This research focuses on advancing a just green transition in Kragujevac, Serbia, with a specific emphasis on sustainable urban mobility. Serbia has made progress toward decarbonization since endorsing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, yet most just transition policies remain at the national level. Kragujevac stands out among local governments for its history of adopting relevant local policies—though many are now outdated or expiring. This presents a key opportunity to incorporate Just Green Transition (JGT) principles into new policies and position the city as a model for others in Serbia.
The research centers on the Green Agenda’s first pillar—clean energy and climate protection—by exploring just transition in smart, sustainable mobility. It also intersects with the depollution pillar by investigating how urban planning and land-use innovations can reduce environmental health burdens, improve public transport, and foster more sustainable, inclusive mobility systems.
The participatory research approach integrates the concept of "sense of place," examining how emotional, cognitive, and behavioral ties to urban spaces influencing community engagement and support for transition efforts. This method aims to ensure both policy relevance and community ownership of outcomes, contributing to a more equitable and sustainable urban future.