Evolution of a Belgrade square from a transportation hub into a (quasi) historical theme park

This paper examines the urban, landscape and symbolical development of a Belgrade city square (Savski trg) and its surrounding area (Savamala, colloquially and locally called Štajga, presently evolving into Belgrade Waterfront), in the course of over a hundred years. The square and its gravitating area grew out of the turn of the century modernization after the erection of the main railway station, and together with other transportation facilities in the vicinity, it represented the city’s main transportation hub in the 20th century. This urban node and its surroundings started undergoing profound transformations in the 21st century, mostly following the general transitioning of the city from an industry-based to a service-oriented economy, and Belgrade’s evolving into a ‘postmodern city’ characterized by excessive urban development and entrepreneurial urbanism. The area first witnessed gentrification occurring in the area north of the Savski trg, and later on a large-scale development project taking place west and northwest from the square, gradually replacing earlier transportation and other facilities. Savski trg itself also underwent two successive symbolic and memorial renovations in the last ten years, and the paper will examine neighbourhood transformation, uses of public space, and identity politics shaping the makeover of the square and its vicinity