IL-NOVI-SAD-report-2012-06-27.pdf - Iiinstitute.nl

Reference cases
Novi Sad and the river
Christopher de Vries
(See for the full powerpoint presentation the annex to this report )
Novi Sad in the regional context
Although rivers and the use of them often has been subject of war, also lots of joint activities took place in history
with rivers as the spine for cooperation.
Since in 1992 the rivers Danube and Rhine are connected by a channel an important symbolic connection of East
and West Europe has been realised. Its practical function is less important because of the large number of
barriers in the routes, which are slowing down the shipping traffic.
A river can be used as a connection between local and global economy. Cities along the rivers can use and
structure their planning based on the opportunities of situation along the river. To create better opportunities,
Christopher suggests to set up a network of cities, aiming at strengthening the bonds between the cities along the
Rhine and Danube, by making the waterway better accessible. A mutual regional planning approach could help to
reach collaboration between the different entities.
Looking at Novi Sad and its situation in between of Zagreb, Belgrade and Budapest, cooperation is an
opportunity, but might also be a threat. Connecting Novi Sad better by the river in this proposed network, might
strengthen the local economy but also might cause a danger of letting the economic prosperity go to those other
main economic centres. This needs to be researched.
An opportunity for the case study area
In Novi Sad the harbours and industrial sites are connected to rail and roads. Their situation in the city is in the
periphery, mostly in the Northern part.
The case study area is situated along the river but not connected to the present harbour and industrial sites.
There fore it could be used to trigger collaboration between institutions concerned with different uses, such as
agriculture, fishery, tourism and hydraulic engineering. It could be an example for other areas.
The fact that a large part of the area suffers from flooding can be dealt with in a natural way. In the Netherlands
there is experience with such approach:
In the Netherlands the larger tides resulted in another way of looking at water. Instead of keeping the water out,
room has and will be reserved to buffer water in times of high tides. Those temporary flooded low lands can be
used for aquaculture, like oyster cultivation.
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