The legalization of informal Roma settlements in the Republic of Serbia: A necessary step prior to legitimation

There have been several attempts of the Government of the Republic of Serbia to legalize structures that have been constructed contrary to its building and land use laws. In spite of all expectations, the results achieved have been insignificant. In order to legalize the highest number of illegally constructed structures and to undertake preventive action against the emergence of new illegal construction, the new Law on the Legitimation of Buildings was adopted in November, 2015. However, the author argues that this act, despite its newly simplified and inexpensive procedure, will not enable the legalization of buildings within informal Roma settlements due to the substandard nature of these settlements (most of which are built on land in public ownership or on land that is of an unregulated or unclear legal status). Therefore, the author advocates a need for the enactment of special Law on the Legalization of Sustainable Informal Roma Settlements as a necessary prerequisite for the subsequent legitimation of individual structures within such settlements