Ivana Stankovic

Master of Science Thesis 2005/06
KTH, Stockholm
2.0 AIM AND SCOPE OF RESEARCH
Environmental disequilibrium stimulates thought and action. Yet no
definite programme of action can result from the mere awareness of
estrangement from environment. The disturbed relation, therefore,
urges man to search for guidance on a different level. So long as
such guidance is not found, men have no choice but to justify or
permit arbitrarily any environmental effort or neglect as a ‘natural’
or ‘human’ process. 4 Artur Glikson, 1963
2.1 Aim of research
My initial decision on selecting Belgrade as a subject of research was a wish to contribute to the
development process of Serbia and Montenegro. Beside my personal connection to the selected
area, and reasons described in the Introduction, I found support to my choice in the need to
meet our international responsibility. It is the fourth key objective of the Declaration adopted
by the European Parliament, in June 2005. 5
The environmental disequilibrium which characterizes the central city area of Belgrade has
motivated me to search for a framework that would help the sustainable upgrading of the
physical environment. The main goal is to ensure long term improvements in the living
conditions and quality of life. By upgrading the physical environment, I believe that we can
achieve better environmental, social and economic conditions, which would lead to better
quality of life. Physical upgrading also needs a source of finance and people to execute it.
Therefore it is important that all three spheres of human activities (the spheres of environment,
economy, and society) are viewed equally during the process of change.
As every other city, Belgrade has a unique background in its development, with unique existing
conditions. For the success of the framework it is essential that those conditions are taken into
consideration during the framework development.
Secondly, my aim is to examine if future stakeholders can contribute to the development
process and if their involvement can lead to long term benefits. Also it is my wish to see if the
process can trigger involvement of other stakeholders as well. My assessment is that due to
many changes during the last 15 years, in Belgrade, people have lost contact with the city they
live in. There has been an exchange in inhabitants, which created a slight tension between old
residents and the new. New inhabitants brought new life styles and often show disrespect to
the life in the city, which creates a bad response from the old inhabitants. By this I mean bad
condition of buildings, building corridors, courtyards, and streets. Most adaptations that were
done in or on the buildings didn’t respect the architectural design and appearance of the
building, which as a result, creates a bad image of the city centre. In many courtyards, single
one family houses were built illegally using public and private space and blocking passages.
Many old inhabitants argue that new inhabitants do not respect the surroundings with creating
high level of noise and leaving garbage in the building common spaces.
Finally, I would like to test the created framework. Working on a theoretical framework is not
enough to assure its success. I believe that it is best to combine theory and practice, since they
complement each other. Experiences from one can help the development of the other.
4 Glikson A (edited by Mumford L in 1971), The Ecological Basis of Planning, Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague,
page 3
5 The Draft Declaration on the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Development, document can be
downloaded from the Internet site:http://www.env-health.org/a/1779, date retrieved Sept 2005
Ivana Stankovic 4