The network of local centers as a tool for strengthening the super-block communities: Belgrade vs. Rome

Abstract

The comparative study presented in this paper analyses the network of local community centers generated in the open spaces of the super-blocks of Rome and Belgrade. The focus is on the barriers that affect their functioning in the terms of connectivity. Considering the future development of local neighborhoods, the questions of accessibility and integration are raised, targeting the identified community centers and their emerging networks. This topic is important on the level of place attachment, addressing the issues of the everyday life quality within a neighbourhood, and the potential strength of the inner-community relationships. The main goal is to analyze the effects created by the existing physical barriers, using five principles of urban design defined by Jan Gehl’s Cities for people. Two selected case studies represent the functional city concept, transformed into two different models. Certain barriers within them are the products of socio-political contexts, influencing the structure and inner-connectivity of the local community. The conclusion of the paper highlights the main reasons instigating the differences between selected neighbourhoods (in terms of the networking of local community centers), simultaneously suggesting possibilities and themes for further research.