Vanesa Krasteva, Veneta Zlatinova, Beata Tsoneva and Lilia Geogieva, from the Municipality of Sofia, shared with us some of the measures that were taken to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the URBiNAT intervention area.  We also discussed public and private solidarity initiatives and hopes and ideas for the future.

Between March and May 2020, the main lockdown measures were the closing of public parks, including sports facilities and playgrounds. Schools and kindergarten were also closed forcing parents to balance work and parenting at home. Large shopping centres, restaurants, bars, and sport halls were also closed.

People over 65 years old required special protection. For this section of the population supermarkets, stores and pharmacies reserved two hours every morning. These became known as green shopping corridors. However, opinion on the efficacy of this measure is divided. From November 2020, additional measures included restrictions on private gatherings, and cancellation or postponing of public hearings on the territory of the Municipality of Sofia. 

The Department of Architecture and Urban Planning (NAG) further developed its web portal and created NAG.Mobile, as well as several new electronic services to be provided to citizens, and Sofiaplan organizes online presentations of the concepts for the building of the central mineral bath. A Stakeholders Advisory Board was created, allowing for remote participatory actions to be taken.

But challenging times can also be inspiring times, and URBiNAT is committed to mapping inspiring solidarity.  

Private and municipal initiatives for mutual assistance and donations include the employees of the Municipality of Sofia, of the Emergency Aid and Prevention Directorate at the Municipality of Sofia, and of the Sofia Inspectorate – Nadezhda district, the mayor of Nadezhda district, Dimitar Dimov, who donated food products purchased with his personal funds to socially disadvantaged families, the www.pomogni.net platform, which is aimed at elderly people or at those placed under quarantine who do not have to leave their homes, or the www.dobroto.bg site, which presents the work of various foundations and associations.

The restrictive measures came with a variety of additional challenges. For example, despite the good internet speed and coverage in Bulgaria, vulnerable sections of the population or larger families needed access to equipment and internet to comply with work and/or school from home. URBiNAT public events had to be cancelled, because the harsh winter weather prevents any outdoor activity while the pandemic prohibited indoor events.

The Municipality tried to cope with these challenges in different ways. In the Nadezhda Park and the North Park (URBiNAT intervention area), a joint action between the police, civilian and district patrols controls crowding and ensures that the population can circulate normally.

The district administration created a campaign, “Mission Hope”, to help socially disadvantaged people in need of food. The funds raised were used to buy essential foodstuffs. Partners in the URBiNAT area worked together with the retail chain “Fantastico” to provide hot lunches to vulnerable populations. They also created special sections in the municipality’s electronic portals, providing up-to-date information and assistance related to COVID-19.

And much of these extraordinary actions would not be possible without all citizens who independently donate food and goods to municipalities, hospitals, the elderly and various vulnerable groups.

Looking to the future, there is the need to maintain the organization and coordination of the digital work process. The advantages of online communication tools will be used more and more. Live streaming is increasingly used by the Municipality of Sofia to present ideas, initiatives and projects and additional online services are being developed. 

Most importantly, we must work to preserve the physical and mental health of people, and to continue supporting vulnerable groups who are unable to work or have lost their jobs due to the anti-epidemic measures. One thing that the COVID-19 crisis has shown us is that there are people who are able to devote their time and resources, and that together we can give hope and reach out to more people.