The inauguration ceremony of Lushta –River Green Corridor, took place on 14^th of December 2011. In this ceremony there were present Municipal Mayor, high representatives of MuSPP, press, general public, civil society, municipal officials and relevant stakeholders.  The project was identified in the consultation with the municipality of Mitrovica. The identified project is translation /implementation of strategies and actions provided in the MDP/UDP. Mitrovica MDP includes the concept of “Green Corridors” along the three rivers crossing the urban area.  Lushta River is one of the rivers that flow through the city centre, thereby a potential for urban green space and non-motorised transport link is substantial for its links with the rural environment and natural landscape. Municipality of Mitrovica and UN-HABITAT agreed that the Green Corridors were an important concept for the structural improvement of the entire city, and in autumn 2009 the project site was chosen as co-funded Capital Investment Project.  The objective of the project is to make a strong contribution to the creation of the Lushta river green corridor by improving the environment and functionality of the Lushta river path and its links to the urban road network. The project design was developed in a participatory planning and capacity building process, involving municipal and civil society stakeholders. It involved the coordination of i.e. CSO including organizations of women, elderly and mobility impaired; Traffic management class of the Technical high school of Mitrovica; the owners and tenants of real estate and shops in the immediate project area and the general public, providing maximum freedom of movement to pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users alike. The project included two main interventions: construction of the roundabout and the redesign of the crossroad in the city centre, where the Lushta River vanishes under the Central Avenue and rehabilitation of the eastern riverbank path, two footbridges and construction of the mini-amphitheatre. The new design provides maximum freedom of movement to pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users alike in an improved public space enriched with lighting, greenery and urban furniture.

During the inauguration ceremony, the mayor of Mitrovica Mr. Avni Kastrati, expressed his gratitude to MuSPP/UN-HABITAT and Sida for the support in implementation of this project that has created such a favorable conditions for this part of the city. “We are grateful to UN-HABITAT for their continuous support to our citizens through different projects that deals with public spaces”. Ms. Krystyna Galezia, the Chief Technical Advisor MuSPP/UN-HABITAT Kosovo, has expressed her satisfaction for the implementation of this CIP, which aims creation of the coherent link with city center for non-motorized transport and quality public space.

During the walk along the project site, there was an opportunity to meet with the residents of the adjacent neighborhood and passers-by who expressed their appreciation for the work done and hoped for the support in similar projects in future.