*3.1. Theoretical Research*

The theoretical aspect of the paper is articulated towards a better understanding of the role of traditional open public space as the dominant generator of a city's physical structure and the need to re-identify traditional street spaces according to the global needs of society. Further theoretical research treats the morphogenesis of the subject area in the context of di fferent temporal sequences and identifies the concept of creative street design as the method for sustainable regeneration in the case study. By applying the concept of creative urban design, it is possible to articulate the socio-spatial sustainability of public spaces, which operate on the intersecting line between the preservation of the local values of a place and the global uniformity that tends to shape contemporary urban spaces.

The public open spaces of cities can become new generators and interpreters of cultural values and technological opportunities. The wealth of information in a global context can be transposed through the creative regeneration of physical and material spaces, which will promote the sustainability, and more strongly encourage various forms of connections, from the local to global level.

### *3.2. Analysis of the Current State of Mirkova Varoš Street*

Field surveys carried out during the exploration phase of the analysis of the current spatial and physical condition of Mirkova Varoš streets included the detection of the following parameters: the length, position, building types, number of floors, tra ffic rating, greenery, and urban furniture (Table 2). The analysis of the existing physical conditions of the case study streets reflects the direct objective data obtained from the characteristics of the determinants in the space, including the tra ffic rating, which refers to the primarily objective urbanistic criteria for the assessment of the buildings in terms of construction preservation and general fit within their existing context (object location, size, shape, structure of the dimensions of the building, and architectural heritage).

Field research has also identified the following issues in the case study streets: functional issues (insu fficient number of parking spaces, inadequate parking of cars on the street and on the sidewalks, and lack of urban furniture on the streets), economic issues (unprofitable hospitality and trade facilities due to the small number of users in the centre), ecological issues (pollution from tra ffic congestion at the centre, a lack of greenery, impaired bioclimatic comfort, and noise), visual issues (inadequate facades of buildings, illegal upgrades, disappearance of genius loci), and psychological problems (unpleasant atmosphere (a consequence of an "empty" space) and the experience of a monotonous and unattractive ambience)) [70,71].


### **Table 2.** Physical characteristics of Mirkova Varoš streets. Current state analysis.

Building types: Co—commercial; R—residential; C—culture; A—administration; Floors: P—ground level; P + n—ground level and number of floors; Pk—attic. Building conditions: C—construction rating; A—ambient rating; poor, mediocre, high; Greenery: + over 75% street length covered with greenery; + - between 25% and 75%; - less than 25%. Urban furniture: + street with high quality urban furniture; + - street with insufficient or inadequate urban furniture; - street with no urban furniture.

### *3.3. Perception of the Streets of Mirkova Varoš*

### 3.3.1. Visual, Tactile, Auditory Perception

Urban perception as a result of the human-environment interaction in this study has served as the basis for the evaluation and proposal for physical regeneration of the streets in Mirkova Varoš in Podgorica.

The importance of the visual representation of a public space and its impact on the observer has been recognized by various researchers and repeatedly confirmed [23,37,38,62,63,72]. Visual perception is predominant in the interaction between man and space, whereby the complexity and nature of visual elements create the feeling of satisfaction in a particular area or a particularly negative experience.

Tactile stimuli play a significant role in the formation of the overall perceptual image of an urban space and can contribute to di fferent experiences and influence quality of life [61,73,74]. This is especially pronounced for people with visual disabilities [75]. However, despite the importance of tactile senses and their "universality and diversity," this form of perception is not su fficiently present in the evaluation of public spaces [61].

Auditory interaction in a physical space is very complex and contributes to di fferent experiences. The important role of auditory perception in the context of the sustainable development of urban open public spaces has been indicated by numerous measurements of sound perception, acoustic comfort evaluation in urban public spaces, analyses of factors that influence perception, experimental studies [76–80], analyses of aspects in creating "sound space" [81], and the understanding of urban spaces and design through auditory perception [82].

The Semantic Di fferential Scales for the perceptions of users and architecture students (with arithmetic means) for the case study of the Mirkova Varoš streets are shown in Table 3.

The results obtained by surveying the area users and architecture students indicate di fferent approaches in the evaluation of space, and in visual, tactile and auditory terms, within various categories of the respondents. There are di fferences in the perception of space by architects (in this case, students) and non-architects (area users) i.e., di fferences in their reactions to the impulses from public spaces, as has been indicated by various authors [83–86]. Architecture students had high criteria in their evaluation of the aesthetic components of the area (applied materials and colours), while other users of the public space were more critical toward the functional and infrastructural deficiencies in the public space, as well as acoustic comfort. On a semantic di fferential scale, the majority of respondents reacted positively to historically valuable objects and cultural content, while negative reactions were provoked by issues of tra ffic frequency, noise, pollution, and inappropriate parking. The survey found that streets with fewer users received lower ratings on the semantic scale of visual criteria. This is especially pronounced in the category of non-architect respondents. Area users generally used a rating of 0 for criteria without stimuli, either positive or negative.

Finally, it is possible to conclude that critical judgment and reasoning was more pronounced among students of architecture compared to area users. The respondent group, comprising randomly selected area users, has less ability to independently evaluate interpretive visual factors in relation to auditory "impressions" and the subjective experience of images in relation to the auditory display is also inseparable.

Figure 7 shows the qualitative results of the street evaluation in Mirkova Varoš, Podgorica.


**Table 3.** Semantic Di fferential Scales of perception of the Mirkova Varoš streets in Podgorica.


**Table 3.** *Cont.*


**Figure 7.** Qualitative results of the street evaluation in Mirkova Varoš, Podgorica.

## 3.3.2. Physical Street Regeneration Directions

The results achieved by the survey measuring the subjective perception of architecture students and other users of the space formed a qualitative basis (input data) for the physical street regeneration of Mirkova Varoš. By analyzing the results (the average values) achieved at the scales of the semantic di fferential, the characteristic positive and negative aspects of the 12 analyzed streets can be seen.

All streets were evaluated most positively for their morphological characteristics (street width) and natural sun conditions (100%). In addition to these criteria for the visual perception of streets, positive results were obtained for a large number of streets for their dynamic street fronts and the presence of greenery (75%). The highest percentage of negatively assessed streets in visual terms relates to the contrasting pairs disharmonized–harmonized (75% negative, 25% positive), colourless–colourful (83% negative, 17% positive), and disarranged–arranged (83% negative mean).

In terms of tactile perception criteria, the obtained mean values (close to neutral zero point) are fairly uniform in most streets (over 80%). In Hercegovaˇcka, Bokeška, Vuˇcedolska and Vuka Karadži´ca streets, there are greater fluctuations in the evaluation of criteria, in terms of the contrasting pairs artificial–natural, unpleasant–pleasant, and simple–complex.

Regarding auditory perceptual factors, a mostly negative mean was obtained for road tra ffic noise low–high level criteria (83%), unenjoyable–enjoyable (75%), as a result of the irritating–pleasing criteria (50%). This shows that, despite the negative e ffect of tra ffic noise, which is predominantly represented in Mirkova Varoš, and other types of noise, users do not record dissatisfaction (age structure defines the tolerance threshold for sound perception).

The structure of the obtained results indicates the dissatisfaction of the users of the space and students, with regard to the level of organization of the public space, as well as the lack of content and activities that could increase the number of users in the "abandoned" traditional city centre. In most cases, street comfort depends on the frequency of tra ffic through the street, except in streets where these deficiencies are o ffset by the aesthetic and ambient values of the street itself, but also by a satisfactory level of public facilities (cultural and creative capacities).

Based on the street space perception results obtained by surveying users and architecture students, several general directions for the physical regeneration of the case study streets were articulated.


### *3.4. Creative Street Regeneration in Mirkova Varoš*

Solutions for the physical regeneration of the 12 case study streets, made by architecture students, are presented in Table 4.

Creative regeneration, through the prism of the urban paradigms of the 21st century, has the task of preserving and improving the traditional values of a space (authenticity, recognisability) [8], to create a field of active creative interaction and enable economic prosperity with benefits to all stakeholders. Emphasis is placed on encouraging the creativity of all who are involved in the process, not just the creative class [12].

Street regeneration interventions in the context of socio-spatial sustainability in the case study streets have been specifically implemented in three key directions:

1. *Functional*: infrastructural (program dynamism and multifunctionality (hospitality, culture, trade, entertainment, and recreation), reducing road tra ffic and encouraging the dominance of pedestrians (underground car parking, new routes, integration with a narrower and wider context, and a network of micro public spaces), information points, digital street installations, etc.;


In a wider context, the creative urban street regeneration of Mirkova Varos used in this study is intended to highlight the important role of a combined, unconventional method of physical space regeneration, with a strong intention to promote a rational and realistic physical redefinition of the current image of traditional public open spaces and reactivate their role in 21st Century cities. In a narrower sense, this study suggests that it is possible to regenerate concrete traditional streets by respecting tradition and at the same time developing new spatial scenarios. These scenarios are intended to promote a dynamic relationship between man and space—a humane, cultural, creative, ecological, informational dimension—and interact with the local capabilities and needs of global society. Generating new forms of creative activities (by regenerating existing content and introducing new content, new forms of integration) reactivates the socio–spatial interaction in (1) the user–place system, (2) the place–city system, and (3) local processes–global flows.


**Table 4.** Proposals for the physical regeneration of the 12 streets in Mirkova Varoš in Podgorica.


**Table 4.** *Cont.*

The following students have participated in the proposals for the physical regeneration of streets: Danica Cvorovi´ c, Milan Rahovi´c, Bojana Raspopovi´c, Branka Vujovi´c, Aida Kujovi´c, Ana Nenezi´c, Vlado Jegdi´c, Stefan Mušiki´c, Ivana Kapetanovi´c, Marija Petriˇcevi´c, Andjela Markovi´c, Nikola Popovi´c, Nina Simovi´c, Jovana Juškovi´c, and Anja Lješkovi´c.

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