaluations, including those by conservators and municipal offices, and that there were agreements from the state. Živalj explained that a multidisciplinary team had examined all possible locations within the city center and concluded that none could serve the purpose due to existing installations. The chosen location, before number 2 on Illica, meets technical and safety conditions, does not threaten the stability of surrounding buildings or infrastructure, and complies with conservation guidelines. The city has already installed 275 underground bins on 66 locations within the city center, while 552 semi-underground bins have been placed on 184 sites outside the center. These bins are intended for residents, while visitors continue to use bins located at public restrooms. Živalj pointed out that similar installations exist in other European cities, such as Ljubljana’s Prešeren Square, and that these bins offer advantages over traditional trash cans, including greater capacity, cleaner public spaces, reduced odor dispersion, and fewer pests. She argued that the current system is more effective than using bags, which remain the only alternative. Despite these arguments, local political parties, particularly the Zagreb branch of the HDZ, have criticized the project, calling it a destructive intervention in one of the city's most historically significant squares. The party’s leader, Ivan Matijević, accused the city administration of prioritizing the interests of a limited group of residents over the broader public interest and the protection of historical heritage. He compared the project to the communist removal of monuments to Ban Jelačić in 1947, suggesting both acts represent a form of political devastation of cultural landmarks. Matijević also highlighted that the project was carried out during the summer holidays, implying that the city was not adequately addressing concerns raised by citizens and activists. Meanwhile, the opposition party Možemo! responded to the HDZ’s criticism, arguing that the HDZ lacks credibility in criticizing the city’s waste management policies. They claimed that during the five years the HDZ governed alongside Mayor Milan Bandić, little progress was made in improving infrastructure, and the city remained cluttered with garbage bins. Možemo! praised the current administration for implementing underground bins on 66 locations in the city center and noted that the location near Illica is the only viable option due to existing installations and distance requirements. They also emphasized that extensive preparatory work has been completed for the construction of a modern waste management center with sorting facilities and composting units, which would eventually allow the closure of the Jakuševec landfill. Public reaction has been mixed, with some supporting the initiative as a step toward better urban hygiene and others opposing it due to aesthetic concerns. An ongoing survey asks whether residents support the placement of underground bins near Ban Jelačić Square, highlighting the divide among Zagreb’s citizens. Meanwhile, the city continues to emphasize that the project adheres to all regulations and that the bins will help reduce visual clutter and improve cleanliness in the historic district. As the debate unfolds, the city faces pressure to address lingering concerns about the impact of the new infrastructure on the city’s cultural and historical landscape.