Minister Lilyana Pavlova: We Consistently Support the Sustainable Development of Cities

Striving to create urban environment that keeps the connection between past and present alive is an expression of the policy that Bulgaria follows currently. We support consistently the sustainable development of cities through Operational Programmes Regional Development 2007-2013 and Regions in Growth 2014-2020, as well as by other instruments. This was stated by the Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, Mrs. Lilyana Pavlova, during the opening of the Bulgarian Cities – Antiquity that Lives exhibition in Strasbourg today. According to her this becomes possible through investment in infrastructure, protection of cultural-heritage, intelligent transport, etc.

Urban development in Bulgaria is a key element in the regional policy of the government, because cities are complex systems, which could be the main drivers for sustainable development, stressed Pavlova. According to her a long-term strategy, vision and sustainable urban management policies should be developed in order to be successfully addressed the challenges which the cities face nowadays. As an element of this vision she pointed out the targeted support for polycentric development of the territory with small and medium-sized cities, which should be attractive and perspective in order to successfully balance the large urban areas.

The regional Minister expressed her view that cities should preserve their history and develop their potential as they hold up the balance bеtween the preservation of heritage, economic growth, better quality of life and social well-being. She told the attendees of the exhibition that Bulgaria is one of the oldest European countries, founded on the Balkan Peninsula in the 7th century AD and it is rich with its history, unique culture and beautiful nature.

The regional Minister informed the guests about several significant cultural events, which Bulgaria prepares and that the local and regional authorities will have the leading role to hold them up to 2019.

The Bulgarian Cities – Antiquity that Lives exhibition includes photographs from 12 Bulgarian cities. The message that some of them convey is that the symbiosis between iconic monuments of cultural heritage and modern architecture and development is a possible mission. Others represent the centers of cultural and spiritual live of the Bulgarian people, part of which are work of prominent European architects and are associated with the rise of the Third Bulgarian State.

Minister Pavlova is in Strasbourg in relation to her participation in the 30th Session of the Congress of local and regional authorities of the Council of Europe.