The present study deals with examining the condition of urban soils and their potential to deliver soil-related regulating ecosystem services concerning the level of anthropogenic pressure in different functional zones of Sofia, Bulgaria. Analyses of data for selected characteristics of superficial 0-10 cm soil layer of urban soils were performed. Soils were sampled from 30 experimental plots within a geo-referred network covering urban and peri-urban territories. The concentrations of heavy metals Cu, Zn, Pb and Fe were analysed to determine the level of pollution, while soil pH, cation-exchange capacity (CEC), total carbon and total nitrogen content were used as indicators for assessing the regulating ecosystem service “soil quality”. The results demonstrate the differences in the potential of four functional zones – green zones, industrial zones, residential zones and zones for urban agriculture, to regulate and maintain “soil quality”. The purpose of the assessment is to outline the zones with the potential for implicating mitigation measures in urban and peri-urban zones, based on maps of soil quality, which contributes to focusing more attention on the protection and restoration of urban soils, to reduce soil pollution and to increase the reuse of urban soils.

The present research investigates the possibilities of the available online resources and GIS analytic tools to facilitate integrating the spatial context in urban and regional planning by testing a GIS-based location analysis that uses widely available data for identifying an appropriate site for National Children’s hospital in Bulgaria. The elaborated methodology is easy to use, employs accessible online resources, and could be applied in different scales. The aim is to produce a comprehensible instrument that could be adopted by public authorities and used for informed political decision-making. A series of geospatial analyses are used to evaluate the potential location and its alternatives based on transport accessibility, population density in the service area, and public transport connectivity. The analyses are based on the online resources of Google Maps that are used to evaluate the transport accessibility to all the possible locations using different perspectives. The pedestrian access to public transport is also calculated to assess the different modes of transport available. To assess the locations according to the transport accessibility of the population, tools from ArcGIS Pro Network analyst are used. Accessibility is considered from the patient's perspective. The results are analyzed to make a supposition of the alternatives and to come up with a conclusion about whether the already chosen location is a sensible choice from a transport accessibility perspective. The outcomes of the research could help policymakers understand some of the spatial complexities associated with the demand and the accessibility dimensions of healthcare access. The article emphasizes the significance of integrating the spatial context in urban and regional planning and the possibilities of the new technologies to facilitate that task. This methodology for location analysis could be also used for other public services and urban-related matters.

Green spaces in urban ecosystems is the main provider of a variety of ecosystem services. It is important for a city that undergoes dynamic changes in size, structure and number of inhabitants to manage bal-anced urban green spaces. Using the geographical information systems, this research investigates the green spaces within the building boundary of Sofia by administrative regions and confirms and demon-strates the spatial deficiencies in their distribution. The proportion of parks and gardens and open green spaces by region is taken into consideration and supplemented with analysis of the density of the tree coverage in the park. The green area per capita is calculated to demonstrate how the coverage with green spaces relates to the population. The results outline some main issues that urban development is facing towards sustainability. If considered by the planning and management of the city this could help respond to the contemporary challenges and adopt policies for a vital, healthy, and attractive environment for the capital’s residents.

The present study is focused on examining the changes of key weather parameters using detailed daily data for the period 1985-2021 in an area of interest situated in Rila mountain in Bulgaria which is a territory that is prone to wildfires. Using this long-term horizon, the research defines the main climate factor trends and relates them with real events of wildfires by using the Angström index and statistical methods with focus on outlining specific weather conditions that indicate fire risk. As a result, the Angström index was proven to be a reliable source for determining the potential weather conditions for fire occurrence in the area of interest, part of protected area BG0000496 Rilski manastir. Low relative humidity was identified as the main factor influencing fire occurrence in the reviewed real wildfire events. Specific range and behavior of the key weather parameters, influencing wildfire occurrence were detected. These findings could be a good source of information when elaborating a forest fire prevention system and may help for appropriate prioritization of factors and management of resources.

The contemporary higher education in Bulgaria accumulated a number of problems over the years and they become a hindrance for it to successfully function as a driver of research and development activities, produce experts for the labor market and be a strategic business partner. Meanwhile, the higher schools have the potential to develop and influence on the regionaleconomic profile. This paper elaborates on the problems and influence of the higher education from socio-economic point of view while focusing on the regional manifestationof these problems, using visualizations, generatedby geographic information systems and studies the contemporary trends and development opportunities.