Re-Conceptualization of the Idea of Neighborhood in Post-Socialist Belgrade

Abstract

Understanding the concept of collective form is of particular interest for re-conceptualization of the idea of neighborhood in post-socialist Belgrade. After the experiences of the socialist community, Belgrade is facing the issue of social atomization and numerous manifestations of the culture of distrust. These conditions in which the duties towards the others are not recognized for the sake of one’s own sustain Thomas Hobbes defines as an issue of the wrong reason. In the region of Serbia the problem of wrong reason has its own history. Its fragments are found in the modern urbanization of the cities in Serbia, at the neighborhood level – shaped by the tension between the power directives and the desire of the ordinary people. According to the principle of reciprocity, based on the criteria of functional orientation, attractiveness and connectivity of group form elements, considering the presence of the culture of distrust, the intention of this article is to initiate discussion on proposed terminology and to reveal the key points for transformation of the dwelling community concept into neihgborhood concept.