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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]

As many as twenty years after the overthrow of its authoritarian political regime, Serbia remains a 'proto-democracy', supported by the economic ideology of wild neoliberalism. Under such circumstances, urban development is subject to various abuses, such as the misapplication of legal procedures, neglect of the public interest, and politicisation of planning. In particular, urban megaprojects exhibit various distortions, as they require special regulations, additional funding, long-term timeframes, and ad hoc actor-networks. Against that background, this paper examines the main ideological landscapes behind the Belgrade waterfront regeneration, illustrated by two projects – City on the Water and Belgrade Waterfront. By collecting 65 articles from the daily press, we identify relevant stakeholders and present their statements to depict their positions, viewpoints, interests, and specific value frameworks. The research is directed towards 1) recognition of conflicts and coalitions, 2) elucidation of decision-making patterns, and 3) identification of power structures in these two projects. Finally, comparing the key findings in each case helps understand the transformation of the ideological narratives and their effect on urban governance. • Planning, governance and implementation of urban megaprojects follow the 'logic of exception'. • Urban megaprojects cause extensive irregularities when implemented in post-socialist transitional societies. • Contemporary urban development in Belgrade has been subject to various abuses. • The method of discourse analysis elucidates both the urban governance and ideological landscapes shaping it. • Underpinned by the ideology of authoritarian neoliberalism, urban governance in Serbia has deteriorated during the last twenty years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]