Makiš

Makiš (Serbian: Макиш) is a forest and an urban neighborhood of Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. It is located in Belgrade's municipality of Čukarica.

Makiš
Макиш
Urban neighbourhood
Colony of false indigo bush in Makiš, on the Sava bank
Colony of false indigo bush in Makiš, on the Sava bank
Makiš is located in Belgrade
Makiš
Makiš
Location within Belgrade
Coordinates: 44°45′28″N 20°22′01″E
Country Serbia
RegionBelgrade
MunicipalityČukarica
Population
 • Total1,217
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Area code+381(0)11
Car platesBG

Location
Maneuvers in Makiš, celebrating the Day of the Police of Serbia

Makiš is bordered by the Sava river and Sava Lake to the west and north, Čukarica and Čukarička Padina to the northeast, Julino Brdo, Žarkovo, Bele Vode and Rupčine to the east, Železnik to the south and Ostružnica to the southwest.[1]

Geography

For the most part, Makiš is a marshy forest, crossed by many small streams and canals, most notably the Marevica. Northern part is known as Jedek, western as Aščinica and central as Veliko Okno.[2][3] Part of the Sava's alluvial plane, the main section of the area, which covers several hundreds of hectares, is covered with gravel and sand which are 10,000 years old. In time, a plentiful water source formed.[4] As the Sava river reaches the bend at Makiš, some water continues in the straight direction, penetrating the ground in the fan-shaped manner, without reaching the surface. Through the "flake" system of dispersion, the water filters itself through the non-organic wall, made of gravel, sand and other silicate minerals, before reaching the reservoirs.[5] The natural underground reservoirs spread over several hundreds of hectares, at the depth of 8 to 25 m (26 to 82 ft). The water is drained by the Ranney collectors.[6]

In the early 19th century, the area was covered in thick forest.[7] Until the 20th century, Makiš was known for plentiful pastures used by the farmers from the nearby Žarkovo for their livestock.[8]

In total, Makiš forest spreads on 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi).[9]

Characteristics
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1981946—    
1991953+0.7%
20021,379+44.7%
20111,217−11.7%
Source: [10][11][12][13]

Makiš is for the most part non-residential (it had a population of only 1,217 in 2011), but important for the city industry and transportation. Major roads of Sava motorway and Old Obrenovac road cross through the area, marking western and eastern borders of the neighborhood. The railway also passes on the eastern border were the Makiš marshalling yard, largest one in south-east Europe, is located. The central facilities (including the water factory) of the Belgrade waterworks are located in Makiš, so as many gravel digging and cement plant on the bank of the Sava river.

First waterworks which supplied Belgrade from Makiš was finished in 1892, and the system was ceremonially opened on 12 July 1892, at Terazije. At the time, it was one of the most modern such facilities in Southeast Europe, projected by engineer Oskar Smrekar (1854-1935). For the first time in Belgrade, the underground water was used by the water supply system, instead of water springs. Original capacity was 2.800 m3 (98.9 cu ft) per day, for 80.000 citizens. By 1914, the production grew to 8.000 m3 (282.5 cu ft) daily. As Belgrade grew in the decades to come, the first water treatment facility ("water factory" Makiš 1) became operational in April 1987. It treats water from the Sava river. Another treatment facility, Makiš 2, was built from 2004 to September 2014, which should cover Belgrade's need for water until 2035.[4][14]

During the Interbellum, the waterworks company built the residential complex for its workers in Makiš, which originally consisted of two buildings within the industrial facility.[15] Makiš Stadium is located in the northern section of Makiš.

Planned projects

Aerial lift

The "Čavlina and Sladoljev" company from Zagreb drafted the project of connecting two banks of the Sava by the cable car in 1922. The project never realized. Engineer and CEO of the institute for urbanism and dwelling "Juginus", Mirko Radovanac, revived the idea in the 1990s. After extensive surveys (traffic analysis, interviews with the commuters, climatic, geological, urban and other research), they presented the project in 1993. They proposed the terminuses should be at the Sports Center Košutnjak and Block 44 in the neighborhood of Savski Blokovi in New Belgrade, across the Sava. Stops in between would include the major public transportation roundabout in Banovo Brdo, Makiš and Ada Ciganlija, five in total. They called it the "ideal route". The plan also included construction of commercial areas around the terminuses, which would cover 2,000 m2 (22,000 sq ft), helping the profitability of the project. Apart from being ecological and an attraction, it was estimated that it would shorten the trip for 45 minutes.[16]

City government later included the project into the city's General Urban Plan, which envisioned the construction in phases, the first being a 1,000 m (3,300 ft) long section Block 44-Ada Ciganlija. It would lay on 8 steel pillars, 35 m (115 ft) above the ground and the trip would last for 3 minutes. The cabins were projected to receive not just the commuters, but also the bicycles, skateboards, sledges and skis, as the cableway was planned to work year-round. There would be a total of 27 pillars, it would be 5 km (3.1 mi) long which would be travelled in 15 minutes by 2,000 commuters per hour.[16]

Despite the project being publicly revived by the mayors Dragan Đilas (2008–2013) and Siniša Mali (2013–2018), it remained on hold. The idea was included in the Belgrade's General Regulatory Plan again in December 2021, including two phases: New Belgrade-Ada Ciganlija-Makiš, and Makiš-Banovo Brdo-Košutnjak.[17] After announcing relocation of the zoo to Ada Ciganlija, mayor Aleksandar Šapić announced execution of the project,[18] announcing also reactivation of the publicly unknown city project from 2009.[19]

Makiš Field

Eastern section, across the Sava motorway is called Makiš Field (Serbian: Макишко поље, romanized: Makiško polje). In the south and south-western section the Makiš marshalling yard and the neighborhood of Železnik are located.

After several plans for the Belgrade Metro since the 1960s, a new plan was announced on 3 July 2017, which envisions first two lines as the 22 km (14 mi) long Makiš-Mirijevo (via Sava Amphitheatre and Karaburma) and the 19.8 km (12.3 mi) long Zemun-Ustanička. The construction should start in the end of 2019 or the beginning of 2020 and should be finished in 3 to 4 years.[20] The project differs from all the previous ones as it sets the crossing of the major lines under the Belgrade Waterfront on the Sava bank, a highly controversial pet project of President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić and mayor Mali, instead under the central city squares of Terazije or Republic Square as planned in the previous decades. Mayor of Belgrade Siniša Mali also announced that the first line is actually going to be Makiš Field-Mirijevo (that is, Višnjičko Polje) instead of Zemun-Ustanička which was planned as the first for decades.[21]

Architects and engineers reacted negatively, especially since both terminuses are at the moment nothing more than still un-urbanized heaths, though mayor Mali said that this line will connect the future projects which will "with the development of metro, bring billions of euros in investments and millions of square meters of the new business areas". Dr Ratomir Vračarević, traffic engineer and professor at the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Technical Sciences said how the surveys showed that this direction has a very low number of potential commuters, well below the profitability level. Architect Branislav Jovin, who authored the 1970s subway project, said that he believes Makiš was chosen because of the announced project of Tesla Grad ("Tesla City") by Bogoljub Karić, Karić, a tycoon who fled the country so that he wouldn't be trialed for financial schemes, returned after the change of government.[21] Three weeks later, city indeed announced that Karić's company "BK Group" won the competition for the project of "Tesla Grad" in Makiš Field with Mali personally giving advice what should be built in the complex. On the very day when this was announced, Karić stated that he already finalized everything at the meeting with Mali and city architect Milutin Folić and that the project is just one step away from realization.[22]

Tesla Grad

A residential-business complex, an "ambitiously envisioned international business center for fun and trade", was announced on 21 July 2017. The project covers an area of 680 m (2,230 ft), with 4,000,000 m2 (43,000,000 sq ft) of space, though site of the "BK Group" mentions only half of that. It is planned for 31,000 inhabitants. The starting point of the new settlement, from the city direction, will be a residential and commercial complex (apartments, shops, elementary schools, kindergartens, ambulances, cultural and sport venues, hotels) surrounding the 25-storeys high skyscraper. Lush vegetation is planned between the blocks, while cars will be parked in underground garages on the edges of the blocks. A main street through the settlement, in the entire north-south direction is also planned with the commercial zone around it. It will be parallel to the Sava motorway, with the green belt and avenues. Above the marshaling yard large salons for selling cars, ceramics, furniture, etc. are planned. The lots along the Belgrade bypass and Ostružnica Bridge are projected for the large hypermarkets and similar venues. Mayor Mali added that the national stadium might be built in this section, too.[22]

The main concern at the moment, is the fact that Makiš is Belgrade's main water source. In order to accommodate such a big project and make it possible, city government actually reduced the buffer zones by half around the water sources. This way, a construction is allowed close to the, and even though city authorities claim it is still enough to preserve the purity of the water, though some experts disagree.[6][21][22] They urged not to destroy the water sources and to preserve it for the future generations which may apply other solutions for water supply, like the use of the underground water sources from the valleys of the Sava and Drina rivers which yield more water of higher quality, but are distant from the city.[4] Geology engineer Branislav Božović said that building of such a major urban project on this location, beside the danger to the water sources, will also affect the micro climate of New Belgrade and Sava amphitheater and will cause the shutting off of the natural ventilation along the valleys of the rivers Topčiderska Reka, Železnička Reka and Ostružnička Reka.[23][24]

In September 2017 it was announced that the National Stadium will probably not be built within the scopes of Tesla Grad as there are complicated issues concerning the ownership of the land in Makiš.[25] Later, another location, across the river and close to Surčin was chosen. The entire Tesla Grad in general has been described as "even greater misfortune than Belgrade Waterfront".[24]

In December 2020, city assembly organized public session to discuss the project, now enlarged to 4,500,000 m2 (48,000,000 sq ft), for 36,500 residents, but citing coronavirus outbreak, and with the use of security guards and police, city prevented public to attend. This became a common thing in 2020, so the activists asked from city administration not to organize public inspections like this during the pandemic, but the city refused citing they already strictly follow measures instituted by the government, which means that only one member of the public can attend the inspection.[26] City also claimed that the urbanization of Makiš was already planned in 1974 and that 2015 study by the Institute "Jaroslav Černi" which was used to reduce the buffer zones, was ordered in 2009.[27] "Jaroslav Černi" refused to comment publicly claiming they are understaffed due to the pandemic,[6] but later issued a statement that there is no ecological concern. Public, citizens' and activists' groups, ecologists, opposition parties and a group of Belgrade University professors protested and urged the city government not to adopt the plan, with professors calling the study faulty.[6][26][27][28][29] On 30 December 2020, amidst protests and minor physical confrontation with the security guards, city assembly adopted the plan for the urbanization of Makiš.[30][31]

On 25 January 2021, vice-president of the "BK Group" Dragomir Karić said they are withdrawing from the Tesla Grad project. He claimed they planned to build cheap apartments which pose no threat to the water sources, but after talking with the local residents and various organizations, they backed off as they met with lack of understanding.[32]

References
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  2. Beograd - plan grada. M@gic M@p. 2006. ISBN 86-83501-53-1.
  3. Turističko područje Beograda. Geokarta. 2007. ISBN 978-86-459-0099-2.
  4. Branka Vasiljević (1 April 2018). "Makiško polje – zlatno izvorište prestonice" [Makiško field – golden water source of the capital]. Politika (in Serbian). p. 12.
  5. Branka Vasiljević (7 May 2021). "Gradnja metroa opasnost za vodoizvorište" [Construction of metro, danger for water source]. Politika (in Serbian). p. 19.
  6. Branka Vasiljević (15 December 2020). "Makiško polje ne treba pretvarati u zemljište za gradnju zgrada, metroa" [Makiš Field shouldn't become the ground for buildings or metro]. [Politika (in Serbian). p. 16.
  7. Да ли знате: Који топоними сведоче о шумовитости Шумадије? [Do you know: which toponymy testify about forestation in Šumadija?]. Politika (in Serbian). 16 August 2021. p. 30.
  8. Goran Vesić (3 July 2020). Жарково, прича која траје [Žarkovo, story which continues]. Politika (in Serbian). p. 16.
  9. Anica Teofilović, Vesna Isajlović, Milica Grozdanić (2010). Пројекат "Зелена регулатива Београда" - IV фаѕа: План генералне регулације система зелених површина Београда (концепт плана). Urbanistički zavod Beograda.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. Osnovni skupovi stanovništva u zemlji – SFRJ, SR i SAP, opštine i mesne zajednice 31.03.1981, tabela 191. Savezni zavod za statistiku (txt file). 1983.
  11. Stanovništvo prema migracionim obeležjima – SFRJ, SR i SAP, opštine i mesne zajednice 31.03.1991, tabela 018. Savezni zavod za statistiku (txt file).
  12. Popis stanovništva po mesnim zajednicama, Saopštenje 40/2002, page 4. Zavod za informatiku i statistiku grada Beograda. 26 July 2002.
  13. Stanovništvo po opštinama i mesnim zajednicama, Popis 2011. Grad Beograd – Sektor statistike (xls file). 23 April 2015.
  14. Jovan Popović (8 June 2020). Два миленијума водовода у Београду [Two millennia of Belgrade's waterworks]. Politika (in Serbian). p. 23.
  15. Goran Vesić (2 August 2019). Социјални станови [Social housing]. Politika (in Serbian). p. 14.
  16. Dejan Spalović (27 August 2012), "San o žičari od Bloka 44 do Košutnjaka", Politika (in Serbian)
  17. eKapija (19 December 2021). "Gradiće se gondola od Novog Beograda do Košutnjaka" [Gondola lift from New Belgrade to Košutnjak will be built] (in Serbian). eKapija.
  18. Branka Vasiljević (4 February 2023). "Zoo vrt se seli na Adu Ciganliju" [Zoo moves to Ada Ciganlija]. Politika (in Serbian). pp. 01 & 13.
  19. Dejan Aleksić (22 February 2023). Усвојен план о метроу, раскинут уговор са "Кенткартом" [Metro plan adopted, contract with "Kentkart: disolved]. Politika (in Serbian). p. 17.
  20. Dejan Aleksić (4 July 2017), ""BG vozom" do Resnika naredne godine, metroom tek od 2023.", Politika (in Serbian), p. 14
  21. Maja Nikolić (9 July 2017). "Ukrštanje linija metroa, umesto u centru, u Beogradu na vodi" (in Serbian). N1.
  22. Daliborka Mučibabić (25 July 2017), "Grad za više od 30.000 stanovnika na Makiškom polju", Politika (in Serbian), p. 16
  23. Sandra Petrušić (9 October 2018). "Cena diletantizma" [The price of dilettantism] (in Serbian). NIN.
  24. Sandra Petrušić (20 June 2019). Замлаћивање о нашем трошку [Messing around with our money]. NIN, No. 3573 (in Serbian). pp. 22–25.
  25. Daliborka Mučibabić (20 September 2017), "Izgradnja nacionalnog stadiona počinje 2018, lokacija tajna", Politika (in Serbian), p. 16
  26. Daliborka Mučibabić (16 December 2020). "Makiš – bojno polje grada i zabrinutih građana" [Makiš - battlefield of city and concerned citizens]. Politika (in Serbian). p. 17.
  27. Daliborka Mučibabić (19 December 2020). Стојчић: Велико ратно острво потенцијално водоизвориште [Stojčić: Great War Island is potential water source]. Politika (in Serbian).
  28. Milenko Pušić (21 December 2020). "Zaštita beogradskog izvorišta nerešiv problem" [Protection of Belgrade water source unsolvable problem]. Politika (in Serbian).
  29. Branka Vasiljević (29 December 2020). ""Bitka" za lokalitet Makiško polje" [Battle for the locality of Makiš Field]. Politika (in Serbian).
  30. Mina Ćurčić, Dejan Aleksić (30 December 2020). Бурно испред Сава центра, усвојен план за Макишко поље [Turbulent [protest] at Sava Centar, plan for Makiš Field adopted]. Politika (in Serbian). p. 19.
  31. Nenad Nešić, BETA (29 December 2020). "Usvojen Plan za Makiš, protestni skup ispred Sava centra" [Plan for Makiš adopted, protest gathering in front of Sava Centar] (in Serbian). N1.
  32. BETA (25 January 2021). "Dragomir Karić: "BK grupa" odustala od gradnje "Tesla grada" na području Makiškog polja" [Dragomir Karić: "BK Group" backed off from the construction of "Tesla Grad" on the location of Makišk Field] (in Serbian). Nova Srpska Politička Misao.
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