Climate change is increasingly shaping life in cities — from heat waves and floods to pressure on infrastructure and public health. The question of how to make urban environments more resilient has become one of the key issues in contemporary planning and development. How vulnerable are urban areas in Serbia to climate change, and what role do sustainable architecture and green infrastructure play in adapting to these challenges? These were the topics of our conversation with Ana Šabanović, research associate and PhD candidate at the Faculty of Architecture, University of Belgrade.
Q: Which climate changes most affect urban areas in Serbia, and what impact do they have on everyday city life?
A: The most significant consequences of altered climatic conditions affecting urban areas in Serbia have been identified as an increase in average temperatures and in the frequency and intensity of heat waves, changes in precipitation patterns with a higher occurrence of extreme downpours and seasonal droughts, as well as an increased risk of floods and hydrological extremes. These factors directly affect water resources, urban infrastructure, and public health. Urban areas are particularly vulnerable to the urban heat island effect and to intense rainfall over short periods, which can damage transportation and utility networks, increase the incidence of heat-related health problems, and reduce residents’ daily comfort. This results in more frequent disruptions, such as traffic congestion, greater strain on the healthcare system, and economic losses.
Vulnerability assessments for Belgrade indicate that population density, the concentration of critical infrastructure, inadequate drainage systems, and a lack of green spaces further increase the risks to which the population is exposed — especially vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with chronic illnesses. These challenges point to the need for systemic adaptation measures, which include more resilient infrastructure, sustainable resource management, and the expansion of blue-green areas.
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Q: When we talk about sustainable architecture and urbanism, how present are such solutions in our country today, and what should the largest cities focus on in the coming years to become more resilient to climate change?
A: In leading literature and global policy documents, green infrastructure is highlighted as one of the most effective solutions for adaptation. In national and local public policies and urban planning documents, sustainable and nature-based solutions have been recognized, but they are mostly formulated at the level of recommendations rather than binding regulations. For example, the General Regulation Plan for the Green Spaces System of Belgrade introduces an ecological index, along with recommendations for installing green roofs, green walls, or tree-lined streets. However, for cities to become more resilient, it is important that these solutions do not remain merely recommendations. Their broader application can be encouraged through incentive measures. Still, the key lies in systemic approaches — ensuring that the ecological index becomes a mandatory urban planning parameter and that elements of green infrastructure are incorporated into regulations for the construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of public infrastructure and public service complexes.
Q: Green infrastructure — parks, green roofs, tree lines, façades — is increasingly associated with quality of life. Which of these solutions do you consider particularly important for the largest cities in Serbia, and are they realistically applicable under our conditions?
A: The most important characteristic of green infrastructure is that it functions as a network whose elements are interconnected and form a single system, which makes ensuring its spatial continuity crucial. When considering the importance of individual elements, park and courtyard areas stand out as particularly valuable because tall greenery in direct contact with the ground has the greatest capacity to retain water during intense rainfall, while also providing a more comfortable environment during extreme heat. In this way, the urban heat island effect is significantly mitigated, and microclimatic conditions are improved. Connecting, linear elements — such as tree-lined streets — also play a major role. Research shows that streets with tree lines in Belgrade can be up to six degrees cooler than those without, which is crucial during summer heat waves. Elements of green infrastructure installed on buildings themselves, such as green roofs and façades, are also important. They contribute to the building’s energy efficiency and reduce heat gain, thereby influencing the microclimate of the immediate surroundings.
At the same time, such solutions reduce pressure on the sewage system by enabling water retention and slower release. All these elements, individually, have significance and their own functions, but their greatest value lies in their interconnection and integration into a unified, functional system of green infrastructure.
Interview by Katarina Vuinac
The interview was published in Energy portal Magazine GREEN ARCHITECTURE
