Serbian Cultural Territorial Systems First Experiences

Abstract

In the first part of the chapter analyzed the legal and institutional context in the field of environment, spatial and urban planning and constructions in Serbia and its relation to the cultural heritage. The interest in the field of cultural heritage has long history – from early 19th century, but the modern approach to the cultural heritage protection is developed after the WWII. The protection of cultural and natural heritage is based on the Venice Charter (1964) and international conventions and recommendations, adopted in the late twentieth century and in more recent times. As the one of the most important international documents for future protection and improvement of cultural heritage today in Serbia is implemented the Council of Europe Faro Convention (2005), which offers ways to help the national, regional or local authorities and the civil society in general to establish an integrated approach to the preservation of cultural heritage as a basic element for future sustainable development. Sustainable planning and management of settlements are in the competence of the central and local authorities, and regulated by The Law on Planning and Construction (2009) and The Spatial plan of the Republic of Serbia (2010). The second part of chapter elaborate the recent actions and efforts in regeneration of rural heritage areas, as part of the overall economic and social development, based on an integration of rural areas into regional and urban planning processes, as well as economic, social and cultural policies. According the international methodology established by Council of Europe during the realization of The Regional Program by Cultural and Natural Heritage in South East Europe the Local Development Pilot Project Resava-Mlava were implemented on the territory of Municipalities Despotovac and Žagubica. The methodology which was used in the project involves the inclusion of local inhabitants in the form of various workshops. Among others institutions, in the research process of exploring and proposing a new approaches and models for heritage activation as a part of sustainable development of the region, professors and students of the Faculty of Architecture University of Belgrade were involved. The student’s projects successfully achieved their goal – to strengthen the awareness of the population of the heritage value as important resource for future sustainable development, as well as to provide municipal authorities with new, fresh ideas that can connect heritage protection with improvement of living condition. This provides a basis for elaboration of development strategy for this area in future.