[Sofia 🇧🇬] 2-Day Technical Visit of the Sofia Healthy Corridor

Local scientific partners and representatives of the URBiNAT Consortium came together on 19 & 20 October to explore  the current stage of the implementation of Sophia’s Healthy Corridor.

The 2-day technical visit provided an opportunity for walkthroughs and meetings with representatives of the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning and academic partners of the Sofia Municipality.

The visit started with an URBiNAT workshop in one of the hidden treasures of Sofia, the Swimming Pool Art Space, a space for contemporary art located on a rooftop in the city center, where the Sofia Team presented latest results and achievements.

The workshop was followed by a Healthy Corridor site visit in the Nadezhda District.

Other than the Healthy Corridors implemented in Nantes and Porto, Sofia’s multiple NBS Healthy Corridor has a linear path structure with a length of 2.5 kilometers — along which four thematic intervention zones are appointed: Co-Place, Health Energy, Aqua Vita and Green Assembly.

One of the highlights of this technical visit, was the planting of the first tree on the site together with the Mayor and the Chief Architect.

Green Assembly Area with the new amphitheater and new paths:

A bridge to be replaced the next day and a renovated pathway:

Aqua Vita Area with new pathways, outdoor sport equipments and a colourful IAAC Classroom:

Health Energy Area with new paths, playgrounds and sports facilities:

The new parking place in the  Co-Place Area:

The second day started with a meeting with the Chief Architect of Sofia Municipality, Mr. Zdravko Zdravkov, at the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning.

A presentation of the Sofia Municipality’s project was followed by a debate about urban challenges and a discussion about lessons learned from the URBiNAT project.

… a bicycle and pedestrian ring inside the city of Sofia, which will connect all major parks, densely populated neighborhoods as well as many sports and culture facilities.

The programme of the technical visit was rounded off with a guided tour of the Sofia History Museum located in the converted central mineral baths:

… followed by a visit of the underground archaeological exhibition at the St. Sophia Basilica:

The technical visit concluded with a final wrap up with the academic partner of Sofia Municipality at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy.

Thank you, Sofia Team, for this fantastic visit!

Images: URBiNAT ©