This paper analyzes flood impact on the historical objects and cultural heritage in Southern and Eastern Serbia. The basic research problem is the lack of systematized databases regarding the flood impact on the cultural heritage, in addition to the lack of official manuals or other types of educational material dealing with the management of the assets with monumental properties in flood situations. The goal of the paper is to indicate this problem to the professional and wider public through systematization and classification of the observed damages on the buildings. The paper first provides a brief overview of the development of flood protection throughout history with particular reference to the research area. In addition, the history of floods in Serbia is also analyzed in order to point to the frequency and scale of this problem in the researched area. Through the research of archival materials in the appropriate institutions as well as direct recording of assets in the field, the degree of flood impact on historical objects in the territories of Southern and Eastern Serbia is determined. It refers to both declared cultural monuments and those that are still undeclared but possess certain monumental properties. Only the material damages on the immovable cultural assets have been analyzed. The protection of the movable cultural assets has not been taken into consideration, although it represents a very important aspect of every flood damage. A classification of the damages observed on these types of buildings, which occur as a direct or indirect consequence of floods, has been carried out. Examples of structural damage are presented in the paper (such as fissures, cracks, bucklings and collapse of parts or overall objects). Examples of the damages that do not threaten the stability of buildings are also presented. Here, they are divided into two groups—moisture-induced damages and biodegradation. The paper also gives examples of the damages induced by direct or indirect impacts of floods. It is from these examples that general lessons can be drawn, namely those that would be applicable to the endangered categories of cultural heritage. The classification is conducted for the purpose of better planning of preventive or rehabilitation strategies and measures for the preservation of architectural cultural heritage. Recommendations for dealing with heritage assets in the case of floods are also given.

The article deals with the complex dynamics of depopulation in rural areas in Serbia. Although the topic has been very topical in recent decades and research has long identified the causes and consequences of depopulation in numerous regions in Europe, there seems to be no systematic approach to the implementation of policies for the management of abandoned areas. We started from already known factors contributing to depopulation, including economic, social and environmental dimensions. Based on previous research, historical trends and a statistical database, we attempted to represent depopulation as a spatial process that has its own size, structure and consequences, using a new, quantitative methodology for grouping abandoned areas into clusters as basic units of dispersal of depopulated areas. The aim of the work was to quantitatively determine the size and structure of the depopulated area in Serbia after the 2022 census. The study opened up new fields of research for the future use of depopulated space, but also offered certain solutions for policy makers, researchers and municipalities struggling with the challenges of depopulation. The results of the work show the existence of 47 abandoned clusters in 10 administrative regions of Serbia, which is 17 more than in the 2011 census. Further homogenization and consolidation of clusters was found in the statistical regions: Toplička, Zaječarska, Jablanička, Pirotska and Raška region, i.e. an increase in the total depopulated area as well as its spatial expansion towards the north of the country.

Cultural heritage represents a unique and irreplaceable cultural value of a nation. Preservation and protection of cultural heritage is an important moral role of the entire modern society. The paper singles out the notion of vernacular architecture and traditional houses as a significant part of the architectural heritage. The case study includes examples of traditional houses in Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria. The current condition of buildings, their purpose, the degree of preservation, as well as the applied methods of protection are considered in more detail. By analyzing examples of positive and negative practice, conclusions were drawn about the active approach to the architectural heritage of these countries. The goal of this paper is to consider the approach to the preservation of vernacular architecture and the relationship of these countries to this form of cultural heritage. The methods used in the paper are analysis, synthesis, comparative analysis, modeling method and case study.

Over the past five years, generative AI has carved out a major role in architecture, especially in education and visual idea generation. Most of the time, the literature talks about AI as a tool, an assistant, or sometimes a co-creator, always highlighting efficiency and the end product in architectural design. There is a steady rise in empirical studies, yet the real impact on how young architects learn still lacks a solid theory behind it. In this systematic review, we dig into peer-reviewed work from 2015 to 2025, looking at how generative AI fits into architectural design education. Using PRISMA guidelines, we pull together findings from 40 papers across architecture, design studies, human–computer interaction and educational research. What stands out is a clear tension: on one hand, students crank out more creative work; on the other, their reflective engagement drops, especially when AI steps in as a replacement during early ideation instead of working alongside them. To address this, we introduce the idea of “AI sparring”. Here, generative AI is not just a helper—it becomes a provocateur, pushing students to think critically and develop stronger architectural concepts. Our review offers new ways to interpret AI’s role, moving beyond seeing it just as a productivity booster. Instead, we argue for AI as an active, reflective partner in education, and we lay out practical recommendations for studio-based teaching and future research. This paper is a theoretical review and conceptual proposal, and we urge future studies to test these ideas in practice.

This study examines the architectural heritage of Vlasotince, a small town in southern Serbia affected by long-term depopulation, economic stagnation, and insufficient institutional mechanisms for heritage care. The research provides a comprehensive and systematically documented basis for protecting the historic urban core—Stara čaršija—using an integrated methodology that combines archival analysis, urban and architectural surveying, interviews, and extensive 3D photogrammetric documentation. The collected dataset enabled the evaluation of cultural, architectural, and urban values, the identification of a coherent spatial cultural-historical unit, and the development of a typology of degradation affecting the historic fabric. Results show that 52% of buildings within the core possess exceptional or notable value, yet degradation is widespread: 40% of buildings exhibit altered openings or portals, 29% have lost decorative plasterwork, and 23% represent new constructions incompatible with the ambient character. Mapping values and vulnerabilities at the building level allow for the definition of priority interventions. The study demonstrates that combining digital documentation, spatial analysis, and value-based assessment offers an effective framework for heritage management in small towns with limited resources. The proposed methodological model is replicable and contributes to data-driven conservation planning, supporting the sustainable revitalization of historic urban landscapes in similar regional contexts.

Superior information technology and global network coverage - the Internet, have raised the issue of sustainability and library facilities in the 21st century. Architects across the globe endeavor to examine and improve the traditional concepts of designing a library in accordance with the complex needs of the contemporary society. In this paper, the tools for development and protection of the library buildings in the information age are presented. The goal is to shed light on the complex process of revitalizing the libraries that today, more than ever, are fighting for sustainability. In this endeavor, an analysis of the case study of some of the world-renowned libraries will be of particular importance.