Belgrade Urban Oases

Led by EUNIC Serbia, in collaboration with the Belgrade International Architecture Week (BINA), the University of Belgrade’s Faculties of Forestry and Architecture, and several local organisations, the project aims to transform underused urban areas into vibrant, inclusive spaces that offer ecological and social value.

Three distinct locations were chosen for the project: the Youth Integration Center (CIM) in Zvezdara, the Centre for Accommodation and Day Care for Children and Youth with Developmental Disabilities in Julino Brdo, and the Arboretum of the Faculty of Forestry in Banovo Brdo. Each site was selected based on its potential to become a hub of creativity, community interaction, and ecological awareness. The project combined artistic interventions with active community participation, ensuring that local residents and users were directly involved in the design and transformation process.

Throughout 2024, students from the University of Belgrade’s Faculties of Architecture and Forestry, supported by international experts from EUNIC countries, participated in workshops and lectures designed to foster collaboration between students, local stakeholders and residents. These sessions resulted in creative design concepts, which were later implemented at the sites. The second phase of the project saw the realisation of these designs, transforming each space into a sustainable and climate-conscious environment.

In Julino Brdo, a previously concrete-dominated area was transformed by students from the Faculty of Forestry, in collaboration with the local community. The redesign created functional and attractive spaces that offer new outdoor amenities for both local residents and the children who use the Centre for Accommodation and Day Care. At the Youth Integration Center in Zvezdara, students from the Faculty of Architecture reimagined a series of concrete paths, working closely with the children and the local community to create a livelier, more inclusive and ecologically educational space. The third location, the Arboretum in Banovo Brdo, was enriched with a new amphitheatre, which has since become a central space for cultural events. In addition, a Bee Hotel was installed on World Bee Day, and the first urban flower meadow in Belgrade was planted along a bee trail, helping to support local biodiversity.

This opportunity is priceless for our organisation, and above all for the children from Svratište/Shelter. In addition to the fact that the Center will get a multi-functional yard where children will be able to spend quality time outside, the design process itself included the children who come to the Center from the very beginning. Projects like this are important to them because they give them the opportunity to have their voice valued and respected.

Neda Marjanović, coordinator for Philanthropy program at Drop In Shelter, CIM

Belgrade Urban Oases at the 19th Belgrade International Architecture Week

On June 22 2024, the Belgrade Urban Oases Day took place as part of the 19th Belgrade International Architecture Week (BINA), marking the first big public presentation of all the three Oases. The event featured a variety of activities across all three sites: a picnic with neighbours, exhibitions of student works, participatory workshops where local residents, children, and community members collaborated to shape the future of their Oases, and the creation of the first ecological mural in the Arboretum, where visitors participated in the artistic process. The day concluded with a performance of “The Secret Life of the Arboretum” by DAH Theatre, highlighting the project’s commitment to creativity and community engagement.

These principles of a sustainable community and a right to the city and green common areas for everyone are what is being reflected in this project.

Jelena Ivanović Vojvodić, co-founder and co-organizer of BINA

Urban Oases: Active Centres

After the completion of the construction work, the newly transformed Urban Oases became active centres for cultural and community programmes. From September to November 2024, a variety of activities took place, including architecture and ecology workshops for children, cultural performances and concerts. The DAH Theatre staged “Dancing Trees” in the Arboretum, while the Chamber Orchestra Muzikon performed a series of concerts as part of the “Concerts for the Neighbourhood Council” initiative, which brought music directly to the local communities.

The Belgrade Urban Oases project is not just about transforming physical spaces but also about fostering long-term community engagement and sustainability. By involving local residents, children, and professionals in every phase of the project, it has ensured that the needs and voices of the community are at the heart of the transformation.

The project offers a counterpoint to large-scale urban redevelopment initiatives, focusing instead on the revitalisation of existing spaces through community-centred approaches. It demonstrates the power of collective action in transforming neglected urban areas into thriving, socially responsible spaces that reflect the needs and aspirations of the people who use them.
Since its launch, the Belgrade Urban Oases project has brought together over 2000 participants, including residents, visitors, local artists and activists. Looking ahead, the project aims to inspire the creation of more urban oases across Belgrade, supporting the revitalisation of other neglected spaces and encouraging sustainable urban development that prioritises community well-being.

The entire experience, which spanned over six months, taught us the importance of a well-organized space and how much the arrangement of our environment can enrich our lives. In the end, we are grateful for the opportunity to apply our knowledge in a real-world context.

Đorđi Gligoroski, student of Faculty of Forestry

Ultimately, the Belgrade Urban Oases project represents a vision for a more inclusive, ecologically responsible, and vibrant urban future. It serves as a model for how cities can transform neglected spaces into places that foster social cohesion, environmental stewardship and creative expression. By engaging communities in the process, the project has shown that urban revitalisation can be a collective effort that benefits everyone, creating spaces where people can connect with each other and with nature.