Green Dubrovnik
Through innovative projects and Smart City initiatives, Dubrovnik is leading among Croatian cities in energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. The goal is sustainable development through the application of modern digital technologies in the economy, infrastructure, urban mobility, and tourism. The city’s vision is focused on reducing carbon emissions, environmental protection, and fostering sustainable economic growth.
Respect the City
One key initiative is the Respect the City campaign, which promotes responsible tourism by reducing overcrowding, encouraging eco-conscious behaviour, and improving waste management. Thanks to the launch of the strategic Respect the City project in 2017, Dubrovnik has transitioned from a city of mass tourism to a city of sustainable tourism. The project aims to improve quality of life, preserve cultural heritage, and enhance the tourist experience. To achieve this, Dubrovnik has implemented numerous Smart City solutions—such as Dubrovnik Visitor, which predicts visitor numbers in the historic centre; Smart Parking to facilitate parking; and the introduction of a digital combined ticket for the city’s top attractions, the Dubrovnik Pass, which helps reduce congestion and contributes to the self-sustainability of cultural heritage. This system aligns with the EU Green Deal, making it an innovative solution for the city's sustainable development.
Electric boat
With the help of EU grants, the hybrid catamaran Lacroma, the first hybrid passenger vessel built in a Croatian shipyard, has been introduced, connecting Dubrovnik with the Trsteno Arboretum and the island of Lokrum
Cruise ship policy and Electric Car-Sharing
To address traffic congestion, a Minimum Stay policy of 8 hours has been introduced for cruise ships, limiting the number of visitors to 4,000 passengers at a time, with the city’s public transport provider, Libertas Dubrovnik, handling cruise passenger transfers. Another Smart City solution is the Electric Car Sharing System, Croatia’s first fully electric car-sharing initiative. To enable quieter, cleaner, and more environmentally friendly transport within the city walls, electric transport vehicles have been acquired for supplying Dubrovnik’s historic core. This initiative reduces emissions, preserves cultural heritage, and enhances the quality of life in the Old City.
Focus On Green Areas
The City of Dubrovnik has launched several urban greening projects to enhance its appearance and improve residents' quality of life. A project worth €22 million, funded through the ITU mechanism, focuses on developing a Green Infrastructure Network in Dubrovnik’s historic districts, including the renovation of Gradac, Pile, and Platana parks to establish a greener cityscape. Gradac Park, the largest and oldest park in Dubrovnik, often called the "lungs of Dubrovnik," was opened in 1898 and is traditionally used as a venue for artistic performances during the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. Its upcoming renovation marks the first comprehensive restoration since its opening, focusing on fountain restoration, a new children's playground, and additional tree and plantings. Pile Park, located near Pile Gate, the western entrance to the historic centre, will be enriched with new greenery and trees. A thematic children's playground and a new amphitheatre-style main entrance will be created, serving as both a rest area and a venue for community events. Another future green oasis is planned near Brsalje Square, in the UNESCO-protected historic zone. The area beneath the Asian plane tree, a protected monument of landscape architecture since 2012, will be transformed into four garden plots with a focus on tree preservation and increased visitor comfort. Along Stjepan Radić Promenade and Pope John Paul II Promenade, a tree-lined avenue is being developed to enhance the cityscape. This project includes planting 78 new trees, including honey locusts, Washingtonia robusta palms, and hackberry trees, along with the creation of a green belt featuring salt-tolerant shrubs and perennials. To further develop green infrastructure, a tree-lined street is being planted in King Tomislav Street in Dubrovnik’s urban core. This project includes 32 mature elm trees, which are resistant to climate change and well-suited for city conditions, enhancing Dubrovnik’s resilience to climate change and contributing to a healthier urban environment. On Žarkovica Hill, 500 trees, including holm oaks, cypresses, and stone pines, have been planted. These projects not only enhance the city's beauty but also strengthen Dubrovnik’s sustainability, reducing its environmental footprint and improving the quality of life for both residents and visitors. Renovated parks will serve as venues for social and cultural events while contributing to the city’s sustainable tourism offerings.
Restoring Past Glory to Summer Residences and Palaces
Dubrovnik is also fostering a diverse tourism offer through the restoration of country estates or summer residences in Rijeka dubrovačka and the revitalization of the former TUP industrial complex in Gruž. This waterfront space near the Port of Dubrovnik is being transformed into a new urban hub—a cultural and social centre that brings together local creative ideas, the community, and visitors with a focus on sustainability. The European Commission has recognized the TUP project as one of the top 20 initiatives within the New European Bauhaus. The historic summer residences of Rijeka dubrovačka are valuable examples of Dubrovnik’s Renaissance and Baroque country house architecture. The city is investing in their restoration and revitalization to preserve its rich cultural heritage and create new social and cultural spaces.
Refill Your Bottle, Skip the Plastic!
Dubrovnik is home to several public fountains where you can fill your reusable water bottle with fresh, clean water. By refilling here, you’re not only staying hydrated but also reducing plastic waste and helping keep our city beautiful.
