The implementation of the principles of the learning cities concept in urbanism-based education: the example of urban design studio at the Faculty of Architecture in Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

The international concept of learning cities refers to a city as the human capital that facilitates our needs, interests and individual empowerment, while it parallel supports a community building through mutual learning process. This dual nature of a city as an educating ground opens multiple possibilities to learn, in both formal and informal ways. Considering that the concept of learning cities has a clear imprint into urban space, it elevates the position of urbanism and architecture within the concept. This position is characterised by simultaneous reliance to local and cosmopolitan values in culture, knowledge, and technologies, aiming to spatially empower individuals and create social cohesion, which basically support the urban sustainability. The aim of this paper is to investigate how the concept of learning cities influences student work and decisions in a studio-shaped course, where the final product is actually the project of learning urban space. This investigation was carried within an urban design studio at 2nd year of bachelor studies at the Faculty of Architecture in Belgrade, Serbia. The analysis of student works presents that they comprehend the learning city in three directions: (1) as a network of learning places; (2) as the spatial reflection of renewal and revitalisation of local community; and (3) as the use of local heritage, culture and identity for new urban interventions.