The Bulgarian soul and spirit
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
The project corresponds to the contemporary social,cultural and economic processes, characterizing our society, imposing new standards of relationships and development of our cities and urbanized areas.In order sustainable integrated development to be achieved in these areas, appropriate living environment is necessary to be developed, reflecting the dynamic character of these processes and responding adequately to their implementation and multiplication.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Which funds
Other Funds
The project was implemented under regions in growth Operational programme 2014-2020. The project implementation period was: 17/01/2017-17.07.2019.
Description of the project
Summary
The project corresponds to the contemporary social,cultural and economic processes, which characterize our society, imposing new standards of relationships and development of our cities and urbanized areas.In order sustainable integrated development to be achieved in these areas, appropriate living environment is necessary to be developed, reflecting the dynamic character of these processes and responding adequately to their implementation and multiplication.The modern urban environment should respond to the incessant requirements increase of the population and the business, and simultaneously it is a prerequisite to attract tourists and new investors. Therefore the urban environment itself shall guarantee safety and security,as well as to comply with the ecologic life norms,to be time sustainable and to ensure high aesthetic quality.The economic and demographic enlargement of the municipal center during the last 12 years leads to some negative impact on people’s lives and city visitors and affects the overall sustainable development of cultural, social and economic life.Thus the project activities selection is provoked by:the necessity to achieve modern city environment by improving its overall physical characteristics in the residential areas and city central parts; the need to enhance urban safety and security.The scope of intervention was anticipated to be implemented in the ancient part of the town and included reconstruction, rehabilitation of the street network, incl.adjacent sidewalks, pedestrian walkways, energy efficient street lighting etc.; Reconstruction of the parking lot in Kraibrezhna str,incl. reconstruction of the pedestrian stairs; Saedinenie square-, encompass the design of elements of city refurbishment.
Key objectives for sustainability
The overall goal of the project proposal is to improve the quality of life and provide new opportunities for economic and social development by improving the physical and living environment of the city of Veliko Tarnovo. The specific objectives of the project are defined so that their achievement has the maximum positive impact on the target groups and contribution to the achievement of the overall objective of the project and the objectives of the grant scheme, namely:
* Improving the physical environment in the city of Veliko Tarnovo through landscaping and restoration of green areas and recreation areas, construction of pedestrian alleys and playgrounds.
* Complete renovation of residential neighborhoods through rehabilitation and construction of green areas, leisure areas, street network, sidewalks and more.
* Reconstruction and repair works of square spaces and introduction of new energy-saving lighting;
* Reconstruction and repair works of the street network in the Central part of the city and introduction of energy-saving street lighting;
* Reconstruction of public parking lots and approaches;
* Creating conditions for the integration of disadvantaged groups by building an accessible urban environment;
* Improving the aesthetic appearance of the city center by emphasizing the identity of the cityscape in unison with the unique historical heritage of Veliko Tarnovo and the surrounding landscape;
* Development of a sustainable and integrated urban environment through the application of unified architectural, spatial, thematic and landscape solutions in the project implementation.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
During the process of elaboration the project proposal Veliko Tarnovo was perceived that the emphasis should be made on the makers or the designers of the urban environment in order to be achieved a high level of city aesthetics. Throughout the fruitful cooperation with the project designers the visual qualities of the urban environment in the ancient part of the city was improved, the monotony was overcame and the Old Town became a favorite place of the citizens, guest and tourists. Designers were dedicated to enhance the visual qualities of the old city part environment and enriching the places for peoples who live or visit that part of Veliko Tarnovo. The recognition of the visual elements as an integral part of the urban necessity were neglected or avoided because they play very important role in the creation of more meaningful old city part environment.
The territorial and functional integrity of the sites of intervention were achieved throughout the set of integrated measures includes rehabilitation and restoration of a key urban environment in the following aspects: restoration, improvement and creation of new green areas; construction of playgrounds; rehabilitation of pedestrian alleys, sidewalks and pedestrian areas; rehabilitation and reconstruction of adjacent street networks; construction of public parking lots; introduction of energy-saving street lighting; construction of effective lighting on some of the sites; creating attractive and attractive urban architecture, as well as creating access for people with disabilities. Thus an aesthetics and functionality in the old part of the city were achieved and led to produce a pleasantly heightened intellectual and emotional awareness of the visitors.
Key objectives for inclusion
The project activities within the project proposal "Attractive and preserved authentic urban environment of the city of Veliko Tarnovo"were implemented in accordance with the provisions of Regulation (EU) No 1303/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 laying down general provisions for the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund, the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and laying down general provisions for the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund, the Cohesion Fund and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.They were based on the principle of gender equality and non-discrimination. These principles were respected at all stages of project management and implementation. Equality between men and women, and gender mainstreaming and gender mainstreaming were encouraged throughout the project implementation period with regard to of the monitoring, reporting and sustainability period. It was emphasized that during the duration of the project activities special attention was paid to the provided accessibility for people with disabilities. In addition, in the selection of the project team, as well as the staff of the companies - executive and participants in various activities was applied as a leading criterion professional qualification, personal skills and educational status, regardless of gender of the applicant. The implementation of the project was with a significant social effect and contributed to the provision. of equal access and social inclusion. The inclusion of the target groups was in accordance with the principle of gender equality and the integration of the principle of equality of opportunity during different stages of project implementation, regardless of gender, race or ethnic origin, religion and belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.
Results in relation to category
The project proposal provided favorable conditions for improving the urban environment and preservation of the cultural historical heritage in Veliko Tarnovo in several main directions: 1. Implementation of integrated measures for urban regeneration and development, in priority and key areas for the city of Veliko Tarnovo through direct impact on infrastructure and ecological conditions in order to improve. the quality of life of the living and working conditions; 2. Increasing the attractiveness of the region for visitors and external investors; 3. Integration of disadvantaged groups by creating an accessible architectural environment and improving access to administrative, cultural and historical sites; 4. Integration of ethnic minorities, including the Roma, in order to overcome their social isolation;5. Risk prevention by increasing safety and improving the security of the area covered by the project. The implemented intervention of interconnected activities, ensuring the effect of synergy, achieved lasting improvement of accessibility, increase of security, improvement of ecological conditions and quality of life in the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo. The improvement of the technical condition of the urban infrastructure, resp. street network, will significantly reduce the time required to move between the neighborhoods of the city in the directions old city part-center-periphery and periphery-center-old city part. In view of the above, it should be noted that for the community of the old capital city was extremely important to carry out the mentioned activities for rehabilitation of the urban environment, which undoubtedly contributed to retaining the working population,encourage fertility and have a great impact. of the negative demographic trends, as the attractiveness and European appearance of the city, although more indirectly, is an important factor for the people who have chosen to live, work and invest in Veliko Tarnovo.
How Citizens benefit
In the framework of the Regions in growth Operational Programme 2014-2020 Veliko Tarnovo was encourage to address critical tasks such as urban regeneration, protecting the environment, preserving the cultural and historical heritage and enhancing competitiveness. Veliko Tarnovo is an educational, cultural, administrative and economic center, with numerous cultural monuments, recreation and recreation areas, and on the territory of the municipality there are 1087 monuments collected in reserves, complexes, group sites,as well as 1515 single cultural and historical monuments. New economic activities, mainly small shops and service businesses, started and grew because of the renewal and regeneration of public spaces, squares and streets in the old city part. This physical renewal is an incentive for setting up economic initiatives in the area. The increase of pedestrian areas has had a clear and positive impact on commerce and on improving accessibility and mobility in the ancient part of the city. The renovation of abandoned urban areas can create spaces to host teams and initiatives dealing with social inclusion and employment projects. Meanwhile the social interventions that focus on increasing social inclusion have a clear effect on reducing conflicts. The better social cohesion has improved the attractiveness of the old city part for guests and tourists and led to the increased number of visits of the preserved cultural and historical heritage.
Innovative character
The activities implemented in the framework of the project are indisputable proof of the constant efforts made by the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo to improve the attractiveness and accessibility of cultural and historical sites, not only by tourists and visitors of the city, but also by people with disabilities and impaired mobility, which were provided with an independent and self-sufficient life, through the created environment in which all people have equal access to culture and equal opportunities to express and develop their creative potential and innovative thinking in their work.The applied measures created preconditions for changes in spatial and functional solution with the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the square zones, street and alley network for improvement, modernization and enrichment of the functions of the planned sites, while preserving the authentic appearance of the city.
The renewal of the area in the old city part is undoubtedly a precondition for implementation of innovative cultural and creative activities, as well as to enable people to exchange know-how, services and competences in urban revitalisation throughout organisation of innovative cultural events and activities – workshops, festivals, art performances, etc. On the most popular Samovodska street where the craftsmen workshops are located varieties of cultural events and activities are organised. The planned activities focused on land use regeneration, cultural and historical preservation, use of open space of the craftsmen street, traffic calming and temporary establishment of pedestrian zone.
