stories.

The Pine Building of Svetlana Kana Radević

Anastasija Dukić

The Pine Tree Building (1969), or "Zgrada Bor" (Figure 1), is a residential building designed by Montenegrin and Yugoslav architect Svetlana Kana Radević (1937-2000).1 It stands as a remarkable example ...

20th November 2024

XXL, XL, L, M, S: Exploring the Scales of Podgorica's Malo Brdo Neighborhood

Selma Bulić

Spatial Glossary+ Podgorica – (eng. lit. 'Under the Hill of Gorica') is the capital and the largest city of Montenegro, with the geographical location at the base of several hills ...

20th November 2024

Housing the comrades: Residential building for the executive bodies of the Socialist Republic of Montenegro in Titograd, Beogradska St. 8/6 (1963-1965)

Danilo Bulatović

The capitalist and other classes of ancient origiп had iп fact been destroyed, but а new class, previously unknown to history, had been formed.The New Class (Milovan Đilas, 1957)It was July 1946, ...

20th November 2024

Gjakova's "Chinese" Apartments of Industrial Boom

Elona Xhiha

Gjakova's journey during the period of industrialization (1960-1990) is a story of profound transformation and growth. Amid this industrial boom, the city's urban landscape began to change, with the construction ...

20th November 2024

Ortakoll: Prizren's first planned neighbourhood by its first female urbanist, Hysnije Hisari

Bulza Çapriqi

Ortakoll, the first planned neighbourhood in Prizren, stands out distinctly from other areas. Built in the northwest part of the city in the 80s, it remains one of the few ...

20th November 2024

Avala S55: The Fight for space

Jovana Božović

Unfortunately, never before in history has it been so clear that the destructionof a city is the destruction of life.(Buden & Pavićević, 2020, p.26)What is space? Who owns space? Architect ...

20th November 2024

Ulpiana: A Modernist Legacy in Prishtina's Urban Evolution

Agron Canolli

In the post-World War II period, Prishtina, like many other cities within the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, underwent profound transformations that redefined its urban fabric and societal structure (Simić, ...

20th November 2024

Dardania’s Legacy: Modernism, Community, and Urban Identity. A zoom on the Kurrizi complex

Bardha Meta

“Dardania - the most beautiful quarter of Prishtina” Jakup Bunjaku wrote in 1973 in Rilindja newspaper, marking the first-ever mention of what would be officially named Dardania neighbourhood (Haxha, 2023). It ...

20th November 2024

Exploring Form and Functionality in Aktash's Solitaire Buildings

Xhezide Vlashi

Prishtina's Urban Development and Modernist HousingPrishtina, the capital of Kosovo, during the mid-1970s and 1980s, benefited the most from the Yugoslav development fund for underdeveloped regions and a considerable portion ...

20th November 2024

Makedonsko neighborhood - Resilience and solidarity: from tents to homes in six months

Milena Đukić

Ruins, desolation, the cries of the injured,and the wails of survivors mourning their lost ones- this was the scene witnessed this morning in nearly every town along the Montenegrin coast.(Perković, ...

20th November 2024

About

BalkanStoryMap, a story map collection

BalkanStoryMap is a platform that collects and presents stories about the Balkans through curated storymaps. These storymaps integrate interactive maps, narratives, images, multimedia elements, and a dedicated archive.

We start with the idea that every place has a story. From there, we delve into the layers of storytelling within these physical spaces. By connecting the past with the present, we explore the social processes that shape these spaces and uncover insights relevant to today’s challenges. 

Here, you’ll get to explore the results of our work, while the process behind it unfolds in the background. This involves supporting cross-border collaboration, research fellowships, mentorship programs, and multidisciplinary co-production as we transform BalkanStoryMap into a dynamic co-creative platform. With our work we want to emphasizes preserving cultural heritage, capturing untold stories, and highlighting architectural gems whose stories are often sidelined.

Think of this platform as both a keeper of these stories and a starting point for the conversations and explorations. 

BalkanStoryMap welcomes contributions and invites you to join us in this journey—whether by sharing your own stories, participating in research, or exploring ideas together.

BalkanStoryMap is part of the "Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans'' program, funded by the European Union. BalkanStoryMap is one of the projects selected for funding by the Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans project under the thematic window Artistic Co-productions.

Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans (CC4WBs) is a project funded by the European Union that aims to foster dialogue in the Western Balkans by enhancing the cultural and creative sectors for increased socio-economic impact.

Graphic design and web development: Trembelat + Sap_