The impact of the reconstruction of megablocks (1990-2020) on the quality of common open public spaces: Blocks 21 and 28 in New Belgrade

The quality of common open public spaces is conditioned, among other things, by the layout and characteristics of the facilities located in their immediate vicinity, but also by the functions and contents, equipment and materialization of the ground floor of those facilities. For this reason, interventions on existing facilities and the construction of new ones around common open public spaces can positivelyor negatively affect the quality of these areas. The construction of New Belgrade began in 1948 and continues today. In the area of New Belgrade, the network of common open public spaces covers more than 50% of the total area of the municipality. Initially, the blocks in New Belgrade were built on the basis of a unique planning solution. The transformation of the blocks began in the 1990s in the post-socialist period, when it became possible to change the legal regulations and enable a greater participation of private investments in the processes of reconstruction and new construction. In order to determine the real impact of the reconstruction of mega blocks on the quality of common open public spaces, this paper will present the criteria for determining the quality of these spaces. The criteria will help to examine the differences between the quality of common open public spaces within a block that has had frequent interventions and one where there have been no significant interventions over the last few decades. The conclusions should provide an answer as to whether and to what extent spatial interventions affect the quality of common open public spaces.

Dissonance as a concept of preserving the architectural heritage: Case study of the Belgrade Fairground

Belgrade Fairground, built in the 1930s, was the first urban complex designed according to modern principles and the first physical structure built in Belgrade on the left bank of the Sava. During its existence, the complex has undergone radical changes - from a fairground, through a concentration camp during World War II, an art colony in the post-war period, to its current state as a marginalized urban segment inhabited by the homeless, with uncontrolled commercial development . These transformations over time have resulted in the creation of numerous layers of identity, which, from a contemporary point of view, the space itself should testify to. The paper examines the transformations that have taken place in the space, and refers to the mutually opposed events that to some extent have hindered the recovery and development of the former Belgrade Fairground. The paper, in the form of a case study, analyzes the space by exploring the application of dissonance in preserving and revitalizing the architectural heritage, since the concept of dissonance is important for articulating opposing meanings and emphasizing the plurality of values. In order to shed light upon all the characteristic phases of the complex's existence, its morphological transformations and then its functional transformations were analyzed, followed by a presentation of how its social relationship with the Belgrade Fairground has been transformed. Accordingly, the ultimate goal was to find a way to manifest the diversity of the fairground's value and its re-perception as belonging to the urban space.

Aquatecture of a city Park: A methodological experiment in the design process for Belgrade Linear park

The aim of this paper is to interpret the term Aquatecture in the design process for Zone 8 of Belgrade Linear Park, as a case study for understanding the concept and methodology used, as well as their application in operational architectural and urban practice. The paper describes the methodological procedure applied to structuring the space using water, with the aim of designing ambiences inspired by nature. This methodological experiment is illustrated with graphical representations of the process itself, in which the colors and shapes of water are analyzed through the observation of water droplets under the microscope. The research hypothesis is that one drop of water contains information important for architectural activities, and therefore the research offers a set of procedures and methods that can be applied and controlled through the creative act of coloring and shaping, or more precisely the creation of Spatial Images. The methodological procedure in the research can be described as poetic and artistic, at the same time containing a scientific element in the analysis and observation of the water sample under the microscope. All other visual perceptual observations and results in the interpretation of the observed environment and the water droplets, as well as their colors and shapes, are offered as extremely intuitive. The research is presented in the form of a Tableau consisting of seven parts and a set of photographs, drawings and images, as well as tone maps (color palette), according to which the results are applied through Spatial Images. Spatial images are interpreted as Ambience inspired by nature, at a specific location: Zone 8 of Belgrade Linear Park, as a case study for researching this methodological procedure. The data obtained in this way is applied in the structuring of the park's aquatecture and pavilions. The waterflows in the park itself are explained in the text, as well as the spatial structures such as the landscape fountain on the square and the main park pavilion itself, which is interpreted as a one-of-a-kind House of water. Therefore, as a product of the work, an environmental project inspired by nature is offered as the Aquatecture of Zone 8 in Belgrade Linear Park, illustrating the practical application of water as a methodological tool, and an inspiration in the processes of architectural design and water space structuring. In this way, the case study of the Conceptual Architectural and Urban Design of Zone 8 of the Linear Park in Belgrade offers new interpretations and understandings of Aquatecture in Belgrade in professional practice. More precisely, it re-examines ways of applying and understanding the concepts of the Blue Green Dream (BGD) and Nature Based Solutions (NBS) in shaping public spaces in the city.

Assessment of cultural-historical and other ecosystem values of Djerdap National Park

This paper points out the importance of assessing the cultural-historical and other ecosystem values of protected areas, on the example of applying protected areas benefit assessment tool (PA-BAT). This method has so far been applied in seven Dinaric Arc countries (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania and Serbia) in south-eastern Europe, as well as other countries of the world (Colombia, Turkey, Myanmar, USA and Ethiopia), with the aim of helping to gather information on the values and benefits of individual protected areas in relation to ecosystem services, using a participatory approach. On the example of the Djerdap National Park(in the Republic of Serbia), the results of the application of the PA-BAT method are given, that is, the results of the assessment of 22 ecosystem values with special reference to cultural and historical values as one of the ecosystem services of this protected area, as well as the results of previously conducted assessments of the ecosystem values of this area. The aim of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding and promotion of the application of the concept of ecosystem services in the preservation of culturalhistorical and other ecosystem values by applying PA-BAT evaluation methods.

A contribution to the study of Milan Zloković's architecture in Belgrade from the interwar period

Numerous published papers have covered the life and work of architect Milan Zloković. He has been presented as a pioneer of the modern movement in Serbian architecture and one of its most prominent representatives, as well as one of the most eminent Serbian architects from the first half of the 20th century. His extensive opus, which officially contains just over 170 designs, has been analyzed in detail. However, during the musealization of his legacy, in the process of forming the Bequest of Milan Zloković, and in cooperation with Belgrade City Museum and the Milan Zloković Foundation, over 50 previously unknown designs were identified. This was the result of the extensive research of vast amounts of project documentation, preserved in his family house and previously unavailable to researchers. This paper presents one part of that research, specifically the designs for several structures in Belgrade, originating from the interwar period. The first section presents a short biography of Zloković, especially with regard to the period from 1925 to 1937. The second section is dedicated to his designs, each of which is presented separately. The section is further divided into two segments, the first of which is built structures, and the second, unrealized projects. Included in the built structures are also a few alterations and extensions. The paper is mostly based on a study of primary sources, designs from the Milan Zloković legacy and documentation from the Historical Archive of Belgrade, as well as previously published research.

The expression of architect Milosav Miša Mitić (1932-1970) in the 1960s: The search, crystallization and maturity

The subject of the research is the beginning of the design work and professional engagement of architect Milosav Miša Mitić in the 1960s. Until now, this period of Mitić's design practice and construction activity has not been the subject of any scientific research, and it has still not been assessed in architectural historiography. The aims of the paper are to shed light on the lesser-known facts about Mitić's work at the beginning of his professional career, to determine the basic characteristics of his practice and to critically re-examine his contribution to the overall picture of Serbian architecture in the second half of the twentieth century. The scientific analysis covers significant unrealized and accomplished architectural achievements, both independently in the project studio Atrium (1956-1959), and jointly within the architectural group Belgrade Five (1954-1970). It examines in detail Mitić's developmental creative path in three phases (1956-1960): the search for authorial expression during the 1950s in the project studio Atrium, when his authorial duality comes to the fore, imbued with a strong sense of modus operandi and modus vivendi; crystallization of the author's expression within a five-member group, through a series of competitions and the first major accomplished project in the first housing estate within the Central zone of New Belgrade; and reaching full authorial maturity in his first major independent contracted design and construction project, for the EFGH local community center complex, with the S-10 commercial and residential tower. This is historical evidence of the possible different physiognomy of the future center of New Belgrade, with its recognizable architecture.

Reducing urban heat islands and improving the thermal comfort of residents: A nature-based solution

The benefits of urban blue-green infrastructures are well known: they intercept airborne three-atom particles, thus reducing pollution levels; and they provide shade and cooling by means of evapotranspiration. The focus of this paper is to demonstrate methods such as remote sensing and multi-spectral analysis, which can be a very useful addition to the quantification of blue-green infrastructures for cooling and shading, especially in the highly complex geometry of city blocks. The basic aim of this research is to attempt to reduce urban heat islands and in this way to indirectly increase the comfort of living. A cause/ effect relationship between the envelope of built up structures and the solar radiation distribution on the environment was established by means of multi-spectral analysis, and an estimation was made concerning the lack of vegetation on a specific parcel/block (an important tool for urban planners). This state-of-the-art methodology was applied to the optimized prediction concept of vegetation resources. Now it is possible to create a model that will incorporate this newly-added urban vegetation into urban plans, depending on the evaporation potential that will affect the microclimate of the urban area. Such natural cooling can be measured and adapted and hence aimed at a potential decrease in temperature in areas with UHI emissions. As a case study, part of a seacoast urban block (Abu Dhabi UE,) was analysed with and without a street treeline and green façades and roofs. It was concluded that green infrastructure reduced the land surface temperature by up to 4.5˚C.

The role and scope of the general urban plan in contemporary planning in Belgrade

This paper investigates the General urban plan (GUP), as a traditional planning instrument that can respond to the challenges of the contemporary social context. Given that in 2019 a decision was made to develop a new GUP of Belgrade, which should offer a strategic spatial and urban solution based on the principles of social, economic, environmental and cultural sustainability to be developed in the coming decades, the question is what is and what should be the GUP and what should it look like, but perhaps most importantly - what can be included in the GUP be today? The role and scope of the General urban plan are explored from two aspects. In the first, the role of the GUP is analyzed within the institutional framework - the Law on planning and construction and the Law on the planning system of the RS, which was adopted in 2018, as well as their connection, interaction and the possibilities that arise from it. In the second step, the scope of the GUP is explored through an assessment of contemporary planning practice in Belgrade, with the General plan of Belgrade 2021 adopted in 2003 as its cornerstone, and then analyzing the changes in planning that occurred through its further implementation and detailed elaboration. While the strategic role of the GUP is increasing with the possibility of connecting both planning systems, in practice its importance and scope are continuously weakening, leaving the planned growth and development of Belgrade to the economic interests related to individual locations.

World cultural heritage monuments in Kosovo and Metohija: Problems and perspectives of protection

In 2006, the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Committee inscribed four Serbian medieval shrines from Kosovo and Metohija on the World Heritage List, in danger due to difficulties in their preservation and management, as well as the damage they suffered during ethnic conflicts, namely: the Church of Bogorodica Ljeviška in Prizren and the Peć Patriarchate, Dečani and Gračanica monasteries. In accordance with United Nations Resolution 1244, they are currently under the control of the United Nations Mission in Kosovo and Metohija. However, in addition to these monuments, the cultural and demographic identity of Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija is illustrated by over 1,500 established cultural assets (monasteries, churches, cemeteries, etc.) that testify to the centuries-old presence of the Serbian people and Orthodox faith in this area and their material and spiritual culture, as works of the overall European cultural heritage created in the intertwining of the influences of Eastern and Western Christianity and culture. The inclusion of these four cultural assets of great importance for Serbia in the international system of protection and monitoring has led to initiating the consideration of a comprehensive and long-term view of cultural heritage in Kosovo and Metohija at the international level as a key element in establishing better cultural and overall relations between Serbs and the Albanian population. The paper discusses the problems and possibilities of improving the protection and presentation of World Cultural and Natural Heritage in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as the expansion of the list, through the integration of international, national and local protection, and understanding of this area as a specific cultural landscape. Presenting the value of the heritage as a comprehensive cultural landscape which combines natural tangible and intangible aspects, as well as the organization of cultural, educational and other activities, would encourage respect for the diversity, integrity and identity of others, which is an unavoidable condition in the process of European integration currently opposed by ethnic groups.

Towards a critical and reflective planner: A contribution to improved practice using the case study of the 'Avala Film' complex

The aim of this paper is to illustrate the results of the pedagogical approach that was created to develop the competencies of a critical and reflective professional. The pedagogical approach was developed for the master's level Planning Theory course at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade. The specifics of the pedagogical approach stemmed from the need to consider a number of new issues relevant to improving planning practices, planning systems and the domain of spatial development in Serbia, which have emerged during the period of transitional reforms in Serbia since 2000. The case of preparing the plan of detailed regulation for the Avala Film complex in Kosutnjak, which was also the subject of the work of students in the school year 2020/21, was taken as a testing ground to illustrate the approach. The methodological steps in the analysis of the case clearly indicated the following problems in the field of spatial development: a) urban plans serve as an instrument for the alienation of publicly owned land, b) public policies are selectively considered in the decision-making process on spatial development, c) formal planning procedures are insufficiently clear and have gaps in formulations, which creates space for ambiguous interpretations, d) decision-making positions on strategic development priorities and issues of public interest are not clearly defined and e) key issues on spatial development are resolved in the domain of political rather than professional decision-making. Based on the analysis of the planning process for the Avala Film complex, recommendations for improving planning practice, i.e. the spatial governance system in Serbia are made. They are essentially aimed at improving the legislative system in the decision-making process, with an emphasis on formalizing positions of competence, determining mechanisms for the alienation of public property, improving the transparency of procedures and re-positioning the role of the profession in that process.