In the contemporary world of social and demographic changes that continuously transform and intensify the housing demands, the exploitation of existing building fund for the development of new residential environment could be a...

Although the postsocialist construction of large shopping facilities had significant implications on the urban structure of Central and Eastern European cities, the complex spatial, functional, and social relations between shopping centers and settlement centers at the local level have not been fully explained. This paper addresses this issue by exploring the center of Medijana municipality in the city of Nis, Serbia and the impact of two shopping centers in its restructuring. The compatibility of shopping centers with a district/neighborhood center is assessed on the basis of functional, spatial, and socioeconomic criteria, for which a set of measurable indicators is established: diversity and functional integration, design and physical integration, survey data on the use of shopping centers and perception of users, and the economic performance of shopping centers. Despite the significant spatial and functional transformations of the Medijana center caused by construction of the shopping centers, the results indicate their low compatibility. Furthermore, the findings confirm the need for improving the quality of the social life in this urban center. Research identifies those key elements of urban design that integrate shopping centers into the central urban fabric: (1) diversity and integration of uses, (2) high densities, (3) well-designed public space, and (4) established pedestrian links.

This research explores the evolution of public open spaces (POS) in large housing estates (LHE) within the post-socialist context, using the Czech Republic as example. The study investigates the challenges and opportunities associated with the redevelopment of POS, considering the impacts of privatization, socio-economic transformations, and urban renewal policies. It also explores the continuity of urban morphology from the socialist era in the post-socialist period, pointing out the complex connections between inherited urban forms and contemporary needs for urban renewal. The methodological approach is based on an exemplar of best practice analysis, with a specific focus on the Na Dolika LHE, which serves as an illustrative example of POS revitalization efforts. The findings highlight key factors that influence successful redevelopment, including community engagement, sustainable design, and policy frameworks. Additionally, it discusses the first state-level urban renewal policies in Czechia, such as the Program PANEL and Green Light for Savings Program, which aimed to improve technical standards and energy efficiency in buildings, along with public area enhancements. The research contributes to the understanding of post-socialist urban transformation and offers insights for the improvement of POS in similar contexts.

The paper deals with the planning basis, analysis and assessment of developmental status and general trends of Kursumlija municipality, as well as the status of development planning, resource management and the constraints of social development and public services. Although not considered as a prioritized development and planning choice, the local sustainable social development represents a significant support to long-term development strategies and to demographic stability. This segment of spatial development planning is closely related to social values, political and economic context, which perform a variety of effects on the constitution of its concept. The aim of the paper is to show that different, and sometimes conflicting concepts of the social development that are defined at higher planning levels, need to be checked in relation to local specificities and requirements. Based on that, it is possible to create a concept of public services spatial development that will be applicable and will meet the demands and potentials of the local community.

U radu je prikazan koncept idejnog urbanističko-arhitektonskog rešenja uređenja dela centralnog područja Temerina i neposredne okoline centra, koje je realizovano u okviru javnog konkursa 2016. godine. Uz poštovanje postojeće urbane matrice i važeće regulative, predloženo rešenje u užem kontekstu obuhvata parterno uređenje, ozelenjavanje i popločavanje sa elementima urbanog opremanja, dok u širem kontekstu remodeluje postojeće saobraćajne tokove. Cilj je kreiranje reprezentativnog i održivog ambijenta, kroz remodelaciju postojećih i kreiranje novih pešačkih površina i njihovo umrežavanje sa okruženjem, povećanje intenziteta korišćenja prostora u skladu sa njegovim centralnim duhom, i kreiranje identiteta i duha mesta (genius loci).

The socialist period in Slovakia was marked by a huge demand for housing stock, and the highest peak was between 1960-1970 when the largest number of Multifamily Housing Estates were built. One of the main characteristics of these estates are large surfaces of public open spaces (POS), characterised by huge green areas. Unfortunately, as well as the complexes themselves, the green areas were also designed megalomaniacal - open spaces were not planned and designed for the human scale. After the socialist period, the privatization and restitution processes were expressed, and the change of land ownership led to numerous problems causing neglect of POS. This paper discusses green areas within POS, challenges that these areas faced during post-socialist transformations, and their treatment within new multifamily housing developments. The goal of this paper is to analyse transformations of POS and examine the causes of green areas decrease within LHEs.