The conclusions of the National Urban Forum dedicated to housing, held in Vranje, were that housing policy in Serbia should countinue to be developed as an integrated, data-driven process involving improvements in data quality, strengthening local capacities, and cross-sectoral coordination, while new construction should be planned with due consideration for the underutilized existing housing stock.
During the Forum, held from 23 to 24 April, it was stated that the Geographic Information System (GIS) is a key tool for connecting sectoral data and improving urban planning, with the aim of its operational implementation from 2028 in accordance with the Law on Planning and Construction, thereby enabling an integrated approach to housing policy.
After ten years of implementation, it has been assessed that the Law on Housing and Building Maintenance has proven effective and enabled a clear definition of public interest in housing, providing a solid foundation for future investments, especially in the energy efficiency of the housing sector.
The Director of the Agency for Spatial and Urban Planning of the Republic of Serbia, Đorđe Milić, stated in a video address that a set of measures within the framework of new planning principles would be discussed in Vranje in order to ensure an adequate response to chronic stresses and acute shocks in urban environments.
‘’This is an opportunity to consider the issues of the New Urban Agenda including housing in spatial and urban plans, housing policy, social and affordable housing, green aspects of housing, as well as adaptation to climate change,’’ Milić emphasized.
Milić also stated that, considering all aspects of housing development policy in Serbia, the forum should contribute to a better presentation of Serbia at the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, which represents the main global platform for urban development.
The Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Serbia, Kamil Khasiyev, pointed out that around 70 percent of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050, making housing one of the key development issues.
Therefore, as he emphasised, the World Urban Forum in Baku, to be held from 17 to 23 May, 2026, will make housing policy a priority, as housing is not merely about providing ‘a roof over one’s head’, but also plays an important role in sustainable development and climate change.
Khasiyev emphasised that Serbia and Azerbaijan are strategic partners and that there are opportunities for enhancing cooperation at the city level, with additional connections enabled by the launch of a new direct Belgrade–Baku flight route on May 3 this year.
Assistant Minister at the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Predrag Matović, stated that in the coming period special attention will be paid to young people as one of the key groups when it comes to housing policy. ”Providing affordable and sustainable housing for young people is not only a social issue, but also a prerequisite for the demographic and economic development of our country,” he said.
The Mayor of Vranje, Slobodan Milenković, stated that the City of Vranje is also facing changes in its urban structure, with the greatest pressure concentrated in the city centre.
In this regard, he specified that the local self-government has already adopted spatial and urban planning documents, such as the Spatial Plan of the City of Vranje, the General Urban Plan, general regulation plans, and numerous detailed regulation plans.
Video addresses were also delivered by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Serbia, Matilde Mordt, and the Executive Director of the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Anacláudia Rossbach.
