Institute of Architecture and Urban & Spatial Planning of Serbia

This paper investigates the relationship between the typological organisation of residential interiors and the subjective experience of spatiality, formed through sequential, visually mediated movement. It examines whether perceived spatiality derives primarily from the mental integration of the dwelling as a whole through circular movement, or from immediately accessible visual relationships such as visual accessibility and perceptual depth. An experimental study was conducted in which participants with and without professional education in architecture and interior design evaluated four typologically distinct residential interior models (circular circulation, enfilade, branched structure, and open plan), presented through standardized screen-based animated walkthrough simulations designed to replicate continuous spatial movement under controlled visual conditions. Subjective evaluations were collected using eight bipolar semantic scales. Analysis of variance showed that typological structure had a statistically significant effect on all analysed dimensions of spatiality, while professional expertise did not produce significant differences. The results support the hypothesis that perceived spatiality is predominantly shaped by immediate visual accessibility and perceptual depth rather than by circular spatial connections requiring sequential cognitive integration. The findings clarify key perceptual mechanisms of spatiality and underscore the distinction between spatial flow as a structural property and spatiality as a perceptual category, with implications for residential design and further research.

Współczesna Europa zmaga się ze starzeniem społeczeństwa, niedoborem personelu i wieloma innymi czynnikami, których efektem jest niewydolność systemów opieki zdrowotnej. Dania i Wielka Brytania są przykładami walki ze współczesnymi problemami w sektorze zdrowotnym poprzez duże reformy, których rezultatem jest budowa nowych superszpitali, centralizacja opieki zdrowotnej, zmiany w strukturze i funkcjonowaniu szpitali. Celem badań jest porównanie podejścia do budowy superszpitali w Danii i Wielkiej Brytanii, pod kątem cech wspólnych i różnic, zalet i wad tego podejścia. Zbadano elementy kluczowe z punktu widzenia rozważań oraz próby odpowiedzi na pytanie czy centralizacja opieki medycznej może być rozwiązaniem współczesnych problemów w sektorze zdrowotnym czy to jedynie utopia. W artykule zastosowano metodę studium przypadku, wybierając do analiz 3 szpitale w Danii i 3 w Wielkiej Brytanii, które przedstawiają różne podejścia do kształtowania superszpitali cechujące zarówno zalety, jak i wady. Analiza ich cech pozwoliła określić pożądane cechy, które wpisują się we współczesne tendencje projektowe i badania naukowe. Niektóre z przykładów posiadają rozwiązania kontrowersyjne, które w różnych aspektach nie wpisują się w zasady humanizacji środowiska szpitalnego, ideę uzdrawiającego środowiska, co w połączeniu z kontrowersjami, jakie wokół nich zaistniały, mogą przywodzić na myśl cechy utopii, która generuje poważne problemy. Ten ostatni przykład pozwolił określić cechy superszpitala, które nie sprzyjają rozwiązaniu współczesnych problemów. Powinno to być brane pod uwagę w przyszłych projektach szpitali, aby uniknąć kontrowersji i stworzyć placówkę lepiej dostosowaną do skali człowieka, przyjazną o cechach nieinstytucjonalnych i bardziej kameralnej niż monumentalnej placówki medycznej.

The research objective is carbon farming, here encompassing sustainable soil management practices for soil organic carbon sequestration and/or soil GHG emissions reduction in croplands and grasslands, and business model that generates farmers reward for climate change mitigation outcomes and co-benefits for environment and society. After reviewing the main issues of carbon farming and its role in climate change mitigation policy, the authors analyzed pedoclimatic conditions, land use dynamics and management, carbon content in agricultural soils, and farm structure in main agricultural regions of Serbia-Vojvodina and Central Serbia. The research results, together with findings on carbon farming mechanisms, allow the authors to consider the region-specific combination of carbon farming practices and business models relevant to Serbian agriculture on the path to EU membership, as well as the main barriers to their adoption. Further research should include engaging stakeholders in testing identified carbon farming solutions to ensure fine-tuned policy design.

This study explores spiritual resilience as a mechanism for sustaining cultural landscapes, focusing on the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Studenica Monastery (Serbia). By analysing the monastery’s sacred network, which includes monasteries, hermitages, and churches, the study demonstrates how material heritage (architecture, art), intangible practices (monastic life, liturgy, traditional crafts), and the natural environment (UNESCO MaB Golija–Studenica Biosphere Reserve) form a cohesive system of resilience. The concept of spiritual resilience is examined as a dynamic process that links sacred architectural structures and enduring religious practices with authentic land use preserved over centuries. We have utilised a methodological framework combining historical mapping, GIS viewshed analysis in spatial planning, and multidisciplinary data synthesis (historical, architectural, artistic, ecological, ethnographic) with resilience indicators aligned with the UNESCO’s Cultural Landscape approach. The findings reveal that Studenica’s sacred network operates as a coupled socio-ecological system. Spiritual practices, including annual processions and land stewardship rituals, have been identified as key factors in enhancing biodiversity conservation while mitigating land-use conflicts. Historical mapping has been used to highlight the overlap between sacred sites and protected ecological zones, reflecting traditional stewardship practices. By reframing heritage as an adaptive process where spirituality serves as a conduit between tradition and innovation, the study proposes replicable strategies for UNESCO sites worldwide. The concept of sacred landscapes as resilience hubs is furthered by alignment with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Participation is an essential instrument for the expression of diverse knowledge and interests in urban planning. It ultimately influences outcomes in the built environment, fostering inclusive, safe, and accessible spaces and environments. However, urban planning is often viewed, by the public and practitioners alike, as an expert-driven, administrative, and semi-closed system, focusing on the provision of resources that are fit for all, seldom targeting the participation of gender expertise in decision-making. Drawing on empirical qualitative research conducted with planning practitioners in Belgrade in 2023 within the UN Women project “Safety of Women and Girls in Public Spaces”, this paper investigates if and how gender perspectives are integrated into urban planning policy and practice in Serbia, and the role of knowledge creation and participation in informing planning about diverse needs at the local level. The research draws on practical insights from practitioners in the fields of urban and spatial planning, traffic, and urban safety. The findings reveal how limitations to modifying the national legislative framework in terms of gender integration could be overcome at the level of planning policy and practice. The importance of including the participation of gender expertise alongside achieving gender parity in knowledge creation is highlighted.

In the era of urbanization, small towns confront challenges in sustaining and preserving their essence and population. Historical towns have discovered their potential in tourism development, yet this opportunity often escalates into overtourism, particularly in renowned cruising destinations. This paper focuses on examples of coastal historical towns dependent on tourism revenue and faced with an excessive influx of tourists in the Mediterranean Region. The objective is to examine various cases across diverse geographical, cultural, and policy contexts to evaluate their success in achieving a balance between economic development and genius loci. This analysis seeks to identify the factors that contributed to the attainment of this equilibrium. Therefore, we selected case studies throughout the Mediterranean coast—from Saint Paul de Vence and Èze at the Azure Coast, Dubrovnik and Kotor in the Adriatic Sea, to Nafplio and Monemvasia in the Aegean Sea. The selected examples range from towns that are almost entirely depopulated to those that are suffocating from the influx of tourists. Observations on the spot and review of policies led us to the conclusion that the geography of the area and cultural values represent comparative (dis)advantages that can be influenced and shaped by policies from the time of the pre-tourist phase to the phase of overtourism. Even though the success of an early policy and the effects of investments aligned with it might be uncertain, pre-tourist policies turn out to be the most successful when it comes to balanced tourist-resident development. Determination of authorities to not only see economic benefit but also genius loci and quality of life of residents is crucial, too.

After decades of rising awareness and undertaken actions, climate change is still one of several focal global challenges. Additionally, the latest report by researchers at the International Panel for Climate Change indicates that the crisis has deepened. With its comprehensive nature, spatial planning is one of the management tools responsible for dealing with climate change and combating its effects. Land use definition is the foundation on which we build mitigation and adaptation systems. It is a complex process that involves (or should involve) a range of stakeholders—experts, politicians, the civil sector, and citizens—in which the clear transmission of messages to stakeholders regarding the state of the art and planned actions is significant. The use of visualisation tools is one of the important ways to achieve this. This research aims to present a set of visualisation tools, applying them in analysis and decision making in the field of spatial planning with regard to climate change. We combined content analysis, colour-graded classification, and the spider method applied to the example of Serbia. The results showed that application of the suggested visualisation methods in combination with regular planning tools (maps) facilitates an understanding of the problem and its presentation to other stakeholders. In the case of Serbia, visualisation tools have shown that adaptation measures prevail over mitigation measures and that the effects of climate change addressed in spatial-planning documents do not significantly match the most challenging effects as perceived from the citizens’ perspective. These are aspects that should be corrected in the next generation of planning documents. The suggested visualisation tools are replicable, with slight adjustments to a specific case, to any other region in the world.

The paper is more descriptive than scientific. It is based on a case study, which gives opportunity to explore and research theoretical hypotheses and compare them with practical experiences. The topic is interesting and convenient for a creative and science-based approach. However, the authors remained in the sphere of comprehensive, professional work. If they make an effort to adapt and supplement the work, it could be considered a scientific contribution. Add reasons for conducting the investigation, define the purpose of the work and its significance, and highlight why it is important. State the main research questions and suggest a methodological approach; place the study in a broad context with a literature review. Give comparison and relationship regarding references; state whether your research stands on the same principles, bases, or gives some new cognition? Conclusions remain too short; the wider scientific and practical contribution and aim of the paper should be proved; the novelty of research methods, any obstacles and limitations, recommendations for further investigation, or practical use of findings? The reference list is too modest; make an effort to investigate other (similar, comparative…) scientific papers and look back at them and comment on the similarities and differences in approach and results.