The impact of post-socialism on informal settlements in Belgrade

Abstract: After the fall of communism in Eastern and Southeastern Europe in 1989 the countries that had been under socialist rule underwent a process of political, economical and social reforms and changes. These changes also had a major impact on the process of urban planning; creating a disruption in previously held planning ideas and patterns and causing a brake with the former planning system. In this context new approaches to planning arose, as did new challenges and problems, such as the phenomenon of informal and unplanned settlements. This study seeks to give some answers to the origins and causes of the development of informal settlements in Belgrade as well as inquiring how planning authorities are currently dealing with the problem in light of the large-scale new construction project Belgrade Waterfront. The data was collected using an inductive, qualitative approach through interviews, observations and by examining secondary sources on the topic. The results indicate a city still struggling with finding a functional planning system, scarred by wars, sanctions and an ongoing refugee crisis and with a government that too often prioritizes grand building projects over meeting the needs of its citizens.