Cultural Landscapes – Memorial Parks
Thursday, 15.05.2025.
Program authors: Dr. Jelena Brajković, Dr. Lazar Mandić, Natalija Bogdanović
ACTIVITIES
BINA WALK “How far can a traveler go if he walks…”
Thursday, 15th May 2025 from 10:00 till 13:00
→ The Memorial Park “Kragujevački Oktobar”
1st Scientific Conference “Good Urban Life”
Cultural Landscapes – Memorial Parks
Thursday, 15th May 2025 from 13:00 till 17:00
→ Museum “21 October”
Scientific Committee: Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Đukić, Prof. Dr. Lidija Đokić, Dr. Jelena Brajković, Research Associate, Dr. Lazar Mandić, Dr. Jelena Ivanović-Vojvodić, Assist. Prof. Dr. Jelena Milošević, Assist. Prof. Dr. Jelena Marić, Assist. Prof. Dr. Aleksandra Čabarkapa, Dr. Mirjana Ristić Trogrančić, Assist. Prof. Dr. Bojana Pašajlić, Assist. Prof. Natalija Bogdanović
The “Good Urban Life” program (2020–present) examines the key components of contemporary urban life, with the primary aim of connecting the parameters, aspects and actors that make urban life stimulating, thriving, inclusive and healthy. The program promotes a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to shaping urban spaces (urban design, architecture, sustainability, social life, urban mobility, infrastructure, technology, culture, art, etc.), emphasizing the importance of the balance within human-nature-built environment triangle to improve the quality of life and the benefits of all three components. It is based on three postulates: sustainability, networking of urban actors from the diverse milieu of urban life, and a holistic vision. Every year, the program analyzes urban and architectural practices that foster a good urban life through various themes and aspects, formats, and locations. As part of the 20th BINA 2025 and its 3rd edition in Kragujevac, “Good Urban Life” will be realized as a conference and networking event, and a BINA Walk.
The focus of the “Good Urban Life” 2025 program is on cultural landscapes. According to UNESCO’s definition, “Cultural landscapes” are those where human interaction with natural systems has, over a long period, formed a distinctive landscape. These interactions arise from, and cause, cultural values to develop.
The evaluation, renewal, and presentation of the heritage cultural landscape of The Memorial Park “Kragujevački Oktobar”, as well as its integration into the everyday life of citizens, is an important aspect of the sustainable development of the city of Kragujevac and its wider region.
The Memorial Park “Kragujevački Oktobar” is a cultural-historical landmark operating under a special regime for the protection and renewal of cultural heritage, and it is part of the Central City Park Šumarice, which spans approximately 420 hectares. The memorial park stands as an undeniable cultural capital of the Šumadija District, representing exceptional potential for the area and serving as one of the key factors in its integrated development. Established in 1953 at the site where, in October 1941, several thousand citizens and civilians—ranging in age from twelve to sixty-five—were shot, the park was designed according to the urban planning solutions of architects Mihailo Mitrović and Radivoje Tomić. Due to the expansion of the city, the memorial park has become a central city park, where the memorial function has overlapped with recreational, entertainment, and other urban functions that now require innovative strategies and contemporary solutions.
Concept: Jelena Brajković – Faculty of Architecture University of Belgrade, Lazar Mandić – IKS Kragujevac, JP Urbanizam Kragujevac, Natalija Bogdanović – FILUM University of Kragujevac, Danica Jović Prodanović – BINA Belgrade
Organization: University of Belgrade – Faculty of Architecture / Regional Office of the Chamber of Engineers of Serbia, Kragujevac – IKS / Belgrade International Architecture Week – BINA / University of Kragujevac – FILUM – Department of Interior Architecture / The memorial Park “Kragujevački Oktobar” / The City of Kragujevac / Urbanium – Kragujevac
