Last updated: October 2021
The project aims to preserve the river ecosystem and provide a suitable place for social life by the river. For the purpose, only natural materials will be used in strengthening the basin. Part of the activities include planting grass and natural vegetation in order to boost the ecosystem, including tall plants that provide shelter and a nesting place for birds. The area under work will cover 10.6 kilometres of the urban part of the river (Ref. 1).
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Nature on buildings (external)
- Green walls or facades
- Grey infrastructure featuring greens
- Blue infrastructure
- Riverbank/Lakeside greens
- Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Green space creation and/or management
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
- Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
- Social interaction
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Enabling opportunities for physical activity
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas
Project objectives
- Preserve the local river ecosystem
- Improve the attractiveness of the ecosystem
- Create a place for rest and recreation among nature
(Ref. 1; Ref. 2)
- Maintain a place for birds to hide and nest (Ref. 2)
Implementation activities
- Natural materials will be used in the building of fortification walls and recreational facilities, without using any concrete
- The walls will have vertical vegetation of the species Parthenocisus tricuspidata
- Create wet areas with tall vegetation and moisture-loving plants, which will be a suitable habitat for riverside fauna.
- Add decorative grassy species, flowers, and perennial bushy vegetation around the places for rest and recreation
(Ref. 1; Ref. 2).
-"In the conceptual design developed, plans are set for widening the lane network that allow approaching the river bed. It is planned to build playgrounds and areas for street fitness, as well as recreation areas with benches" (Ref. 8).
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect species
Main beneficiaries
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Unknown
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
The Plovdiv Municipality signed a contract with the University of Architecture, Construction, and Geodesy, who conducted a pre-project assessment of the state of the river. The project will be funded by local government, national government, and the EU. Following approval from the Municipality of Plovdiv, the project design was created by the private firm "Project Planning and Management" and will be implemented by it. Then, the Expert Council for Territorial Development of Plovdiv (ЕСУТ) reviewed the project idea. This took place in the presence of representatives of the Chamber of Engineers and the Chamber of Architects, and representatives of the regional environmental inspection agency (РИОСВ) and the agency for fire safety and citizen defense were present. Currently, the Municipality is looking for a firm which will carry out an ecological assessment of the project proposition
(Ref. 1; Ref. 2; Ref. 3; Ref. 5).
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a local policy or strategy?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
Source(s) of funding
- EU funds
- Public national budget
- Public local authority budget
Type of funding
- Earmarked public budget
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Water management and blue areas
- Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
- Green space and habitat
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Increased opportunities for social interaction
- Health and wellbeing
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
No
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
No evidence in public records
References
Ref. 1. Малешевски, Ф. (2017). Укрепване и социализация на коритото на река Марица в Пловдив. [online] available at: Source link (Website not available in 2020).
Ref. 2. Община Пловдив (2014). Бъдещата визия за река Марица в рамките на гр. Пловдив. [online] available at: Source link (Website not available in 2020).
Ref. 3. Анимил ООД (2015). Социализация на коритото на р. Марица - състезават се трима кандидат-проектанти. [online] available at: Source link (Accessed: November 3, 2020).
Ref. 4. Министерство на регионалното развитие и благоустройството (2017). Оперативна програма "Региони в Растеж". [online] available at: Source link (Accessed: November 3, 2020).
Ref. 5. Source link (2017). Търсят се еко оценители на мегапроекта за река Марица. [online] available at: Source link (Accessed: November 3, 2020).
Ref. 6. Gradat (2017). Укрепване и социализация на коритото на река Марица в Пловдив. [online] Available at: Source link (Accessed: November 3, 2020).
Ref. 7. Панчева, Мариана (2019). Социализацията на река "Марица" забоксува. [online] Available at: Source link (Accessed: November 3, 2020).
Ref. 8. Караланова, Илияна (2020). Рестартират проекта за река Марица, спрян от Нено Димов. [online] Available at: Source link (Accessed: November 3, 2020).
Ref. 2. Община Пловдив (2014). Бъдещата визия за река Марица в рамките на гр. Пловдив. [online] available at: Source link (Website not available in 2020).
Ref. 3. Анимил ООД (2015). Социализация на коритото на р. Марица - състезават се трима кандидат-проектанти. [online] available at: Source link (Accessed: November 3, 2020).
Ref. 4. Министерство на регионалното развитие и благоустройството (2017). Оперативна програма "Региони в Растеж". [online] available at: Source link (Accessed: November 3, 2020).
Ref. 5. Source link (2017). Търсят се еко оценители на мегапроекта за река Марица. [online] available at: Source link (Accessed: November 3, 2020).
Ref. 6. Gradat (2017). Укрепване и социализация на коритото на река Марица в Пловдив. [online] Available at: Source link (Accessed: November 3, 2020).
Ref. 7. Панчева, Мариана (2019). Социализацията на река "Марица" забоксува. [online] Available at: Source link (Accessed: November 3, 2020).
Ref. 8. Караланова, Илияна (2020). Рестартират проекта за река Марица, спрян от Нено Димов. [online] Available at: Source link (Accessed: November 3, 2020).