The UR-WISE project was represented at the National Urban Forum, held on 23–24 April 2026 in Vranje, bringing together policymakers, international organisations, researchers, and practitioners to discuss key challenges and future directions of urban development in Serbia.
Organised as a national platform in preparation for the World Urban Forum (WUF13), the event addressed the central theme of housing and its broader implications for sustainability, resilience, and quality of life. Through plenary discussions and thematic sessions, the Forum provided a comprehensive overview of Serbia’s urban policy landscape, including progress under the Sustainable Urban Development Strategy 2030 and emerging priorities in housing and spatial planning .
As part of the session “Local Urban Development and Housing Policy”, Professor Sonja Jovanović, member of the UR-WISE team, presented research on “Open public spaces and quality of life in the cities of Serbia and their residential zones”, contributing to the discussion on how urban environments shape living conditions and long-term development outcomes.
Her presentation highlighted the growing importance of urban biodiversity as a key determinant of resilient and liveable cities. Addressing the challenges of rapid urbanisation and environmental pressures, the research demonstrated how green infrastructure contributes both directly and indirectly to urban well-being. These contributions include improved air quality, temperature regulation, flood mitigation, and enhanced psychological and social well-being of residents .
The presentation concluded with a set of policy-oriented recommendations, including the development of urban green corridors, restoration of degraded habitats, and stronger involvement of local communities through participatory approaches. These insights directly align with the UR-WISE mission to advance data-based policy-making and support cities in addressing complex socio-economic and environmental challenges.
Participation in the National Urban Forum represents an important step in positioning UR-WISE within the broader policy ecosystem. By contributing research-based insights to discussions involving national institutions and international partners such as UN-Habitat and the World Bank, the project reinforces its role as a bridge between academia and policy.