Bela Crkva urban morphology analysis with aim of improving urban structure and built space

Abstract

The paper represents an analysis of the emergence and development of the urban structure of Bela Crkva, small town in southern Banat Danube area, and gives its urban morphology analysis, in order to make recommendations for future development and improvement of the quality of the built environment. Urban planning models upon which this settlement was developped and the factors that led to deviations from the initial planning concepts, along with a brief overview of the emergence and development of the planned settlements in present-day Vojvodina are explored and presented. Specific factors that led to the emergence of atypical elements in Bela Crkva urban structure are pointed out, and the relationship between typical and specific is analysed. Particular attention was given to the most important factors that led to deviations from strict geometric form, such as topography, climate, transportation, economy and demographics. Problems plaguing Bela Crkva today - negative demographic balance, the economic crisis and the deterioration of the existing built structure - are identified. The authors conclude that one can not expect further development of the urban structure of this settlement in the horizontal direction, but the transformation within the existing urban matrix, in the field of urban reconstruction. Some recommendations for further planning and development planning policies that are used for logical development and growth of settlements, in particular in order to preserve the identity of the village, are proposed.