Impact of population dynamics on spatial development of Belgrade urban region

Abstract

Belgrade urban region, as complex and dynamic system of settlements, is the space of the largest population and functions concentration on the territory of the Republic of Serbia. The starting point of this paper is the importance of this region for the development and integration of Serbian territory, as well as for Serbia's integration into the wider regional surroundings. Spatial expansion of urban areas and the population concentration within this region imposes an important issue of direction and consequences of its recent and future development. In order to observe contemporary development trends in Belgrade urban region relevant demographic and spatial indicators are taken into consideration in the period from 1990 to 2012. Research is focused on the impact of population dynamics, i.e. natural movement of population and migrations, on the expansion of built-up areas and changes in the urban form. The intention of the research is also to examine potential correlation between population dynamics and expansion of built-up areas on the one hand and settlements position and intensity of its functional relations with urban core on the other hand, in order to identify possible directions of planning interventions towards achieving more sustainable urban development in the future.