In the previous period citizens participated in the selection process of four public spaces that will be improved in the following local communities: Južni Telep, Sremska Kamenica, Kovilj, and Detelinara. The plan is to implement this model in the remaining local communities in Novi Sad by 2021. The ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation launched the ‘Nova Mesta’ urban design call for improvement of small public spaces. Expert public, i.e. architects and urbanist had by 15 September to submit their ideas and projects. The ideas are uploaded on the website of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation where citizens can vote by 24 September for the best solutions and in this way pick a project that will receive a prize. In addition to this, the expert jury will take the these votes into consideration when picking the winning ideas.
In the first year, after winning the ‘European Capital of Culture’ title, the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation focuses on improving the participation of citizens, i.e. their active participation in the decision making process and in creating the culture of dialogue. The ‘Nova Mesta’ project has initiated mapping and activation of creative and cultural potentials of different parts of the city, as well as survey of citizens. The goal of the survey was to give opportunity to citizens to express their thoughts regarding the improvement of their neighbourhoods, while the long-term goal of the project is to improve cultural and social life in local communities of the City of Novi Sad, through improvement of public spaces.
In order to align the activities with the needs of local communities and to ensure sustainability of the project, the priority in all phases of the project is active participation of citizens. In addition to surveys, citizens participated in drafting proposals for improvement of public spaces through focus group discussions.
The ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation has launched the urban design call for improvement of small public spaces called ‘Nova Mesta’, thus inviting members of expert public to submit their project proposals. The call was launched on 15 August and closed on 15 September. The expert jury comprises renowned architects and urbanists from Serbia and the region: Dr Darko Polić, architect; Docent Dr Pavle Stamenović, architect; Docent Dr Rene Lisac, architect; Vera Golubović, architect; Docent Dr Ana Pajvančić CIzelj, sociologist; and Dejan Mitov, architect. They will review all the projects and select the best solution by 25 September, when their decision will be announced to the public.
The projects are displayed at the website of the ‘Novi Sad 2021’ Foundation under ‘Nova Mesta’. We would like to invite all citizens to vote via website for one of the proposals they think is the best. The project that gets most votes from the audience, will be awarded with the prize, and the expert jury will take these votes into consideration when making their final decisions.
