Abstract
Focusing on the social aspect of sustainability, this article provides insight into the process of spatial and functional reconsideration of open public spaces in two selected super-blocks in Belgrade, Serbia. Although their spatial typology is similar, one of them was created during the 1960s in New Belgrade, a new administrative center of the city based on the principles of functionalism, while the other one was built during the 1970s, as a part of urban reconstruction conducted in the central areas of Belgrade (Vračar municipality). The beginning of the 21st century has brought new challenges to open public spaces, reflecting the post-transitional changes of the Serbian socio-economic context, as well as the contemporary urban needs of inhabitants. Consequently, both blocks have developed new gathering places for their local communities, although applying two different approaches, spontaneous/informal (New Belgrade) and formal (Vračar). Considering the specificities of both initiatives and the relationship between local communities and the open public spaces of super-blocks, the comparative analysis is conducted in order to identify the occurring social, spatial, and functional modifications, and the achieved level of social sustainability.
Highlights
After World War II, many growing European cities adopted the functional city concept [1] as a preferred direction of further development and territorial expansion triggered by massive migrations to cities
The comparative analysis of both cases targeting the social sustainability of blocks was conducted according to the data collected by authors (Block 37) and the research team of the Shared Cities: Creative Momentum (SCCM) project, which included the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Belgrade International Architecture Week (BINA), and several collaborators
It is estimated that average monthly costs would be around 400 euros, which could represent a problem if only the local community is in-charge; due to limitations imposed by general income levels and questionable willingness of all users to contribute
Summary
After World War II, many growing European cities adopted the functional city concept [1] as a preferred direction of further development and territorial expansion triggered by massive migrations to cities. Consisting of freestanding high-rise buildings positioned in green open spaces (approximately 48–85%), these blocks were supposed to accommodate large numbers of people on a limited territory increasing quality of life through functional efficiency and environmental comfort. In the post-socialist context of Serbia, characterized by the delayed transitional process during the 1990s and 2000s, the condition of super-blocks and their open areas was challenged by socio-economic and political turbulences resulting in the negligence or usurpation of public spaces [11,12,13]. The participatory design has been encouraged as a method contributing to social cohesion through new and reconstructed urban forms, with increased accessibility and improved physical, cultural, and social identity of shared areas [16]
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