@conference{
author = "Špirić, Ana and Đukić, Aleksandra",
year = "2024",
abstract = "Fundamental institutional reforms, as well as changes in the political, economic and social system, are the cause of the very complex and dynamic urban development of post-socialist cities. The transition from the single-party socialist political system into the system of parliamentary democracy and the decentralization of public state institutions and administration led to a greater responsibility of the local community for the creation of urban policies and the financing of urban development programs. The reduced role of the state in the economic system, the established capitalist principles of private ownership and market-lead economy have significantly influenced changes in the management of urban development, which is mainly driven by short-term goals and private interests. In conditions where local communities have insufficient financial resources to implement public policies based on neo-liberal principles, the role of the private sector in urban development becomes dominant, and the needs of citizens are neglected, which is the cause of significant spatial-social urban problems. Due to the low level of involvement of civil society in the decision-making process of urban planning, which is only declarative, but also due to the non-transparency of the process itself, it is also evident that citizens are not interested in participating in planning of urban development. This often results in the emergence of urban resistance movements and non-acceptance of imposed planning solutions. Regarding this, the issue of social sustainability of the transformation of post-socialist cities and the strengthening of civil society has become increasingly prominent in the post-socialist research discourse.
This paper deals with the problem and impact of the "bottom-up" planning approach on the transformation of post-socialist cities. The aim of the paper is to point out the complexity of the process of post-socialist development of cities and to re-examine the role of civil society initiatives in the planning process of urban transformation. The paper presents a case study of the action of a civil initiative with the aim of preserving and transforming open public space in a residential area in the centre of Banjaluka. The presented example indicates the importance of informal and formal forms of self-organization of citizens for strengthening social inclusion, improvement of neighbourhood and preservation of public interest in the process of urban transformation. Finally, the example indicates the need to change the current planning approach and develop new planning tools aimed at achieving a higher level of citizen participation in the planning process and achievement of long-term social goals of the sustainability of the urban development of post-socialist Banjaluka.",
publisher = "Belgrade : University of Belgrade, Faculty of Architecture",
journal = "Keeping up with technologies to imagine and build together sustainable, inclusive, and beautiful cities [Elektronski izvor] : proceedings / 8th International Academic Conference on Places and Technologies, Belgrade, 2023",
title = "Tensions of Urban Development in Post-Socialist City: the Case Study of Community –Based Initiatives for Preservation and Transformation of Open Public Space in Banjaluka",
pages = "221-229",
doi = "10.18485/arh_pt.2024.8.ch26"
}
