Saturday, 15 March 2025
The Bratislava City Council has officially approved amendments to the zoning plan for Nové Lido, a long-anticipated urban expansion that will reshape the right bank of the Danube. Based on an urban study from 2016, the changes will allow for a denser, more structured development, aligning with the vision of Nové Lido as an extension of Bratislava’s city center.
For nearly two decades, Nové Lido has been designated for development. Under the previous zoning plan, developers already had permission to construct up to 718,000 square meters of floor space. However, the newly approved amendments refine the district’s urbanism, introducing block-based architecture that enhances functionality and integrates housing, civic amenities, and public spaces in a more cohesive manner. The redevelopment will create a vibrant mixed-use district, featuring residential areas, green spaces, and improved transport connections to key Bratislava neighborhoods, including Petržalka, Staré Mesto, and Ružinov.
The project also envisions a comprehensive waterfront zone, offering spaces for sports and recreation, a city beach, and designated waterways for boating and small sports vessels. Despite these developments, the floodplain forest between the dam and the Danube will be preserved, with only minimal interventions to maintain accessibility while protecting the area’s natural ecosystem. Developers have pledged to keep as many existing trees as possible to maintain the environmental integrity of the site.
As part of their agreement with the city, developers will invest €75 million in public spaces and hand over at least 97 rental apartments, valued at approximately €25 million, to the ownership of Bratislava. These contributions will facilitate the creation of a waterfront park, a pedestrian promenade, and a bridge across the Danube linking M.R. Štefánik Square with Nové Lido’s central plaza. In addition, the project includes a primary school, which will be financed through a €26.5 million development fee, and the construction of a central park along with a bridge over Einsteinova Street to connect Nové Lido with Petržalka.
Beyond the commitments to public spaces, developers are set to invest an additional €95 million in transport infrastructure. This will include new road connections to Petržalka, along with the construction of roundabouts, sidewalks, and cycle paths that will be integrated into the city’s existing transport network. A key feature of the infrastructure plan is a 600-meter-long boulevard, which will be designed to accommodate a future tram extension, ensuring long-term accessibility and connectivity within the district.
The Nové Lido project represents one of the most significant urban expansions in Bratislava’s modern history, transforming the right bank of the Danube into a fully integrated, sustainable, and well-connected district. The newly approved zoning changes reflect a balance between economic development, environmental preservation, and public benefit, ensuring that the next phase of construction aligns with the city’s long-term urban vision. With developers contractually committed to significant public and infrastructure investments, Nové Lido is poised to become a dynamic extension of Bratislava’s city center, offering residents and visitors modern living spaces, extensive green areas, and improved connectivity across the capital.
