Two faces of Belgrade waterfront: The contradictory creation of new urban identity

Abstract

Over the last decades, urban regeneration programs involved inner city waterfronts globally, influencing in that way the cities’ spatial quality, urban character and market competitiveness. Transiting countries are not an exception. Hence, this paper focuses on the unique post-socialist context of Belgrade, where two different urban models were recently implemented at the same Sava riverbank. By applying comparative methodology, the spatial and social impacts of Savamala creative district and Belgrade Waterfront real estate development are contrasted. The aim is to critically explore processes, their outcomes and the way they contribute to the creation of the new urban identities. Results indicate the relevance of transparency and participation in decision-making, as well as the risk of standardization in urban interventions.