New policies for cities in the EU: Integrated investments, partnerships, multi-level governance and developing local potential

Bulgaria supports the new EU Urban Development Charter

Bulgaria supported the New Leipzig Charter "The Transformative Power of Cities for the Common Good" and its implementation document "Through Multilevel Governance:  Next steps for the EU's Urban Agenda". These are the founding documents for the implementation of EU urban development and modernisation policy in the post-2020 period. They were adopted at a meeting of ministers responsible for urban policy in the Member States organised by the German Presidency of the Council of the EU.  On the Bulgarian side, Denitsa Nikolova, Deputy Minister of Regional Development and Public Works, took part.

The implementation of projects combining integrated measures, partnership with stakeholders, multilevel governance and place-based investments in relation to the specificities of the territory are the main pillars of urban development policy, advocated in the strategic documents.

"The Charter will contribute to the implementation of the reform of the regional policy that we are implementing in Bulgaria and corresponds to the new model for project implementation in the new programming period 2021-2027, Deputy Minister Nikolova said.

Denitsa Nikolova also told the participants in the online forum that one of the most important priorities for the Bulgarian government is the development of a polycentric system of settlements in the country with a special focus on sustainable urban development.  It builds on priority themes such as tackling environmental pollution, air quality, improving access to public services and housing, reducing social inequalities, tackling the problems of intense urban traffic and the lack of adequate technical infrastructure. Part of the solution is to take an integrated approach to the implementation of different projects, based on the needs, potential and capacities of each city.

The new Operational Programme "Development of Regions" also sets a priority for urban development to unlock the potential of the ten largest cities as engines of growth, creativity and innovation.  It will also support the creation of innovative networks between cities and functional links between urban and rural areas.