Protection and restoration of cultural properties in spatial and urban planning in Serbia; Case study: immoveable cultural properties in Brankovina

Abstract

Serbia contains a large amount of immovable cultural properties which protection is regulated by law, strategic documents and rules pertaining to this field. The exact situation in the field is often specific and has to be solved from case to case. For example, an urban plan for the cultural and historical complex of Brankovina – the immovable cultural property of exceptional importance, has never been developed. Considering the importance of the locality, any construction activities in a wider area have been forbidden by a special document. This has brought many problems in the use of space and has also led to illegal construction and stagnation in the development of the settlement, as well as made the construction of public and utility facilities impossible. After the decision to develop a plan of general regulation was made, the next step was to create a program for the development of this area and provide spatial, economic and functional conditions that would enable future development and protection of this area and normal subsistence of local population, along with solutions for necessary infrastructure. The paper presents investigations of the current situation and gives guidelines for future development, which implies local economic recovery, protection and restoration of buildings, possibility to develop tourism of small economies and cultural tourism offer. The Plan especially deals with the reconstruction of protected cultural properties based on bioclimatic principles and principles of energy efficiency and ecologically sustainable development.