Ljubljana serves as the political, administrative, cultural, and economic heart of Slovenia, with a population exceeding 280 ,000 residents. Over the past 10 to 15 years, the city has undergone a remarkable transformation in sustainability, a change that greatly impressed the jury. This shift has been particularly notable in areas such as local transport and the pedestrianiszation of the city centrer. Once dominated by car traffic, Ljubljana has redirected its focus toward enhancing public transport and expanding pedestrian and cycling networks. A key milestone in this transformation was the redesign of Slovenska Street, the city’s main traffic artery, to prioritisze sustainable mobility.
In addition to transport improvements, Ljubljana has made significant strides in preserving and protecting its green spaces while revitaliszing former industrial (brownfield) sites. The city has also advanced in waste and wastewater management, firmly committing to a zero-waste goal. The jury further acknowledged Ljubljana’s leadership in sharing its environmental strategies and disaster management practices, particularly its collaboration with the Balkan region during recent flood crises.
Green Areas and Sustainable Land Use
A defining characteristic of Ljubljana is its abundant green space, which covers three-quarters of the city’s territory. This includes interconnected aquatic, forest, and agricultural areas contributing to the city’s environmental resilience. Over the past decade, Ljubljana has implemented numerous urban greening initiatives, such as planting over 2 ,000 trees, creating five new parks, and revitaliszing the embankments along the River Sava. The largest and most prominent of these green spaces is the Path of Memories and Comradeship, the city’s longest tree-lined avenue, featuring 7 ,000 trees, various memorials, rest points, and other amenities. Furthermore, in 2010, the city designated 1 ,400 hectares as a forest of special purpose, recogniszing its value as a significant carbon sink.
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For more detailed information on Ljubljana's sustainability journey, you can explore Ljubljana’s Application, which outlines the city's environmental initiatives and achievements. Additional insights can be found in the Winning City Leaflet 2016 and the Brochure 2016, both highlighting the key factors behind Ljubljana’s recognition as a green leader. To track the city’s continued progress, refer to the 5-Year Report Ljubljana in English or in SlovenianSlovenian. You can also view highlights from the the Handover Ceremony 2016 through a collection of event photos that capture this milestone moment.
Citizen Diaries
We speak to Alenka Kreč Bricelj who has lived in the 2016 European Green Capital, Ljubljana, her whole life, where she works as a Project Manager at Smetumet. Smetumet is an organisation which turns ‘one person’s trash into another person’s treasure.
Despite only living in Ljubljana for the past five years, Pia Poljanšek has fallen in love with the green city and even refers to herself as a “Ljubljančanka”.
Tine Mahkovec was born and raised in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, the European Green Capital in 2016. A cycling enthusiast, Tine works in bicycle manufacturing and is the President of his local cycling club.