Integrated evaluation of the Master Plan (MP) represents a basis for the balance
determination between quality of the environment and the city spatial - functional structure.
This evaluation (the structure of space depicted through special zones) defines possibilities
of city environment to accept the burden posed by pollutants and other disturbances of
natural balance.

One of the basic instruments of integrated environmental management on the local level
is the environmental map of the city area. It integrates numerous data and information
relating to the state of the environment and use of resources in the city. Environmental map
serves as the starting point to formulate specific local targets of sustainable development.
This is why the project of environmental evaluation (validation) of the Belgrade city area
and creation of the environmental map of Master Plan Area (MP, 1985), does represent an
effort to integrate available data and information about the space and environment into
spatial management and decision - making, programs and policy of renewal and further
development of the city. It has been done with application of state - of the- art instruments
and techniques.

Primary research aim of this project was the development and realization of the model of
environmental atlas of Belgrade, as the basis for promotion of environmental management,
integrated in the planning process, construction and utilization of the land in the area of the
Belgrade MP. Those new models should be applied in realization of urban planning
documentation, establishing of the policies and programs within the process of operational
management of the land, space and protection of the environment.

It was shown that the present form of environmental impact assessment (in our country and
cities) has not been sufficiently integrated in the process of urban planning because it has
been oriented toward individual facilities. It has never taken into account the complex
interactions among the impact of the existing facilities and new ones; cumulative effects in
time and space, synergism, indirect effects and other interconnected processes that can
happen in the area of the city MP.

The research performed within the project "Environmental Map" should offer solutions to the
listed problems by inclusion of international methodologies and standards in an integrated
system of environmental management, on the level of the city. Based on the analyses of
existing legal solutions, international standards, regulations and experience, combined with
the very research performed within this project, we have developed a new model for
optimization of normative, organizational and ecological criteria for the environmental
management, planning, construction and utilization of the land in Belgrade.

Our research has covered the following segments:

- Analysis and estimation of the state of environment, based on the existing data and special
investigations and measurements;
- Validation of space from the environmental standpoint;
- Environmental zoning of the Belgrade MP area, and
- Estimate of optimal intended use of the area in the function of sustainable development.
The Project also defined the three - dimensional scope: space - time - content. It has also
envisaged the realization dynamics.
The project "Environmental Evaluation of the Belgrade MP Area - Environmental Map" has
been realized in three phases, and each of them is structured in sub-phases.

Phase 1 Project Development

1.1 Defining the character, subject and scope of research
1.2 Record- keeping and analysis of the existing information/ documentation bases
1.3 Global estimation of the documentation state and practice in environmental management
1.4 Regional aspects of the environment in Belgrade
1.5 Program task of integrated environmental evaluation, i.e. creation of the Environmental
Map of Belgrade

Phase 2 Forming the information base of the Project

2.1 Developing the system of urban- environmental indicators
2.2 Collection, systematization and analysis of sectoral information
2.3 Interpretation of previous environmental studies in Belgrade
2.4 Creating sectoral analyses (Environmental Atlas)

Phase 3 Integrated environmental evaluation - Environmental Map of Belgrade

3.1 Sectoral maps with databases
3.2 Synthesized map with integrated environmental validation of the area
(Environmental Map)
3.3 Program of utilization and maintenance of the Environmental Map

Each of the above phases contains a series of activities (organizational, research,
developmental, methodological, analytical, technical, etc.) depending on the contents and
scope of the concrete assignment.

The first phase of the Project was realized in the period 1998 - 1999, and the second phase
during the period 2000 - 2002.

This is the opportunity for Institute of Public Health of Belgrade to submit to the Investor
final results of Phase 2, as shown in the two project documents:

Vol. A "INFORMATION BASE", and Vol. B "SPATIAL PRESENTATION (MAPS) OF SECTORAL
ANALYSES". (ENVIRONMENTAL ATLAS OF BELGRADE)

Our aim was to obtain the basis which will have served as ground for formulation of specific
local targets of sustainable development. We have maintained it throughout all phases,
especially in final activities of the Phase 2. Strategic documents on which we have based this
project are: Agenda 21 (UNEP), European Local Agenda 21 (EU) and Health for All Policy in
the 21st Century (WHO).

The analysis of certain indicators has been used to define urban- environmental profile of
the city of Belgrade. In choosing the indicators and manners of their presentation we have
applied the EU methodology: "Towards a local sustainability profile: European common
indicators" (1.1, 1.2), UNEP/ Habitat "Urban Indicators Review" (1.3, 1.4) and WHO "Healthy
city baseline indicators" (1.5 and 1.6).

In presenting the results we have applied the EU recommendations: in identification of the
urban situation and issues to encompass analysis and interpretation of the data obtained by
measurements and collected information (as encompassed in Vol. A) and mapping the
results (as encompassed in Vol. B) (1.1, 1.7). In final assignments of the Phase 2, i.e.
preparation of the above two documents for print, a new Report concerning the EU Project
was published: "Towards an urban atlas - Assessment of spatial data on 25 cities and urban
areas" (EEA and EC) (1.8).

The above- mentioned EU Report is a great encouragement for the continuation of our work
in the Project because it has confirmed our sound choice of methodologies, data and their
presentation. We may say that Belgrade has come a longer part of the way "towards an
urban atlas" by undertaking the task of creating its "Environmental Atlas". Of course, new
experience and recommendations obtained in the EU Report will have been applied in the
Phase 3 of our Project and as the basis for our continuous updating of the "Environmental
Atlas of Belgrade". Our Atlas is not of a static nature; rather, it represents a dynamic tool
which has to be added with new data, constantly changed and updated (on the basis of
regular monitoring, episodic and route measurements, by gathering new data from various
sectors). Such a venture provides the monitoring of the changes in time and the very
management of those changes.

This project document, Vol. B "SPATIAL PRESENTATION (MAPS) OF SECTORAL ANALYSES"
is really an Environmental atlas of Belgrade, in which we have analyzed spatial distribution
of parameters, indicators and indices of quality of the Belgrade MP territory. It has been
done by result mapping or cartographic presentation of the parameters. Special processing
was applied in analysis of specific spatial entireties existing within the MP borders. However,
due to regional, national and international significance of Belgrade, we have also
encompassed certain factors which may influence interactions among Belgrade and its
nearer or farther surroundings.

Through 12 chapters, or sectoral groups of data, we have created maps to show natural
and acquired features of the Belgrade area.

"Environmental Atlas of Belgrade" is a basis for the next phase (Phase 3) of the Project
t-creation of a synthesized environmental map of the city. A synthesized map will have
been a part of the System for categorization of micro localities, now being the assignment of
Agency for City Building Land and Development of Belgrade.