In collaboration with the Institute for Urban Policy, bgh. Gauly & Volgmann supports the “Socially Just City Initiative” of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in Serbia.
The project aims to develop and test approaches from the German urban development program Social City (since 2020: Social Cohesion) in two Serbian municipalities. A key focus lies on strengthening the capacities of local self-governments to actively involve citizens in urban development processes and promote social inclusion. Additionally, the project includes drafting guidelines for implementing the concept in Serbian municipal administrations.
Workshops in Serbia: Exchange of Experiences and Insights
From February to May 2024, three workshops were held in Serbia. Participants included representatives of the pilot municipalities Pirot and Užice, as well as delegates from the Serbian Ministry of Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure; the Ministry of Labour and Employment; the Ministry of European Integration; and the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities of Serbia.
The workshops focused on exchanging ideas about citizen participation in urban development and adapting neighborhood management as a key instrument of the Social City concept. The discussions yielded valuable insights into potential challenges and necessary adjustments to adapt the instrument to local conditions in Serbia.
Study Visit to Mannheim: Experiencing Good Practices
In September 2024, bgh. Gauly & Volgmann organized and facilitated a study visit for a high-level delegation of Serbian representatives from the aforementioned cities, ministries, and organizations.
During the visit, the delegation met with representatives of Mannheim’s city administration, the municipal housing company, and civil society. They visited Neckarstadt-West, a focal area of Mannheim’s integrated development strategy. In this district, development measures are guided by the principles of the New Leipzig Charter and the approaches of the Social City.
Particular interest was shown in participatory approaches, cross-sectoral planning, and multi-level cooperation, which are seen as essential for sustainable and socially equitable urban development.
A Step Towards Socially Just Urban Development
Through intensive exchanges and practice-oriented collaboration, the Socially Just City Initiative gained valuable momentum for implementing the Social City concept in Serbia. The pilot municipalities Pirot and Užice now face the challenge of integrating these insights into their local structures, thereby contributing to a more socially just urban development in Serbia.
Commissioned by: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Timeframe: November 2023 to September 2024