Suburbanizing Sofia: Characteristics of Post-Socialist Peri-Urban Change

Hirt, Sonia

doi:10.2747/0272-3638.28.8.755

Cited by 160 publications

(166 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…We distinguish between the southern and the northern suburban districts, because, as we explain later in the paper, the planning goals, urban features of and trends in these two suburban regions differ substantially. Whereas the picturesque areas at the foot of Vitosha Mountain adjacent to Vitosha Natural Park in the southern areas are particularly attractive to new residents [13], lands to the north of the city have a predominantly agricultural character and have proved to be of much less interest. Two districts, Ovcha kupel (a southern district) and Vrabnitsa (a northern district), are "mixed" urban-suburban.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The large state plants for prefab housing needed vast undeveloped territories, which were found at the urban periphery. The new peripherally located estates of prefab housing were developed at high densities [13,15,16], and reinforced the monocentric structure of the city.…”

Section: Sofia's Growth and Urban Form Before The Current 2007 Mastermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly to many other world regions, growth in SE Europe is realised through expansion and suburbanisation [13][14][15]. Sofia is thus a typical example of a SE European suburbanising city [13], although the trends also exhibit certain local peculiarities [15,16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sofia is a suitable case study because, like other large cities in Southeastern (SE) Europe [5], following the fall of communism, between 2001 and 2011 it experienced a substantial growth of the city's population (10.3%) [12]. Similarly to many other world regions, growth in SE Europe is realised through expansion and suburbanisation [13][14][15]. Sofia is thus a typical example of a SE European suburbanising city [13], although the trends also exhibit certain local peculiarities [15,16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Challenges of Implementing Sustainable Development: The Case of Sofia’s Master Plan

Slaev

Nedović‐Budić

2016

Sustainability

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Abstract:In this paper, we explore how master planning promotes and implements particular urban development patterns and, more generally, contributes to sustainability. Our goal is to understand the link between urban growth intentions articulated through the master planning process and realisation of its specific forms, e.g., monocentric or polycentric, compact or dispersed. As a case study, we examine the current General Urban Development Plan (GUDP) of the Bulgarian capital Sofia against the city's actual development pattern. We observe that the primary goals of the GUDP are to promote a polycentric urban structure and low-density expansion, as well as preserve green edges. While the question of whether and how these goals reflect the sustainability ideal requires further consideration, there are some indications that Sofia's GUDP may not be effective in encouraging sustainable forms of growth. Substantial inconsistencies exist between the plan's overall goals and some of its measures and implementation tools. The results on the ground suggest that, despite the plan's low-density aspirations, Sofia is becoming more compact and densified, while losing its green edges and failing to redirect growth to its northern territories where ample space and opportunities exist. We conclude that employing the achievements of research on sustainability and developing relevant implementation tools such as more effective zoning regulations and viable suburban transportation infrastructure are necessary for realising both the patterns proposed through master planning and achieving sustainable urban growth.Keywords: efficiency of planning; sustainable forms of urban growth; polycentric urban development; suburbanisation in Southeastern Europe; instruments of urban planning

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sofia's Growth and Urban Form Before The Current 2007 Mastermentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The Challenges of Implementing Sustainable Development: The Case of Sofia’s Master Plan

Slaev

Nedović‐Budić

2016

Sustainability

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Many of these places have lost their formerly agricultural and industrial character and have been transformed into suburban residential and service areas (Borén and Gentile 2007;Hirt 2006;Krišjāne and Bērziņš 2011;Leetmaa et al 2009;Marcińczak and Sagan 2011;Ouředníček 2007;Timár and Váradi 2001). The new inhabitants of these suburban areas are mostly affluent households who have left cities in search of better-quality housing and living environments reflecting their (new) socio-economic status (Golubchikov and Phelps 2011;Kährik and Tammaru 2008;Ouředníček 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%