World Bank Document

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

World Bank Document SOFIA Public Disclosure Authorized CITY STRATEGY Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized May 2003 SOFIA: THE CAPITAL CITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA Public Disclosure Authorized ‘IT GROWS BUT IT DOES NOT AGE’ PREPARED WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE CITIES ALLIANCE (THE WORLD BANK AND THE UNITED NATIONS CENTRE FOR HUMAN SETTLEMENTS) SOFIA CITY STRATEGY May 2003 SOFIA: THE CAPITAL CITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA ‘IT GROWS BUT IT DOES NOT AGE’ PREPARED WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE CITIES ALLIANCE (THE WORLD BANK AND THE UNITED NATIONS CENTRE FOR HUMAN SETTLEMENTS) The Sofia City Strategy is intended to provide a basis for sustainable development of the local economy and for the welfare of city residents. Developed by Sofia’s city management with support from the Cities Alliance, the strategy is informed by recommendations from residents and business community members provided through workshops, surveys and con- sultations. The strategy has helped the municipal administration identify needed improve- ments in five broad areas – economy, services, urban structure, finance and municipal mangement and governance. To help the city administration effectively implement this long-term strategy, a Program Action Matrix outlines priority actions and objectives to be undertaken and addressed in the three to five year period ahead. The consultative and col- laborative approach that has been undertaken in formulating the strategy has influenced and will continue to provide insight on the future role and operation of the city administra- tion. During the formulation of the strategy, the vision for Sofia City was adopted: Sofia is a capital of the Balkans, a city with a competitive economy and sustainable economic growth, a city with high quality of life, attractive for businesses, residents and tourists. Sofia has high quality of transport and essential urban services, a city with efficient urban management promoting transparent and fiscally sound business practices. Sofia’s urban environment enhances opportunities for diverse economic and social development. This document was prepared with assistance from the Cities Alliance* and summarizes the analyses, findings and recommendations of several years of a broad-based strategy develop- ment process. Key contributions to the strategy include analyses undertaken by Sofia municipality and Cities Alliance/World Bank staff, several seminars and meetings with resi- dents, NGOs and civil servants in Sofia and the support of the USAID-funded Local Government Initiative in Sofia. The German Technical Cooperation Agency (Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Zuzammenarbeit) carried out an assessment of the municipal enterprise sector. Its findings and recommendations are outlined in a supplemental report to be pre- sented to the municipality. The Cities Alliance support for facilitation of the development of the strategy and preparation of this document was supervised by Margret Thalwitz, Lee Travers (Sector Managers) and Sudipto Sarkar (Team Leader). Principal author Anders Zeijlon prepared this document with support from Sasha Tsenkova, Kremena Ionkova and Jane Ebinger. Editorial support was provided by Nisha Chatani Rizvi. The views expressed here are the views of the authors and do not reflect the views of the World Bank. * The Cities Alliance is a global alliance of cities and their development partners. It was launched in 1999 with initial support from the World Bank and the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (UN-Habitat), the political heads of the four leading global associations of local authorities and 10 governments - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Asia Development Bank joined the Cities Alliance in March 2002. More information is available at www.citiesalliance.org. 2 Sofia City Strategy Message from the Mayor My fellow city residents, visitors and friends of Sofia, I am pleased to present to you the first ever Sofia City Strategy (SCS) and hope it offers a constructive and useful outline of the goals our city management has set out to achieve in the three to five year period ahead. Intended for a broad audience, this docu- ment is a summary of more than three years of strategy-related work based on the views and recommendations of a number of groups, individuals and experts. Translating all the technical and consultative work undertaken into a comprehensive strategy document was no easy task. Inevitably, conflicting and overlapping ideas were at odds and proposals were either not fully developed or difficult to implement given the legal and financial constraints of the city. The quality of the work and the process that followed nevertheless provided valuable insight in identifying for our admin- istration the right balance between competing priorities and selection of key actions and poli- cies. I would like to thank all participants who contributed to the development of SCS. The analyses, consultations and surveys carried out by international organizations and experts and the engagement with the city administration generated thoughtful discussion and helped to improve overall the way we who work for the municipality see our role developing in the future. We plan to monitor the implementation of the actions outlined in the strategy and continue to consult with Sofia’s residents and stakeholders to ensure that they maximize the benefits of our efforts. I hope you will enjoy reading about our city and, whether you are a resident, a visitor or one of us working for the administration, we hope you will join us in our collaborative effort to improve the way we live and work. Stefan Sofiansky, Mayor of Sofia May 2003 Sofia City Strategy 3 CONTENTS PAGE LIST OF BOXES, TABLES, FIGURES AND MAPS 6 ACRONYMS, GLOSSARY OF TERMS, CURRENCIES AND MEASUREMENTS 7 MAP OF SOFIA CITY 8 THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOFIA CITY STRATEGY 9 SUMMARY OF THE SOFIA CITY STRATEGY 12 Purpose of the Strategy 12 City Economy 12 City Services 14 Urban Structure 16 City Finance 16 City Management and Governance 17 Program Action Matrix 18 I. CITY ECONOMY 19 Feedback from the Business Community 19 Sofia in the National Economy 19 Privatization and Economic Restructuring 20 Service Clusters Emerged as Stable Sources of Local Employment 22 Educated Labor Force but Low Employment Rates 23 Key Demographic Indicators and Poverty Data 24 Priorities for Action 26 II. CITY SERVICES 28 Feedback from City Residents and the Business Community 28 Infrastructure Services 30 Water and Wastewater 30 District Heating 31 Urban Transport 32 Solid Waste Management 33 Green Areas Preservation 33 Social Services 34 Health care 35 Education 35 Social Assistance 37 Administrative Services 37 Priorities for Action 39 4 Sofia City Strategy III. THE URBAN STRUCTURE 41 Sofia’s Spatial Structure 41 Housing and Real Estate Markets 43 Office and Retail Space 45 Environmental Concerns 46 Sofia’s New Master Plan 46 Priorities for Action 48 IV. CITY FINANCE 50 The Budget Process 50 Revenues 51 Foreign Loans 52 Expenditures 53 Future Finances 53 Priorities for Action 54 V. CITY MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE 55 Feedback from Residents and the Business Community 55 Sofia’s Constituencies 55 Areas for Improvement in the Municipal Government 56 Priorities for Action 57 SUMMARY OF SURVEYS WITH CITY RESIDENTS AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY 59 PROGRAM ACTION MATRIX FOR SOFIA CITY STRATEGY 65 STATISTICAL ANNEXES 78 LIST OF WEB SITES 83 CONTACT INFORMATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY 84 Sofia City Strategy 5 LIST OF BOXES, TABLES, FIGURES AND MAPS PAGE BOXES Box 1: Milestones in the Development Process of Sofia’s City Strategy 11 Box 2: Fast Facts on Sofia 12 Box 3: A Brief History of Sofia 13 Box 4: The Privatization Strategy 29 TABLES Table 1.1: The Leading City Center 20 Table 1.2: Macroeconomic Indicators 20 Table 1.3: Employment and GDP by Sector 21 Table 1.4: Employment in Service and Manufacturing Sectors, 2000 22 Table 1.5: Unemployment Profile 24 Table 1.6: Demographic Indicators 24 Table 1.7: SWOT Analysis of the Economy 25 Table 2.1: Provision of Sewerage Services and Wastewater Treatments in European Capital Cities 31 Table 2.2: Public Transport, 2000 32 Table 2.3: Local Expenditure Assignments 35 Table 2.4: Municipal and State Responsibilities in the Social Sectors 36 Table 2.5: SWOT Analysis of Infrastructure Services 38 Table 2.6: SWOT Analysis of Social Services 38 Table 2.7: SWOT Analysis of Administrative Services 38 Table 3.1: Land Use in Constructed Area 41 Table 3.2: Average Population Density and Industrial Land in European Cities 42 Table 3.3: SWOT Analysis of Urban Structure 48 Table 4.1: Sofia Municipal Budget 50 Table 4.2: Sofia Municipal Budget Revenues 51 Table 4.3: Sofia Municipal Budget Expenditures 53 Table 4.4: SWOT Analysis of Finances 54 Table 5.1: SWOT Analysis of the Municipality’s Management and Governance 57 FIGURES Figure 1.1: Private and Public Employment 21 Figure 1.2: Foreign Direct Investment 23 Figure 2.1: Share of Daily Commutes by Private Vehicles, 1999 33 Figure 3.1: Private Housing in Selected Cities, 1999 44 Figure 3.2: Real Estate Transactions in Sofia, 2000 44 MAPS Map 1: Map of Sofia 8 Map 2. The Green System of Sofia 34 Map 3: Sofia Municipality: Macrostructural Spatial Units 43 Map 4: The System of Multifinctional Centers in Sofia 47 6 Sofia City Strategy ACRONYMS BGN Bulgarian Leva CA Cities Alliance EU European Union GDP Gross Domestic Product EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development FDI Foreign Direct Investment LGI Local
Recommended publications
  • The Central Regions and the Sofia Agglomeration Area
    Maria Shishmanova THE CENTRAL REGIONS AND THE SOFIA AGGLOMERATION AREA Abstract. The research presents central regions in Bulgaria using taxonometric method with relevant conclusions. Each municipality in central regions is particularly examined by the elaborated methodic materials. The developed agglomeration areas are situated in the central regions. Sofia agglomeration area is presented using General Spatial Plan of Sofia municipality and Municipal Development Plan (MDP) of Sofia metropolitan municipality. It is set out the vision of development and its priorities, objectives and measures. Key words: central regions, agglomeration areas, Sofia agglomeration area, General Spatial Plan, Municipal Development Plan. Introduction The Central regions comprise 45 percent of the Bulgarian territory. The agglomeration areas are formed in them. The present study examines the development of the Sofia agglomeration area – a metropolis in the central regions of Bulgaria. The agglomeration areas are formed within the range of the central regions in Bulgaria – 6 agglomeration areas with a center – a large city, 30 agglomeration areas with a center – a medium-sized town. Six of the agglomeration areas are formations with more than three municipalities, five of them are with three municipalities each, ten are with 2 municipalities and the rest 15 are autonomous municipalities with an established core. These areas represent the backbone of the economy and social and human potential of the country. They have the highest degree of competitiveness and attractiveness for investment and innovation. Eighty eight municipalities with a total population of 5885455 people1 are included within the scope of the agglomeration areas, which constitutes 77.4 percent of the population of the country.
    [Show full text]
  • Company Profile
    www.ecobulpack.com COMPANY PROFILE KEEP BULGARIA CLEAN FOR THE CHILDREN! PHILIPPE ROMBAUT Chairman of the Board of Directors of ECOBULPACK Executive Director of AGROPOLYCHIM JSC-Devnia e, ECOBULPACK are dedicated to keeping clean the environment of the country we live Wand raise our children in. This is why we rely on good partnerships with the State and Municipal Authorities, as well as the responsible business managers who have supported our efforts from the very beginning of our activity. Because all together we believe in the cause: “Keep Bulgaria clean for the children!” VIDIO VIDEV Executive Director of ECOBULPACK Executive Director of NIVA JSC-Kostinbrod,VIDONA JSC-Yambol t ECOBULPACK we guarantee the balance of interests between the companies releasing A packed goods on the market, on one hand, and the companies collecting and recycling waste, on the other. Thus we manage waste throughout its course - from generation to recycling. The funds ECOBULPACK accumulates are invested in the establishment of sustainable municipal separate waste collection systems following established European models with proven efficiency. DIMITAR ZOROV Executive Director of ECOBULPACK Owner of “PARSHEVITSA” Dairy Products ince the establishment of the company we have relied on the principles of democracy as Swell as on an open and fair strategy. We welcome new shareholders. We offer the business an alternative in fulfilling its obligations to utilize packaged waste, while meeting national legislative requirements. We achieve shared responsibilities and reduce companies’ product- packaging fees. MILEN DIMITROV Procurator of ECOBULPACK s a result of our joint efforts and the professionalism of our work, we managed to turn AECOBULPACK JSC into the largest organization utilizing packaging waste, which so far have gained the confidence of more than 3 500 companies operating in the country.
    [Show full text]
  • Navigation Map of Bulgaria Including Offroadmap by Offroad-Bulgaria.Com Version 2021 Q1
    Navigation Map of Bulgaria Including OFFRoadMap by OFFRoad-Bulgaria.com Version 2021 Q2 The purpose of this map is to provide accessible, accurate and up-to-date information for your GPS devices. Despite all efforts made by the creators to achieve this goal, the roads and the data included in this digital map are intended to be used as guidance only and should not be used solely for navigation. The creators of this map make no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the map data. In no event will the creators of this map be liable for any damages whatsoever, including but not limited to loss of revenue or profit, lost or damaged data, and expenses, arising in any way from or consequential upon the use of, or the inability to use this digital map. Contents: - Registering your map - Usage details - OFRM Geotrade 2021 Q2 variants - Coverage >>>>> REGISTRATION <<<<< To register your OFRM Geotrade map, please visit out website www.karta.bg. Click on “Create profile” in the top right corner of the screen and create your personal account. When done, the Support page will load automatically. Click on the button “Register OFRM Geotrade” and enter the 25-symbol map serial number and GPS model to activate your map’s update subscription (if your map includes one). To obtain the 25-symbol serial number, connect your GPS device to your computer via USB cable. If you have a GPS device with preloaded OFRM map, you will find the serial number in file “serial.txt” in the root folder of your device’s base memory or in the file “gmapsupp.unl” in folder “Garmin” (or folder “Map” on the newer models of the nüvi series and the new Drive series) of your device’s base memory.
    [Show full text]
  • Correlations of the Jurassic Sediments: Infra-Getic Unit
    GEOLO[KI ANALI BALKANSKOGA POLUOSTRVA 67 19–33 BEOGRAD, decembar 2006 ANNALES GÉOLOGIQUES DE LA PÉNINSULE BALKANIQUE BELGRADE, December 2006 Tran-sborder (south-east Serbia/west Bulgaria) correlations of the Jurassic sediments: Infra-Getic Unit 1 2 PLATON TCHOUMATCHENCO , DRAGOMAN RABRENOVI] , 3 4 BARBARA RADULOVI] & VLADAN RADULOVI] Abstract. The Infra-Getic Unit is a palaeogeographic unit, predestined by palaeotectonics. From the point of view of geological heritage, it represents a geosites framework. For the purpose of the correlation, the Serbian sections of Lukanja, Bogorodica Monastery, Rosoma~ and Senokos, as well as the Bulgarian sections of Komshtitsa, Gintsi, and Stanyantsi were used. The Jurassic sediments of the Infra-Getic Unit crop out on the southern slops of the Stara Planina Mountain in east Serbia and west Bulgaria. The Lower Jurassic started with continental and continental-marine sediments (clays and sandstones) (Lukanja clastics and Lukanja coal beds in Serbia and the Tuden Formation in Bulgaria) and continue with Lukanja quartz sandstones (Serbia) and the Kostina Formation (Bulgaria). These sediments are covered by Lukanja brachiopod beds and Lukanja limestones (Serbia) and the Romanov Dol, Ravna and Dolni Loukovit Members of the Ozirovo Formation (Bulgaria) pre- dominantly consist of bioclastic limestones. The sedimentations follow with Lukanja belemnites-gryphaea beds (marls and clayey limestones), which in Bulgaria correspond to the Bukorovtsi Member (also marls and clayey limestones) of the Ozirovo Formation. The Middle Jurassic sedimentation started with black shales with Bossitra alpine. These sediments are individualized in Serbia as Senokos aleurolites and clays and in Bulgaria they are known as the Etropole Formation. In Serbia the section continues with sandstones called Vodeni~ki sandstones of Bajocian age, known in Bulgaria as the Dobrogled Member of the Polaten Formation.
    [Show full text]
  • 7563/11 HGN/Tt 1 DG H 2B COUNCIL of the EUROPEAN
    COUNCIL OF Brussels, 10 March 2011 THE EUROPEAN UNION 7563/11 COPEN 44 EJN 20 EUROJUST 29 NOTE from: Bulgarian Permanent Representation to Delegations Subject: Council Framework Decision 2006/783/JHA of 6 October 2006 on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to confiscation orders – the Republic of Bulgaria Delegations will find enclosed the notification made by Bulgaria in relation to the abovementioned framework decision. _______________ 7563/11 HGN/tt 1 DG H 2B EN DECLARATIONS AND NOTIFICATIONS BY THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 3, ARTICLE 7(5) AND ARTICLE 19 OF COUNCIL FRAMEWORK DECISION 2006/783/JHA OF 6 OCTOBER 2006 ON THE APPLICATION OF THE PRINCIPLE OF MUTUAL RECOGNITION TO CONFISCATION ORDERS The Republic of Bulgaria hereby notifies the General Secretariat of the Council of the following declarations and notifications pursuant to Council Framework Decision 2006/783/JHA of 6 October 2006 on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to confiscation orders and the Law on the recognition, execution and transmission of decisions on confiscation or seizure and decisions on the enforcement of financial penalties adopted by the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria on 11 February 2010 (published in the State Journal of the Republic of Bulgaria No 15 of 23 February 2010), which transposes the abovementioned Framework Decision into the law of the Republic of Bulgaria. 1) Notification pursuant to Article 3 of Framework Decision 2006/783/JHA (determination of the competent authorities): (а) When the Republic of Bulgaria is the executing State: The competent authorities with regard to the recognition of confiscation or seizure orders shall be the provincial courts and Sofia City Court.
    [Show full text]
  • Annex REPORT for 2019 UNDER the “HEALTH CARE” PRIORITY of the NATIONAL ROMA INTEGRATION STRATEGY of the REPUBLIC of BULGAR
    Annex REPORT FOR 2019 UNDER THE “HEALTH CARE” PRIORITY of the NATIONAL ROMA INTEGRATION STRATEGY OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA 2012 - 2020 Operational objective: A national monitoring progress report has been prepared for implementation of Measure 1.1.2. “Performing obstetric and gynaecological examinations with mobile offices in settlements with compact Roma population”. During the period 01.07—20.11.2019, a total of 2,261 prophylactic medical examinations were carried out with the four mobile gynaecological offices to uninsured persons of Roma origin and to persons with difficult access to medical facilities, as 951 women were diagnosed with diseases. The implementation of the activity for each Regional Health Inspectorate is in accordance with an order of the Minister of Health to carry out not less than 500 examinations with each mobile gynaecological office. Financial resources of BGN 12,500 were allocated for each mobile unit, totalling BGN 50,000 for the four units. During the reporting period, the mobile gynecological offices were divided into four areas: Varna (the city of Varna, the village of Kamenar, the town of Ignatievo, the village of Staro Oryahovo, the village of Sindel, the village of Dubravino, the town of Provadia, the town of Devnya, the town of Suvorovo, the village of Chernevo, the town of Valchi Dol); Silistra (Tutrakan Municipality– the town of Tutrakan, the village of Tsar Samuel, the village of Nova Cherna, the village of Staro Selo, the village of Belitsa, the village of Preslavtsi, the village of Tarnovtsi,
    [Show full text]
  • Investbulgaria Agency
    InvestBulgaria Agency June 2015 HIGHLIGHTS issue 15, year 3 News for InvestBulgaria Agency Economic News - Business, Investments, www.investbg.government.bg Trade Upcoming Events Foreign Direct Investments in Bulgaria NEWS FOR INVESTBULGARIA AGENCY Stamen Yanev: IBA is actively working to reduce the administrative burden on foreign investors InvestBulgaria Agency (IBA) has focused its efforts on reducing the administrative procedures to enable foreign investors to realize their projects quickly and effectively. That said the Executive Director of IBA Stamen Yanev at the opening of the roundtable discussion on "Investment climate and investment opportunities in Southeast Europe", which took place in the context of the Economic Forum for Southeast Europe, organized by the Bulgarian Economic Forum. The workshop was attended by representatives of foreign investors in Bulgaria and directors of agencies for promotion of investment in the region, and the debates were moderated by Stamen Yanev, Executive Director of IBA. Main topics in the debate were the reduction of the administrative burden, strengthening the branding of the country as an attractive investment destination and accelerating the regional economic cooperation. Representatives of foreign companies, which are longtime investors in the country, also shared their expectations and common problems. Reducing the administrative burden, more activity in the advertising of the country together with the foreign investors, the need to reform of the judicial system in the country in order to create quality and independent legal and regulatory authorities to ensure steady growth in foreign investments were among their main remarks. Focus in the conversations was placed on small and medium enterprises, which need assistance in finding markets and access to finance.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 I. ANNEXES 1 Annex 6. Map and List of Rural Municipalities in Bulgaria
    I. ANNEXES 1 Annex 6. Map and list of rural municipalities in Bulgaria (according to statistical definition). 1 List of rural municipalities in Bulgaria District District District District District District /Municipality /Municipality /Municipality /Municipality /Municipality /Municipality Blagoevgrad Vidin Lovech Plovdiv Smolyan Targovishte Bansko Belogradchik Apriltsi Brezovo Banite Antonovo Belitsa Boynitsa Letnitsa Kaloyanovo Borino Omurtag Gotse Delchev Bregovo Lukovit Karlovo Devin Opaka Garmen Gramada Teteven Krichim Dospat Popovo Kresna Dimovo Troyan Kuklen Zlatograd Haskovo Petrich Kula Ugarchin Laki Madan Ivaylovgrad Razlog Makresh Yablanitsa Maritsa Nedelino Lyubimets Sandanski Novo Selo Montana Perushtitsa Rudozem Madzharovo Satovcha Ruzhintsi Berkovitsa Parvomay Chepelare Mineralni bani Simitli Chuprene Boychinovtsi Rakovski Sofia - district Svilengrad Strumyani Vratsa Brusartsi Rodopi Anton Simeonovgrad Hadzhidimovo Borovan Varshets Sadovo Bozhurishte Stambolovo Yakoruda Byala Slatina Valchedram Sopot Botevgrad Topolovgrad Burgas Knezha Georgi Damyanovo Stamboliyski Godech Harmanli Aitos Kozloduy Lom Saedinenie Gorna Malina Shumen Kameno Krivodol Medkovets Hisarya Dolna banya Veliki Preslav Karnobat Mezdra Chiprovtsi Razgrad Dragoman Venets Malko Tarnovo Mizia Yakimovo Zavet Elin Pelin Varbitsa Nesebar Oryahovo Pazardzhik Isperih Etropole Kaolinovo Pomorie Roman Batak Kubrat Zlatitsa Kaspichan Primorsko Hayredin Belovo Loznitsa Ihtiman Nikola Kozlevo Ruen Gabrovo Bratsigovo Samuil Koprivshtitsa Novi Pazar Sozopol Dryanovo
    [Show full text]
  • Sofia Model”: Creation out of Chaos
    The “Sofia Model”: Creation out of chaos Pathways to creative and knowledge-based regions ISBN 978-90-75246-62-9 Printed in the Netherlands by Xerox Service Center, Amsterdam Edition: 2007 Cartography lay-out and cover: Puikang Chan, AMIDSt, University of Amsterdam All publications in this series are published on the ACRE-website http://www2.fmg.uva.nl/acre and most are available on paper at: Dr. Olga Gritsai, ACRE project manager University of Amsterdam Amsterdam institute for Metropolitan and International Development Studies (AMIDSt) Department of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies Nieuwe Prinsengracht 130 NL-1018 VZ Amsterdam The Netherlands Tel. +31 20 525 4044 +31 23 528 2955 Fax +31 20 525 4051 E-mail: [email protected] Copyright © Amsterdam institute for Metropolitan and International Development Studies (AMIDSt), University of Amsterdam 2007. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced in any form, by print or photo print, microfilm or any other means, without written permission from the publisher. The “Sofia Model”: Creation out of chaos Pathways to creative and knowledge-based regions ACRE report 2.10 Evgenii Dainov Ivan Nachev Maria Pancheva Vasil Garnizov Accommodating Creative Knowledge – Competitiveness of European Metropolitan Regions within the Enlarged Union Amsterdam 2007 AMIDSt, University of Amsterdam ACRE ACRE is the acronym for the international research project Accommodating Creative Knowledge – Competitiveness of European Metropolitan Regions within the enlarged Union. The project is funded under the priority 7 ‘Citizens and Governance in a knowledge-based society within the Sixth Framework Programme of the EU (contract no. 028270). Coordination: Prof.
    [Show full text]
  • Use of Water in Municipality of Bozhurishte Water Is a Necessary Component for the Well-Being of Each of Us
    Use of water in municipality of Bozhurishte Water is a necessary component for the well-being of each of us. Some of the main uses of water are at our homes: drinking, preparing food, bathing, washing clothes and dishes, brushing your teeth, watering the yard and garden, and even washing the pets. Water generally gets to our homes in two ways. Either it is delivered by the city water department, or people supply their own water, normally from a well. The majority of people depend on the operator of Sofia Region, that serves the water supply and sewerage systems in the municipalities: Bozhurishte, Godech, Dragoman, Dolna Banya, Elin Pelin, Koprivshtitsa, Kostinbrod, Pravets, Samokov, Svoge, Slivnitsa and others. Minority use "self-supplied" water for indoor and outdoor household purposes. Some people prefer filling bottles with mineral water from the mineral springs in Bankya and Gorna Banya for drinking and cooking, instead of buying it. Others take advantage of the wells in their own yards, which play an important role in the irrigation of gardens. Bozhurishte is well known for its difficult to process, but fertile black soil, which gives a rich harvest, although it needs a lot of watering, because it becomes dry very easy. So you can see why "self-supplied" water is a must in our region. Pollution has always been one of the most common problems for the water sources and so is for Gurmazovska River. Discarded tires, snack packages, bottles of alcohol, overgrown grass, reed and fallen branches block the riverbed and obstruct the flow, which may lead to landslides and floods during heavier rains.
    [Show full text]
  • NATIONAL COMPANY INDUSTRIAL ZONES Strategic Partner for Investors in Bulgaria OVERVIEW
    NATIONAL COMPANY INDUSTRIAL ZONES Strategic Partner for Investors in Bulgaria OVERVIEW NATIONAL COMPANY INDUSTRIAL ZONES (NCIZ) A 100% state-owned company with a sole shareholder the Ministry of Economy of Bulgaria Specialized in • Industrial park development • Management of industrial zones • Providing additional services for investors Main activities: • Development of industrial zones in line with the latest standards • Encouraging investments in sectors with high added value • Creating favourable conditions for investment 2 OVERVIEW Four operating zones • Free Zone Ruse • Free Zone Svilengrad • Industrial Zone Vidin • Transit Trade Zone – Varna Two newly constructed zones • Sofia – Bozhurishte Economic Zone • Industrial & Logistics Park – Burgas A total of 9 projects Three zones under development • 6 804 095 m² total area • Industrial Zone Karlovo • 76 409 m² built-up area • Industrial Zone Telish /Pleven/ • 240 500 m² open-air warehouses • Industrial Zone Varna West 3 SOFIA-BOZHURISHTE ECONOMIC ZONE Total area: 2 665 595 m² Location • Sofia City Center 15 km away • Sofia Airport 23 km away • 5 km from a highway to Greece • 2 km from a highway to Serbia • 30 km from a highway to the Black Sea • Next to the international road connecting Europe with Turkey and Asia • Direct connection to the railway network 4 INVESTORS IN SOFIA-BOZHURISHTE ECONOMIC ZONE Sofia-Bozhurishte Economic Zone has already attracted 20 investors, operating in a number of sectors, including Automotive Industry, High Tech, Warehousing & Logistics. The companies are European so far - Bulgarian, German, Danish, Greek. Investments in the zone: 350 mln BGN Job openings: exceeding 1060. 5 INVESTORS IN SOFIA-BOZHURISHTE ECONOMIC ZONE JYSK Distribution Center Bozhurishte Total amount of the investment: 100 million EUR over the next 2 to 5 years Project scale: 300 000 m2 land The Danish furniture and interiors company JYSK Nordic will implement a large-scale investment project in Sofia – Bozhurishte Economic Zone by constructing the largest distribution center in South East Europe.
    [Show full text]
  • ANNEX 6 Excerpt from the Data Base of Consulted Cases 2016
    ANNEX 6 Excerpt from the Data Base of Consulted Cases 2016 Information concerning Urban Planning and Road Infrastructure ¾ Request to the Municipality of Krivodol for information regarding the issued construction permits during the last three months of the previous year; ¾ Request to the National Company ìStrategic Infrastructure Projectsî for six reports related to the construction of ìStrumaî Highway, prepared under a contract between the National Company and ìUnion Lot 3.2. Project;î ¾ Request to the Mayor of Blagoevgrad for the issued orders to remove illegal constructions of 4th to 6th category, occupying municipal territory from 2012 to the current moment; ¾ Request to the State Fund ìAgricultureî for access to contract No. 24/321/01 342 as of 27.04.2012 between the State Fund and the Municipality of Radnevo under the Regional Development Program for renovation of the water pipeline system in three villages within the municipality - Bozduganovo, Kolarovo, and Znamenosets; ¾ Request to the Mayor of the Municipality of Elin Pelin for access to information concerning the drafting of the master city development plan; ¾ Request to the Mayor of Bankya Region (within Sofia Municipality) for information regarding the reconstruction of the graveyard in Bankya; ¾ Request to the Minister of Culture for information regarding the reconstruction work on the famous Covered Bridge in the city of Lovech ; ¾ Request to the Municipality of Varna regarding the measures undertaken to remove illegal constructions in the Sea Garden; ¾ Request for access
    [Show full text]