This research represents a part of a broader study on
the subject of unfinished modernisations from the
Yugoslav era. It raises the question of how we should
deal with unfinished large-scale urban developments
in the present time, given the shift from the socialist
to the post-socialist or neoliberal planning paradigm
that occurred in the member states after the
dissolution of Yugoslavia.
The selection of Subotica as the case study was
motivated firstly due to an unfinished modernisation,
imagined as two mass housing neighborhoods:
Prozivka and Radijalac, connected by a boulevard/
pedestrian zone, that spans the width of the city and
which is spontaneously developing today with no
clear vision, and secondly, to introduce Subotica’s still
rather unknown modern heritage to an international
audience.
Typically, studies on modern architecture are
conducted through historical-interpretive research
strategies. However, this research explores the
potential for aiding historical research with simulation
strategies, particularly space syntax, a set of theories
and techniques for analysing spatial configurations,
in order to achieve a more comprehensive research
approach by adding a layer of quantifiable data to the
qualitative nature of historical inquiries.
The historical-interpretive aspect of the research
involves analysing the origin and development of
modern architecture and planning in Subotica, while
the simulation research aspect applies space syntax
analysis to compare the planned and realized state of
Subotica’s unfinished modernization, resulting in a set
of analytical drawings.
The goal of this research is twofold. Firstly, it explores
the potential of space syntax to implement historical
urban plans in contemporary urban settings and
planning practices, and secondly, for the particular
case study of Subotica, it aims to determine if the
city would benefit by finishing its once imagined
modernisations
