URBAN RECYCLING BELGRADE KEY STUDIES

Historic objects: Although formally protected by the institutions, most of them without any chances for maintenance and revitalization.

Hammam of K.M. was built in 1835. It was a typical Turkish bath, a part of the residence of Obrenovic dynasty. Now in the bottom of the city, once was used as a  children gallery, then the shelter for delinquents and homeless. A private investor managed to arrange a cafe with a team of architects and heritage specialists in about 25 m2. It was a pride for the investor and an example for municipal authority that taboo of commercialization is not always acceptable.

Industrial heritage: Serbia used to be agricultural and industrial country in 19th and the beginning of the 20th Cent. Belgrade was the capitol but also the leading industrial city.
	Old sugar- mill complex is a huge abandoned industrial site near the Belgrade fair and one of a few protected by historic preservation institutions. Part of it uses contemporary theatre group. Other objects are ruined and neglected. A group of students of architecture made a few rave-parties in that interesting space. In 1995 they managed to organize International conference PROJECT X, and just for one week, made that complex alive. In interesting interior they made lectures, exhibitions and performances, with students and architects from all around the world.
	Second location lies on the Danube river, 1000 m far from city center. All towns run to activate their riverbanks by moving central activities near the river. This one is far from similar. Behind the railroad, between the town and the river, Electric power plant, marina and concrete factory are one of the ugliest parts of Belgrade. London Tate Modern Gallery in old Power plant on the river Thames might be just an example and inspiration for Belgrade urban designers and authorities.

Sava River is another pride of Belgrade. It is favorite sidewalk and recreation area for its inhabitants. Old river port is a complex or magazines and storages today. After 3p.m., when storages close their doors, no life can be found on the riverbank. Just few years ago Belgrade Authorities built cycling road along the river Sava, and thus produced increased interest of investors for commercial activities in this area.  Located just below the Belgrade Fortress, and about 10 minutes walking distance from the city center. A group of enthusiasts made a project for revitalization of this object: with a little work on the facade and surrounding, gathered around the same idea, they suggested to make a market place, with small ateliers, shops, cafés and restaurants and open space stage on the roof of the object. With boats - restaurants that Belgrade is familiar with, it could easily become the focus of the Belgrade river side redevelopment process.

Not only potentials lie in Belgrade. Small but educational intervention was done last year in one of the most frequent street in Belgrade. CEP (Centre for Urban Development Planning) adapted old tram depot to commercial market. It was the first tram depot built on Balkan, in 1894, for trams with horses, later electric trams and, lately, abandoned and ruined for years. The whole intervention was done in two months, adapted and arranged for street vendors market place.  The architects and landscape architects produces a pleasant ambiance in front of the building and in the interior of the old depot, instead of a crowded stands placed on the sidewalk. It has been one of the most popular places for shopping for years in Belgrade.

At last, but not the least, spaces under the ground are the third group for possible URBAN RECYCLING implementation. They are not listed in municipal land books and are also invisible for pedestrians as well as for investors. They can be divided in two groups: structures accessible for public use and spaces of special purpose, used by public and special institutions, shelters, warehouses etc.

According to some estimates, the least another 20% of visible or noted constructed area of Belgrade is located under the ground. Most of it is completely unused, part is used for tenant storages, and parts are abandoned boiler rooms. Part is hidden under the Belgrade Fortress and Park Tasmajdan. Potential and possible uses can only be hinted, and until now we've seen two examples of usage.

One of them was short living Belgrade culture center in Belgrade Fortress Arsenal. During two months of existing, all possible culture activities took place there: concerts, plays, exhibitions, promotions of books and arts, directly linked connection with Japan computer center, video shows and lectures. The whole town walked to and through the Fortress to be a part of it. Like most of other things, nobody knows why this big and successful action failed. For the last few summers, Belgrade summer festival (BELEF) is using this site for the most attractive performances.

The other one is a new café gallery in old underground shelter, also the part of Belgrade Fortress.

This study is the motive and the cause prompting serious involvement of the urban planning experts in the new revitalization strategy. The adequate usage of the city resources and environmental potentials are already included in postulates of their sustainable development and urban policies. According to Yugoslav practice, only new effort in methodology, as urban recycling, could provide these potentials remain or become qualities.

The process of urban recycling is a suggestion for serious studies in order to become a part of legislation. It can be the way to save and maintain the heritage from case to case, as well as long term solution for permanent urban revitalization process of our inner cities.

It includes at the same time: specialists, municipal, other public and also private investors, so as social and community groups in common interest: projects of saving, activating and prospering towns’ recourses. The urban recycling process is constant and not finished while the buildings and places exist. It can provide vitality for the urban heritage, following the unavoidable changes brought by the passage of time.