Novi Sad

--- title: "Bora Kosanović" category: "biographies" category_display: "Prominent Citizens of Novi Sad" date: "2026-08-07" description: "A popular science and academic overview on the topic: Bora Kosanović."

Introduction

Bora Kosanović (1932–2010) stands as one of the most significant figures in the history of horticulture and landscape architecture in the city of Novi Sad during the second half of the 20th century. Through his visionary approach to urban greenery, thorough scientific education, and dedicated practical work, Kosanović fundamentally transformed the visual identity of the "Serbian Athens." His work transcended mere municipal service, evolving into a lasting artistic and ecological heritage that still defines the environmental standards and aesthetic profile of this city on the Danube.

Early Life and Education

Bora Kosanović was born in 1932 in Sremski Karlovci, into a construction family deeply rooted in traditional values and a profound respect for the natural environment. He completed his elementary education in his hometown and attended the Classical Gymnasium in Novi Sad, where he first encountered the urban plans of the city's historical core and its modest yet tradition-rich green spaces.

His love for botany and applied arts led him to the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Belgrade, where he graduated in 1956 from the Department of Horticulture. During his studies, Kosanović showed exceptional interest in the history of garden art and agronomy, further perfecting his expertise at prestigious European universities in Vienna and Brussels ¹. His theoretical framework relied on a synthesis of the Central European school of landscape architecture and the modernist principles of urban space functionality, which later formed the foundation of his work in Vojvodina.

Work and Activities in Novi Sad

Upon returning from his studies and professional specialization, Kosanović settled permanently in Novi Sad in 1960. He began his career within the city's public greenery enterprise, Gradsko Zelenilo, where he quickly advanced to the position of Chief Development and Design Engineer. During a period of rapid industrialization and demographic growth in Novi Sad—when the city expanded its borders at the expense of former agricultural estates and marshlands—Kosanović insisted on the principle that green spaces are not a luxury, but rather the basic infrastructure of a healthy urban life.

His work was characterized by a deep commitment to preserving indigenous plant species, alongside a boldness in introducing exotic dendrological material that successfully adapted to the Pannonian climate. Kosanović actively collaborated with urban planners at the Novi Sad Urban Planning Institute, ensuring that every new residential block, such as Liman or Grbavica, received an adequate proportion of parkland. His vision of Novi Sad as a "garden city" became an official guideline in spatial planning during the 1960s and 1970s.

Major Achievements

Bora Kosanović’s most significant contributions are tied to the design, reconstruction, and revitalization of Novi Sad's most important public green spaces. The Danube Park (Dunavski park), serving as the central urban park and a cultural monument of exceptional importance, owes the vast majority of its recognizable appearance today to his expert intervention in 1968 and 1974 ². Kosanović skillfully preserved the romantic layout of the 19th-century park while simultaneously upgrading its hydro-technical foundation, lighting, and botanical diversity, including its renowned collection of rare trees.

In addition to the Danube Park, Kosanović managed the complete landscape design of Futoški Park and the creation of new green corridors along Emperor Lazarus Boulevard (Bulevar cara Lazara) and the Danube riverbanks. His aesthetic signature is recognizable through carefully curated vistas, the alternation of open lawn areas and dense woodland zones, and the discreet integration of sculptures and memorial monuments into the natural environment. He also dedicated special attention to the horticultural arrangement of the area surrounding the Petrovaradin Fortress, striving to merge the fortification complex with the nature of the lower town.

Legacy

Bora Kosanović passed away in 2010 in Novi Sad, leaving behind not only the physical spaces that continue to serve as the lungs of the city, but also a rich body of written materials, professional papers, and project documentation preserved in the city archives. His contribution to science and the profession was recognized through numerous social awards, most notably the October Prize of the City of Novi Sad for lifetime achievement and exceptional merits in the fields of urban planning and horticulture.

Bora Kosanović’s legacy lives on today in the consciousness of the citizens of Novi Sad, who experience its parks as an inseparable part of their identity. His pedagogical work with younger engineers and architects laid the foundations for the modern Novi Sad school of landscape architecture, which, even under contemporary transitional conditions, strives to defend the principles of sustainable urban development and the preservation of the green fund ³.

Literature and References

1. Petrović, Milan. Zeleni prstenovi Novog Sada: Istorijat i razvoj hortikulture od 1918. do 1990. godine [The Green Rings of Novi Sad: History and Development of Horticulture from 1918 to 1990]. Matica srpska, Novi Sad, 2004.
2. Stanković, Jelena. Pejzažna arhitektura Vojvodine: Značajni autori i projekti [Landscape Architecture of Vojvodina: Notable Authors and Projects]. University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences, 2012.
3. Kosanović, Bora. Urbana ekologija i parkovski sistemi Novog Sada [Urban Ecology and Park Systems of Novi Sad]. Proceedings of the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad, 1988.