ANNUAL CONGRESS 2025

Rethinking the Urban Periphery: A Theoretical Matrix of Nuanced Urban Regeneration Models Exemplified in Post-Socialist Urban Spaces of Belgrade

Not scheduled

20m

Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul

Oral Track 17 | PUBLIC SPACE

Speaker

Nikola Mitrović (University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture)

Description

The contemporary urban paradigm is undergoing a significant shift from traditional design standards to more flexible, context-sensitive, and participatory approaches, especially in response to challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. In this evolving context, urban regeneration strategies necessitate a reconsideration, particularly in post-socialist cities where public spaces frequently fail to address the socio-spatial complexities found in peripheral areas.
This study investigates the evolving notion of the urban periphery—not merely as a geographic boundary, but as a multi-faceted socio-cultural construct shaped by historical transformations, economic fluctuations, and the appropriation and management of public space through urban design. Peripheral urban public spaces, often perceived as residual or marginal, are identified as critical sites for rethinking contemporary regeneration practices. These spaces are characterised by heterogeneity and are not uniformly disadvantaged; instead, they embody diverse urban conditions shaped by distinct cultural interpretations of publicness, accessibility, and social interaction.
Drawing upon comparative literature and case studies, this research emphasises the imperative to transcend outdated centre-periphery dichotomies and adopt nuanced regeneration models that prioritise spatial justice, inclusivity, and long-term resilience. To this end, a variety of open public spaces within the urban fabric of Belgrade (Serbia) have been systematically identified and mapped as peripheral public spaces. These locations illustrate varying types of open public areas based on morphological and qualitative indicators, encompassing the specific size of urban pockets and their liminal positions within pedestrian networks across diverse functional zones, ranging from the neighbourhood and social spaces to transport infrastructure.
The analysis critically examines existing approaches in the literature and practice to evaluate the role of urban design in the regeneration of peripheral spaces. It identifies different topics across several frameworks, including cognitive patterns within psychological approaches, place-based strategies, cultural and creative industries, local collective action initiatives, tactical urbanism, and principles of proximity. The key concepts of these approaches are exemplified within a post-socialist context, where fragmented urban structures and socio-economic disparities pose significant challenges to conventional planning paradigms.
This research introduces a matrix that connects empirically observed spaces with theoretical frameworks, offering guidelines for enhancing fragmented areas through more refined regeneration models. Furthermore, it underscores the necessity of shifting focus from large-scale projects to micro-scale interventions aimed at improving the everyday usability of public spaces, thus fostering increased community engagement and promoting long-term adaptability.
The findings indicate that effective urban regeneration models must incorporate hybrid approaches that balance top-down policies with bottom-up initiatives, thereby facilitating public-private-civic collaborations. By delineating various methodologies and case studies, this study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of how peripheral urban spaces can function as catalysts for equitable and sustainable urban transformation. In conclusion, this research advocates for a paradigm shift in urban planning that acknowledges the regenerative potential of peripheral public spaces, reconceptualising them from overlooked margins into dynamic nodes of urban life, particularly within the context of post-socialist environments.

References

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Calace, F., Rana, A., Vitale, C. (2024) Density, Regeneration and the Need for New Spaces. In: Manahasa, E., Naselli, F., Yunitsyna, A. (eds) COVID-19 (Forced) Innovations. The Urban Book Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-56607-3_2.

Mitrović, N. (2024) A Taxonomy of Liminality: Exploring Open Infrastructure Spaces in Post-Socialist Belgrade. In: V.Djokić et. al. (Eds.) Praxis of urban morphology [Elektronski izvor] : conference proceedings. Part 2 / XXX conference of the International seminar on urban form (ISUF2023), 4th-10th September. University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture., 1696-1706. https://hdl.handle.net/21.15107/rcub_raf_2066.

Salone, C., Bonini Baraldi, S. and Pazzola, G. (2017) ‘Cultural production in peripheral urban spaces: lessons from Barriera, Turin (Italy)’, European Planning Studies, 25(12), pp. 2117–2137. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2017.1327033.

Sassano, G., Graziadei, A., Amato, F., Murgante, B. (2017) Involving Citizens in the Reuse and Regeneration of Urban Peripheral Spaces. In: Nunes Silva, C., Buček, J. (eds) Local Government and Urban Governance in Europe. The Urban Book Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43979-2_10.

Vaes, K., Verlinden, J.C. (2023) Connectivity and creativity in times of conflict. Academia Press. https://doi.org/10.26530/9789401496476.