eBooks
How to cite: Djokić, V., Simić, D., Nikezić, A., Milojević, M., Ristić Trajković, J., Krstić, V., Šošević, U., Pešić, M., Janković, S., Cvetković, N., Milovanović, A. (2024) (Eds). SPATTERN Review of Methodological Approaches. University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture. ISBN-978-86-7924-353-9
How to cite: Djokić, V., Simić, D., Nikezić, A., Milojević, M., Ristić Trajković, J., Krstić, V., Šošević, U., Pešić, M., Janković, S., Cvetković, N., Milovanović, A. (2024) (Eds). SPATTERN Database of Spa Settlements in Serbia. University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture. ISBN-978-86-7924-364-5
How to cite: Djokić, V., Simić, D., Nikezić, A., Milojević, M., Ristić Trajković, J., Krstić, V., Šošević, U., Pešić, M., Janković, S., Cvetković, N., Milovanović, A. (2024) (Eds). SPATTERN Study: Questionnaire for the State-of-the-art. University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture. ISBN-978-86-7924-365-2
How to cite: Milovanović, A., Pešić, M., Janković, S., Krstić, V., Ristić Trajković, J., Milojević, M., Nikezić, A., and Đokić, V. (2025). Compendium of Spascapes: Personalities, Form, and Development. University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture. ISBN-978-86-7924-387-4
How to cite: Milovanović, A., Pešić, M., Janković, S., Krstić, V., Ristić Trajković, J., Milojević, M., Nikezić, A., and Đokić, V. (2025). Decoder of Spascapes: Rulebook for Patterns Definition. University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture. ISBN-978-86-7924-394-2
How to cite: Milovanović, A., Šošević, U., Cvetković, N., Pešić, M., Janković, S., Krstić, V., Ristić Trajković, J., Milojević, M., Nikezić, A., Simić, D., & Djokić, V. (2025). BLUEPRINT for the SPATTERN Digital Platform: Structuring Data, Users, and Functionalities. University of Belgrade – Faculty of Architecture. ISBN-978-86-7924-395-9
How to cite: Milovanović, A., Pešić, M., Janković, S., Krstić, V., Ristić Trajković, J., Milojević, M., Nikezić, A., Simić, D., & Djokić, V. (2026). VODIČ: Smernice za planiranje i razvoj banjskih naselja u Srbiji. University of Belgrade – Faculty of Architecture.
Journal Articles
Synergies Between Land Use/Land Cover Mapping and Urban Morphology: A Review of Advances and Methodologies
Land, IF=3.2, CiteScore=4.9
This study aims to bridge the fields of urban morphology and land use/land cover (LULC) mapping through a systematic analysis of their integration in recent research. The research employs systematic literature review (SLR) methodology combining quantitative and qualitative methods through four methodological steps: data search, data selection, data analysis, and data clustering. The analysis performed three distinct clustering patterns: (1) methods and tools, (2) data types, and (3) urban morphology aspects. The results reveal five distinct methodological approaches—Data-Driven Typological Decoding Approach, Quantitative Structural Metrics Approach, Predictive Spatiotemporal Transition Approach, Temporal Change Detection and Performance Approach, and Spatial Configuration and Density Analysis Approach—each contributing unique insights to urban form analysis. The findings demonstrate the multidimensional nature of urban form analysis, incorporating both social and temporal dimensions, while highlighting the essential role of change detection in understanding urban pattern evolution. This systematic review establishes a comprehensive framework for understanding the relationship between urban morphology and LULC mapping, providing valuable insights for future research integration.
How to cite: Milovanović, A., Cvetković, N., Šošević, U., Janković, S., & Pešić, M. (2024). Synergies Between Land Use/Land Cover Mapping and Urban Morphology: A Review of Advances and Methodologies. Land, 13(12), 2205. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13122205
Big data and urban form: a systematic review
Journal of Big Data, IF=6.4, CiteScore=22.3
The study of urban form as a central interest of architects, planners, and urban designers has faced various challenges over time, affecting the representation of this topic in the research, educational, and practical arenas. Recently, with the actualization of big data, the study of urban form is going under change as well, where these technological advancements present both the great potential for urban form analysis, understanding, modelling, simulation, and even imagination, and a challenge for the profession of architecture and urbanism itself, which must come to grips with the growing field of big data research. This paper delves into the significance of urban form as a composition of the ground plan (streets, blocks, plots, and buildings), building fabric, land and building utilization, and social structure, explicitly emphasizing unfolding the complexities concerning big data. The central method used in the research is the systematic literature review applied to investigate the interrelation between urban form and big data. The research follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol by systematizing recent research from the Web of Science (WOS) database. The paper aims to structure knowledge into a coherent framework, reveal relationships and patterns, create a valuable classification for future research, and identify gaps within the research field. The main results should contribute to painting the overall picture of the research landscape on big data and urban form.
How to cite: Djokić, V., Djordjević, A., & Milovanović, A. (2025). Big data and urban form: a systematic review. Journal of Big Data, 12(1), 17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40537-025-01084-y
Mapping Digital Solutions for Multi-Scale Built Environment Observation: A ClusterBased Systematic Review
Smart Cities, IF=5.5, CiteScore=14.7
This study investigates the intersection of digital tools and methods with the built environment disciplinary framework, focusing on Urban Planning and Development (UPD), Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC), and Cultural Heritage (CH) domains. Using a systematic literature review of 29 solution-oriented documents, the research applies both bibliometric and in-depth content analysis to identify methodological patterns. Co-occurrence mapping revealed four thematic clusters—Data Integration and User-Centric Analysis, Advanced 3D Spatial Analysis and Processing, Real-Time Interaction and Digital Twin Support, and 3D Visualization—each corresponding to distinct stages in a digital workflow, from data acquisition to interactive communication. Comparative and interdependency analyses demonstrated that these clusters operate in a sequential yet interconnected manner, with Data Integration forming the foundation for analysis, simulation, and visualization tasks. While current solutions are robust within individual stages, they remain fragmented, indicating a need for systemic interoperability. The findings underscore the opportunity to develop integrated digital platforms that synthesize these clusters, enabling more comprehensive observation, management, and planning of the built environment. Such integration could strengthen decision-making frameworks, enhance public participation, and advance sustainable, smart city development.
How to cite: Milovanović, A., Šošević, U., Cvetković, N., Pešić, M., Janković, S., Krstić, V., Ristić Trajković, J., Milojević, M., Nikezić, A., Simić, D., & Djokić, V. (2025). Mapping Digital Solutions for Multi-Scale Built Environment Observation: A ClusterBased Systematic Review. Smart Cities, 8(6), 196. https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities8060196
A Comparative Evaluation Model for Design Studio Pedagogy: Linking Educational Objectives and Professional Readiness in Architectural Higher Education
Architecture, IF=2.1, CiteScore=2.5
Design studios remain a core component of architectural education, yet their pedagogical structure, alignment with international standards, and contribution to professional formation are often insufficiently examined. This study evaluates master-level design studios using a three-track analytical framework that integrates pedagogical innovation, alignment with the UNESCO-UIA Charter for Architectural Education, and the development of professional capabilities specified in the UNESCO-UIA Validation System. The methodology combines qualitative profiling and quantitative benchmarking, employing a structured six-parameter innovation framework, an ordinal evidence scale, and a cross-track correlation analysis. Learning and professional capabilities were assessed and analyzed through Pearson correlation matrices in JASP (0.95.4). Findings reveal that all studios share a common grounding in heritage- and environment-responsive learning, yet demonstrate distinctive pedagogical signatures shaped by thematic focus, design scale, and temporal orientation. Strong positive alignments emerge between context-driven learning and applied professional readiness, while structural gaps indicate capability areas insufficiently supported by studio pedagogies. The study demonstrates that bridging policy frameworks with pedagogical and professional capability assessments provides a replicable method for evaluating architectural curricula, offering insights for improving design-studio models and strengthening evidence-based educational practice.
How to cite:
Milovanović, A., Pešić, M., Trajković, J. R., Milojević, M., Nikezić, A., Krstić, V., & Djokić, V. (2026). A Comparative Evaluation Model for Design Studio Pedagogy: Linking Educational Objectives and Professional Readiness in Architectural Higher Education. Architecture, 6(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.3390/architecture6010007
Spascapes as Relational Constructs: A Model-Based Framework for Comparative Spa Settlement Analysis
Urban Science, IF=3.2, CiteScore=3.7
This study investigates whether spa settlements can be analytically interpreted through a relational spascape framework that reveals structural and configurational patterns beyond conventional typological classifications. In the context of increasing interest in therapeutic landscapes and heritage-sensitive development, spa settlements represent complex spatial systems shaped by the interplay of natural resources, urban form, and socio-cultural practices, yet they remain insufficiently understood through existing analytical models. The methodology is based on a structured analytical design combining three urbanization dimensions (material transformation, territorial regulation, and everyday life) with six thematic fields, operationalized through graded cross-affiliation scoring. The empirical research is conducted on a sample of 12 spa settlements in Serbia, selected to reflect diverse geographical, morphological, and developmental conditions. Statistical calibration was performed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering to identify underlying structural relationships and configurational groupings. The results indicate that spa settlements operate as multi-affiliated relational entities rather than fixed typologies, exhibiting dimension-specific structural logics and forming distinct configurational families depending on the analytical perspective applied. PCA reveals differentiated internal structures across dimensions, while clustering confirms the absence of a single stable typology. The findings support a relational understanding of spa settlements as dynamic spatial systems characterized by shifting alignments of material, regulatory, and experiential factors. Beyond the Serbian context, the study offers a transferable methodological framework that connects qualitative urban interpretation with quantitative spatial analysis, contributing to heritage-sensitive planning, territorial governance, and the management of spa systems as relational clusters.
How to cite: Milovanović, A., Pešić, M., Janković, S., Milojević, M., Ristić Trajković, J., Krstić, V., Nikezić, A., & Djokić, V. (2026). Spascapes as Relational Constructs: A Model-Based Framework for Comparative Spa Settlement Analysis. Urban Science, 10(6), 311. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci10060311
Beyond Green: Toward Architectural and Urban Design Scenarios for Therapeutic Landscapes
Land, IF=3.5, CiteScore=6.4
This paper presents the results of an integrated research and design process developed within the Master’s study programme in Architecture at the University of Belgrade—Faculty of Architecture, aimed at exploring architectural agency in conditions of ecological degradation, declining biodiversity, and the urgent need for regenerative transformation of the built environment. Moving beyond technologically driven notions of “green design,” the study investigates architectural approaches that support ecosystem restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and multispecies coexistence while strengthening health and well-being. Grounded in a three-phase methodological framework, the research (1) formulates conceptual models of therapeutic landscapes through typo-morphological, place-based, and adventure-based analytical approaches; (2) evaluates these models using the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Checklist to assess their alignment with the core values of sustainability, beauty, and togetherness; and (3) synthesizes the findings into regenerative design scenarios that integrate ecological processes, multisensory experience, and community participation. The results position therapeutic landscapes as a spatial practice in which architecture functions as ecological infrastructure, a metabolic system where natural cycles, cultural meanings, bodily experiences, and more-than-human agencies interact. In this sense, architectural design becomes the basis for re-naturalization, regeneration, ecological care, multisensory experience, and resilience in urban, peri-urban, and rural communities.
How to cite:
Ristić Trajković, J., Krstić, V., Nikezić, A., Petrović, R., & Ilić Gajić, J. (2026). Beyond Green: Toward Architectural and Urban Design Scenarios for Therapeutic Landscapes. Land, 15(1), 114. https://doi.org/10.3390/land15010114
Value-based programming for sustainable elderly housing: Insights from the spascapes framework
The demographic shift toward aging societies demands innovative methodologies for designing sustainable and user-oriented elderly housing. This Perspective article introduces a value-based programming approach grounded in the spascapes framework, developed through research on spa settlements. Historically, spa settlements combined health, leisure, and community, offering spatial models that resonate with contemporary needs of aging populations. The spascapes framework identifies six interrelated landscape dimensions (hydrothermal, therapeutic, cultural-historical, urban, ecological, and recreational) that together define holistic environments of care and wellbeing. By translating these dimensions into a value-based programming matrix, this article proposes a structured methodology for architectural programming that aligns user values with design decisions. Each dimension is reframed as a core value (e.g., health, wellbeing, belonging, accessibility, sustainability, and social interaction), linked to specific design implications and measurable indicators. This approach not only provides a heuristic tool for developing adaptable, inclusive, and sustainable housing but also bridges heritage-based spatial knowledge with contemporary architectural practice. By integrating spascapes into programming, spa settlements can be reinterpreted as prototypes for sustainable elderly living, offering lessons for future housing policies, community models, and interdisciplinary educational practices.
How to cite:
Towards a restorative design framework: Integrating environmental sensitivity and heritage context in spa settlements
This paper proposes a restorative design framework for spa settlements by integrating environmental sensitivity, heritage context, and multisensory experience. Building on an interdisciplinary state-of-the-art review and the pedagogical platform of the SPATTERN project at the University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture, the study examines six design proposals developed across three master-level studios: Multisensory Architecture, Heritage Reprogramming, and Hybrid Naturalities. The research employs a dual methodological structure: (1) Design Stream 1, which generates three thematic restorative proposals for Radaljska Banja, Banja Koviljača, and Vranjska Banja; and (2) Design Stream 2, which applies three disciplinary approaches to a single case study - Niška Banja. Cross-case comparison reveals recurring restorative mechanisms (linear experiential routes, heritage reactivation sequences, and eco-hydrological integrations) while also highlighting how different disciplinary lenses generate distinct trajectories of restoration. Three overarching restorative scenarios emerge: sensory-atmospheric restoration, heritage continuity and adaptive memory, and eco-cultural regeneration. The findings demonstrate that spa settlements possess unique spatial, ecological, and cultural conditions that can be strategically leveraged through restorative design.
How to cite:
Conferences
The 31st Conference of the International Seminar on Urban Form
Where: Mackenzie Presbyterian University, São Paulo, Brazil. When: 16 - 20 Sep 2024.
Prompting Urban Morphology: Testing the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Decoding Urban Patterns of Spa Settlements
The article addresses the notion of emerging artificial intelligence-based practices and tools for research of urban form and decoding of urban patterns. The main objective of the research is to investigate the application of artificial intelligence in searching for health promoting urban patterns (HPUP) within the observatory framework of spa settlements in Serbia through questioning: (1) what are the main morphological features of HPUP, and (2) what are the ways of visualizing them? To address research questions, the research engages generative artificial intelligence program and service Midjourney which generates images from natural language descriptions (prompts) following three steps: (1) prompts definition – structuring the criteria matrix for HPUP definition, (2) images generation – variation and modification of generated images, and (3) evaluation – critical analysis of generated images through reflecting on initially defined prompts. The main findings of the research are two-fold: (1) criteria matrix for HPUP definition and urban patterns prompting, and (2) classified and visualized HPUP for spa settlements. This research is implemented in a framework of scientific project SPATTERN (’’Future Heritage of Spa Settlements Digital Platform for Advancing Knowledge and Innovation in Urban Morphology Approach for Environmentally-Sensitive Development in Serbia’’) funded by Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia, and tends to enable both identification and classification of locally specific HPUP (elements and relations) important for enhancing environmental sensitivity at all spatial levels (from landscapes to details) within spa settlements in Serbia, and development of methodological approaches for processing and visualizing these urban patterns towards affirmation of cultures of healthy living.
The 12th International Multimedia Event ON ARCHITECTURE
Where: Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Gallery of Science and Technology, Belgrade, Serbia. When: 5–6 December 2024.
A Dictionary-Driven Review of Digital Methods and Tools for Urban Patterns Decoding: SPATTERN Perspectives
The study explores the emerging intersection of urban morphology and digital technologies, focusing on the methods and tools employed to analyze and interpret urban patterns. With rapid urbanization and the resultant complex urban forms, understanding these patterns is crucial for sustainable city planning and design. This contribution presents the findings from the initial deliverable of the SPATTERN project which aims to advance environmentally sensitive urban development of spa settlements in Serbia through the affirmation of twin transition. First SPATTERN deliverable provides a comprehensive review of existing methodological approaches by synthesizing insights from an extensive literature review and content analysis, alongside showcasing relevant tools and methods. The research is performed through systematic literature review combined with the visualization of bibliometric networks and dictionary design and development through 4-cycle research protocol: (1) data search and selection, (2) data clustering and co-occurrence, (3) dictionary development, and (4) factsheets analysis. The review encompasses an extensive analysis of selected terms (keywords) highlighting how digital tools facilitate the collection, visualization, and analysis of urban data. Moreover, the review addresses the challenges and limitations associated with these methods, such as data quality, integration issues, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. This dictionary not only standardizes the terminology but also provides a conceptual map for researchers and practitioners navigating the complex nature of urban pattern analysis. By bridging the gap between traditional approaches for urban analysis and cutting-edge digital approaches, the findings advocate for a more informed and systematic use of digital tools and methods in urban morphology, thus promoting more resilient and adaptable urban environments.
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How to cite: Milovanović, A., Pešić, M., Šošević, U., Cvetković, N., Janković, S. (2024). In: Božović, R. (Ed). ON Archtecture - Shaping the City through Architecture Proceedings. STRAND: Sustainable Urban Society Associaton, Belgrade. pp. 149-157. ISBN 978-86-89111-38-5
The 19th International Symposium SymOrg
Where: Zlatibor, Serbia. When: 12–15 June 2024.
Modern Tools for Digital Visualization of Built Environments
This paper investigates the role of digital visualization tools in improving the design and construction processes within the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. It examines a spectrum of advanced technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), Computer-Aided Design (CAD), 3D Modeling and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), along with immersive technologies like Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR). These tools can be used separately or jointly in order to provide detailed visual representations and interactive simulations of built environments. Such representations and simulations can then support stakeholders with information needed for improved decision making and project efficiency. Having in mind different use cases of tools for digital visualization, the paper presents various technologies and specific tools used in urban planning, architecture design and development of built environments. The aim is to emphasize the impact of these digital tools in visualizing and shaping future built environments, at the same time encouraging their wider adoption in the industry.
View Book of Abstracts
How to cite: Šošević, U., Cvetković, N., Simić D. (2024). Modern Tools for Digital Visualization of Built Environments. In: M. Kostić Stanković, I. Mijatović, J. Krivokapić (Eds)., Unlocking the hidden potentials of organization through merging of humans and digitals: symposium proceedings / XIX International symposium SymOrg 2024, Zlatibor, June 12-15, 2024 (hybrid). Belgrade : University, Faculty of Organizational Sciences. (p. 104-110)
The 3rd Scientific Conference on Urban Security and Urban Development
Where: University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture, Belgrade, Serbia. When: 1 July 2024.
Conceptual Framework for Mapping of Urban Patterns in Spa Settlements in Serbia: SPATTERN Project
Spa settlements in Serbia, known for their natural healing springs and rich cultural heritage, represent unique urban structures that require special attention during planning process and urban development. This contribution presents a conceptual framework for mapping urban patterns in these specific environments, using modern technologies and digital methods and it introduces context of the scientific project SPATTERN (Future Heritage of Spa Settlements: Digital Platform for Advancing Knowledge and Innovation in Urban Morphology Approach for Environmentally Sensitive Development in Serbia) which is realized in the period from 2023-2026 within the PRISM program of the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia. The overarching objective of the study is to identify the key factors that influence the urban development of spa settlements (12 role models and 26 replicators of spa settlements) through decoding and mapping of urban patterns, understanding of geographic location, historical development, socio economic conditions, and environmental factors. The proposed framework integrates multi-layered data, including the planning and strategic framework, archival material, previous research, and field research records to create a comprehensive digital database. This database will enable a detailed analysis of current urban patterns and the identification of potential development directions, i.e. anticipation of development. The project aims to illuminate the operational capacity of digital mapping to identify and visualize complex urban patterns, facilitating informed decision-making in the planning process. Also, the proposed framework could serve as a tool for monitoring changes in urban space, enabling a timely reaction to possible negative trends, as well as the protection of the environment and heritage. The proposed conceptual framework could also serve as a model for similar studies in other regions, contributing to sustainable urban development and improving the quality of life in these specific environments.
View Book of Abstracts
How to cite: Janković, S., Pešić, M., Milovanović, A., Cvetković, N., Šošević, U. (2024). Conceptual Framework for Mapping of Urban Patterns in Spa Settlements in Serbia: SPATTERN Project. In: Marić, J., Marković, J. (Eds). Third Scientific Conference Urban Security and Urban Development - Book of Abstracts. University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture and Faculty of Security. pp. 50-51. ISBN 978-86-80144-65-8
The 28th International Conference Serbian Language, Literature, Arts
Where: University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia. When: 25-26 Oct 2024.
Research Perspectives of Spa Settlements - Urban Patterns and Heritage
This paper provides an insight into the research perspectives of spa settlements as specific urban entities in which natural resources, the built environment, health and tourism activities are intertwined. The goal of this research is to identify, through a systematic literature review, key aspects of the analysis and understanding of urban patterns of spa settlements in order to contribute to their sustainable development and heritage preservation. The research includes three phases: (1) data collection and definition of the initial sample of literature (by searching the Scopus database), (2) analysis of the content of the identified sample and creation of thematic clusters (using VOSviewer software) and (3) definition of urban patterns of spa settlements in relation to scale and urban growth. Research results indicate that these patterns are shaped by historical, cultural, ecological and economic factors that together contribute to the unique character of spa settlements, enabling a balance between heritage preservation and contemporary needs for a functional and sustainable urban space.
How to cite: Pešic, M., Milovanovic, A (2024). Perspektive istraživanja banjskih naselja – urbani obrasci i nasleđe / Research perspectives of spa settlements - urban patterns and heritage, In B. Mandić, J.Atanasijević (Eds.). Knjiga III – Umetnost, dizajn i arhitektura, XVIII međunarodni naučni skup Srpski jezik, književnost, umetnost, Univerzitet u Kragujevcu – Filološko-umetnički fakultet, 25-26. oktobar 2024. godine. pp. 215-229
2025 EAAE Annual Conference
Where: The Barcelona School of Architecture (ETSAB), Barcelona, Spain.
When: 27-30 Aug 2025.
Learning from the Existing: Spa Settlements as a Pedagogical Framework for Environmentally Sensitive Spatial Futures
This paper promotes a value shift in architectural education – from tabula rasa design toward reimagining inherited spaces as resources for future transformation. Spa settlements are framed as living pedagogical contexts for anti-extractive, regenerative approaches to the built environment. The study is situated within the SPATTERN project, which advocates an educational shift placing existing spa settlements at the core of integrating spatial history, environmental systems, and socio-cultural dynamics. The paper reflects on five studio-based curricula at the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Architecture, engaging spa settlements – often in fragile ecosystems – as bases for developing no-demolish pedagogies. These challenge extractive logics and promote care-based spatial futures. The curricula range from undergraduate studios on adaptive transformation of urban heritage through critical mapping and scenario design (1) to master-level studios exploring spa heritage reprogramming (2), hybrid naturalities, and multisensory well-being. Students were encouraged to work with, not against, inherited spatial fabrics – treating heritage as dynamic and shaped by environmental, social, and experiential forces. Through methods like site diagnostics, speculative programming, behavioral mapping, and environmental storytelling, these frameworks redefine the value of the already-built and propose new typologies rooted in care, circularity, and climate sensitivity. Spa settlements, with layered materiality, health infrastructure, and entwined histories of landscape and architecture, offer fertile ground for pedagogical innovation. These studios promote a future-facing view of heritage aligned with education grounded in place, history, and speculative imagination.
How to cite: Milovanović, A., Pešić, M., Ristić Trajković, J., Milojević, M., Krstić, V., Nikezić, A., & Đokić, V. (2025). Learning from the Existing: Spa Settlements as a Pedagogical Framework for Environmentally Sensitive Spatial Futures. EAAE Annual Conference Proceedings, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.51588/eaaeacp.295
XIII International Scientific and Professional Conference – Green City and Architectural Heritage
Where: Zavod za zaštitu spomenika kulture grada Beograda, Belgrade, Serbia.
When: 10 Oct 2025.
Spa Parks as Promoters of an Environmentally Responsible and Technologically Empowered Approach to the Protection of Cultural Heritage
In the spirit of an ecologically responsible and technologically empowered approach to the development of the city, and of society as a whole, imbued with the concepts of resistance, reuse, remediation and other forms of reparation and strengthening of the urban fabric, it is necessary to rethink our values of – and approaches to – heritage protection. Instead of viewing heritage assets as monuments of the past and mere objects of beauty, they can become active participants, cyborgs of the ecological recovery of the cultural landscape. In envisioning such a future, spa settlements and, in particular, spa parks, as unique traces of architectural heritage carved into the essence of the naturalness of the spa environment, could become a resource within and promoter of the sustainable management of natural and cultural heritage. Departing from protection protocols based on materialistic values, this paper presents a case study derived from a Master’s thesis and project undertaken at the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Architecture, which proposes an approach where, instead of balancing between built and natural values of the place, a unique systemic approach – one that is both eco-responsive and technologically adaptable – is adopted, to promote the sustainable inclusion of protected cultural landscapes in the contemporary development of the city.
How to cite: Nikezić, A., Slađana, L., & Jovana, L. (2025). Spa Parks as Promoters of an Environmentally Responsible and Technologically Empowered Approach to the Protection of Cultural Heritage, In R. Mrlješ (Ed.). Proceedings: XIII International Scientific and Professional Conference – Green City and Architectural Heritage. pp. 252-267
XIII International Scientific and Professional Conference – Green City and Architectural Heritage
Where: Zavod za zaštitu spomenika kulture grada Beograda, Belgrade, Serbia.
When: 10 Oct 2025.
Spa Parks as Promoters of an Environmentally Responsible and Technologically Empowered Approach to the Protection of Cultural Heritage
In the spirit of an ecologically responsible and technologically empowered approach to the development of the city, and of society as a whole, imbued with the concepts of resistance, reuse, remediation and other forms of reparation and strengthening of the urban fabric, it is necessary to rethink our values of – and approaches to – heritage protection. Instead of viewing heritage assets as monuments of the past and mere objects of beauty, they can become active participants, cyborgs of the ecological recovery of the cultural landscape. In envisioning such a future, spa settlements and, in particular, spa parks, as unique traces of architectural heritage carved into the essence of the naturalness of the spa environment, could become a resource within and promoter of the sustainable management of natural and cultural heritage. Departing from protection protocols based on materialistic values, this paper presents a case study derived from a Master’s thesis and project undertaken at the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Architecture, which proposes an approach where, instead of balancing between built and natural values of the place, a unique systemic approach – one that is both eco-responsive and technologically adaptable – is adopted, to promote the sustainable inclusion of protected cultural landscapes in the contemporary development of the city.
How to cite: Nikezić, A., Slađana, L., & Jovana, L. (2025). Spa Parks as Promoters of an Environmentally Responsible and Technologically Empowered Approach to the Protection of Cultural Heritage, In R. Mrlješ (Ed.). Proceedings: XIII International Scientific and Professional Conference – Green City and Architectural Heritage. pp. 252-267
9th public seminar organised by the Architecture & Urbanism Research Group at the University of Leeds – Beyond Void: Activating Vacant Spaces through Informal Practices
Where: University of Leeds, UK (online)
When: 27 Jan 2026.
Reading Vacant and Underused Patterns in Serbian Spa Settlements, Beyond Void: Activating Vacant Spaces through Informal Practices
Cities are increasingly examined through their vacant, underused and indeterminate spaces, yet spa settlements – shaped by therapeutic landscapes, medical infrastructures and seasonal tourism – remain largely absent from this debate. Drawing on ongoing research within the SPATTERN project, this paper introduces the notion of residual spascapes to describe vacant and underused spaces specific to spa settlements in Serbia. These residual spascapes include abandoned bathhouses and health facilities, disused pavilions, fragmented park areas, empty hotel complexes, and infrastructural fringes that emerged in the post-socialist period through the erosion of public health functions and changing tourism economies. Methodologically, the paper builds on a comparative morphological study of 12 role models of spa settlements using the spascapes framework, which combines three dimensions of spa urbanisation with a multi-layered reading of landscape, heritage and everyday use. Historical maps, planning documents and field surveys are synthesised into pattern-based mappings that identify spatial, temporal and programmatic voids. Particular attention is given to terrain vague conditions within spa landscapes: seasonal emptiness, under-maintained green structures, and leftover spaces at the edges of once coherent therapeutic ensembles. The study proposes a preliminary typology of residual spascapes and examines how they are currently (under)used and informally appropriated through everyday practices. Rather than treating these spaces as purely derelict, the paper argues that residual spascapes operate as hybrid entities: simultaneously bearing layers of heritage value and acting as potential reservoirs for future adaptive uses. By foregrounding spa settlements as laboratories of vacancy, the paper contributes to debates on vacant urban spaces beyond the usual metropolitan or industrial cases. It suggests that reading residual spascapes through patternbased methods can inform future bottom-up or hybrid interventions, helping to reframe therapeutic landscapes in crisis as sites of possibility rather than mere decline.
How to cite: Milovanović, A. (2026). Residual Spascapes: Reading Vacant and Underused Patterns in Serbian Spa Settlements, In Abstract Book Beyond the Void: Activating Vacant Spaces through Informal Practices. pp. 6-7
SPATTERN Webinar organised by University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture
Where: University of Belgrade - Faculty of Architecture, Serbia (online)
When: 2 Jun 2026.
Future Heritage of Spa Settlements: Digital Platform for Advancing Knowledge and Innovation in Urban Morphology Approach for Environmentally-Sensitive Development in Serbia
Spa settlements represent complex urban systems shaped through the long-term interactions between natural healing resources, landscape structures, therapeutic practices, cultural heritage, and processes of urban transformation. Despite their significant spatial, environmental, and socio- cultural value, contemporary spa settlements frequently face fragmented development, insufficient integration of heritage and environmental resources, and the absence of comprehensive analytical tools capable of supporting their sustainable future development. The SPATTERN project — Digital Platform for Advancing Knowledge and Innovation in Urban Morphology Approach for Environmentally-Sensitive Development of Serbian Spa Settlements — develops a comparative and interdisciplinary research framework dedicated to the analysis, interpretation, and visualization of urban patterns in spa settlements across Serbia. Grounded in urban morphology, heritage studies, environmental analysis, and digital spatial methodologies, the project investigates spa settlements as multi-layered and dynamic environments shaped by the interrelations between natural systems, built structures, public spaces, therapeutic landscapes, and everyday spatial practices. The research integrates the analysis of 38 spa settlements in Serbia, including comparative investigations of selected role- model settlements, through the development of georeferenced spatial databases, typological classifications, and digital visualization tools. Particular attention is directed toward identifying recurring urban patterns, relationships between environmental sensitivity and urban development, as well as the potentials of digital platforms to support comparative research, planning processes, heritage interpretation, and future decision-making. By combining urban morphology approaches with digital methods and interdisciplinary spatial analysis, the SPATTERN project aims to contribute to the understanding of spa settlements as future heritage environments and to support the development of more integrated, sustainable, and knowledge-based approaches to spa urbanism.
Exhibitons
The 12th International Exhibition ON ARCHITECTURE
Where: Gallery of Science and Technology of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Belgrade, Serbia. When: 4–18 Dec 2024.
SPATTERN Insights: Beyond State-of-the-Art for Environmentally Sensitive Development of Spa Settlements in Serbia
Contribution provides insights from the first phase of the Scientific Project SPATTERN (spattern.org) which tends to develop digitally enabled research infrastructure for affirmation and interpretation of urban patterns within spa settlements in Serbia from perspective of urban morphology. In order to provide insight into the results of the project’s first phase, three research outputs will be presented: (1) Review – dictionary-driven review of digital methods and tools for urban patterns decoding, (2) Database – systematized data for 12 Role Models of spa settlements in Serbia (planning framework, strategic framework, previous studies, archival material, and photo database), and (3) Inquiry – overview on concept, methodology and results of the conducted questionnaires.
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34st International Urban Planners’ Exhibition
Where: 34st International Urban Planners’ Exhibition, Zrenjanin, Serbia. When: 8–15 Nov 2025.
Second prize in the category of Research, studies and projects in the field of spatial and urban planning for the typomorphological study of spa settlements in Serbia
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48th Salon of Architecture
Shifting Space
Where: 48th Salon of Architecture
Shifting Space, Museum of Applied Art (MAA), Belgrade, Serbia
When: 2 April - 5 May 2026