Have you ever heard of the Dutch elm? According to one story, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London, home to the world’s largest and most diverse plant collection, once housed a Dutch elm tree that was 150 years old and stood 37 meters tall, until 1910. The Dutch elm represents one or more hybrids between Wych elms and field elms, reaching 35 to 40 meters.
As a welcoming gesture, Belgrade Waterfront has donated over 60 mature Dutch elm seedlings to the new Belgrade Bus Station in Block 42. Rows of Dutch elms now adorn the new bus terminal in New Belgrade, from which many passengers and tourists will depart to explore the beauty of Serbia’s capital. However, more importantly, these seedlings will help improve air quality in an area with significant traffic intensity.
Since the greening of public spaces is one of the keys to Belgrade Waterfront development, this donation transfers a “sapling” from the country’s most modern neighborhood to the other side of the river.
Green Oases of Belgrade Waterfront
On the right bank of the Sava River, Belgrade Waterfront has been diligently working for years to beautify the area from Branko’s Bridge to Gazela Bridge, reshaping the landscape and creating pleasant urban green spaces. As part of this multi-award-winning project, over 2,000 trees have been planted so far.
In Sava Square, the largest square in the country by area, there are over 300 trees of various species that provide pleasant shade for visitors, while Sava Park, which is equivalent in size to four football fields, has been transformed into one of the largest green oases in the city center. This popular children’s playground has been enriched with more than 140 decorative cherry trees, ornamental apples, and other species in line with local traditions, wavy grassy running track, and soft, ever-green lawns that are regularly watered.
Rows of maples, hornbeams, willows, and other trees beautify the main streets of the neighborhood, as well as Belgrade’s favorite promenade – Sava Promenada. Special attention is paid to the greenery in the planters, where different types of flowers and other plants come to life throughout the year, following the changes of the season, which further transforms the space. In addition, each building has its own landscaped courtyard, ensuring that Belgrade Waterfront not only meets aesthetic standards but also complies with the World Health Organization’s recommendation of having at least 0.5 hectares of green space within 300 meters of every building.
Caring for the Future
In addition, education and raising environmental awareness, especially from a young age, are crucial. That’s why Belgrade Waterfront is constructing a mini botanical garden within its upcoming elementary school, serving as a “green biology classroom” where selected species such as sequoias, Chilean pines, Japanese maples, and Pancic’s spruces will be cultivated. This initiative aims to help future students learn about the importance of conserving the natural environment from an early age.
Belgrade Waterfront is currently renovating the long-neglected St. Nicholas Park near the Bristol Hotel. About 200 new mature trees of autochthonous tree species from our climate, such as maple, platanus, or oak, will be planted there, and the park will be decorated with self-sustaining lawns and bushes of different heights.