Ambitious project being prepared along highway in Zemun – Construction of one million “business” square meters planned on 75 ha in area of former Ikarbus

The Secretariat for Urban Planning and Construction announced an early public review for the purposes of drafting amendments to the DRP for the area of the “Auto-put” business zone in New Belgrade, Zemun and Surcin, which includes Block 24 and a part of Block 23, City Municipality of Zemun.

The aim of the amendments to the DRP, which was prepared by Bureau Cube Partners, is, as stated, the improvement of urban development through the precise definition of public interest, the demarcation of public and other purposes, as well as the creation of planning opportunities for new facilities and infrastructure.

The border of the DRP Amendments covers an area of about 74.92 hectares.

The area within the Amendments to the DRP is mostly developed. On the eastern side is the former complex of the Ikarbus factory, which has not been in operation since 2022. The premises of the factory are abandoned and not in use, and the buildings are, as stated in the document, in poor condition, and their demolition is planned.

Within the scope of the Amendments to the DRP, the dominant uses are business and commercial activities. On the eastern side, there are commercial buildings, while in the southern part of the plan there is the former Grmec factory, which was engaged in the production of floors and floor coverings. Today, the premises of the factory are used as warehouses and storage facilities, which are leased to accommodate dozens of companies.

In the immediate vicinity of the Grmec factory, within the DRP, there is also a state institution building - the building of the Digital Archive of the Republic Geodetic Authority.

Within the existing business zone there is also a residential area, which was mostly built illegally.

Currently, around 800 people are employed in this area, but it is expected that the number of employees and visitors in these zones will grow to as many as 26,000.

In accordance with the rules defined by the General Regulation Plan (GRP), in the scope of the Amendments to the DRP, zone K1 has been determined, which will be intended for commercial contents in the zone with a medium number of floors.

The main purpose in zone K1 is business, which will be dominant, with a 100% share. Within this zone, it is planned that commercial contents will be distributed on the ground floor of the buildings, while the underground levels will be reserved for parking, technical rooms, installation systems, as well as warehouses and storage facilities.

In accordance with the rules defined by the General Regulation Plan (GRP), as part of the Amendments to the DRP, zone K2 has been determined, which will be intended for commercial contents in the zone with a medium number of floors.

In this zone, the dominant purpose remains commercial business, and parking will be allowed on the underground levels of the buildings, as well as the accommodation of technical rooms, installation systems, warehouses and other auxiliary spaces that are necessary for the functioning of the buildings.

Zone K2 will be suitable for the construction of various facilities that include trade, commercial and business units, as well as spaces intended for other service activities. In addition, facilities intended for education, health, culture, sports, tourism and hospitality are also planned.

The project within the K2 zone will also include space for art studios, beauty salons, bookstores, publishing centers, as well as spaces for research activities and office business. Numerous other facilities such as shopping centers, cinemas, hotels, restaurants and playgrounds for children will be located here, as well as spaces intended for the urban function of tourism.

The early public review will last until May 14.

I. Zikic