Primena Participativnog Instrumentarijuma U Analizi Potencijala Urbanih Područja: Primer Studije Jedinstvenog Identiteta Urbanih Sredina Na Području Strategije Razvoja Urbanog Područja Grada Užica I Opština Bajina Bašta, Čajetina, Priboj I Požega

In line with the European Commission's new legislation and the measures of the New Cohesion Policy 2021-2027, significant advancements have been made in implementing participatory planning in Serbia over the past decade. Examples from participatory planning practice in urban development are supported by these methodological guidelines. This paper presents the process and preliminary results of the Study of the Unique Urban Identity within the Area of the Urban Development Strategy for the City of Užice and the municipalities of Bajina Bašta, Čajetina, Priboj and Požega, being implemented in 2024-2025. The Study is carried out through a participatory process involving five local self-governments, allowing active engagement of citizens, administration representatives, public enterprises, academic institutions, businesses representatives, professional associations, NGOs, and civic organizations. This process allowed joint analysis of the current state of the territory for defining future directions for actions, and gathering project ideas. The objective of this paper is to highlight the role of participatory processes in assessing urban areas through spatial, development, urban, environmental, social, and governance aspects within the broader context of identity and sustainability. By incorporating the spatial perspectives of these aspects, the study contributes to shaping future urban development pathways. Drawing on examples of participation, co-creation, multi-level governance, integrated approach, planning in the public interest and a place-based approach, this paper advocates for the recognition of urban areas in Serbia as key drivers of sustainable urban and territorial development, in line with European standards.