Ancestral land overgrown with vegetation or public good to be protected: Is there reason for concern about the announced construction in the Zvezdara Forest zone?

April 5, 2026

TL;DR

A new residential complex of 8,595 sq m is planned in the Zvezdara Forest zone in Belgrade.
Citizens are concerned about the potential loss of green space and negative impact on the local ecosystem.
The land owners, the Lazić family, state the parcel is private property, not legally classified as forest, and contains self-grown vegetation rather than valuable trees.
They plan to develop the area, including systematic greening, in accordance with regulations.
Aleksa Petković, a local official, criticizes the plan as prioritizing investors over citizens and warns of similar threats to other green areas like Košutnjak.
Petković also points out that the plan could lead to citizens losing parts of their yards due to street extensions.
The Lazić family emphasizes their long-standing ownership (since 1890) and the presence of existing buildings on the property, asserting it's privately owned and developed land, not public green space.
They state all environmental impact assessments and procedures have been conducted legally and transparently.
The debate underscores the broader issue of environmental protection and urban development in Belgrade.
The newspaper is awaiting responses from city authorities regarding environmental concerns.

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