Sustainability and socialism: socio-ecological ideas in the urbanization of New Belgrade

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to explore the ecology ideas in socialism, or more precisely socio-ecological ideas that were present in urbanization of New Belgrade. The paper investigates beginnings of the development of environmental consciousness that emerged in late sixties of the twentieth century due to rapid urbanization processes of Belgrade, but also draws attention to specific architectural and urban concepts in historical urban development of New Belgrade which are from the standpoint of modern principles of sustainability positive examples of social – environmental exchanges. What can we learn from past experiences? Since the power relations of socio-environmental conditions that shape urban environment are constantly changing in terms of scale and participants in the process of urbanization, historical and geographical insight into the constantly changing urban configuration is necessary for understanding and consideration of future radical political-ecological urban strategies.