Milja Mladenović is a distinguished researcher and academic in the fields of Architecture and Urbanism. She completed her Bachelor’s in Architecture, followed by a Master’s in Integrated Urbanism, and ultimately earned her PhD in Architecture and Urbanism from the University of Belgrade – Faculty of Architecture.
Dr. Mladenović’s research interests center on urban heritage and the integration of digital media within urban planning. Her work explores these themes through multiple lenses, contributing to the advancement of research methodology in urbanism, the preservation and presentation of cultural heritage, and the application of digital technologies in urban planning and heritage management. These topics are approached from various spatial scales and methodological perspectives, with a focus on the dynamic interplay between urban memory and contemporary urban design.
As a Research Associate at the Faculty of Architecture, she is actively engaged in two research laboratories: the Vital Places Lab and the Urban Studies Lab – City Experiment. Her work in these labs addresses the identification and presentation of cultural heritage in urban environments, as well as the phenomena and processes of urban development.
From 2021 to 2024, Dr. Mladenović held a prestigious scholarship from the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation. Since 2016, she has also contributed to the academic community as a student teaching associate in both the Department of Urbanism and the Department of Architecture. In addition to her academic pursuits, she has been instrumental in raising awareness about urban planning issues in Serbia through media contributions, where she offers expert analyses on contemporary urban concepts and planning challenges.
Dr. Mladenović is an active member of several professional and academic networks, including the Association of European Schools of Planning Young Academics Network (AESOP-YA), the Women in Architecture Society (ŽAD), and the Association of Engineers of Belgrade (UIB).
Research Abstract: Balkan’s Joint Urban Pasts – Tracing the Contemporary Condition of Ottoman Urban Heritage in Balkan Capitals: Case Study of Skopje
This research project explores the complex legacy of Ottoman urban heritage within the contemporary urban fabric of Balkan capitals. Focusing on Skopje as a case study, the project examines the similarities in the historical context and spatial development of cities in the region that were partially or fully shaped during the Ottoman period.
The primary aim of the research is to investigate how the Ottoman urban legacy has been integrated into the contemporary urban development of Balkan cities. Specifically, it seeks to understand whether this heritage has been preserved, adapted, or erased over time.
By comparing the case of Skopje with that of Belgrade, the research offers valuable insights into historical urban morphology, shedding light on how shared pasts can serve as a social common ground in the region today.