Eura 2011- Cities without limits

URBAN IDENTITY OF THE CITY - THE TRANSFORMATION OF CITIES AT THE

TURN OF TWO CENTURIES
Ljiljana Jevremovic1

Post-socialist cities in Central and Eastern Europe, today, pass through the complex changes
in the conditions of post-socialist transformation, Europeanization and globalization. A relatively
neglected aspect of these changes is the creation of typical post-socialist identity of the considered
European cities that suppose, through transformation, to achieve a wide range of objectives
proclaimed along with the legitimacy of new political and economic policies. The goal is to create
good enough places for integration into regional and global networks and flows. The tendency of the
transformation of Eastern European cities, in general, is the "Europeanization" of urban identity and
repression to elements and signs of "infamous" past, specifically socialistic. However, the question is
where is the limit, and to what extent should cities break with its own, recent history. This paper
analyses the gradual transformation of the city, from the socialist past to the present time, with
attempt to identify the new urban identity in post-socialist countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
This process is researched as the case study city of Nis in Serbia. In a brief analysis of the historical
development of Nis, it was marked a period of the largest urban growth. That was the socialistic
period just after World War II, followed by creating a distinctive city identity as a socialistic city, the
city of the "revolutionaries" and "workers". In the context of recent history (last decade of the
twentieth century and the beginning of the XXI century), the paper further analyses the gradual
transformation of the influences that occur during this period, from traditional-rural to postmodern.
Although the transformation of the city is developing more slowly than social change, it still manages
to keep pace with changes in society through their physical and spatial appearance, inevitably,
retaining remnants and influences of previous periods. We conclude with the necessity of exploring the
historical context in the formation of new "modern" urban identity by relying on our own past. History
and tradition, the affinity of the mentality of a society that makes a city must be taken into account
along with the goals that we want to achieve by forming a brand new "picture" of the city the new
urban identity.

INTRODUCTION
Post-socialist cities in Central and Eastern Europe are undergoing complex changes
under conditions of post-socialist transformation, Europeanization and globalization. A rather
neglected aspect of these changes is the creation of post-socialist identity. Shaping of urban
space and identity in socialistic cities were very important elements of the socialist project for
the creation of new forms of society. In contrast, post-socialist transformation in Central and
Eastern Europe includes the rebranding of the identity of place still within the range of scales
to legitimize the new political and economic trajectories in regional and global networks and
flows. Thus, while the post-socialist places are often in external evaluation identified as

March Ljiljana Jevremovic PhD student at University of Nis, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture,
Serbia, contact: jevremovicljiljana@gmail.com , +38162/1031983

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"Eastern Others" (others in the East), the dominant discourse of internal post-socialistic
identity of the place imagine this site as a modern, international, capitalist, and in accordance
with European dominant neo-liberal agenda.
Reshaping of post-socialist space, from national to local, often includes strategies that
are formed to highlight their Europeanism. Attempts of Europeanization of Central and
Eastern Europe, particularly through the emphasis of the former connection with Western
Europe and rejecting linkage and association with the East and the socialistic past, are
important sources of symbolic capital that is essential for post-Socialist transformation, which
has a lack of economic capital. Privatizations, access to free markets and attraction of foreign
direct investment are also the symbols of post-socialist nations that form external and internal
supports to mark the end of socialism. This symbolism also helps to legitimize the new
government revolutionary ideas and de-legitimization or deletion of the old regime. The
concept and name "Europe" is an image and a set of positive values, and although it can never
be enough signs that would indicate that something is old, communist, poor, primitive,
Oriental, Eastern Europe any more. (Pawlikowska-Piechotka, 2007)
In Central and Eastern Europe, the urban area is an important environment in which
these processes take place. Previously privileged place under socialism, the cities, the avantgarde (precursor) of post-socialist transformation, as they attract the most international
investment and act as a point of global flows of goods, capital, information and people.
Management in Europe has changed and while the states remain important, there is an
emphasis on local places to manage change in the context of European integration and
globalization. With the emergence of neo-liberal policies across the regions of Europe, postsocialist cities are caught up in the process of inter-urban competition, which leads to the
development of entrepreneurial urban management strategy. Post-socialist decentralization of
political power reinforces the role of cities that have to establish and maintain its own
legitimacy with its citizens and external factors. Across Europe, the built environment is
increasingly used for the creation of urban identity that reflects the creation of national and
European identity, including the emergence of competition and competitive ambition among
cities. Post-socialist identities are often shaped by complex interactions between the local
(urban) and the national political level.

REASONS FOR THE NEED FOR STRENGTHENING THE URBAN IDENTITY

The need to create a new approach to city development that emphasized the
characteristics and uniqueness of the city generally emphasized the identity of a city in
Central and Eastern Europe stems from several factors. These include:
- social-economic changes that came with the democratization of society after leaving the
old socialist regime;
- increasing competition between cities in the context of globalization;
- accelerated development of communications and information technology;
- the growing importance of environmental awareness in the public space;
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- new trends in the urban lifestyle and behaviour conditioned by the growth of consumer
society and, finally;
- development of new professional paradigm in the field of planning.
The main principles of urban development should be based on the understanding that
planning documents must have adequate answers to the rapid changes in space requirements
and to be effective in solving problems associated with future urban transformations.
Institutionalization of responsibility for the changes and support for innovation in cities,
however, should not be confused with the attitude that "everything can go" in urban
development, particularly in cities characterized by a clear geographic location and well
preserved historical heritage, which is characteristic of almost all major cities Serbia. At the
beginning of the millennium, these places are under serious pressure from the growing mobile
capital and new urban hedonism, both of which lead to uniformity of global forms and
programs. This is a clear danger to cities around the world that are becoming more or less
similar unrecognizable, especially if urban planners do not recognize, protect and develop
unique local elements of urban form.
In the contemporary professional discourse, there are two opposing views on the
future evolution of cities regarding to their urban form. Some say that urban areas are
becoming richer in terms of textures and meanings. Boris Podrecca, for example, argues that
robust and stable parts of the built environment, such as railway stations or airports, have
ceased to be just functional, mono-functional facilities, but are transformed into places of
communication and culture. Empty factory buildings or military installations are turned into
temples of a new era for leisure and education, and open spaces, the residential block to the
national level, again are becoming social environment for interaction and collective identity.
On contrary to the opinion of urban planners, architects and sociologists, such as Rem
Koolhaas, who claims that public spaces are disappearing, becoming fluid and irrational,
while the specific architectural structures simply incoherent artefacts in substrate of urban
components. The final product can only be autistic and dysfunctional area, while cities
become Babylon mass of unrelated parts. Because of this trend, spaces for interaction are
shifted from non-communicative and aggressive environments - streets, squares and parks, in
a controlled and protected environment, semi-public spacious shopping malls and
transportation terminals, and finally - the Internet (Koolhaas, 2001)
The development of specific urban structure, however, is considered as a key
component of the concept of city development, while fostering a strong cultural identity is
considered as a key prerequisite for the creation of genuinely sustainable communities.
Therefore, special attention should be given to strengthening the identity of the city, creating
an environment for strengthening cultural identity and continuity of the urban structure as the
main objectives of development plans of cities. (Dimitrovska-Andrews, 2007)
CURRENT TRENDS IN MANAGEMENT OF URBAN SPACE
Last 15 years, attitudes toward urban management and urban planning, including the
design of public spaces, are changed significantly. Changes and turns in policy of planning
and development management of urban areas are particularly important and visible in cities of
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Eastern and Central Europe or in countries that have terminated socialistic-communistic

tradition. In 1987th, it has been adopted the Charter for the conservation of historic towns and
urban areas, which brought many innovations in theory and practice of preservation and
planning of such areas. For the first time, the document stipulates that public participation
should be an integral part of the process of urban regeneration. Conservation and
rehabilitation of historical heritage are highlighted as a critical part of the activities of urban
planning; in particular, emphasis was given to the request for the integration of conservation
in most urban projects and planning documents. Since then, rehabilitation and protection of
urban heritage has become an important task of urban planners around the world.
1980s has also witnessed the widespread recognition of the concept of sustainable
development, which proclaims the principle of urban growth that would prevent the
destruction of the urban environment, maintain environmental values for future generations
and provide improvements in quality of life for all citizens. With the publication of "Green
Pepper on the Urban Environment" 1990th year by the European Commission, sustainable
development has received institutional form. The document called for a review of existing
zoning policies and the introduction of new strategies to manage urban development and
change. This includes promotion of mixed function, urban identity, cultural heritage and the
formulation of urban policies that would ensure active participation of public in urban
planning and development (Commission of the European Communities, 1990). In the
language of planners, this philosophy of urban development has inspired a return to traditional
urban forms. Such planning approaches of the city were announced to the USA since the
1980s, and especially the 1990s, called "New Urbanism", while in Europe known as the "New
Classicism". Both approaches, however, to a lesser extent gone from theory to practice. They
are applicable in various fields of urban design and architecture, including urban
reconstruction, planning peripherals and new towns, and re-urbanization of urban dwellers.
Thus, planning of cities again became a modern social, cultural and political process that aims
at the continuity of cultural traditions through the utilization of traditional urban construction
practice. (Krier, 1996)
Recent approaches in urban planning theory and practice in developed countries are
increasingly focusing on issues of fostering, promoting and transformation (or even
establishing a brand-new) socio-spatial urban identity. The articulation of clear appearance of
cities and their component parts has become a core development issue in the context of
European integration and globalization. Preserving and creating distinctive new urban
identity, the response to the global standardization that causes uniformity in urban spatial
arrangements. (Dimitrovska-Andrews 2007)
Two seemingly conflicting demands stimulate the global orientation of the city. On the
one hand, planners and city managers tend to strengthen internationally recognized standards
of quality built environment that requires residents, business people and institutions in cities
while trying to integrate themselves into the global urban network for fear that if such
standards are not achieved, the city could be left out of growing global match for resource. On
the other hand, cities need to nurture, support and strengthen their comparative advantages
compared to other cities in projecting an identity that separate the city from the rest of the
competition. Review of urban practices in successful European cities like Barcelona, Paris,
Berlin and Birmingham; show that these cities are actually aware of strong links between
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economic growths, urban identity, and the status of the city within European urban networks.
(Dimitrowska-Andrews 2007). For these reasons, they have developed a modern planning
strategy and long-term vision that are supported by appropriate administrative, planning and
financial mechanisms aimed to strengthen the identity of their cities. Three conditions must be
solved creatively to provide such a success that it can be observed:
- formation of strong links between the relevant partners (including private, corporate,
institutional and other public sector),
- modernisation of all aspects of urbanity in the direction of the global and European
standards (learning, acceptance, adapt best practices), and
- development of specific elements within the projection of harmonious urban identity.

POLITICAL AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF PLANNING IN SERBIA

During the socialistic period, Yugoslavia (Serbia was integral part of Yugoslavia) was
marked by socialistic self-management, which was giving great importance to development
of market relations in the economy than any other socialistic country in Europe. This strategy
was an important factor in achieving higher standards of living and lower level suburbanization compared to other members of the Eastern Block. By the 1980s city of Nis has
gradually gained the international character by the development of industrial capacities with
international competition. However, the basis of political and economic system was a typical
socialistic and after 1989 Nis is facing similar problems as other post-socialistic cities. Many
of these problems are amplified in proportion with the dissolution of Socialist Yugoslavia and
the ethnic wars in 1990s, thus delaying the start of so fundamentally needed social and
economic transformation.
After the political changes in 2000, the new political elite, at local and state level,
opened the door to socio-economic reforms and relations with the West. The new Law on
Local Government passed in 2002, defined the course of political decentralization and
entrepreneurial local government. Mayor institutions, managers and architects, have been
introduced in order to create a municipal government that is economically efficient, socially
responsible and transparent. In addition, the Mayor of the city got a powerful political
legitimacy and increased autonomy in managing the city budget.
On the other hand, urban planners are facing an identity crisis in post-socialist city of
Serbia. Although they generally function as purveyors of political decisions under socialism,
to some extent, their power and efficiency was greater than now as planning, at least
ideologically, is envisioned as an important social function under the old regime. The
planning professional authority, never been properly established, is still degraded in postsocialist period under the influence of political and economic actors in the poorly regulated
professional environment.
A typical comment in the current state of urban planning would be "that work is
reduced to purely technical and formal procedures and that it ceased to be an integral
scientific discipline and a respectable social practice". According to the views of some
planners, private and group interest are far beyond the planning of professional dignity, since
no professional associations connected with this profession did not officially reacted to the
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chaos that characterized the process of developing countries today. The need for improving
and upgrading professional skills and knowledge to strengthen the position of planners is well
known, but the attitude of politicians by profession, who has not changed even after 2000, is
seen as a major obstacle in the process. Creation of regulation of urban development, planners
suggest that are derived without adequate professional support, even a new Law on planning
and construction. (Vujovic, 2007)
On a contrary to the optimistic views of the city government, urban planners believe
that the current legal framework governing the development of the town consists of laws that
are either out-dated or poorly developed or poorly coordinated with each other and with
European regulations. Opinion of the planners is that the Law on planning and construction
does not well define a public interest while it gives too much power to political entities, which
creates space for manipulators, powerful abuses and corruption.

The protection of urban heritage

Protection and development of urban identity should be based on a detailed analysis of
the urban environment, which leads to understanding its components and the logic of spatial
interrelations that are formed through history. In the recent history of our urban planning and
protection of historical heritage, such morphological analyses are rarely used. Planners in
terms of justifying the concepts of urban development commonly use the survey of urban
forms. Urban morphology is rarely used as a basis for professional discourse or as a generator
of planning ideas. Preservation of historic city heritage, on the other hand, is primarily used to
protect only some special architectural unities. Only in limited cases, morphological studies
are parts of reports of experts in the projects of rehabilitation of historic city centres. Policies
and programs for the protection of the built environment, in practice, are almost unheard in
relation to newer urban areas. This is usually accompanied by lack of the necessary theoretical
foundations and adequate tools for effective decisions at higher levels of administration. The
law is actually prescribed the analysis of existing environmental conditions as a necessary
component of the development plan, which includes an analysis of built structures, cultural,
natural heritage, characteristics of urban environments, but these requirements are seen as
superficial, and tasks were performed poorly. (Vujovic, 2007)

POST-SOCIALIST CITY OF RESTRUCTURING: TRENDS AND EXAMPLES

The architecture in Nis and whole Serbia, its creative potential and implemented
concepts in the recent period, are barely known today, even at the regional level. The reason
for that is certainly closeness of the cultural, communicational, theoretical and practical
interaction with the international community and the overall isolation during the nineties,
which continued over the past decade too. (Lazovic, 2009) Current changes in the city, in the
characteristic period of post-socialist restructuring, following mainly the following three
processes:
- commercialization and gentrification of historic centre;
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- re-urbanization and revitalization of some inner city areas;

- residential and commercial suburbanization in outer city.
In overall social life in Serbia, it is possible to differentiate two phases after ending the
socialistic system. First phase is last decade of XX century that is characterized with political
and economic isolation of Serbia, a period when Serbia started the renewal of national
identity. Self-orientation brought to the country and the nation memories to the own history.
Mayor developing projects were at the time locally financed and relied on internal capacities
of the country. In addition, esthetical principles were built within the closed society.
Therefore, it was noticeable that new style was going towards some historical references,
predominantly classics, antique and orient because of geographical disposition and historical
background. At some point traditional elements and tradition were becoming the most popular
ideas.
Second phase of developmental process in Serbia is in first decade of XXI century,
when Serbia finally has started its journey towards rest of Europe. This is period of time when
in Serbia arrives international, foreign capital and investors. Still in city of Nis large foreign
investments are not seen jet, but local business companies involved positive and progressive
thinking and enthusiasm. Conceptually, this is the race for Europeanization, when standards
are becoming higher and goals clearer.
The discussion is divided into three chapters that follow the functional and
morphological division of the citys territory. Firstly is discussed historical core of the city as
foremost part of the city that attracts much of attention. Then, an insight was given into the
citys wider area. It is analysed the transformation of typical residential areas that has been
built during communist time. Finally, we analysed the outskirts of the city, considering the
trends of urban sprawl.

Figure 1 Stages in development of city of Nis: left top until

III c; right top between III-XV c; left down between XVI
XVIII c; right down XIX and XX c.

Figure 2 Contemporary Nis city centre

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Central city area

The city has never had a direct strategy for development, which could be followed and
implemented for a long time. Here social and political ambient has never been constant and
therefore the development of the city has always been used for short-term goals that could
directly contribute in the political campaigns. Although, Nis has its origins from early
centuries form this era (its Latin is Naissus), modern city is mainly developed in XIX and XX
century. (Figure 1) Today, historical city core is mixture of structures that has been built
during the period of XX century, except the medieval Fortress whose walls and fortifications
are still preserved and protected by low against ruination and alterations. New layers of
architectural structures are therefore built-in into existing heterogeneous patterns.
Main infrastructural project developed in last two decades in the city core is formation
of pedestrian zone in Obrenovics Street and King Milans Square, the main city square. As a
result of adopted strategy for traffic problem solution, historical city core got underground
pedestrian and commercial street but at the same time, the same street on ground level was
transformed into pedestrian zone. Although it was problematic concept, about which the
professionals have argued, at the time it was finished, many citizens were proud of the
realized project. It was something new, at least. By building several shopping centres in
couple of years, the centre of Nis has gotten almost immeasurable commercial spaces.
Characteristically, all these build commercial spaces were divided into very small shopping
units (approximately 15-20m2) for rent or sale. This was the reflection of economical
capacities of the time. Conceptually, the commercial structures were developed with influence
from oriental tradition (Turkish bazaars), in order to promote Nis city as great commercial
centre. Unfortunately, the increasing building activities in the urban core lead to some
negative consequences, most obviously are decline in residential use, erosion of cultural
heritage under pressure of commercial developments, increased traffic and inadequate parking
places.
Visually, this area contains buildings of neoclassicism, academism, modern, socialrealism and buildings of contemporary builders. (Figures 3 and 4) Successors usually had an
urge to change radically the existing state, so it can be said that this historical core will be
always in the focus of planners and developers. The fact that Nis has not jet adopted the
strategy or the concept for the city centre, which is commonly in use in all major cities in
Europe, is giving us various visions about the centre. Numerous ideas have already been
realised in this area, but that did not brought to Nis neither distinction nor visible identity.

Figure 3 Historical core of the city: street rows of buildings built before II World War, today mainly in pedestrian zone

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Figure 4 Transformation of city centre during the socialistic era: left centre city panorama with no clear urban pattern;
middle interaction between old classical building and Modern structural building; right high tower at city square in
Modern style

Furthermore, in past two decades in the area of city centre are mainly built commercial
buildings, but no public or cultural institution. Although there were in planning documents
some parcels that were reserved for that particular function, changes in planning and
developmental principles that have followed the change in political system, has brought
privilege to stakeholders and developers to develop only payable projects, by manipulating
with the projects and permits for constructions.
Three projects presented at Figure 5 are created with very similar ideas of
modernization in Nis. Glazed structures are very common elements and were very popular at
the time as a symbol of modernization and innovation; it was a step forward towards rest of
Europe, mainly Western Europe. Still there was a need to express more ornaments than the
minimalistic glazed structure can afford, so the forms were more complex, and in a moment it
may remind to postmodern expression with neoclassical echoes. Likewise, rhythm in facades
is classical and monumental, but still more complex. Physical forming of the new buildings
from this time also refers to an intention to make distinction from modest and rigid buildings
of socialistic era. In addition, without strict building polices, there was and still present
incoherence in heights, position and appearance of buildings in a street rows. To the
developers was left to make their own vision of image of the city. This is a reason why every
new large building, despite if it is just commercial centre, is usually advertised to become a
new symbol of the city. Is this wish of the people or developers and investors? Both. While
the people have need for new ideals, physically expressed, developers on the other hand have
a need to build something iconic. Eagerly expected this centres after few years, has gone to
oblivion. Despite they are in front of our eyes, these objects are fairly recognizable and lost in
crowded city centre whose image is largely blurred.

Figure 5 Three commercial centres: left Kalca (1993); middle - Gorca (2005); Dusans Bazar (1996)

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At the Figure 6 are presented four different projects realised in last four years.
Modernization still has good trends in Serbia, branded structures have brought foreign
atmosphere into the city. Forms and composition are following the trends in modern world,
from decomposition, asymmetric and clear straight geometric forms. Likewise, materials are
new and modern, aluminium and composite panels, glazed structures and intensive use of
glass. No references on classical forms and composition can be finding here. This is
something that architects have left in previous decade. Still, planning policy as well as
building laws and regulations have not yet begun to live. No new development respects
environment and surrounding structures. Newcomers are winning and have superior
position.

Figure 6 Contemporary Nis city centre images: new developments had included riverbank area (2 and 4) as well as main
pedestrian street (3) and city square (1)

Urban city area

The urban changes of the wider area of the city are overviewed through analysis of
residential area that is located along the one of citys boulevard, Nemanjics Boulevard. This
part of the city, upstream to Nisava River, is proudly developed in a period from 60s to 80s
of XX century which is considered as a most prolific period of construction in Serbian cities.
Although in the details planned, this area has turned out to be mono-functional and sterile,
therefore socially problematic. In addition, due to citys mono-centric urban pattern, a legacy
of previous times, this occurs as a problem with population growth. The most significant
changes in the urban areas of the inner city of Nis, therefore, are formation of secondary
business centres situated at strategic locations along major access roads. Economic collapse,
that befell the country in 90s, has influenced on building activities in this area mainly in
emerging small shops and services. Major department stores and large industrial capacities

Figure 7 Residential area Typical landmarks are high-rise buildings built in socialistic period

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had been closed or at the end of its power, when private sector had found its chance for
development and start from scratch. The new layer of architectural structures (Figure 8) has
fulfilled free spaces left between residential buildings that have been built earlier in Corbusier
manner transposed in social-realistic style. Aesthetically, this was not the improvement of
already poorly designed environment. In a way, it was a step backward in quality of the urban
structure, replacing the existing areas of greenery that was carefully planned between the
residential building blocks. Social changes brought us building up of national identity that
stylistically led us up to memories of rural roots of the nation. This was most obvious in small
projects that had built individual investors.

Figure 8 Commercial building within residential blocks, built as interpolation replacing the areas of greenery

Last decade did not bring any new developments in this area because of already too
dense built structures. However, in this time comes into a fashion construction of new
floors or attic to existing buildings. This was justified by need for renovation of flat roofs of
buildings from socialistic era. Despite the functional justification, these processes brought the
most shame in profession of architects and urban planners. (e.g., see Figure 7, the first image
on the left) Without strict regulations in this field that turned out to be new and unknown for
the city government and planning authorities, has resulted with total freedom of investors for
speculations to the detriment of all other.
Residential areas are expanding in last decade in Nis at new locations, mostly in
greenfield areas, while brownfields are expecting to be interesting for developers in future.
Political changes in XXI century brought spirit of Europeanization, but these changes
qualitatively are at least visible in sector of housing development that is on other hand most
intensive. Most popular forms are still buildings for collective housing. (Figure 9)
Materialisation is basically cheap, so architectural range is reduced to colourful composition
that sometimes looks like nave expression. Characteristic rooftops that have become to be in
fashion from 90s still have not been overcome. Without clearer regulations this will for long

Figure 9 New residential areas colourful buildings in recent years become a new identity of the city

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time be popular among investors because that gives to investor space for manipulation and
speculation due to unclear usage of attic rooms.

Functional city region

In this area residential suburbanization has been present in the functional urban region
city since 70s, mostly in the form of housing upgrading the existing "satellite villages" that
have rural origins. These processes have become more intense in last decade and were
accompanied by industrial and commercial suburbanization predominately trough private
sector in forms of small and mid-sized business companies mostly orientated to light
industries and services. These new mixed zones that combine commercial, light industry and
housing are spread out over a large area that expands the city boundaries, most of them in the
free area along major roads.

Figure 10 Outskirts of the city new settlements of mixed used buildings, the developments are mostly built without
architects

In architectural level, there is silence when the aesthetic comes to the question. This
problematic situation occurred as result of development that has not been guided properly.
Namely, such developments can be considered as buildings without architects, incurred as
action of individuals. In struggle for economic survival, people have started their own
businesses inside the existing capacities of their properties, mostly single houses that became
industrial or commercial facilities, at the same time. (Figure 10) There were several attempts
to use the professional skills of architects and planners to regulate these processes and the city
areas but that did not come to the realisation. That is why in the city there are, side-by-side,
architecture without architects, architecture of craft builders and studied architecture. Mixed
used areas are founded on the roots of spontaneous growth in period of unregulated
procedures of 90s.
Nevertheless, there are some of good examples of developments on the outskirts of the
city. (Figure 11) These are the examples of the new industrial architecture that emerging
within the new industrial zones established on the main approaching routes to the city. These
small and mid-sized facilities in proportion to the citys economic power can be considered as
new brand of the city. Still it can be objected that this is architecture and the development
without the context. Then one must ask is this only possible in such way, when there is no
previous urban matric, and there are no other references. These developments are matter of
private initiative that has recognized quality of the environment and the visual identity as an
important part of overall success.
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Figure 11 New developments in industry, small family companies are predominant, visual identity has been recognised to
be important for success

FINAL REMARKS
Architecture has become the focal point, where in all the selfsufficient character of the
trade and self-assessment after almost two decades of isolation from the rest of the world, we
no longer can afford to be entitled to hold a monopoly on assessing our own values. Certainly,
not assessing the omnipresent haute couture, but the authentic endeavors of architecture in a
context. The competitiveness and competences of Serbian architecture are only possible if
they engage in a constant comparative dialogue within the area of the European and global
culturological fields. The symptoms of the situation or the problems of reality of Serbia are
found in the hermetical character of a society, which is not ready to face the new concepts and
new technological and cultural patterns, and in the uncritical acceptation of the new finished
models. The responses lack the focus on what is important, conceptual, contextual and
strategic. The responses to the problems inherited and created have been transferred to a
neurotic boundary and situations that this generation cannot solve the concepts of public
spaces and social architecture, orderliness of all environments, including green areas, the
quality of life and level of expected contemporary (urban) culture. De-professionalization of
society and the retreat of architecture from a sphere of influence up to the bare needs here is
true reality. Still it is not possible to exert influence upon the context and conditions of the
existence of the profession.
Then, the problems with memory cannot be avoided. The observance of architectural
heritage and past values, which are the most important obligations of the contemporaries,
lacks their systematic review, and has least of all been presented as such and promoted to the
broader public as a common cultural value to be protected, also by legal regulations. Straying
in architecture are also the consequence of insufficient awareness and acceptance of heritage,
accompanied by complete ignorance of the society, the administrative services and the clients.
Creation means: following heritage, accepting, adopting, creating what is new and better than
the old and good (Goethe). The professionals criticality have never been cultivated or
developed through the texts on architectural developments, public dialogue has long
disappeared, no awareness has been raised among the professionals and general public
through dialogue and confrontation of opinions, and only rarely and unnoticeably did it exist
in the form of designs, architectural competitions or completed projects.

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After collapse of socio-communistic regime here, the comprehensive planning

procedures have silently disappeared in Serbia. The agenda became investors planning, but
this leaved too much space for speculations and manipulations in cites of Serbia that still has
to learn a lot about obligatory procedures and protection of public interests in planning
procedures. The investors are now above the city government, institutions and professionals.
It can be concluded that Serbian cites, in this example Nis, has adopted some contemporary
principles of formation of modern cities. Especially when comes to planning policies that has
turned into free and relaxed procedure. One can say that we have adopted what we wanted,
in meaning that hard work was left for better times. The words everything can go seems
that just fits here.

LITERATURE
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***, 2006, City of Nis development strategy, 179p, Nis
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