1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Plovdiv
Region
Europe
Native title of the NBS intervention
Укрепване и социализация на речното корито на река Марица
Short description of the intervention
The project aims to preserve the river ecosystem and provide a suitable place for social life by the river. For the purpose, only natural materials will be used in strengthening the basin. Part of the activities include planting grass and natural vegetation in order to boost the ecosystem, including tall plants that provide shelter and a nesting place for birds. The area under work will cover 10.6 kilometres of the urban part of the river (Ref. 1).
Address

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 (24.720953670257 42.152644678019)
POINT (24.773551702285 42.155281262311)
POINT (24.772874282584 42.157861196235)
POINT (24.720549882659 42.154517761811)
NBS area image
Source of NBS area image
Google Earth Pro (November 3, 2020). Coordinates offer a rough approximation of extent of NBS.
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Natural Heritage Area/Untouched nature
Website of the intervention
http://projects.plovdiv.bg/maritza/
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2013
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
in planning stage
End date of the intervention
unknown
Present stage of the intervention
In planning stage
Goals of the intervention
- Preserve the local river ecosystem
- Improve the attractiveness of the ecosystem
- Create a place for rest and recreation among nature
(Ref. 1; Ref. 2)
- Maintain a place for birds to hide and nest (Ref. 2)
Quantitative targets
"more complete integration of the riverbed. The aim is to improve the attractiveness of the river by creating a unified system of pedestrian spaces, tailored to the specifics of the city. The project should cover the 10-kilometer stretch of the ring road built gateway to the eastern edge of the city, the goal being without drastic interventions riverbed to provide more opportunities for active social life close to nature" (Ref. 3).
Monitoring indicators defined
Unknown
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity conservation
Green space creation and/or management
Regeneration, land-use and urban development
Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
Social interaction
Health and well-being (SDG 3)
Enabling opportunities for physical activity
Creation of opportunities for recreation
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Species-focused
Ecosystem-focused
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Protect and enhance urban habitats
Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
Protect species
Undertake specific measures to protect species
Implementation activities
- Natural materials will be used in the building of fortification walls and recreational facilities, without using any concrete
- The walls will have vertical vegetation of the species Parthenocisus tricuspidata
- Create wet areas with tall vegetation and moisture-loving plants, which will be a suitable habitat for riverside fauna.
- Add decorative grassy species, flowers, and perennial bushy vegetation around the places for rest and recreation
(Ref. 1; Ref. 2).
-"In the conceptual design developed, plans are set for widening the lane network that allow approaching the river bed. It is planned to build playgrounds and areas for street fitness, as well as recreation areas with benches" (Ref. 8).
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Nature on buildings (external)
Green walls or facades
Grey infrastructure featuring greens
Riverbank/Lakeside greens
Blue infrastructure
Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Type of Green Wall
Climbing façades
Amenities offered by the NBS
Playgrounds
Sports areas and equipment
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Recreation
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Citizens or community groups
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 Plovdiv Municipality signed a contract with the University of Architecture, Construction, and Geodesy, who conducted a pre-project assessment of the state of the river. The project will be funded by local government, national government, and the EU. Following approval from the Municipality of Plovdiv, the project design was created by the private firm "Project Planning and Management" and will be implemented by it. Then, the Expert Council for Territorial Development of Plovdiv (ЕСУТ) reviewed the project idea. This took place in the presence of representatives of the Chamber of Engineers and the Chamber of Architects, and representatives of the regional environmental inspection agency (РИОСВ) and the agency for fire safety and citizen defense were present. Currently, the Municipality is looking for a firm which will carry out an ecological assessment of the project proposition
(Ref. 1; Ref. 2; Ref. 3; Ref. 5).
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
Researchers/university
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Unknown
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
Unknown
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Unknown
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Unknown
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
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
Yes
Please specify
A research project aimed at assessing the state of the river in connection to the planned intervention, conducted by the University of Architecture, Construction and Geodesy (Ref. 2).
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Part of the funding will be channeled through the Operational Programme Regions in Development (Оперативна програма "Региони в растеж"). This is a national programme funded by the ERDF and the national budget, which has the aim of achieving balance and sustainable development in cities, and creating conditions for improvement of the quality of life and for creating jobs (Ref. 3; Ref. 4).
Co-finance for NBS
Yes
Co-financing governance arrangements
Unknown
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
More than €4,000,000
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
16 021 040 EUR (Ref. 1)
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)
16 021 040 euros (Ref. 1). "The budget includes BGN 36,000 [equivalent to 18404.39 EUR] for feasibility studies related to future activities for strengthening and socialization of the riverbed within the boundaries of Plovdiv" (Ref. 8
Source(s) of funding
EU funds
Public national budget
Public local authority 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 health model
Urban offsetting model (biodiversity or water)
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Type of innovation
Technological
Infrastructural innovation
Please specify technological innovation
The innovation involves using green infrastructural solutions to create an environment that brings people close to nature. This is done by taking measures to preserve the ecosystem, and by making the place more attractive and more suitable for leisure (Ref. 1; Ref. 2).
Novelty level of the innovation
The innovation is completely new without connections to previous initiative(s)
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
The project is inherently unique, since it is the first intervention that aims to socialize the river basin within an urbanized territory (Ref. 1).
Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
Unknown
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Water management and blue areas
Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
Green space and habitat
Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
Description of environmental benefits
Water management and blue areas:
-Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems: "The plans of the project for improvement of the river Maritsa include the respective grassing and planting of suitable types of vegetation, which are in accordance with the nature and the natural environment. Waterfowl will also be considered, with areas of tall plants in places along the riverbed where birds can hide and nest. The idea is to preserve the existing ecosystem in the riverbed, making maximum use of natural materials" (Ref. 5).

Green space and habitat:
-Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems (local habitats for local species): "The plans of the project for improvement of the river Maritsa include the respective grassing and planting of suitable types of vegetation, which are in accordance with the nature and the natural environment. Waterfowl will also be considered, with areas of tall plants in places along the riverbed where birds can hide and nest. The idea is to preserve the existing ecosystem in the riverbed, making maximum use of natural materials" (Ref. 5).
Economic impacts
Unknown
Description of economic benefits
Unknown
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Health and wellbeing
Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
Description of social and cultural benefits
Social justice and cohesion:
-Increased opportunities for social interaction: "The project envisages the construction of pedestrian and bicycle lanes, an area for rollerblading and skateboarding, rope attractions, playgrounds, areas for walks and recreation, as well as those intended for temporary, campaign or event events" (Ref. 5).

Health and wellbeing:
-Gain in activities for recreation and exercise: "The project envisages the construction of pedestrian and bicycle lanes, an area for rollerblading and skateboarding, rope attractions, playgrounds, areas for walks and recreation, as well as those intended for temporary, campaign or event events" (Ref. 5).
Type of reported impacts
Expected impacts
Indicators
Unknown. The project has yet to be implemented.
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
No information available
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
Yes
Please specify the negative impacts
The project was stalled due to court challenges citing concerns over the impact of the project. "The project is renewed after in May 2019 the former Minister of Environment and Water Neno Dimov revoked the EIA decision of the Director of RIEW - Plovdiv Assoc. Prof. Stefan Shilev. Then the Ministry of Ecology returned the file for new consideration by Shilev in compliance with the instructions given in the reasons for the decision. To date, the ball is again with the Plovdiv Eco-Inspection, which must return the EIA to the designers for supplementation and processing. At the end of 2018 green movement appealed report adopted by RIEW - Plovdiv. In its opinion on the case, BSPB warned of obvious omissions and contradictions in the procedure and the developed reports. There were similar findings from other organizations.

According to experts, the area is specific, with Natura 2000 protection, and is an important biocorridor - habitat of a number of rare and protected bird species. Therefore, they believe, the project must go through a much broader public debate.

In the conceptual design developed by "Project Planings end investment" are set widenings of lane network that allow approaching the river bed. It is planned to build playgrounds and areas for street fitness, as well as recreation areas with benches" (Ref. 8, 2020).
COVID-19 pandemic
No specific information available as of November 3, 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
No
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
No evidence in public records
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
Unknown
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
Web links relevant to the intervention
Ref. 1. Technical details about the project
Ref. 2. Municipality web page about the project
Ref. 3
Ref. 4
Ref. 5
Ref. 6
Ref. 7
Ref. 8
List of references
Ref. 1. Малешевски, Ф. (2017). Укрепване и социализация на коритото на река Марица в Пловдив. [online] available at: http://infrastructure.bg/news/2017/05/19/2968549_ukrepvane_i_socializaciia_na_koritoto_na_reka_marica_v/ (Website not available in 2020).
Ref. 2. Община Пловдив (2014). Бъдещата визия за река Марица в рамките на гр. Пловдив. [online] available at: http://projects.plovdiv.bg/maritza/ (Website not available in 2020).
Ref. 3. Анимил ООД (2015). Социализация на коритото на р. Марица - състезават се трима кандидат-проектанти. [online] available at: http://animil-bg.com/index.php?p=5&id=15 (Accessed: November 3, 2020).
Ref. 4. Министерство на регионалното развитие и благоустройството (2017). Оперативна програма "Региони в Растеж". [online] available at: http://www.mrrb.government.bg/infrastruktura-i-programi/operativna-programa-regioni-v-rastej/ (Accessed: November 3, 2020).
Ref. 5. Plovdiv24.bg (2017). Търсят се еко оценители на мегапроекта за река Марица. [online] available at: https://news.plovdiv24.bg/729869.html (Accessed: November 3, 2020).
Ref. 6. Gradat (2017). Укрепване и социализация на коритото на река Марица в Пловдив. [online] Available at: https://gradat.bg/news/2017/05/19/2968549_ukrepvane_i_socializaciia_na_koritoto_na_reka_marica_v (Accessed: November 3, 2020).
Ref. 7. Панчева, Мариана (2019). Социализацията на река "Марица" забоксува. [online] Available at: https://www.plovdiv24.bg/novini/plovdiv/Socializaciyata-na-reka-Marica-zaboksuva-882282 (Accessed: November 3, 2020).
Ref. 8. Караланова, Илияна (2020). Рестартират проекта за река Марица, спрян от Нено Димов. [online] Available at: https://www.marica.bg/plovdiv/gradat/restartirat-proekta-za-reka-marica-sprqn-ot-neno-dimov (Accessed: November 3, 2020).
Additional comments
An e-mail was sent to Project Planning and Management asking for information about sections 5 and 6.
Comments and notes
Comments
There is no presence of formal monitoring system because they are still looking for a firm to conduct an assessment of the future ecological impact of the project (Ref. 5). The pre-feasibility study of the state of the river conducted by the architectural university was not considered an impact assessment.
Pictures of the NBS
/sites/default/files/nbs/images/maritsa.jpg