Imagining the Balkans*

Southeastern Europe has a history of domination and is to this day a marginalized neighbour within or next to the European Union. These historical experiences have contributed to the region's ongoing peripherality, a condition that is further reinforced by institutional representations of neglect, perpetuated in global perceptions of the region and its own self-image.¹ Consequently, studying the Balkans necessitates the development of new approaches, departing from conventional views based on monolithic nations. The countries of the peninsula are intricately interconnected, yet rather than a shared identity, they exhibit a distinctive sociocultural diversity, largely attributable to their divergent geopolitical relations.² These interdependencies and dynamics require a territorially holistic view over time.

The collaborative project examines the transformation of Southeast Europe by collectively mapping its transcultural relations with regard to post- and decolonial theory and practice. The focus is on the study of peripherality, borders and boundaries, where planning principles are more likely to collide. It is an investigation of the intricate global interconnections within the Balkan region, the perception and organisation of cross-border processes in this area, and the social construction of these processes.

The primary objective is to establish a cartographic language for reading and visualizing a given territory by employing a combination of methodologies across diverse scales and collaborative practices. The morphological analysis, informed by historical maps and scientific research is complemented by the integration of narratives sourced from regional non-fiction authors and foreign travellers. This enables an additional (subjective) dimension: the collective memory that unveils the tensions between formal planning strategies and the actual lived space.³ Thus, the chosen approach challenges the prevailing representation of Southeast Europe, with the objective of counter-mapping its historical socio-political territories and thereby facilitating a reimagining of its future.

¹ Manolova, P., Kušić, K., Lottholz, P. “Decolonial theory & practice.” From dialogue to practice: Pathways towards decoloniality in Southeast Europe 03/19 (2019): 7-52
² Calic, Marie-Janine, Südosteuropa (C.H. Beck, 2016), 9-17.
³ Fassler, Larissa, Viewshed (Distanz Verlag, 2022), 38-53.

Students
Aleksandar Kyuvliev, Amna Okanovic, Andreea-Florina Popa, Angelika Krayer, Anna Till, Anna Marie Raab, Anne Klemm, Ariadne Hinzen, Arno Poll, Azra Makic, Bianca Lintner, Borbala Luca Kovacs, Btian Denizcan Paul Dorsam, Edis Halimi, Egemen Esdogan, Florian Scharf, Gaia Cattaneo, Gems Orpah de Rosas, Giulia Oliveri, Jakob Aumayer, Jan Prochazka, Jasmin Tieber, Julian Hohengassner, Karoline Herdin, Magdalena Berger, Marlies Weidinger, Patricie Honkova, Paul Henry Sündermann, Philip Kaloumenos, Ronja Barz, Sabine Hochleitner, Sara Vejnovic, Sara Hannah Mislik, Sarah Popelak, Silven Ismail, Sofiya Lukyanchenko, Susanne Gerzer, Theresa Gsenger, Victoria Ladentrog, Victoria Hofböck, Vivien Rideg, Yuliy Lichev, Zana Veli

Lecturers
Antonia Dika, Benni Eder, Eldar Hajdarevic, Falma Fshazi, Georg Gartner, Helmut Weber, Lea Horvat, Mamica Burda, Maroje Mrduljaš, Michael Klein, Nela Kadić, Ivan Kućina, Sabine Bitter, Régis Darques