The Security of Open Public Spaces as an Issue for Urban Redevelopment: The Case of Kosančićev Venac, Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract

Despite the fact that urban redevelopment is not a novelty at international level, it is still an emerging phenomenon in post-socialist Europe. Accompanied by the reestablishment of capitalist economy here, the projects of urban redevelopment have brought both advantages and disadvantages to this region. In the case of Serbia, more turbulent post-socialist transformation of the country has been distinctively reflected through urban redevelopment. Th is process is the best evident in its capital, Belgrade. Here more has happened in the areas which have not been in professional focus for urban redevelopment. In contrast, some well-known and historically valuable areas, such as Kosančićev venac area, have not witnessed it, despite the official and professional intention to redevelop them. There have been many arguments why this process has omitted Kosančićev venac. Most of them are related to the poor state of the finances. However, problem with finances usually “covers” the other ones. Th en, one of them is certainly urban security, i.e. human security in open public spaces, which is emerging as a task for any action in urban space today. Knowing that it is still underdeveloped professional topic locally, the aim of this research is urban security as a problem causing the lack of urban redevelopment in Kosančićev venac. The research is based on the survey conducted in this area. Therefore, the results of this survey are crucial to understanding the role of urban security in the urban (re)development of Kosančićev venac and how the security issue can be improved to enable it.