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This paper analyzes post-socialist industrial development and policy in the Western Balkans through the lens of its regional specialization and spatial concentration. Against a conceptual framework revolving around place-based industrial policy, and using the Concentration index (modified Herfindahl-Hirschman index) and location coefficients (Balassa index), a comparative analysis over three decades (1990–2020) highlights weak regional diversification and intra-regional integration of industrial activity. The findings offer a new industrial policy that transcends regional specialization and spatial concentration to address regional development, planning and governance. The concluding remarks reveal some basic paths toward effective and pro-European regional industrial policy in the Western Balkans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a leading mechanism of the global neoliberal paradigm, financialization plays a significant role in the growth of economies and changes in urban development patterns. Though particularly significant for post-socialist European countries, research on urban financialization considering both economic (rental income, property sales, interest rates) and noneconomic aspects (social dynamics, social and legal norms, financialized discourses) is yet to emerge in Serbia. Observing the period after the 2008 global economic and financial crisis, and based on multiple analyses (statistical, documentary and discourse), this paper first provides an overview of different global and national financial indicators, then elucidates the impact of market financing on the built environment at the national level, and, finally, illustrates the financialization of urban planning policies and discourses exemplified in the Belgrade Waterfront urban megaproject. The empirical analysis provides not only an insight into a strong structural and dynamic conditionality between various dimensions of financialization, but also highlights the nuances in decision-making, planning and governance influenced by the financialized discourses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an overall scientific consensus that green spaces positively affect urban dwellers' health and well-being. However, there is a gap between knowledge and policy objectives, and their translation into effective interventions to unleash the benefits of green spaces. Examining such 'implementation gap' in Zurich is relevant due to the integration of the 'green urban agenda' in various Swiss policies. The research narrows its focus to district 9, including the Altstetten and Albisrieden neighborhoods, which contain diverse green spaces despite ongoing densification. The study further explores four green space clusters and their 400-m catchment areas within the district. The research applies a mixed-method approach at three analytical levels: (1) identification of the critical tenets associated with the 'green urban agenda' through a review of multi-scale national policies, (2) assessment of green spaces' provision, types, size, and mutual connectivity in Zurich's district 9 based on online available quantitative data and on-site observation, and (3) identification of the dominant activities in four green space clusters through on-site observation. Through critical mutual examination of the identified 'green urban agenda' principles in the national policies and green space attributes, the findings reveal the extent of the convergence or divergence between policy trends and their implementation in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In planning, the deliberative process is most commonly present in the form of a structured public discussion. The main idea behind such an approach is to improve communication among different participants by informing them about a local problem before any stakeholders’ preference is adopted, agreement reached and, finally, the problem solved. With the help of a mediator, an independent third party, the participants are considered equal, rational and free to give their opinion. Such a deliberative approach is an integral part of most planning procedures in developed countries. However, the enhancement of the planning process in the post-socialist context is delayed due to institutional rigidities, public mistrust towards the initiators of spatial development, and the lack of mediation procedures in the planning process. Previous features are also specific to Serbia, as a transitional state, which, nevertheless, experienced a somewhat different social context in comparison to other Eastern Bloc countries during the second half of the previous century. To understand the contemporary situation better, the paper provides an overview of spatial and urban planning in Serbia since the Second World War, observed from the deliberative stand, in an attempt to define the basic guidelines for the transformation of the planning approach in Serbia.

Although both praised and contested for its advanced conceptual elaboration and ineffective practical implementation, respectively, participatory planning has largely been considered a Yugoslav national legacy and a point of diversification compared with other similar contexts. However, there has been little research on the roots and features of public participation as observed through the lens of international influences on Yugoslav spatial and urban planning. By identifying the main channels (professional networks and events) and nodes (planning organizations and documents) in the diffusion of participatory planning ideas at both the international and national levels, we trace the evolution of citizen participation discourse in Yugoslavia. Based on archival research of the relevant documents (selected articles in professional journals, decrees, and plans), the paper examines the authenticity of the concept of citizen participation in Yugoslavia to, finally, elucidate the specificities of its implementation in the context of socialist self-management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In broader terms, the paper refers to the topic of brownfield regeneration, as one of the most complex mechanisms for sustainable spatial development. In addition to the fact that brownfield regeneration demands a variety of instruments, such as: tax subsidies, the change of land use ownership, soil remediation, planning regulative amendments, etc., the complexity of brownfield regeneration is primarily seen in a number of stakeholders participating in such a process. Thus, the paper focuses on the social aspect of brownfield regeneration - precisely, on researching the community role and reviewing the possibilities for achieving the 'local' interests in complex developmental processes. The main research hypothesis is that brownfield regeneration positively affects the creation of and strengthening the social cohesion in the areas close to the brownfield site. More precisley, the paper presents the ways towards strenghtening social cohesion in the initial phase of the brownfield regeneration process, as well as the effects of such a process in its operationalisation phase on social cohesion. The thesis is examined by two main parameters: 1) participation of local community, and 2) social costs and benefits of brownfield regeneration versus greenfield investment. The research results are presented in the form of argumentative essay. In fact, the critical overview of arguments for and against the main research hypothesis is provided based on the review of interdisciplinary literature in the domain of brownfield regeneration. Such research organisation ensures the identification and description of the measures needed for strengthening social cohesion, as an utmost goal of this research. The final research contribution is about offering the guidelines for similar methodological approach in urban research.

Earthen architecture largely supports the concept of sustainable building. In the seismically active area of eastern Croatia, there is a large number of rammed earth houses, many of which are over 100 years old. All these houses were built using empirical knowledge, i.e., without applying national design standards. In order to support the preservation of ethnic villages and traditional rammed earth houses, a field survey was conducted. Parts of the walls of traditional rammed earth houses were collected, and the material was thoroughly analyzed. Samples of rammed earth were reproduced, and tests were carried out with the aim of determining the shear strength to subsequently determine the seismic behavior of Croatian traditional earthen architecture. This paper presents the results of shear strength tests on samples with different particle size distributions, lime content, the straw of different cereals but also hemp fibers. An increase in shear strength was observed with the addition of natural fibers to the samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As several Western Balkans countries aspire to become members of the European Union (EU) in the (near) future, it is interesting to explore to what extent EU territorial trends are adopted in both the official national regulations and spatial planning practice. To do so, we: 1) screen EU territorial policies to elucidate the trends and principles of territorial development, 2) analyse the contents of spatial plans in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 3) compare the practical application of the principles such as decentralisation, diffusion of power, subsidiarity, multi-actorship, synergy, transparency, citizen participation, coordinated action (among various disciplinary bodies), and holistic strategies. The findings show the ineffectiveness of declaratively adopted EU territorial trends against place-based territorial policy approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban megaprojects as a spatial manifestation of neoliberalism are in transitional societies considered a tool for extra-profit for private developers and a source of great corruption among the high-level public authorities. Consequently, such a relationship has negative effects on socio-spatial reality. The paper illustrates how a large-scale unitary project – the Belgrade Waterfront project – jeopardizes the public participation through: the misuse of legal procedures and spatial planning instruments, neglect of private property rights, and simulation of public debate. The conditions enabling democratic social, political and professional environment as a backbone for citizen involvement in public issues are briefly indicated in conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health promotion and the development of students' healthy lifestyle habits through the implementation of health education, is the task of school as an educational institution. Personal hygiene, proper nutrition, physical activity and mental health are prerequisites for the development of a healthy, successful and responsible individual. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to explore whether the fourth-graders have sufficiently developed personal hygiene habits, do they know why personal hygiene is important and is there a difference between boys and girls in hygiene maintenance. The study was conducted in the period March-June 2016. 80 fourth-graders of the primary school „Marjan" in Split participated in the study. A detailed analysis of the data show that fourth-grade students do not have well-developed personal hygiene habits. Also, the average level of development of hygiene habits is not significantly different with regard to gender. For most of the students there is still much space for further education and improvement of the implementation of basic hygiene habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The topic of brownfield regeneration has been the focus of planning debate for years. However, the aspect of institutional cooperation and strengthening the institutional capacity in order to cope with a complex task of brownfield regeneration is considered a challenge. This is particularly true for the post-socialist countries and, hence, the Czech Republic, Hungary and Serbia are chosen as the case studies of this research. By implementing a concise survey of both the institutions and policies related to the topic of brownfield regeneration in the selected countries, the research aims at determining the form, extent and nature of collaboration between different sectors, disciplines, and institutions. Based on such insights, it is finally possible to provide the recommendations for more effective institutional design within specific political and socio-economic context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an automated system for oscillator phase noise measurement is described. The system is primarily intended for use in academic institutions, such as smaller university or research laboratories, as it deploys standard spectrum analyzer and free software. A method to compensate the effect of instrument intrinsic noise is proposed. Through series of experimental tests, good performances of our system are verified and compliance to theoretical expectations is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The paper presents the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in teaching and for research purposes at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade. The aim is to consider opportunities and representation of ICT use for the promotion of architectural education, and ways to overcome current barriers when using ICT as well. After giving a short review of the history of ICT, the current status and the level of ICT implementation at the Faculty of Architecture are briefly shown. Also, a survey was conducted to determine the extent to which students use ICT for research and learning. Respondents expressed their preferences regarding learning using electronic materials and services. The survey results highlighted solutions to help students in this era of information overload and rapid development of technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthen architecture has a significant share in the world's fund of both residential architecture and cultural heritage. It provides a home to more than half of the world's population and can be found in seismically active areas. Empirically acquired knowledge on building with rammed earth (RE) has usually been passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth, with no written scientific grant for the load-bearing capacity and resistance of structural elements. Today, many countries still do not have standards for the design of RE structures. In the development of new as well as existing design standards, the results of experimental research play a significant role. The focus of this study was on unstabilized RE, which is locally available material with low embodied energy. This paper elaborates experimental campaigns, within which meticulous techniques were employed to provide new knowledge on RE for use in earthquake-prone areas. Furthermore, this paper includes: (i) ranges of values of mechanical properties determined on RE specimens from all over the world; (ii) a comparative summary of experimental research conducted on walls and buildings to assess their seismic performance; (iii) an overview of standards and testing methods used in experiments; and (iv) recommendations for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]