Los residentes de Borov entregaron 1000 firmas en contra de las viviendas "concesionarias" de Tomasevic: "Seguimos adelante con valentía"

Residents of Borovje have handed over more than 1,000 signatures opposing the construction of 600 affordable housing units by Tomislav Tomašević’s administration. The protest, titled “We Are Going Bravely Further,” highlights growing concerns among locals about the project's impact on their community. On July 21, 2026, residents gathered at the city hall in Zagreb to formally submit the petition, marking a significant moment in the ongoing debate over urban development in the area. The proposed project involves building 600 affordable apartments on a large plot of land in Borovje, which has sparked controversy among long-time residents. According to local reports, the initiative was initially met with skepticism due to fears of overcrowding and disruption to the existing residential environment. The residents argue that the construction of 11 new buildings will exacerbate the already high population density in the neighborhood, leading to increased congestion and reduced quality of life. They describe the project as a form of “concreteization” of the quarter they call home, emphasizing their belief that the development lacks both necessity and sensitivity to local conditions. Despite the mounting opposition, Tomislav Tomašević, the mayor of Zagreb, reaffirmed his commitment to the project during a press conference held on the same day. He emphasized that affordable housing is one of the key promises of his administration and described the project as part of a long-planned effort to address rising housing costs. Tomašević stated that the land in question has been designated for residential use for years and that the decision to develop it into a housing complex was made well in advance. He also noted that similar projects are planned for other areas such as Sveti Križ and Podbrežje, reinforcing the idea that this is not an isolated initiative. In response to criticism regarding the scale of the project, specifically the number of units being built, Tomašević pointed to the ongoing construction of a 300-unit housing complex in Podbrežje as evidence of the feasibility of such developments. He argued that there has been no prior objection to these plans and that the current proposal should be evaluated within the broader context of urban planning goals. Additionally, he mentioned that public consultations on the urbanistic plan for the southern zone of Borovje are still ongoing, and that all feedback will be considered before a final decision is reached by the City Council. The protest has gained attention beyond local circles, with some media outlets highlighting the residents’ determination to resist what they see as an encroachment on their living space. Social media posts shared by organizers show images of the group presenting the signatures to the city authorities, accompanied by messages of solidarity and defiance. One participant, Domagoj Morić, expressed confidence in the movement’s ability to influence the outcome, stating that the community would continue to push back against what they perceive as an unnecessary and disruptive development. As the situation unfolds, the next steps involve the evaluation of the collected signatures and further discussions during the public consultation period. While the mayor remains resolute in his support for the project, the residents’ actions underscore the deepening divide between urban development priorities and the lived experiences of local communities. Whether the project will proceed as planned or face further delays depends on how the city council ultimately responds to the concerns raised by its citizens.