- Sofia, Bulgaria
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Sofia Municipality designed a shared “cooled” space in Vazrazhdane Park, named “Amphitheater” and located in a densely built-up urban environment, by applying shading nature-based solutions, allowing the maintenance of climbing and other heat and drought resistant plants, installation of sprinkler systems (foggers), construction of rock corners (alpineums) with appropriate vegetation, replacement of the existing pavement with a light-colored pavement made of natural materials with low thermal capacity and installation of a portable screen and multimedia.
The good practice was implemented as a pilot investment in the framework of the project “Implementation of innovative measures for mitigation and adaptation to climate change in the municipalities of the Republic of Bulgaria”, financed within the Program “Environmental Protection and Climate Change” of the European Economic Area (EEA).
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The key steps included:
- selecting the investment location based on needs and opportunities;
- amphitheatre design and technical guidelines;
- consultations with experts and citizens;
- implementation by Sofia municipality and its relevant municipal enterprises – construction, installation of watering system, planting, equipment;
- official opening. -
The practice uses blue and green acupuncture. It includes: implementation of shading methods through nature-based solutions allowing the maintenance of heat and drought resistant vegetation, construction of dewatering systems (misters), construction of rockery with suitable sustainable vegetation, replacement of existing pavement with light-coloured pavement made of natural materials with low thermal capacity.
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The selection of the investment pilot and the design of the cooling place were developed in several stages using the Delphi method. The plans were presented in-situ and discussed with the citizens, who had the opportunity to propose ideas and comments on “must have”, “could have”, won’t have” features and thus co-designed the space.
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The Amphitheatre is considerably cooler – at the average by 5°C in the summer, thus reducing heat stress and making it attractive for visitors to the park.
There is an increased use of the space for different purposes, including educational activities for children and other park visitors from the area, thus contributing to the citizens' wellbeing.
The selected greenery supports local biodiversity, too. - The good practice is completed in 2023.
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Vegetation-based measures usually take time to reach their full potential.
To reduce vulnerability to heat, green infrastructure should not be the only solution. A combination of blue and white measures makes the cooling facility much more effective.
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Design cooling spaces that are appealing and “instagramable”.
Select the location well so the intervention could affect positively the maximum vulnerable citizens. - https://adaptation.ecofund-bg.org/en/partner/sofia/
