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.

Generating green change trough blue corridors: The case of 3 flows: Vardar, Ljubljanica and Sava

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.