A possibility of introducing the concept of form into urban planning in Serbia

Abstract

This paper analyses the methodology of drawing up urban plans in Serbia and identifies the effects of their implementation on the quality of built environment. It points out that certain negative effects and problems in spatial development could be related to the absence of the concept of form in planning, or to the lack of direction in the process of developing physical structure through planning guidelines. The analysis of the planning documentation shows that the approach to planning is either too general, disregarding the specificities of the location, or too deterministic, manifested in the rigidly defined building rules that do not allow for diversity in architectural design. It can be concluded that this situation is facilitated by the fact that neither the Law nor the current context of planning support research in planning which would include a systematic existing situation analysis, spatial verification of planning solutions and introduction of parameters of quality in construction, in addition to the current predominantly quantitative ones. On the other hand, this paper points to up-to-date research in the area of urban morphology and contributions to the education of researchers and professionals which could improve planning methodology, and consequently the existing urban practice in Serbia.