Infrastructure for Development

What is sustainable infrastructure?

Sustainable infrastructure implies facilities that are energy efficient, reliant on renewable energy sources, and resistant to disasters such as floods, as well as accessible and safe for all people equally. It is crucial for the transition to a digital and greener future, bringing numerous benefits to the government, economy and society, as well as the climate and environment.

Sustainable infrastructure is crucial for mitigating the impacts of climate change and natural disasters on the economy and citizens. The design and materials used in constructing this infrastructure allow it to withstand extreme weather conditions, reducing damage and reconstruction costs. For instance, following the devastating floods in Serbia in 2014, aside from building new houses, repairing infrastructure, and rehabilitating leaking landfills, UNDP constructed new and upgraded existing flood barriers to minimize the risk of future floods. To ensure long-term resilience, UNDP developed a comprehensive flood protection study for the Kolubara River basin.

Engineering Unit

A significant part of UNDP’s support for sustainable infrastructure development in Serbia is focused on the initial and most crucial phase - project design, whether it involves upgrading existing infrastructure or constructing new buildings. Therefore, an Engineering Unit was established within the UNDP office in Serbia. The experts in this team are responsible for developing and verifying a wide range of technical documentation, including engineering studies and projects. They also take an active role in spatial planning and collaborate with colleagues from relevant institutions, such as the Union of Architects of Serbia, to conduct architectural competitions. For some projects, they also oversee supervision or execution of construction works.

Areas of Work and Effects

In the last 10 years, UNDP implemented diverse infrastructure projects for over 150 facilities. For example, in partnership with the Ministry of Mining and Energy, UNDP is engaged in the energy renovation of 26 central government buildings in Belgrade, half of which are protected cultural heritage. Based on the detailed energy audits conducted, it is known that after the renovation works their primary energy consumption will be reduced by at least 30%, and CO2 emissions by at least 20%. To increase the use of renewable energy in public buildings, UNDP is incorporating the installation of solar panels as part of its projects, as well as exploring the potential of geothermal energy sources for heating, cooling, and hot water in the Palace of Serbia, SIV3, the new building of National Concert Hall, and the Bio4Campus.

Simultaneously, UNDP is increasing the accessibility of public facilities for vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities. Following the principles of universal design, radical changes have been made to the architecture of the eleven-story Student Dormitory in Niš, so that it allows access for students with disabilities throughout the building and not just on the ground floor. Furthermore, the rooms for students with disabilities have been distributed equally throughout the building floors to avoid segregation. UNDP has also worked closely with the tenants and management of the Center for Gerontology in Zrenjanin to incorporate solutions for everyday challenges that elderly and sick tenants face.

Projects that have been completed show that sustainable infrastructure brings numerous benefits for the government, economy, and society, as well as for the climate and environment. For example, in the building of the Institute for Advancement of Education and Upbringing, where energy renovation has been completed, the savings in energy bills will amount to approximately 10,000 euros annually, and CO2 emissions have been halved. This was accomplished by installing an integrated energy and water consumption monitoring system, a centralized cooling system with window sensors, a new remote heating substation and thermal insulation of the walls and the roof, as well as LED lighting. The savings in energy costs and CO2 emissions will benefit people’s health, the environment and the budget. If the energy efficiency of all public buildings in Serbia is upgraded, one older thermal power plant will become unnecessary.

New Initiatives

The latest UNDP initiative in Serbia aims to improve women's safety and gender equality in communal living spaces. Starting with student dormitories, the focus is on engineering and public policy interventions to ensure safety, dignity, and equality for all residents. While female residents are primarily in focus, the entire dormitory community, including male ones, staff and management, will benefit from this approach to spatial planning. Throughout the process, the UNDP team will consult with students and and provide training for the staff involved in the design of the dormitories. Simultaneously, insights from the Institute of Architecture and Urban & Spatial Planning of Serbia and the Ministry of the Interior will be incorporated regarding safety aspects.

UNDP Serbia Engineering Tech Cell