New Urbanism as a Vital Element in Shaping Serbian Architecture of the 21st Century

Ranging from the most modest to the most prominent examples of this architecture in the capital of Serbia, Belgrade, typified architectural structures devoid of human scale and any harmony with the existing local building and planning traditions dominate.This marketing-driven mainstream type of architecture, akin to Hollywood film production, operates on the principle of identical and proven patterns.The primary task of these architectural structures, often under the guise of concern for sustainable development and public interest, is essentially instant and assured profit.The notion of the city as a place for living, enjoyment, and education, rather than merely a site for economic gain, has been decisively lost under the influence of new urbanism.This paper explores architectural trends that reduce the ideal of multiculturalism to marketable and trendy architectural-urban complexes designed for both mass and elite consumption.Furthermore, it examines their role in the transformation of the visual identity of Belgrade and other Serbian cities.