Prishtina, July 19, 2025 — The Court of Appeals has instructed the Basic Court of Prishtina to re-examine the legal dispute over the controversial redevelopment of “George Bush” Street, a major infrastructure project in the heart of Kosovo’s capital.
The core of the dispute lies between the Municipality of Prishtina, which has launched a €18.4 million project to transform the road into a pedestrian zone, and the Inspectorate of Cultural Heritage, which halted construction earlier this year due to concerns over compliance with the Law on Cultural Heritage.
Previously, the Basic Court had dismissed the Municipality’s complaint, claiming it lacked legal standing to appeal the Inspectorate’s decision. However, the Court of Appeals overturned that decision, ruling that the Municipality does have standing and ordering a substantive review of the case.
Following the ruling, Prishtina Mayor Përparim Rama declared the decision a confirmation of the Municipality’s legal right to proceed, describing the halted project as both lawful and in the public interest.
“We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: modern city centers are not built on pollution, noise, and outdated privileges. Cities belong to people, not cars,” said Rama, emphasizing the alignment of the project with EU standards and best European urban practices.
The redevelopment plan has been frozen multiple times since March, most recently when excavations near the “Mother Teresa” Cathedral extended into protected heritage zones without prior approval from the Institute for the Protection of Monuments. Despite repeated requests, the Municipality has yet to submit revised plans that meet the Institute’s conditions.
The Basic Court will now have to decide whether the Inspectorate acted within its mandate to halt construction, or whether the Municipality’s vision for a pedestrian-friendly city center can proceed under current legal frameworks.
Rama maintains that the transformation of “George Bush” Street into a public square is a long-term strategy for urban development, environmental sustainability, and quality of life improvement.
“Those who fear a more inclusive Prishtina will soon realize that the era of illegal blockades at the expense of the city is coming to an end,” Rama stated defiantly.
The outcome of the court’s re-evaluation could set a significant precedent for future development projects near protected cultural sites in Kosovo, balancing urban modernization with heritage preservation.
