Pedestrians and pedestrian streets in Belgrade: An anthropological take on space, mobility, and hospitality industry in the city center

Abstract

In the past decades, Belgrade experienced a significant transformation of its downtown area also with regards to an increasing number of public spaces turned into pedestrian zones, primarily by closing roads for automotive transport, and establishing new pedestrian zones. This trend of pedestrianization of urban cores in Europe (initiated in the mid-20th century), found its strongest expression in Belgrade in the eighties with the complete transformation of Knez Mihailova street and its paving, and later with the expansion of the pedestrian zone to the adjoining streets. With the beginning of the 21st century, a special rise of a commercialized type of ?street life? occurred - an increasing number of outdoor restaurant facilities were established. In the last twenty years, the services sector has become one of the most important in the city?s economy, and the tourism and hospitality industry employs a significant number of people; thus, the urban public space is increasingly adapting to the needs of consumers of such services, residents and guests alike. The visible expansion of restaurant facilities on public pedestrian areas in Belgrade raises questions about priorities in the use of public space. This paper will examine questions of space use, pedestrian mobility, and hospitality industries.