Revisiting urban planning framework in Serbia: towards adaptive urban planning and design for climate change

Abstract

In following decades, according to the regional climate projections, Serbia will experience an increase in temperature of 4˚C, and decrease in summer precipitation up to 50%, and increase possibilities of heavy rain falls. We already witnessed serious challenges for urban population caused by recent flooding in Serbia. Adaptation to those changes, and other caused by changing weather patterns, calls for the re-definition of urban planning and design framework and the integration of climate change in planning processes. In order to set a ground for development of adaptive approach in urban planning process, which will reduce potential vulnerability of the urban population to climate change, we have firstly to understand strength and weaknesses of the current urban planning and design framework to integrate such an approach. The paper explores whether or not we have to rethink existing urban planning framework and tools in the context of climate change and natural hazards focusing on larger urban centers in Serbia, and looking at regulative planning tools. Recommendations to further strengthen adaptive urban planning and design are derived.