Development of new economic districts in Belgrade metropolitan area

Abstract

Paper discusses new economic districts and spatial structures of the economic activities in metropolitan areas influenced by transitional processes and globalisation. It indicates the impacts of new economic trends and economic districts on creation of metropolitan areas' spatial organisation. Paper shows mechanisms of the agglomeration of new economic poles and spatial-economic clusters in metropolitan areas. These mechanisms have consequences on economic and spatial changes, on changes of urban, regional and social structures, on environmental degradation, etc. New economic zones in metropolitan areas are result of market pressures, the increase of economic competitiveness and influences of foreign and domestic companies on the territorial capital of those areas and their urban/ spatial structures. There are indications of possible development impacts on creation of new economic districts with the preliminary analyses of Belgrade metropolitan area. Paper concludes that new economic districts - new industrial, commercial, entrepreneurial zones that developed systematically or spontaneously in the suburban areas (along highways) of Belgrade metropolitan area, have a major role in spatial development of economic activities and in the planning of territorial organization of this area.