Urban Incubator: Belgrade

The Urban Incubator: Belgrade is a unique project supporting the re-vitalization of the now neglected Belgrade city-quarter of Savamala. It is not planners, politicians, or investors but artists, architects, activists and the residents of Savamala and Belgrade who will contribute to shaping the future of the Savamala city quarter.

Where is the Urban Incubator: Belgrade project happening?
Situated on the southern bank of the river Sava in a neighbourhood of the old town, Savamala is one of the most beautiful areas of the city. Savamala is rich both in tradition, history and heritage, which is visible in the many valuable historical buildings in the district. But world wars, authoritarian rule and the current economic crisis have left their marks. Today, Savamala is in a state of dilapidation, economically underdeveloped and socially disadvantaged.
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What are the objectives of the Urban Incubator: Belgrade project? The Urban Incubator: Belgrade aims to improve the quality of life of local residents, arguing strongly in favor of a city on a human scale, and aims to encourage the residents of Savamala to take charge of their quarter. It is the quarter’s cultural and social values that should drive Savamala´s re-vitalization, rather than commercial and real-estate business interests. The Urban Incubator: Belgrade represents a participatory approach to urban development and could serve as a model for other cities in Serbia and the region. .
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Who initiated the Urban Incubator: Belgrade project? .
The Urban Incubator is a Goethe-Institut ‘project of excellence’, supported by the City of Belgrade and the Municipality of Savski Venac. The Urban Incubator: Belgrade involves more than ten local and international projects from the fields of art, architecture, urbanism and social engagement, which will be present and operational in Savamala for during 2013. Project authors include raumlaborberlin, the University of Technical Sciences (ETH) Zurich, “Third Belgrade” Artists´ Initiative (Belgrade), the University of Fine Arts of Hamburg, the Zurich University of the Arts, Nexthamburg (Hamburg), GingerEnsemble (CH), Camenzind (Zurich), Maja Popović and Boba Stanić (Belgrade/Amsterdam), Goethe-Guerilla, and many others.