The nature of urban sprawl in Western Balkan cities

Abstract

The paper draws attention to the process of urban growth in the Western Balkans, which is principally reflected in the physical expansion into the surrounding area, leading to the conversion of land into urban fabric – urban sprawl. According to the principles of sustainable development, this process is considered unjustified, especially if it is not a consequence of population growth. The features and the intensity of urban sprawl in the Western Balkans have been determined by mathematical and statistical methods, using data from the Urban Atlas database. The main common features and differences related to urban sprawl in the analyzed cities are determined by several factors, which are discussed in the paper. The purpose of the analysis of the intensity of urban sprawl between 2012 and 2018 is to ensure a better understanding of future processes that pose a potential ‘threat’ in environmental terms, but also of other aspects of sustainable development, relevant for bodies and individuals responsible for urban planning. In accordance with the methodology used, the results of the research confirm the presence of urban sprawl in Western Balkan cities, although it has not been proven that there are features common to all cities for any of the analyzed indicators.