The Department of International Urbanism is honored to contribute again to the University´s School for Talents faculty projects. We are looking forward to start our BE BEST talents project (Belgrade – Building Knowledge on Equitable and Sustainable Transformation) in October!
The School for Talents is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) as part of the Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments.
The project is designed to provide support for high-performing students enrolled in the study programs Integrated Urbanism and Sustainable Design (M.Sc. IUSD) and Architecture and Urban Planning (B. Sc. and M.Sc. Arch).
The “BE BEST” Talents project explores how civil society initiatives can foster equitable and inclusive alternatives to investor-driven urban development. Using Belgrade as a case study, students examine ways urban renewal and participatory processes—amidst a politically and socially polarized landscape—can shape a shared vision for sustainable transformation and better support vulnerable populations. Through an international workshop in Belgrade with local experts, and by participating in a conference on the ongoing EU research project “DASH (Deliver sAfe and Social Housing),” students gain hands-on experience and critical reflection opportunities.
The BE BEST project follows a four-step process, bringing together students from the University of Stuttgart’s Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Architecture, transdisciplinary experts, and civil society initiatives. The project addresses key questions, including: How can urban elements create “common ground,” fostering both tangible social infrastructure and the intangible bonds that strengthen a cohesive social fabric? What roles do urban redevelopment, housing construction, and public space play? How can participatory, transdisciplinary decision-making support equitable and sustainable transformation?
The project responds to the urgent need to identify “common ground” in a society experiencing increasing polarization among diverse actors and population groups. Since the post-socialist transition from a state-planned to a market-driven society, Belgrade has shifted significantly toward large-scale speculative projects and the development of exclusive public spaces under “turbo-capitalism.” Nevertheless, citizen-led projects and Right-to-the-City movements continue to promote affordable, inclusive developments that support the common good and reinforce local identity. The BE BEST project aims to map the spectrum of such initiatives and assess their potential to revitalize the underutilized northern area of Dorćol in Belgrade. This work is highly relevant to ongoing debates about the allocation and design of urban spaces—especially in areas shaped by recent political transitions and their socio-spatial consequences.
