Post-socialist urban transformation of Banja Luka
Post-socialist urban transformation of Banja Luka

Summary/Abstract: This paper discusses contemporary processes of urban transformation of Banja Luka, which affect not only its morphology, but also the functional and social dimensions of development. The rich cultural heritage of Banja Luka has created strong foundation for future growth and development of this city. Certain specifics of socialist influence on the development of urban areas did not miss Banja Luka, and they significantly further determined the possible ways, and speed, of development. Some of the specifics relate to the national self-management and centralization and domination of social ownership over private initiatives, and the absence of market mechanisms at all levels. Today Banja Luka is characterized by the dominance of private initiatives in terms of housing development, but also different spatial planning regulations in the field of reorganization and better utilization of public spaces. Th e privatization of socially-owned enterprises resulted in the domination of the capitalist mode of economy in which money and consumer culture are permanent values and relations between competition and market games create unique urban styles and ways of life. Among the actors who have been most intense in urban change of Banja Luka, the most dominant are political and economic interests which are in front of the real needs and interests of citizens. Th is paper will analyse the influence of urban transformation onto the quality of life of residents in the city. It will also monitor the relationship between the forces of domination of capitalist society that significantly affecting the urban transformation of Banja Luka on one hand, and neglect of the civil sector initiative that seeks to create the city according to the needs of the citizen, on the other.

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