Banja Luka experts warn unplanned urbanization threatens environment

Experts at the “Environment of the City of Banja Luka – Status and Challenges” forum have warned that aggressive and unplanned urbanization is degrading the city's environment and threatening public health. The forum, organized by citizen initiative Duško Solomun, highlighted the urgent need for urban development to rely more on scientific data and professional expertise.

Marijana Kapović Solomun, a professor at the University of Banja Luka Faculty of Forestry, noted that while the city possesses significant natural capital, planning documents show a declining trend in green spaces per capita. She emphasized the importance of riparian vegetation, which accounts for 38.52% of the city's total green structure, particularly along the Vrbas river.

Proposed solutions include adopting the “3-30-300” concept, which aims for residents to see at least three trees from their homes, 30% canopy cover in neighborhoods, and access to quality green space within 300 meters. Other priorities include creating a public greenery cadastre, connecting existing parks and hills into a functional network, and increasing vegetation around schools and health institutions.