Urban Image at the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Case Study Novi Sad (Serbia)

Abstract

The main aim of this paper is to examine how negative phenomena, such as a pandemic, can result in positive cultural shifts and an upgrade of the urban image. The research was conducted employing an in-depth interview approach at the end of 2021, based on a semi-structured protocol with 15 participants. The answers of the respondents are conditioned by the socio-demographic differences. They show the urban image and cultural opportunities of the city. The image of the city is changing under different cultural influences, which are caused by events in the region or globalization. The self-awareness of the history, tradition and heritage that the people of Novi Sad have should be nurtured in order to preserve the image of the city with the strength of the majority of the immigrant population. The title ‘European Capital of Culture’ has been well received, but its impact will be best seen at the end of the year. COVID-19The COVID-19 pandemic favored and popularized cycling, awakened environmental self-awareness and solidarity, brought culture to the streets and beautified the city’s image. Everything that could not be placed on the street, it was entered and placed in the virtual world.

Pandemic disorientations and reorientations as legacies: Scoping review of COVID‐19 impacts on European cities

“…Many studies also focused on the increased interest in cycling. Debates about creating urban infrastructures more suitable for pedestrian and cycling mobility were prompted by the growth in walking and bike usage for leisure and also as a commuting mode, and those debates have included renewed attention on bike‐sharing schemes (de Séjournet et al, 2022; Lukić et al, 2022; Niitamo, 2021; Nikiforiadis et al, 2022; Strömberg & Wallgren, 2022; Teixeira et al, 2021). Attention to other modes of micromobility (Li et al, 2021) also found informed city‐wide and neighbourhood policies concerned with long‐term planning for and design and management of urban green mobility infrastructure using pedestrianisation of public spaces, pedestrian‐friendly walking infrastructure, bike paths, and other cycling infrastructure (Fenu, 2021; Nikiforiadis et al, 2022; Ugolini et al, 2021).…”

“…Despite pandemic‐triggered uncertainties and anxieties, spontaneous, self‐organised networks of support, mutual aid, and new forms of collective solidarity formed among vulnerable members of urban communities, such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and others who could not leave their houses (Apostolopoulou & Liodaki, 2021; Bartrés‐Faz et al, 2021; Cano‐Hila & Cano‐Hila & Argemí‐Baldich, 2020; Catela, 2021; Lukić et al, 2022; Paris & Ying, 2021; Roels et al, 2022; Scullion et al, 2022). Taking care of each other meant “practicing responsibility for other people’s safety” (Kokkola et al, 2022, p. 16) in public transport and in other public spaces.…”

“…This is a recurring theme in several papers on urban green spaces, mobilities, and emerging communities of care. As Paris and Ying (2021, p. 320) concluded, “the crisis invoked new potentialities for people to reuse the environment that they took for granted.” From this perspective, rediscovered neighbourhoods and their local cultures might again play an important role as a mixed private‐public meso‐structure, situated between private homes and cities (Carpio‐Pinedo et al, 2021; Introini et al, 2021; Lukić et al, 2022; Pasquinelli et al, 2021). Such meso‐structures are vital reference points in the constitution of urban identities and sense of belonging.…”

Sustainable Tourism near the City—A Case Study of Stolovi Mountain, Serbia

“…More precisely, answers were sought from people who organized hiking trips to Stolovi Mountain or events in their foothills. Respondents gave their opinions on the set topics, thus contributing to the objectivity of the research [108]. The most useful and expedient answers were selected during the desk research, while the most constructive answers are given in the paper.…”