Sustainable planning in protected natural areas - case study of Vlasina Lake

Abstract

The concept of sustainability comprises different aspects of human activities, including the environment, economy and social sphere, thus creating the frame for urban and spatial planning in theory and practice (Mitrovic, 2017). Haughton (1996) draws attention to its most important features that are the foundation for the long term development, such as natural conservation, efficient economy, civil society and social progress. As the main pillar of the sustainability, the ecological aspect remains one of the dominant concerns of the territory development and planning over decades. The equal attention is being drawn to the urban areas as well as the protected natural areas. Many conflict zones and interests overlapping in such areas are also an exhaustless source of inspiration and ideas. This was the starting point for the creation of a case study of Vlasina Lake in Serbia as a task for the students of Master course at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade. Vlasina Lake district has significant natural values, quality landscape and water resources as well as settlements and tourism capacities, which together create many developmental problems. As a territory with numerous conflicted situations, it has been treated through several spatial and local urban plans. The paper presents the educational process during three subjects focused on the sustainable planning and design in natural environment. The pedagogical methodology was implemented in the three main teaching units: planning studio, which involves learning-by-doing process and is project-based; workshop, which includes site investigation, and seminar, which provides theoretical foundation related to the sustainable development and planning. The educational corpus is designed so that all parts should be complementary in terms of the methodology and form of teaching and learning. In this paper, the outcomes of studio, seminar and workshop are presented as an example of well-designed assignment for the master course level in domain of urban planning that gives realistic planning solutions and encourage teamwork, as well as the cooperation with the local community.