The Impact of the Boris Kidrič Ironworks on the Urban Development and Spatial Identity of Nikšić Through Workers' Settlements and Infrastructure

This paper explores the significant impact of the Boris Kidrič Ironworks on the urban development and spatial identity of Nikšić throughout the 20th century, focusing particularly on workers’ settlements and the associated infrastructure. Through an analysis of the city’s urban expansion, workers’ neighborhoods such as Humci, Budo Tomović, are identified as key elements in shaping the urban landscape. The study also examines infrastructural projects like the Institute of Ferrous Metallurgy, the planned but partially realized Čelik Sports center and Krupac Lake beach, which represented efforts to create a comprehensive urban and social infrastructure. Although many of these projects were never fully completed, they reflect the ambitions of industrial development that went beyond mere production, influencing the educational, cultural, and sporting aspects of the city’s life.

The paper further analyzes the architectural and urban planning principles that shaped these settlements and infrastructure, as well as the broader influence of the steel industry on the cultural and social identity of Nikšić. While some settlements underwent significant transformations and degradation through poorly executed adaptations, workers’ neighborhoods and their associated infrastructure remain fundamental components of the city’s urban identity. This research underscores the need for further valorization and revitalization of this industrial heritage in the context of sustainable urban development.