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urbanism

Why are trees "concreted" in Belgrade?

May 02, 2026, 09:31 p.m NR (RTS)
New flooring around the trees in Belgrade Photo: RTS
New flooring around the trees in Belgrade
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Contractors praise the new base around Belgrade's trees because it supposedly lets water through, but not all experts agree

The reconstruction of Dubrovačka Street in Zemun is coming to an end. The street was widened as planned, the tree line was preserved, as promised to the people of Zemun, he reports RTS.

However, about tree instead of earth, a hard surface that resembles concrete. It should be water permeable.

"It's not about concreting wood, it's the opposite, it's about protecting trees," subcontractor Đula Mirnič told RTS.

He claims that this solution allows water flow and air circulation. The earth, says Mirnič, knows how to trample, harden and become impermeable.

Can be used instead of asphalt

Experts say that first the area around the tree is cleaned to a depth of 15 centimeters. It is filled with so-called stone paddy, and over it goes a layer of this substrate, which is four centimeters thick. As the tree grows and spreads, the substrate crumbles, the subcontractor claims.

This surface has long been used instead of asphalt in the world, especially in cities that have problems with sewage and heavy rainfall.

But who thought it up and approved it? The RTS public service did not receive any answers from the Municipality of Zemun, nor from the City of Zelenil.

Roots are being steamed?

Many doubt that the new substrate is better than the soil. "It is completely unbelievable when we see that the trees in the city are concreted, and I am sure that none of the landscape architects would allow such a thing, that is, if such things were not carried out according to the project," Tomica Mišljenović from the Faculty of Biology told RTS earlier.

At that time, the occasion was a similar background around the trees on Trg Republike. "Plants and roots covered with such materials evaporate, water does not pass properly, gas exchange does not take place properly," added Mišljenović.

A solution to floods?

Ognjen Govedarica from the Faculty of Civil Engineering now says that this material is not a bad solution - in principle, and not only for trees. Because Belgrade knows to be under water during summer rainfall.

"Actually, we put those concretes on the sidewalks and streets. Most often, they go on sidewalks, paths, bicycle paths, porous asphalt also goes on the streets," he said.

But, in Belgrade, the foundation seems to be intended only to surround the trees.

source: RTS

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