Planski okvir i smernice za razvoj malih gradova u procesu demografskog, prostornog i funkcionalnog opadanja - primer regiona Južne i Istočne Srbije

Abstract

The interplay between economic, social, political and institutional changes has led to the uneven development of cities and the emergence of shrinking cities. Urban shrinkage has become a common path of development for many cities since the second half of the 20th century. This phenomenon has been insufficiently researched in Serbia, although especially small towns suffered a population decline in the first decade of the 21st century. The aim of this research is to define a methodological framework for the identification of shrinking small towns in Serbia by a more complete scientific explanation of the phenomenon of urban shrinkage as well as to determine possible mechanisms for their regeneration. Apart from the global level, this phenomenon is also considered within the post-socialist context of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. This enables the development of a methodological approach for the identification and classification of shrinking small towns in the Region of Southern and Eastern Serbia, with separate groups of small towns with common features of urban shrinkage. Approaches to planning shrinking cities, mainly focused on larger cities, cannot fully address the development problems of small towns. Critical analysis of different planning approaches and concepts has allowed for forming guidelines for planning shrinking small towns. A conceptual model for directing the development of shrinking small post-socialist towns has also been developed and it has been shown that it can be used as an analytical tool in the process of formulating strategic goals and concepts of integrated development of small towns in Serbia. Analyzing the possibilities of applying the formed recommendations within the context and planning system in Serbia, it was concluded that it is necessary to redefine the planning framework in order to adequately respond to the complex problems of the development of shrinking small towns. In accordance with that, the paper gives recommendations for the improvement of the existing contents, methods and procedures for the development of spatial and urban policies and plans in Serbia. The obtained knowledge on the process of urban shrinkage of the Region of Southern and Eastern Serbia was applied to selected cluster representatives in order to check the cluster settings as well as to perform a qualitative assessment of specific local characteristics of urban shrinkage. It was determined that their condition can be improved according to defined planning recommendations.