Urban Renewal – Urban Rehabilitation of the Lower Town, Upper Town, and Kaptol / Historical Urban Areas of the City of Zagreb

Systematic renewal of cultural-historical complexes – urban centers in the contemporary period in Croatia has been lacking. Individual activities in cities are carried out ad hoc, i.e., on a case-by-case basis without an appropriate systematic approach and methodology, suitable legal framework, and adequate spatial planning and other documentation. The situation that arose after the earthquake in Zagreb on March 22, 2020, should provide the impetus to do what should have been done decades ago, i.e., to begin systematic, professionally, and scientifically based renewal of the protected historical complex of the City of Zagreb, as well as other cities in Croatia. As a contribution to this effort, and to aid in addressing the consequences of the earthquake in Zagreb, the text of this publication has been prepared, which, according to the authors, should provide answers to numerous questions accompanying the process of urban renewal. The publication consists of three main chapters that offer a general introduction to the modern process of urban renewal, examples of transformation and urban renewal in European cities, and the main principles necessary for initiating and implementing the urban renewal process in the City of Zagreb.