Planning framework for (re)developing public open spaces in residential neighbourhoods: Case of Belgrade (Serbia)

In urban planning and design disciplines, public open spaces (POS) have been recognised as an important quality of life factor whose development should be supported by planning regulation and design guidance. Although in theory there is a general agreement on what good quality of POS is and how to achieve it, in practice, the treatment of POS in urban planning stands in the close relation to the specific development context. In that sense, the changes in social, political and economic system induce changes in how public open spaces are conceived and regulated through urban planning. This paper deals with post-socialist transition of Serbia and reviews standing planning framework for (re)developing public open spaces in residential neighbourhoods, taking Belgrade as a case. It explores POS treatment in the key strategic and planning documents in order to recognise potential cause-and-effect relationships between the current planning framework and the development characteristics of residential POS, by investigating: 1) POS treatment within the regulation related to the existing modernist large housing estates, and 2) POS treatment within the regulation related to new multi-family housing. Critical analyses of conceptualisation, planning standards and guidelines for POS reveals changes in planning approach in the new post-socialist urban development context, as well as diversified modes of POS treatment in relation their (un)recognised value, purpose and location in the city.