The direction of scientific excellence development can be observed twofold. One will focus on creating an analytical framework for data collection. Through the analysis of best practices in Italy and Norway, a set of relevant indicators is to be collected and monitored to establish a system that allows scientifically based assessment of sustainability policies of urban areas in Serbia. Laboratory for Land Economics and Urban Analytics was established in the FEUN, aimed to fill the lack of data of the official statistics at the sub-national level, especially regarding environmental indicators, indicators of technological progress and innovation, but also the perceptions of urban dwellers and cultural interaction. The second will focus on the development of knowledge and tools to support the analysis of data-rich environments such as urban areas. Twinning partners, internationally leading research institutions, will help to clearly outline the scientific strategy for stepping up and stimulating scientific excellence and innovation capacity at FEUN, as well as the scientific quality through twinning exercises with partners. This scientific strategy will include arrangements for formulating new joint research projects in the field of advanced data analytics of urban data and smart and resilient development policies.
The project is dedicated to promoting the involvement of early-stage researchers at FEUN (summer schools, invited speakers and training program for PhD students, mentoring and networking activities). Collaboration with EU partners, and leading institutions in this field, enhance the scientific excellence of research and contributes to the achievement of project objectives. Also, through this cooperation, more information on urban problems in post-transition countries will be made available to EU partner institutions, which will increase their experience and competencies in this segment. Thus, the Project outcomes are expected to contribute to (1) Improved excellence capacity and resources of FEUN; (2) Enhanced strategic networking activities between FEUN and two leading institutions such as POLIEDRA and OSLOMET; (3) Raised reputation, research profile and attractiveness of FEUN and the research profile of its staff in the field of urban analytics and smart and resilient urban development.; (4) Strengthened research management capacities and administrative skills of the staff at FEUN; and (5) Improved research creativity at FEUN supported by development of new approaches in R&I collaboration and increased mobility of qualified scientists and researchers, especially between FEUN and POLIEDRA and OSLOMET. Activities to be conducted to achieve the above outcomes should include the following: short-term staff exchanges; expert visits and short-term on-site trainings, workshops, conference attendance, organisation of joint researches, joint papers and dissemination and outreach activities. Finally, the project activities will contribute to internationally leading partners as well, through the acquisition of new ideas for future project research, and based on experiences with urban problems specific to post-transition countries.
