Chasing the limelight: Belgrade and Istanbul in the global competition

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and compare main changes of contemporary Belgrade and Istanbul - two urban nodes at the crossroads of different and multileveled flows. Following the same pattern of global activation, inevitable competition and networking, these cities are trying to synchronize their multidimensional background, establish new patterns of global behavior and adjust them to the dynamism of modern life. Consequently, their historical role has been modified, urban tissue has been developed, recreated and regenerated, and the output of this process represents an attractive testimony of their global initiation. Revealing the ambiguous nature of strong economic forces as well as a new fusion of urban cultures, Belgrade and Istanbul are structuring the globalized image with the new key-elements. However, their true potential and the real efficiency of this process should be re-evaluated - the changed physiognomy of the city could improve its position in the global hierarchy and facilitate its integration into the global community, but, sometimes, local limitations are too complex and too strong to be ignored

What determines residents’ commitment to a post-communist city? A moderated mediation analysis

“…Belgrade is the capital of Serbia not only in terms of politics and administration but also due to its economic weight as the city accounts for 30 per cent of Serbia's total GDP. Thanks to its particular location, the Belgrade metropolitan region has long been considered as “the gate to the East and the door to the West” (Stupar and Hamamcioglu, 2006, p. 28). This is due to road and rail traffic convergence and because the city is an important international river-to-sea, airport and telecommunications hub.…”

Conditions influencing waterfront development and urban actors capacity as a strategic response

“…With existing trends for broadening city's economic base, future economic development of Belgrade is expected to attract more financial, banking and construction activities on the one hand and to decrease presence of industrial activities on the other (Stupar & Hammamcioglu 2006). Transport on rivers, both for freight and tourist cruise purposes in interrelation with other modes has had and will have even more significant role.…”