**4. Discussion and Conclusions**

This urban regeneration depends on two different sets of processes: dynamic (the flow of people, interactions, and kinaesthetic energy) and static (the urban structure, shape, and defined public space) [7], which are interdependent. Traditional reconstructions of public spaces put an emphasis on their static components (the physicality of the space), while modern theories with an interdisciplinary approach give primacy to a dynamic set of processes. In this sense, successful public places, according to the "Project for Public Spaces" [87], are:


The physical aspect of urban regeneration is primarily generated through the urban design process. Understanding the relationship between people and the physical environment is an essential component of urban design [31,88]. In this context, the perception of street spaces in the urban design process is treated as primary by our study. Some of the most recent studies precisely indicate the importance of the relationship between the environment and user's behaviours in the street (i.e., a user's behaviour toward the street environment) [89].

The streets of Mirkova Varoš have traditionally had a distinct identity and social importance among the public spaces of Podgorica. The distinctive setting of the orthogonal matrix, an innovative expression in the planning of cities of the time, articulated the directions for the development of the modern city. This urban concept was bold and advanced in its socio-political context and the time in which it was created. However, after a long period of inferior relations to its heritage and neglecting the identity of its historical core, we are confronted with the fact that the streets of Mirkova Varoš are more active in the collective memory of Podgorica residents than in its actual physical and material interpretation. The diminished attractiveness of the public space has influenced its rapid abandonment [7]. Montgomery points out that, if not active, a city loses its urban features. However, Montgomery also notes that it remains possible to create an active urban environment through urban design [90].

Urban creative regeneration provides a logical model for the reactivation of streets in Mirkova Varoš through the creation of a dialogue between the development legacy fund, architectural language, and the social specificity of places, without jeopardizing the city's cultural identity and while establishing a balance between local aspirations and global challenges.

In a contemporary context, in order for a model of urban regeneration to be complete, it is necessary to achieve interactions at a higher level, as the contemporary user has more pronounced needs. A public space, whether a square or a street, and whether it is positioned in a recent or historical part of the city, should offer the possibility for a higher form of communication, which responds to the relationship between local processes and global demands.

Through the application of the concept of the creative regeneration of a traditional city centre, we proposed a series of concrete guidelines for the urban regeneration of 12 streets in Mirkova Varoš through 12 different solutions. Respecting the traditional values of the street's environment, contrasted with the mutated artificial environments and uniform shopping malls on offer, existing streets in Mirkova Varoš were regenerated in accordance with the needs of modern people. These interventions include the creation of approachable spaces, and the introduction of attractive new contents, new visual determinants, and new forms of interaction. The aim was to generate a new perceptual experience through the reactivation of existing streets and to develop diverse, dynamic, and active street spaces. The solutions suggested by architecture students show a high level of understanding of socio-spatial contexts, as well as cultural needs.

This study highlights the importance of the concept of creative urban design in sustainable urban regeneration, which can contribute to a new method of using open urban public spaces. Urban street spaces should promote new values and new places for the generators and interpreters of interactions in modern global urban contexts.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, S.K.P.; methodology, S.K.P.; software, J.B.Š.; validation, S.K.P. and J.B.Š.; formal analysis, S.K.P. and J.B.Š.; investigation, S.K.P. and J.B.Š.; resources, S.K.P. and J.B.Š..; data curation, J.B.Š.; writing—original draft preparation, S.K.P. and J.B.Š.; writing—review and editing, S.K.P. and J.B.Š.; visualization, S.K.P. and J.B.Š.; supervision, S.K.P. and J.B.Š.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
