III International Conference „ECOLOGY OF URBAN AREAS“ 2013 TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE URBAN MODEL – A FRAMEWORK FOR DEVELOPING INDICATORS FOR PLANNING AND DESIGNING NETWORKS OF GREEN SPACES IN URBAN CENTERS IN SERBIA Ph.D. Slobodan Milutinovic Faculty of Occupational Safety, University of Nis, Serbia boban40@yahoo.com Petar Vranic, M.Sc * Faculty of Occupational Safety, University of Nis, Serbia petarvvv@gmail.com Ph.D. Milica Maksic Institute of Urban Planning City of Niš, Serbia mmaxic@gmail.com ABSTRACT The paper aims to highlight the need for introduction of additional indicators for designing and planning of green space networks (GSN) in urban centers in Serbia. An important element of urban sustainability and quality of life in urban areas is the percentage and distribution of green space. The urban planning practice in Serbia lacks systemic approach to spatial development of GSN. In order to improve the quantity and quality of urban green spaces we have firstly to define particular urban models. In order to monitor progress towards the defined models, we have to have clearly defined guidelines supported by system of indicators. In this regard, definition of required indicators plays a key role in development of GSN. Thus, the objective of this paper is to develop a framework for defining qualitative and quantitative indicators for planning and designing GSN in Serbian cities, based on available data. In that way, paper also suggests tools for measuring the existing density of urban green spaces. Firstly, paper analyzes existing indicators for planning and designing of green spaces in urban centers in Serbia. And secondly, based on comparison with indicators from European cities, it discuses possible improvements of existing and introduction of new indicators for development of GSN. Key words: green space networks, sustainable urban model, urban planning, Serbia INTRODUCTION Despite the common question among decision makers, as Heidt and Neef (2008) point out, how we can quantify the benefits of urban greenery, there are numbers of studies that prove the contribution of urban green spaces to the quality of life and ecosystem services in cities. Increasingly profit-driven urbanization results in many instances in a disappearance of green structures within the cities. The replacement of green areas, including natural soil and water, with artificial surfaces such as asphalt or concrete have negative effects on the ambient environment, at first place with the reduction of evapotranspiration, and increased heat accumulation (Carlson et al., 1981; Goward, 1981; Owen et al., 1998; Wilson et al., 2003). Land cover changes influence not only a heat balance, but also have a negative effects on the landscape aesthetics, energy efficiency, human health and quality of life (McPherson et al., 1997; Yue et al., 2007). The greater share of artificial impervious surfaces over the natural land cover in urbanized environment is considered as the main cause of urban heat island (UHI) effect (Onishia et. al. 2010). Among others, as Oke (1987) comments, UHI is the best documented example of human climate modification. The UHI has been commonly defined as higher surface and air temperature in urban areas then in the