Presenting the NONA Model at the Conference “Urban Planning and Sustainable Development”

As the NONA – New Governance for New Spaces project approaches its completion, project partners continue to disseminate the project’s key results and methodological achievements through scientific and professional platforms. One such opportunity was provided by the 22nd International Scientific-Professional Conference “Urban Planning and Sustainable Development”, held in Bajina Bašta, Serbia, from 28 to 30 May 2026.

Within the conference programme, researchers from the Institute of Architecture and Urban & Spatial Planning of Serbia (IAUS), presented the paper entitled “Model for Integrating Green Investments into 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 and practical application of the NONA model through the Letnjikovac pilot site in Šabac. Particular attention was given to 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. The presentation demonstrated how governance innovation and collaborative planning processes can support the preparation of strategic development projects and facilitate the integration of green investments into urban regeneration processes.

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. Gathering approximately 130 participants, the event enabled the dissemination of NONA project results, the presentation of experiences from the Letnjikovac pilot area in Šabac, discussions on the integration of participatory governance, green investments, and place-based approaches into urban development processes, and the collection of stakeholder insights through an interactive online survey.

An important component of the session was the stakeholder 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 survey provided valuable feedback from national stakeholders and contributed to the broader validation of the methodological approaches developed through the project.

The conference offered a platform for knowledge exchange, discussion, and validation of project findings among researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers. It also enabled the promotion of the NONA model beyond the project partnership and encouraged dialogue on the role of governance innovation, stakeholder participation, and green investment approaches in sustainable urban transformation. The event contributed to the wider dissemination and validation of the NONA model, strengthening its visibility among national stakeholders and supporting the transferability of project results beyond the pilot areas.