Dubrovnik, the walled Adriatic city whose medieval streets draw millions of visitors each year, has begun construction on what officials describe as one of its most important sustainable mobility projects to date: a large-scale Park-and-Ride system designed to reduce traffic congestion in the historic center.
City officials on Tuesday formally signed a construction contract for the project, which will be built in the Pobrežje area above the city. Mayor Mato Franković and Antonije Deranja, director of the construction company Texo Molior, signed the agreement launching works on the new facility.
The contract is valued at €6.47 million, including tax, with construction scheduled to last 16 months from the official start date. The project is largely financed through European Union funds, with nearly €6 million provided via Croatia’s Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds under the Integrated Territorial Investment mechanism. The ministry will also contribute up to €1.3 million toward the city’s co-financing share.
A Strategic Shift in Traffic Management
The Park-and-Ride system is intended to serve as a key traffic redirection point, allowing visitors to park outside the congested urban core and continue their journey to the Old City via public transportation. City officials say the project builds on recent initiatives, including the establishment of a special traffic regulation zone, electrification of public transport and digital traffic management systems.
Once operational, the facility will provide 572 parking spaces: 530 for passenger vehicles — including 28 designated for people with disabilities — 20 for buses, 16 taxi stands and two dedicated bus terminals, each with three bays for boarding and disembarking.
The development also includes pedestrian walkways, landscaped green areas and a comprehensive stormwater drainage system with purification equipment. The paved surface area will cover approximately 17,672 square meters, while the total project footprint, including green areas, trees, infrastructure and drainage systems, spans nearly 26,800 square meters.
Because of the site’s hilly terrain, the parking structure will be built in cascaded levels supported by reinforced concrete retaining walls — a design intended to maximize space efficiency while minimizing disruption to the surrounding landscape.
First Integrated Electric Park-and-Ride System in Croatia
Mayor Franković described the initiative as Croatia’s first Park-and-Ride system that integrates parking facilities with electric city buses.
“We realistically expect the system to be fully operational at the beginning of the 2028 tourist season,” Franković said. Pricing details for the service will be announced at a later stage.
Under the new model, once the Park-and-Ride system becomes functional, all current on-street parking spaces that operate under hourly public payment will be converted into spaces reserved exclusively for local residents holding special parking permits.
“Citizens will receive street parking spaces exclusively for themselves,” the mayor said.
A regular public bus line operated by Libertas Dubrovnik will connect the new parking facility with the city center, running on the Osojnik–Pobrežje–Pile route. Officials say the transport company will be equipped to manage increased passenger demand.
Environmental and Energy Measures
City authorities emphasized that the project complies fully with the European Union’s Natura 2000 ecological network standards and incorporates a series of environmental protection measures.
Solar panels will be installed on bus stop canopies to generate renewable energy while providing shade and protection from rain. Solar power will supply ambient lighting, reducing reliance on conventional electricity and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. During periods of limited sunlight, low-temperature LED lighting will be used.
Landscaping plans include planting mature native tree species with broad canopies to reduce summer heat accumulation and improve microclimatic conditions. The stormwater drainage system will collect and purify runoff water using oil and grease separators, with treated water reused for irrigation.
Separate waste collection containers and eco-friendly sanitary units will also be installed as part of the sustainability framework.
Balancing Tourism and Livability
For years, Dubrovnik has grappled with the tension between mass tourism and quality of life for residents. By channeling vehicle traffic away from the historic core, city officials say the Park-and-Ride system represents a structural shift toward managing visitor flows more sustainably while preserving the integrity of the UNESCO-protected Old Town.
Whether the system will significantly reshape how visitors arrive in the city remains to be seen. But as Dubrovnik prepares for another busy tourist season — and looks ahead to 2028 — the project signals a long-term commitment to rethinking mobility in one of Europe’s most recognizable coastal destinations. More
