Strategic development goals of the metropolitan area of Belgrade in the context of European physical development

Abstract

The specific condition at the close of the 20th century, in which Serbia was seriously lagging behind in development, also affected its capital city Belgrade. Not forgetting the relative importance and size of this city in the wider European framework, we can establish that this condition was in fact grounded in the political constellation. After all, most major ideas and strategic actions are as a rule generated from the dominant centre of power. Stimulated by the Spatial plan of the Republic of Serbia (adopted in 1996), the city of Belgrade, in conjunction with the Republic of Serbia, triggered preparation of a Regional spatial plan for the city of Belgrade, whose main goals were: • To stop drastic economic stagnation, • To diminish pronounced social problems caused by uncontrolled settlement of immigrants and displaced persons from the territories of former Yugoslavia, • To clear the seriously threatened economic integrity of settled and vacant spaces in the city of Belgrade, which covers 3224 km2, with 1.618.000 inhabitants living in 7 urban centres and more than 130 rural settlements.