The proposed University Centre in Block 32 is one of the most ambitious projects in the contemporary development of higher education in Serbia. Conceived as an open, integrated and multifunctional complex, this centre is designed to respond to the evolving needs of the modern university – to be more than merely a place of learning, and to develope into a dynamic urban hub of knowledge, collaboration and innovation. The urban development concept for Block 32 envisages the creation of a new space uniting educational, research, cultural and social functions. In place of the traditional image of a University as a closed system, this centre is envisioned as a spatially and functionally porous organism – a campus open to the city, accessible to citizens and integrated into the everyday life of the community
Danilo S. Furundžić, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Belgrade, is an expert in investment consulting and project management. He has successfully combined practical experience with theoretical knowledge to enhance the public sector for many years, and regularly shares his expertise with both the professional and academic communities. His accolades – including the Vuk Karadžić Diploma from the Mathematical Grammar School, the “Student of the Year” title from the Faculty of Architecture, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce’s Award for Best Doctoral Thesis, and the “Captain Miša Anastasijević” Charter for outstanding management in public entrepreneurship – testify to his unique blend of competence and dedication. Over the course of his career, he has led numerous strategic infrastructure projects, restructured municipal enterprises to improve cost-efficiency, and focused extensively on public-sector architecture. Owing to his management expertise, he was entrusted with overseeing the Foundation for Solving the Housing Needs of Young Scientific Researchers of the University of Belgrade, as well as the restructuring of the Rectorate’s Endowment and Funds, managing the University’s entire property portfolio.
What role does the University of Belgrade play in contemporary society?
— As the oldest scientific and educational institution in Serbia, the University of Belgrade has for decades held a key role – not only within the education system, but in the broader societal context. At a time when students are increasingly taking initiative and becoming active political actors, university autonomy has become a crucial factor in safeguarding democratic values. However, to preserve and strengthen this role, a modern restructuring of the system and the enhancement of institutional capacities is essential. Recent events have shown that, while the Bologna Process improved networking between faculties, it also centralised funding, thereby increasing influence but reducing some aspects of institutional independence.
What responsibilities have been entrusted to you within the University?
— I was given a highly complex expert assignment – to establish and modernise the University of Belgrade’s property management system, which is one of its most valuable assets. This encompasses 36 faculties, student centres, Studentski grad (the campus of the University of Belgrade), the University Library, endowments, monetary foundations, a housing foundation, as well as property currently under restitution.
In order to provide institutional legitimacy to this undertaking, I was appointed as University Manager, and subsequently as Director of the Housing Foundation. I was also tasked with restructuring the Endowment and Fund Department and various legal entities under its umbrella.
What results have you achieved so far?
— We have completed the digitalisation of property records, established greater oversight over the most valuable assets, and initiated reforms in management practices. Amendments to the University Statute introduced a requirement for a University representative to sit on boards of directors, thereby strengthening control over strategic processes. The University must be equipped to meet contemporary challenges – property must be clearly documented, accessible and used efficiently in line with our mission of education and research.
What is your key upcoming project?
— One of the most important current projects is the planning of the University Centre in Block 32 – identified as a strategic point for the future academic and urban development of Belgrade. The goal is to integrate education, research, innovation and student life through modern educational facilities, research centres, start-up zones, cultural amenities and student infrastructure. Located between the city centre and New Belgrade, Block 32 is conceived as a new nucleus of academic synergy – a space that links knowledge, practice and interdisciplinary collaboration. The project involves a new architectural typology, flexible infrastructure and green areas that open the University to the wider community.
Why is the realisation of such a complex undertaking so important?
— The University Centre in Block 32 represents a transformative opportunity for the future of higher education in Serbia. Its design transcends the traditional notion of the university, aiming instead to become a vibrant urban centre of knowledge, cooperation and innovation. Central to the project will be modular, energy-efficient buildings designed according to principles of contemporary architecture and sustainability. The centre will encompass teaching spaces, laboratories, research institutes, student services, start-up incubators, co-working zones, libraries, cultural halls, as well as public squares, parks and recreational areas. Particular attention will be given to the spatial identity of the future campus. Its architectural language will be carefully integrated into the existing urban fabric, while sending a clear signal of modernity, knowledge and openness. The complex will encourage interdisciplinary engagement, encounters and the exchange of ideas – both among students and academics and between the University and the wider public.
What will this project mean for the future of the University of Belgrade?
The University Centre offers the University of Belgrade a chance to define a new symbol – not just in physical terms, but also as a conceptual beacon for a society rooted in knowledge, innovation and cooperation. Alongside facilities dedicated to higher education, the centre will also host complementary amenities that enhance urban quality of life – including student accommodation, cultural and artistic venues, social innovation hubs, as well as hospitality, commercial and leisure capacities. In this way, the University Centre at Block 32 becomes more than a piece of infrastructure – it becomes a space of ideas, open to the future, bridging academic excellence with the life of the modern city. This project has the potential to serve as a model for university campus development across the region and as a catalyst for redefining the relationship between the University and society at large.