Airports as a “reserve force” of countries in transition: case study of former military airport in Kovin - Serbia

Abstract

After World War II, Military had great political and economic influence, power and land resources, while airports, as a military infrastructure, were considered as a valid asset for the bigger and, at the time, more important image of urbanization and modernization. This paper aims to explore potentials of underused military infrastructure perceived as a critical aspect of the image, quality of place and sustainability in the contemporary globalized world. The focus of the research is on the marginalized military airport in Kovin, city located in the Danube region, northeast part of Serbia. Having in mind that airports, no matter of their initial character (civil or military), demand substantial areas regarding land use it is especially important to explore the potential of former military airports that are not active anymore. As such former airports represent great spatial potential and need to be explored from various aspects. Focus of this research will be on former military airport in Kovin - Serbia, and authors will explore its potentials and restrictions for further development and influence on surrounding areas. Context of the research is on Serbia, country in transition and its military infrastructure that belonged to former Yugoslav National Army (YNA). During Yugoslav period military buildings and areas were strictly controlled and forbidden for civilians until the 1990s and breakup of Yugoslav state. As such airports are important property both to the state and army and to local municipalities in which they are located. Development opportunities, strengths and weaknesses possible solutions for the present problems will be analyzed through case study of student project, realized during 2017/18 school year, at the design course at the Master studies at University of Belgrade, Faculty of Architecture. The main assignment for the course was to develop spatial and functional model, while creating a landscape that establishes a connection between the overlooked military infrastructure and its possible civilian use in peacetime conditions. The results of this paper come in form of providing appropriate strategies and possible outputs for urban transformation of military infrastructure to secure high quality of living, promoting and enhancement of cultural and environmental values of the specific site.