As the NONA – New Governance for New Spaces project enters its final phase, the Institute of Architecture and Urban & Spatial Planning of Serbia (IAUS), in cooperation with the City Administration of Šabac, continues its efforts to disseminate project results through relevant scientific and professional platforms.
At the 22nd International Scientific-Professional Conference “Urban Planning and Sustainable Development”, held in Bajina Bašta, Serbia, from 28 to 30 May 2026, IAUS researchers presented the paper “Model for Integrating Green Investments into the Reuse of Degraded Areas Through the Lenses of Participatory Planning and Urban Governance – The Experience of the City of Šabac in the Interreg NONA Project”, authored by Nataša Čolić Marković, Nataša Danilović Hristić, Borjan Brankov, Sanja Simonović Alfirević, and Dejan Vujić.
The presentation focused on the development of the NONA model and the experience gained through the Letnjikovac pilot site in Šabac, highlighting the role of participatory governance, stakeholder engagement, Local Action Groups (LAGs), investment forums, and place-based approaches in transforming degraded urban areas into investment-ready development initiatives.
Within the framework of the NONA project, the conference served as a National Capacity Building Event, providing an opportunity to present and discuss the project’s methodological framework with representatives of public authorities, planning institutions, academia, and professional practice.
An important component of the presentation was an interactive online survey conducted through a QR-code questionnaire. Participants were invited to share their views on key topics addressed within the NONA project, including financing mechanisms for urban regeneration projects, challenges in preparing and implementing development initiatives, the role of public participation in urban governance, and experiences with participatory planning beyond minimum legal requirements.
The conference provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, validation of project findings, and further discussion on the integration of innovative governance models and green investment approaches into sustainable urban transformation processes. Participation in the event contributed to strengthening the visibility of the NONA project and disseminating its results among relevant national stakeholders.
