Short Biography
Ivana is a recent doctoral graduate from Meiji University in Tokyo where she is currently
affiliated as a Research Assistant. Her academic and professional journey has been
centered at the intersection of applied urban research and architecture. She has
international practical experiences at Kengo Kuma and Nikken Sekkei Architects in
Japan, Al Borde Arquitectos in Ecuador and at a university in Germany. Moreover,
Ivana has been a senior associate in the Urban Planning Department at two
municipalities and has been a faculty instructor in her hometown, Skopje.
Research Abstract
This research project focuses on the evolution and impact of public spaces along two
vital watercourses, the Vardar River and its tributaries in Skopje and the Ljubljanica
River and its tributaries in Ljubljana. The study aims to conduct a comparative
analysis of linear blue and green public spaces in the Balkans, assessing cases with
varying levels of success. Ljubljana serves as an exemplar of sustainable urban
solutions, while Skopje grapples with urban challenges amid untapped potential. The
research seeks to contribute insights into post-socialist urban development, patterns
of corridor usage, issues of inequality and social justice, and potential strategies for
fostering a shared urban future. The proposed methodology, including the Good
Public Space Index and the researcher’s Multi-Scale Framework, will be applied to
assess the effectiveness and “lived” quality of public spaces in the selected cases.
The findings aim to enhance understanding of urban livelihood and solidarity,
fostering discussions on equitable urban development in the Balkan region.