Ivana Stankovic

Master of Science Thesis 2005/06
KTH, Stockholm
5.1.4 Energy
Since the area was mainly planned and built before the World War II, the main energy source
used for heating was coal and wood (until the beginning of ‘80s), which later transferred to oil
and subsequently electricity. Heaters were mainly closed fireplaces with ceramic-stove tiles as a
cover. They were placed between two rooms or in bigger apartments, in each room. Therefore,
basements were planned and used as storage areas for coal and later fuel oil. Some buildings
that were built in the ‘60s have a central heating system that is located in the basement of the
buildings. It used to operate on coal and oil. In the beginning of the ’80, due to the energy
crisis, almost all buildings transferred to electrical heating (electrical storage heaters). The
basements were mostly transferred to storage areas. During the NATO bombing in 1999 they
were used as shelters.
Electrical heating was widely used until the beginning of
this century, when the government announced the
necessity for optimization for energy usage. Prices of
energy substances rose significantly (coal for 247%,
natural gas for 305%, wood for 513% electricity for 536%
electrical boilers for 849 and fuel oil for 1080% price
increase) 58 .
Since 2001, the area is subject to introducing district
heating, which is a result of the District Heating
Implementation Program. By now, most of the streets are
equipped with the installations. The decision on whether
the heating system will be installed into the apartments
was up to the majority of the building occupants. After a
public tender, the city authorities have appointed private
companies for the execution of works. Unfortunately, after
visual inspection of the work done in the buildings, I
believe that the work was badly done. Absolutely no
attention was paid to the visual and functional effects (Pic
30). Even security measures are not appropriately done
(valves are easily accessible by everyone). Inside the
Pic 30 Stairways of a housing
apartments, the distribution of pipes were done along the
building in Block 1
walls with a significant sloping, which influenced the
dislocation of high furniture. The result is in lowering the quality and value of apartments.
Since most buildings are more than fifty years old, the apartment equipment is outdated.
Windows are mainly double, made of wood which in time, due to none or not good
maintenance, are the cause of high energy losses.
5.1.5 Water and sewage
Water Supply and Sewage of Belgrade is still a public utility company. At the moment there are
many discussions on privatization of the company, in order to secure better water supply and
new sewage system.
Water is distributed from the main city water system which was founded in 1892. Water is
obtained from the river Sava, purified and distributed through the network. The age of the
pipes is different: 62% are up to 25 years old, 23% are from 25-50 years old and 15% are over
58 Disharmony in Serbian power supply, Price for freezing (2001-10-17) Internet issue of daily paper “Glas
javnosti” http://arhiva.glas-javnosti.co.yu/arhiva/2001/10/17/srpski/AV01101613.shtml date retrieved:
2005-11-29
Ivana Stankovic
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