PROGRAM

Objectives

The workshop is aimed at examining strategies which embrace the multiple dimensions, scales and actors involved in the process of creating liveable cities. These strategies will integrate architectural, urban design and urban planning issues to create a multifaceted framework to develop liveable cities.
In the process to formulate these strategies it will be necessary:

• To undertake critical examination of different theories and experiences of planned urban transformations.
• To adopt a multi-sectoral approach (social, economic, environmental, cultural) with an emphasis on environmental challenges of adaptation to climate change.
• To identify the assets of the area to be revitalized – such as identity, memory and place – as well as the possible drivers in the local community and among local economic stakeholders that can be involved in the transformation process.

Case study

The area of study is a Kosančićev Venac, a historical part of the city of Belgrade. It is a heterogeneous, mixed-use area connecting the Sava riverfront with the main pedestrian zone, next to the Kalemegdan fortress. Despite its excellent position and evident potential for revitalization, this area has been deteriorating for decades, losing part of its inhabitants and failing to attract new ones. Its predominant use is residential, although there are many institutions of education and culture nearby. As unique heritage and a symbol of the whole city, its preservation is vital. In this context, the current situation in the Kosančićev Venac raises the following questions:

• What are the main reasons for the district not being vital and attractive?
• How can a sustainable development succeed to revitalize the historic centre Kosančićev Venac and reactivate its economic, physical, social and environmental structures?
• What measures are necessary to preserve its character and build on its existing assets (e.g. architectural and urban heritage)?
• In which ways might the procurement of new housing help to preserve social cohesion?
• Which types of housing are needed to revitalize the area while preserving its character?
• What challenges does adaptation to climate change pose with regard to the renovation of housing and urban structures and to the renewal of urban space?
•  How does the connectivity with nearby areas and with the overall city need to be improved?

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the workshop students will be able to:

• Understand the differences between the various approaches to make cities liveable, such as regeneration, renewal and revitalization. 
• Identify the specific characteristics of an area which embody a potential for future change. 
• Develop a multi-dimensional analysis focusing on environmental, social and psychological aspects of liveable cities as a basis to propose redevelopment strategies 
• Understand the importance of climate change as a driving factor to make cities more liveable, renewable and responsive to environmental challenges.
• Propose strategies to revitalise and regenerate cities which allow for the participation of local community representatives. 
• Develop processes to transform existing physical structures for other purposes, to refurbish existing buildings, taking allowance of the underlying political and economic forces.

Program and learning activities

The learning activities will include lectures, field studies, and practical work in the design studio carried out during the five-day workshop. Before the workshop, during April and May, there will be preparatory activities carried out distantly by the participating students assisted by tutors at their institution as well as from other partner schools of the OIKONET network. The preparatory activities include:

• Providing examples of revitalization projects that address similar issues to the ones to be addressed in the case study in Belgrade.
• Getting acquainted with the different regeneration strategies such as renewal, revitalization, renovation and regeneration, among others.
• Understanding the historical, political, sociodemographic, urban and architectural conditions of the case study.
• Presenting in a poster a synthesis of the knowledge acquired in the preparatory activities.