Reconstruction of park Raycho Kirkov

1. General information

Location and description of the intervention

City or FUA

Plovdiv

Region

Europe

Native title of the NBS intervention

Реконструкция на парк "Райчо Кирков"

Short description of the intervention

The park was completely renovated by planting trees, shrubs, flowers, and by renovating existing grey elements and adding new ones. The project was implemented as part of the programme for Improvement of the Ecological and Recreational environment of Plovdiv, which was funded by the ERDF through the national Operational Programme “Regional Development” 2007-2013 (Ref. 1; Ref. 2; Ref. 3; Ref. 6).

Address

Zdravets str.
4004 Plovdiv
Bulgaria

Location

The NBS is situated in an area, with clear delineation of boundaries and a specific shape (polygon). The NBS project can also have more than one area location (more than one polygon, situated close by).

Area boundary

POINT (24.730513918022 42.129413672138)

POINT (24.732640847114 42.129084212207)

POINT (24.732452400964 42.130811366963)

POINT (24.730419667635 42.130382071728)

NBS area image

Source of NBS area image

Google Earth Pro (November 2, 2020). Coordinates offer a rough approximation of extent of NBS.

Total area

101171.00m²

NBS area

101171.00m²

Type of area before implementation of the NBS

Public Greenspace Area

Website of the intervention

http://umispublic.government.bg/srchProjectInfo.aspx?id=23446

Timeline of intervention

Start date of the intervention (planning process)

2009

Start date of intervention (implementation process)

unknown

End date of the intervention

2011

Present stage of the intervention

Completed

2. Objectives of the intervention

Goals of the intervention

- Improve the ecological and recreational environment of Plovdiv (Ref. 1).

Quantitative targets

Unknown

Monitoring indicators defined

- number of trees planted
- area covered by flowers (m2)
- number of people visiting the park
(Ref. 1; Ref. 2; Ref. 3; Ref. 4)
Ref. 10: list of indicators for the overall project 'Improving the ecological and recreational environment of the city of Plovdiv':
Indicator 1 Population benefiting from the renewed urban environment.
Indicator 2 Secured parking spaces near the main transport points of the peripheral urban areas.
Indicator 3 New jobs created: permanent and temporary
Indicator 4 Square meters of grassy areas
Indicator 5 Planted trees
Indicator 6 Planted shrubs
Indicator 7 Number of playgrounds
Indicator 8 Square meters built / rehabilitated bike lanes
Indicator 9 Built irrigation system
Indicator 10 Mounted park furniture - benches
Indicator 11 Mounted park furniture - gazebos
Indicator 12 Built stage
Indicator 13 Built arches
Indicator 14 Built park fence
Indicator 15 Built fountain
Indicator 16 Reconstructed toilet
Indicator 17 Built drinking fountain
Indicator 18 Mounted lighting fixtures

Sustainability challenge(s) addressed

Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)

Green space creation and/or management

Health and well-being (SDG 3)

Enabling opportunities for physical activity

Creation of opportunities for recreation

Implementation activities

- 100 new trees, many shrubs, rye grass, and a 200 m2 area of flowers were planted
- 91 benches, alleys, a stage, lighting, and other grey infrastructure was added; 2 children's playgrounds were renovated and 1 new was added
(Ref. 1; Ref. 2).

Type of NBS project

Maintenance and management of urban nature

3. NBS domains, ES and scale

NBS domain and interventions

Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented

Parks and urban forests

Large urban parks or forests

Vegetation Type

Shrubs

Trees

Flower beds

Please specify how many trees were planted

~100 (Ref. 2)

Please specify other amenities offered by the NBS

"The mayor of Plovdiv Slavcho Atanasov opened the completely renovated park "Raycho Kirkov" under OPRD. We are talking about nearly 25 acres with completely replaced pavements (tiles and asphalt), about 100 new trees, a new fence with arches at the entrances, many new shrubs and about 200 square meters of additional colored figures. 91 benches have been installed, a bike lane has been built" (Ref. 2). There is also a stage for performances (Ref. 2).

Amenities offered by the NBS

Benches and drinking water stations

Playgrounds

Other

Services

Expected ecosystem services delivered

Habitat and supporting services

Habitats for species

Cultural services

Aesthetic appreciation

Recreation

Please specify "other habitat and supporting service"

improve the ecological environment of the City

Scale

Spatial scale

Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)

Beneficiaries

Primary Beneficiaries

Citizens or community groups

4. Governance and financing

Governance

Governance arrangements

Co-governance with government and non-government actors

Non-government actors

Private sector/Corporate/Business

Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative

The intervention was initiated by Plovdiv Municipality as part of the project for Improvement of the Ecological and Recreational Environment in Plovdiv. This project was financed by the ERDF through the national Operational Program "Regional Development" 2007 - 2013. The project was implemented by the construction firm Запрянови-03.
(Ref. 1; Ref. 3; Ref 6; Ref. 7; Ref. 8).

Key actors - initiating organization

Local government/municipality

Land owners

Public space owned by the city

Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)

EU body

National government

Local government/municipality

Private sector/corporate actor/company

Land owners

Public space owned by the city

Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used

Dissemination of information and education

Policy drivers

NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy

Yes

Please specify the "Regional Directive/Strategy"

Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on the European Regional Development Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1783/1999 (Ref. 9).

NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan

Yes

Please specify the national regulations/strategy/plan

The national strategy Operational Program "Regional Development" 2007 - 2013 enabled the creation and funding of Plovdiv Municipality's project for Improvement of the Ecological and Recreational Environment in Plovdiv. Park Raycho Kirkov was reconstructed as part of this city-level project (Ref. 1; Ref. 3).

NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan

Yes

Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"

The intervention was initiated by Plovdiv Municipality as part of the project for Improvement of the Ecological and Recreational Environment in Plovdiv (Ref. 1).

Mandatory or voluntary intervention

Voluntary (spontaneous)

Enablers

Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project

Yes

Please specify

The intervention was initiated by Plovdiv Municipality as part of the project for Improvement of the Ecological and Recreational Environment in Plovdiv (Ref. 1). The stated project goal includes restoration of green areas as a prerequisite for ensuring a sustainable and ecologically-sound urban environment which contributes to a higher quality of life (Ref. 10).

Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project

Unknown

If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.

City specific green space strategy or plan

Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project

Unknown

Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project

Unknown

Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project

Yes

Please specify

The project for Improvement of the Ecological and Recreational Environment in Plovdiv was financed by the ERDF (Ref. 1; Ref. 3; Ref. 8).

Co-finance for NBS

Yes

Co-financing governance arrangements

Yes

Co-governance arrangement

A fund / grant

Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?

Already in place

Financing

Total cost

€100,000 - €500,000

What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?

409 140 EUR (Ref. 3; Ref. 4)

What are the total amount of expected annual maintenance costs?

Unknown

What is the expected annual maintenance costs of the NBS or GI elements?

Unknown

Please specify cost savings

Unknown

Please specify total cost (EUR)

800 000 BGN, equivalent to 409 140 euros (Ref. 3; Ref. 4)

Source(s) of funding

EU funds

Public national budget

Type of fund(s) used

Earmarked public budget

Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)

Non-financial contribution

Unknown

Business models

Green densification model

Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?

Public actor (e.g. municipality)

5. Innovation

Type of innovation

Technological

Infrastructural innovation

Please specify technological innovation

The place was completely renovated by introducing new green elements, including trees, shrubs, flowers, an new grey elements such as an alley, lighting, benches, a pavement mosaic, a playground, and others. This innovation helped change the ecological and recreational environment of Plovdiv for the better (Ref. 2; Ref. 3).

Novelty level of the innovation

Unknown

Please specify novelty level of the innovation

Unknown

Replicability/Transferability

Unknown

Please specify Replicability/Transferability

Unknown

6. Evaluation and learning

Impacts, benefits

Environmental impacts

Green space and habitat

Increased green space area

Description of environmental benefits

Green space and habitat:
-Increased green space area: 100 new trees, many shrubs, rye grass, and a 200 m2 area of flowers were planted (Ref. 1; Ref. 2; Ref. 4; Ref. 5).

Economic impacts

Unknown

Description of economic benefits

Unknown

Type of reported impacts

Achieved impacts

Indicators

- Number of new trees area (m^2) of flowers planted.
- Comments about the park on the internet are generally positive, and the rating of the park is 7.9/10, based on 13 voters
(Ref. 1; Ref. 2; Ref. 4; Ref. 5)
Ref. 10: list of indicators for the overall project 'Improving the ecological and recreational environment of the city of Plovdiv':
Indicator 1 Population benefiting from the renewed urban environment.
Indicator 2 Secured parking spaces near the main transport points of the peripheral urban areas.
Indicator 3 New jobs created: permanent and temporary
Indicator 4 Square meters of grassy areas
Indicator 5 Planted trees
Indicator 6 Planted shrubs
Indicator 7 Number of playgrounds
Indicator 8 Square meters built / rehabilitated bike lanes
Indicator 9 Built irrigation system
Indicator 10 Mounted park furniture - benches
Indicator 11 Mounted park furniture - gazebos
Indicator 12 Built stage
Indicator 13 Built arches
Indicator 14 Built park fence
Indicator 15 Built fountain
Indicator 16 Reconstructed toilet
Indicator 17 Built drinking fountain
Indicator 18 Mounted lighting fixtures

Environmental, social and economic impacts

Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)

Health and well-being (SDG 3)

Analysis of specific impact categories

Job creation: The NBS created ...

No information available

Environmental justice: The implementation of the NBS project resulted in ...

Improved access to green and/or blue spaces

Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?

No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project

COVID-19 pandemic

No specific information available as of November 2, 2020.

Methods of impact monitoring

Process of recording NBS impacts

No evidence in public records

Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS

Unknown

Evidence for use of assessment

Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process

Unknown

Presence of indicators used in reporting

No evidence in public records

Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

Yes

Link to a web-based monitoring tool

https://foursquare.com/v/%D0%BF%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BA-%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B9%D1%87%D0%B…

Impact assessment mechanism

Name of any specific impact assessment tools

Unknown

Use of GIS in mapping impacts

No evidence in public records

Citizen involvement

Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation

Yes

Mode(s) of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment

Online Forum

Please specify other modes of citizen involvement in evaluation/assessment

Comment sections on website articles about park Raycho Kirkov's reconstruction; a rating scale for evaluating the park on a web page about the park.
(Ref. 1; Ref. 4; Ref. 5).

Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation

Unknown

Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment

Unknown

7. Sources

References

Web links relevant to the intervention

Ref. 5. Web page about the park

List of references

Ref. 1. Plovdiv24.bg (2011). Парк "Райчо Кирков" в "Южен" ще се превърне в едно от бижутата на квартала. [online] available at: https://www.plovdiv24.bg/novini/plovdiv/Park-Raicho-Kirkov-v-Yuzhen-shte-se-prevurne-v-edno-ot-bizhutata-na-kvartala-276973 (Accessed: November 2, 2020).
Ref. 2. Parkove.bg (2011). Откриха обновения парк “Райчо Кирков” в Пловдив. [online] available at: http://www.parkove.bg/inf/Otkrikha+obnoveniia+park+%E2%80%9CRaicho+Kirkov%E2%80%9D+v-1359.html (Accessed: November 2, 2020).
Ref. 3. Йеремиева, В. (2011). Лъснаха парк в “Кючук Париж” за 800 000. [online] available at: http://www.marica.bg/%D0%BB%D1%8A%D1%81%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%85%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BA-%D0%B2-%E2%80%9C%D0%BA%D1%8E%D1%87%D1%83%D0%BA-%D0%BF%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B6%E2%80%9D-%D0%B7%D0%B0-800-000-news65482.html (Accessed: November 2, 2020).
Ref. 4. Plovdiv24.bg (2011). Откриват парк "Райчо Кирков" на 7 септември. [online] available at: https://news.plovdiv24.bg/282048.html (Accessed: November 2, 2020).
Ref. 5. Foursquare (2017). Park "Raycho Kirkov". [online] available at: https://foursquare.com/v/%D0%BF%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BA-%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B9%D1%87%D0%BE-%D0%BA%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2/4fdf4eb9e4b04e7e2a6b8b62 (Accessed: November 2, 2020).
Ref. 6. Operational Programme “Regional Development” (2011). OP Regional Development Priorities. [online] available at: http://www.bgregio.eu/en/op-regional-development/op-regional-development-priorities.aspx (Accessed: November 2, 2020).
Ref. 7. Запрянови-03 (2017). За нас. [online] available at: http://zapryanovi.com/index.php (accessed 19 July 2017).
Ref. 8. Operational Programme “Regional Development” (2009). ОБЯВЛЕНИЕ ЗА ВЪЗЛАГАНЕ НА ДОГОВОРИ ЗА ПРЕДОСТАВЯНЕ НА БЕЗВЪЗМЕЗДНА ФИНАНСОВА ПОМОЩ
ПО ОПЕРАТИВНА ПРОГРАМА „РЕГИОНАЛНО РАЗВИТИЕ” 2007-2013. [pdf] available at: https://www.eufunds.bg/archive/documents/1259315756.pdf (Accessed: November 2, 2020).
Ref. 9. EUR-Lex (2006). Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 July 2006 on the European Regional Development Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1783/1999. [online] available at: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32006R1080 (Accessed: November 2, 2020).
Ref. 10. Government of Bulgaria (2017). UNIFIED MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR THE EU STRUCTURAL INSTRUMENTS IN BULGARIA. [online] available at: http://umispublic.government.bg/srchProjectInfo.aspx?id=23446 (Accessed: November 2, 2020).

Additional comments

An e-mail was sent asking for information to address the first comment (about the objectives), as well as other information related to sections 1, 2, 4, and 5.

Comments and notes

Pictures of the NBS

/sites/default/files/nbs/images/park_raycho_kirkov.jpg

/sites/default/files/nbs/images/park_raycho_kirkov_2.jpg

Public Images

https://foursquare.com/v/%D0%BF%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BA-%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B9%D1%87%D0%BE-%D0%BA%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2/4fdf4eb9e4b04e7e2a6b8b62?openPhotoId=51a5e9eb498ec54038fda015