Tracing the roots of urban morphology through academic engagement in the field of architecture in Serbia

Abstract

Even though the Serbian Network of Urban Morphology (SNUM) is one of the youngest networks within the International Seminar on Urban Form (ISUF), it is believed that each of the networks is grounded and developed on the knowledge coming from the synthesis of science, practice, and education. This research aims to trace the origins of urban morphology in the context of Serbia by assessing the academic engagement of key scholars over time. The research builds on previous findings concerning the origins and genesis of teaching urban morphology in Serbia and a review of academic and practical thoughts and actions in Belgrade. Using data collection, content analysis of annual Faculty books and programs, retrospective faculty books, internal documents, accreditation documents, lecture notes, books, and editions in the subject field and by diagramming and visualization, research tends to establish a broad and detailed framework for creating timelines and identifying clusters. Periodization identifies four different periods that are metaphorically named according to plant growth - formation of Fertile ground, Suitable climate, Sprouts, and Shoots while the clustering enables the detection of the continuity of urban morphology in three scientific fields in the faculty - architecture, urbanism, and history. The metaphor with plant growth is significant for underlining that the roots of any field of study are of immense importance, both for understanding its origin, starting ground, and intellectual heritage, and for its proper growth.