In the early 1990s, Serbia, like other former socialist countries, entered the process of mass privatization of public housing stock resulting in 98% of former socially-owned housing shifted to privately-owned properties. Once an element of the socialist welfare state, housing passed to the market and profit-based sector. Simultaneously, housing shortage and affordability have become growing problems nationwide, leading to new social housing schemes. _x000D_
Over the last three decades, social housing provision in Serbia has accommodated different social groups by employing various physical forms, housing types and spatial environments. Diverse donor-driven housing initiatives were focused on the most vulnerable population (refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), Roma, and social care recipients). In addition, housing projects implemented through public and state funds were aimed at specific professions (public administration, police, the army, and academia). At the same time, the quality of living environments of implemented housing solutions varied at the neighbourhood and city levels. _x000D_
Although social housing projects were dominantly driven by the state, local factors influenced the implementation and characteristics of given solutions. Based on empirical observations and semi-structured interviews with professionals and inhabitants, we will discuss spatial aspects of social housing structures and complexes in certain Serbian cities from comparative perspectives. Therefore, our study will include cities with notable social housing interventions. These are large cities (the capital city and regional centres) and cities with a significant influx of refugees and IDPs. The goal is to analyze how national policy agendas and local-level plans affected the delivery of different housing types and spatial schemes, thus affecting neighbourhood life and supporting or hindering the creation of vibrant communities.

Zlata Vuksanović-Macura, Marko Filipović, Dejan Doljak and Dragana Miljanović
Geographical Institute “Jovan Cvijić” of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Belgrade, Serbia

 
ID Abstract: 915