Banja Luka faces air pollution and urban infrastructure concerns

Air quality in Banja Luka has reached concerning levels, with PurpleAir sensors recording PM2.5 concentrations that indicate unhealthy to very unhealthy air quality. Air Quality Index (AQI) values at certain locations ranged between 164 and 205. While official city data reported lower levels, specific measurements showed concentrations of 36.1 micrograms per cubic meter in the city center and 47.1 at Paprikovac.

In a separate survey conducted by the Impuls Environmental Center, residents identified significant urban challenges affecting their quality of life. The survey highlighted traffic congestion, inadequate parking, and poor pedestrian infrastructure—specifically a lack of sidewalks and safe crossings—as primary concerns. Additionally, citizens expressed alarm over the loss of green spaces due to residential and commercial construction and the increasing impact of heat stress.