Mapping the Elements of the Compact City in a Post-Socialist Neighbourhood: The Case of New Belgrade

Abstract

New Belgrade was planned as an automobile-dependent city with a block structure. After the drastic changes it had been exposed to, the block structure remained untouched but with new usages, pedestrian activities, and routes as a final product. These changes are sporadic and scattered, but together there is a system of elements of a compact city making pedestrian-friendly environments. In this paper, based on a conceptual approach, these elements will be mapped in New Belgrade super-block 30, one of the mainly unchanged super-blocks. There are examples of small urban design interventions, such as new park areas, paths, and ramps. It is making the inclusion of different groups of users – from the youngest to oldest ones or recreationists and wheelchair users. Historically, some parts of super-block 30 have been left unfinished in its construction and had formed empty spaces. From undefined large areas to equipped zones dedicated to specific users, these changes created a new perception of communal public spaces by residents in super-block. An aim is to define how inclusive territory is formed. In which way do these changes contribute to making a new identity for this part of the city? They have new gathering places for activities and a new way of belonging to that super-block, at the same time creating new reasons to stay and influence the community in the super-block. In that sense, there was conducted unobstructed observation and semi-structured interviews with residents to examine if new interventions helped the community, their perception, and usage. Connections between these new pockets contribute to making new pedestrian routes as a part of the walking system through the New Belgrade block structure. Planning further development of these activities and routes can help in the transformation of post-socialist block structure neighbourhoods to compact cities and more inclusive and pedestrian-friendly environments.