This study investigated the effects of urbanization on the spatial distribution, sources, and levels of heavy metals pollution in urban soils of the city of Belgrade. A total of 126 composite topsoil (0–10 cm) and subsoil (10–40 cm) samples was collected within four urban zones (central, suburban, external, and rural) of Belgrade and analysed for content, spatial distribution, sources, and pollution indices using statistical methods including descriptive statistics, correlation matrix, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Concentration levels of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni) in the soil of urban zones in Belgrade were found to be significantly higher in the central and suburban zones compared to the external and rural ones. The spatial variance and the general trend of heavy metals accumulation in the soil were found to be along the urban–rural gradient. The topsoil concentration levels for the same elements were higher compared to the subsoil concentration levels for the same elements in all urban zones, except for the external and the rural zones. These results indicate the need for the implementation of urban soils pollution monitoring according to specific urban zones to provide an applicable basis for the development of plans and strategies concerning urban soil use management for the purpose of the sustainable urban development.

Small green spaces are the most common type of greenery in cities, but very little is known about their impact on thermal comfort. It has been established that larger green spaces (large city parks, urban forests, etc.) have a significant effect on the formation of thermal comfort in cities. Conversely, it has been shown that this effect is highly variable in smaller green spaces (particularly those <3 ha). This study investigated the impact of smaller green spaces (<3 ha) of various categories (parks, squares, and street tree lines) on the thermal comfort of urban open spaces. In total, 18 green spaces in Belgrade were selected, where specialised meteorological measurements were conducted during summer and winter, and the PET index and UTCI were calculated using the RayMan Pro (Version 3.1 Beta) software. Research has shown that green spaces ranging from 0.9 to 3 ha have an average difference of 4.04 °C in the PET index and 3.27 °C in the UTCI. For areas between 0.3 and 0.9 ha, the differences are 2.32 °C for PET and 2.05 °C for UTCI, while for spaces <0.3 ha, the differences are 2.19 °C for PET and 2.12 °C for UTCI. In all cases, the values of the PET index and UTCI were higher in green spaces compared to areas without greenery, with differences ranging from 2.19 to 4.04 °C for PET and 2.05–3.27 °C for UTCI. It was determined that green spaces <3 ha increased the PET index by an average of 2.75 °C and the UTCI by 2.41 °C. The results of this study showed that despite their size, small green areas can significantly improve thermal comfort. This study highlights the importance of these green spaces and provides a basis for the planning of new or renovated existing urban green spaces to mitigate the effects of climate change in cities.

Urban green spaces traditionally represent areas where tourists gladly pause and rest. Ecological potential of green spaces, their capacity to enhance urban life through micro-climate mitigation, and their original attractiveness, represent the source from which their tourist potential is derived. Consequently, continuous increase in plant quantity and constant expansion of their existence to green less zones and territories, commonly defined as gray or gray-green zones, is compulsory. Green spaces of central part of old Belgrade situated on the right banks of the rivers Sava and Danube are by all criteria in the category of top tourist rank, and the same goes for this whole area with numerous attractive points within. However, this zone - the territory of three central urban municipalities (Savski Venac, Stari Grad, and Vračar) - holds numerous neglected spaces, deserted corridors and backyards, river bank segments and other sites covered with weed, debris left from past and recent bombardments, parking lots and half-devastated green stripes along residential blocks. Starting with the assumption that many of these can be qualitatively renewed and professionally greenscaped, paper describes their proper development into different categories of green spaces, important structural elements of Belgrade green infrastructure. .

This study was done with the aim to comparatively analyze the taxonomic and phytogeographical spectrum of lawns along the Belgrade roads. The analysis was done using the results of a floristic research done in 2001, combined with results of the field research conducted in 2019. A comparative analysis of the obtained results has shown that a lower heterogeneity of the floral elements and plant taxa was recorded in the studied lawns in 2019, when compared to the previous research period. Such a reduction in heterogeneity is the result of more intensive measures of lawn care, and of a stronger anthropogenic influence, which has led to a homogenization of the lawn flora.

The research includes a comparative analysis of the structure and floristic composition of different types of lawns along Belgrade roads (grass areas of roundabouts, dividing strips, areas near roads and grass areas of first order roads), their floristic composition, as well as determining changes over a period of 17 years. The analyses are based on the results of floristic research from 2002, as well as the results of field research conducted during 2019. A total of 114 plant species were recorded on the studied lawns along Belgrade roads, among which the highest proportion belongs to the category of weed species. The taxonomic analysis has shown a reduction in the recorded number of families and genera over the study period of 17 years Both studies indicate the absolute dominance of plants from the group of hemicryptophytes. The results of the research are used to provide guidelines and recommendations for improving the condition and structure of lawns along Belgrade roads. Also, they provide the basis for the future selection of adequate types of grass for the establishment of new lawns, as well as the repair of the existing ones, i.e. for the sustainable management of green spaces along city roads.