Arch. Georgi Kolarov: The new European Bauhaus must answer the question of how we want to live, what buildings and cities we will have in the 21st century

"Buildings in the European Union account for 40% of energy use and 36% of carbon emissions. Sustainable renovation and construction concepts based on technology and expertise are needed to achieve the European target of reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030. "The Green Pact is a unique tool that gives us this opportunity on the basis of uniform, binding rules of action in response to the great environmental and social challenges ahead." This was stated by architect Georgi Kolarov - Adviser to the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, who participated in the International Forum "Culture and Business - Together in the Digital World", organised by Standard and M3 Communications Group.

Arch. Kolarov pointed out that the Green Pact is a growth strategy that places sustainability as a basic requirement for financing European projects and is synonymous with quality. "The Recovery and Resilience Mechanism", "The Just Transition Mechanism" and the New European Bauhaus are concrete instruments through which significant funds are invested, while respecting the goals of decarbonisation and climate neutrality and related sustainability requirements, "said Arch. Kolarov.

Asked where we are in terms of implementing the instrument, the adviser to the regional minister said that against the background of a significant backlog, the caretaker government has taken a significant step, using the opportunity of the Recovery and Resilience Plan to restructure the construction sector. In the latest version of the plan, in the part of projects for energy renovation of the building stock, we put the emphasis on sustainable renovation

"With the new European Bauhaus, the European Commission is building on the concept of sustainability, which is a product of science and technology and combines it with culture, art and social inclusion. This is a creative project that combines sustainability and functionality with aesthetics. He must answer the question of how we want to live, what buildings and cities we will have in the 21st century, "said Arch. Kolarov. According to him, the New European Bauhaus initiative will lead to an exchange of ideas and new experiments, which will contribute to the goals set in the Green Pact.

"We have to cross the line between science and art. We expect the New European Bauhaus initiative to provide clear solutions to contemporary problems. I believe that Bulgaria will actively participate in these processes and will take advantage of the opportunities of the Green Pact for its development, explained Arch. Kolarov.