POSTSOCIALIST TRANSFORMATION OF CITIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA - A CASE STUDY OF NOVI SAD AND PETROVARADIN

Abstract

Novi Sad and Petrovaradin, as two inseparable entities, have undergone large urban changes in the latest decades. Huge transformations in morphological features and spatial structure of Novi Sad occurred in the period from the breakup of Yugoslavia to the end of the second decade of the 21st century. The transformation of Petrovaradin followed at a slower pace at first but later on it intensified. The paper data rely on General Urban Plans of Novi Sad from the years 1985, 2000 and 2006. The comparative method, field research and analysis were applied to identify the parts of the city which underwent the largest transformation processes. Certain changes in the structure of street networks, changes in the inner physiognomy of the settlement, as well as disruption of architectural balance have been recognized. The direction of urban transformations has been identified by the analysis of social changes. Also, the present and potential problems were pointed out including the improvements which the inhabitants gained due to urban transformations of Novi Sad and Petrovaradin. It has been estimated that urban transformation in Novi Sad led to disruption of architectural style in certain parts of the city by erecting modern buildings which do not integrate into the setting of architecture from earlier periods neither with their exterior nor with the materials used. Contemporary building structures occupy larger areas of municipal building land, the number of apartments per unit area increases, the need for parking spaces also increases and green areas are reduced in the city.

Keywords

• novi sad
• petrovaradin
• postsocialist transformation