The Interdependence Between Activity Structure and Level of Economic Development – Case Study of Serbia

The goal of the paper is to examine the hypothesis whereby a higher level of diversification in the structure of activities of a certain settlement indicates a higher level of its economic development. The absolute predominance of employment in the tertiary-quaternary sector in the total employment in Serbia’s municipal centres has been brought in correlation with their level of economic development. The nature of this interdependence has been the subject of a detailed analysis in this paper. Using the methods elaborated for the needs of this research, conclusions have been drawn indicating the emergence of a large number of centres where the quantitative prevalence of the tertiary-quaternary sector, along with the distinct incidence of employment in public services, is not accompanied by corresponding qualitative and quantitative changes that would result in a higher level of economic development. Insufficiently developed centres have been identified in order to facilitate decision makers to take proper and timely actions and enable relevant institutions and organisations to apply adequate measures to support balanced economic development

The Interdependence Between Activity Structure and Level of Economic Development – Case Study of Serbia

The goal of the paper is to examine the hypothesis whereby a higher level of diversification in the structure of activities of a certain settlement indicates a higher level of its economic development. The absolute predominance of employment in the tertiary-quaternary sector in the total employment in Serbia’s municipal centres has been brought in correlation with their level of economic development. The nature of this interdependence has been the subject of a detailed analysis in this paper. Using the methods elaborated for the needs of this research, conclusions have been drawn indicating the emergence of a large number of centres where the quantitative prevalence of the tertiary-quaternary sector, along with the distinct incidence of employment in public services, is not accompanied by corresponding qualitative and quantitative changes that would result in a higher level of economic development. Insufficiently developed centres have been identified in order to facilitate decision makers to take proper and timely actions and enable relevant institutions and organisations to apply adequate measures to support balanced economic development

From conformance to performance? A comparative analysis of the European Union territorial policy trends in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina

As several Western Balkans countries aspire to become members of the European Union (EU) in the (near) future, it is interesting to explore to what extent EU territorial trends are adopted in both the official national regulations and spatial planning practice. To do so, we: 1) screen EU territorial policies to elucidate the trends and principles of territorial development, 2) analyse the contents of spatial plans in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and 3) compare the practical application of the principles such as decentralisation, diffusion of power, subsidiarity, multi-actorship, synergy, transparency, citizen participation, coordinated action (among various disciplinary bodies), and holistic strategies. The findings show the ineffectiveness of declaratively adopted EU territorial trends against place-based territorial policy approaches

Urban Shrinkage in Serbia: The Domination of Economic over Environmental Causes

Although present in Serbia, the phenomenon of urban shrinkage has not been identified as a problem by local decision-makers. The purpose of this study is to present this phenomenon and to show the causes and consequences of urban shrinkage in Serbia. The analysis covers a recent period, 2002-2011, when this process was the most intensive. This study employs the method of grouping towns affected by the shrinkage process. The multi-criteria evaluation method was used to determine the types of towns according to the cause of shrinking, the intensity of the shrinkage factors and the character of the process. In the study of urban shrinkage in the territory of Serbia, environmental factors were considered as one of the causes. Environmental problems are an important factor of urban shrinkage in the developed world. Nevertheless, in Serbia, the economic causes are so dominant that they overpower major environmental issues as potential factors of the shrinking process. Apart from the key factors in this process in most East European and South-East European countries, urban shrinkage in Serbia has its roots in other factors – namely, the political instability caused by inter-ethnic conflicts in the Western Balkans during the 1990s

Urban Shrinkage in Serbia: The Domination of Economic over Environmental Causes

Although present in Serbia, the phenomenon of urban shrinkage has not been identified as a problem by local decision-makers. The purpose of this study is to present this phenomenon and to show the causes and consequences of urban shrinkage in Serbia. The analysis covers a recent period, 2002-2011, when this process was the most intensive. This study employs the method of grouping towns affected by the shrinkage process. The multi-criteria evaluation method was used to determine the types of towns according to the cause of shrinking, the intensity of the shrinkage factors and the character of the process. In the study of urban shrinkage in the territory of Serbia, environmental factors were considered as one of the causes. Environmental problems are an important factor of urban shrinkage in the developed world. Nevertheless, in Serbia, the economic causes are so dominant that they overpower major environmental issues as potential factors of the shrinking process. Apart from the key factors in this process in most East European and South-East European countries, urban shrinkage in Serbia has its roots in other factors – namely, the political instability caused by inter-ethnic conflicts in the Western Balkans during the 1990s