Reframing public interest in the implementation of large urban projects in Serbia: The case of Belgrade Waterfront Project

Abstract

Entrepreneurial urban governments around the world use large-scale projects for promoting cities as a place for enhanced quality of life and attracting investment from an international level. However, large urban projects frequently challenge democratic planning and public interest, and break up conventional city planning models. We argue that the changed city government?s entrepreneurial role calls for reframing the public interest, taking into consideration both global private interests and sustainable impacts and benefits for varieties of local public interests. The paper presents the case of Belgrade Waterfront Project. Results show an efficient entrepreneurial direction of the Serbian national government, contrary to the worldwide experiences where urban governments take the lead. Still, it is questionable whether the outcomes will be just and fair, especially when it comes to "winners" and "losers". We place equity at the top of agenda for public officials and planners in the implementation of large-scale projects. Therefore, we believe there are varieties of public interests on various spatial levels, defined by politicians, explored by planning experts?, and accepted by the citizens for obtaining broader social support.