Public Space Public Life Report

Public Space & Public Life Report 2017

Sofia

place.make urban design and planning

Gehl Team: Henriette Vamberg — Partner, Managing Director Lisa Müller — Project Architect Elena Balabanska — Assisting Architect Rosalia Svendsen — Assisting Architect Pernille Juul Schmidt — Designer

Gehl Vesterbrogade 24, 5th floor 1620 Copenhagen V Denmark gehlpeople.com mail@gehlpeople.com Second revised edition

On behalf of the Sofia Municipality Project team: Zdravko Zdravkov Chief Architect of Sofia Municipality Nikolay Kamenov - Architect Martina Nenova - Architect Hristo Harlov - Architect sofia-agk.com office@sofia-agk.com Source of data: Sofproekt - Masterplan

Collaborators: Pavel Yanchev Nurhan Redzheb Silvia Chakarova Galina Aleksova Stella Kaloyanova Despina Kaneva Maialen Landa Oregi Photographer: Desislava Kulelieva Andrey Andreev Volunteers: Special thanks to all the volunteers who were part of the workshop and the registrations. This report would have not been possible without you.

I am delighted Prof. Jan Gehl and the team from Gehl have accepted our invitation to help us develop Sofia as a green and innovative city. The data they have gathered and processed will enable us to make our public spaces friendlier for pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as for those relying on public transport.

I am also confident that it will let us exhibit our historic centre more powerfully. In addition to enhancing our public spaces, the principles suggested by Prof. Jan Gehl will also help us improve the quality of life in Sofia.

Capital cities have tended and will continue to attract substantial interest from a wide variety of people. We should, therefore, responsibly and with a vision for the future, improve our city’s transport organisation, reduce our resource consumption significantly, and improve the quality of air. This relies on changing not just our urban environment, but also people’s attitudes and behavior. To meet these challenges, institutions and citizens must accept them as a common cause.

Prof. Jan Gehl’s vision for "cities for people", which his team has elaborated into specific urban policies, will help us work with greater confidence towards developing Sofia as a city of innovation and a city for people.

Yordanka Fandakova Mayor of Sofia

This report has helped us build an overall idea of the quality of public spaces in Sofia, and the life in them. The team of the Architecture and Urban Planning Division of the Municipality of Sofia has set itself the ambitious goal of transforming Sofia into a city that can nurture its people and encourage them to take a more active part in public life.

Our collaboration with Gehl has confirmed our belief that for an urban environment to be lively it must be clean, safe and comfortable, and offer opportunities for furthering people’s multiple and varied interests. To each of its citizens Sofia must provide the opportunity to take part in the life of the city regardless of their age, social status, ethnicity, income or beliefs.

Gehl’s analysis will help us make informed decisions for the future of Sofia as a well-functioning city with an efficient and unified transport system, in which pedestrians and bicyclists are given priority. The presentation of this report will be followed by specific steps that will aim to transform Bulgaria’s capital into a city that is more accessible, safe and lively than before. What has been achieved so far will serve as a point of reference in the future work of politicians, contracting authorities, designers, as well as by all of Sofia’s citizens and users.

Together, we will join efforts to make Sofia a city for people.

Zdravko Zdravkov Chief Architect of Sofia

Table of contents Introduction......................................6

Analysis & Recommendations......16

PSPL Studies 8 Overview 9 Historical development 10 Today and in the future 11 Measuring what we care about 12 Sofia workshop & visit 14 Copenhagen workshop 15

Four Key Themes 01 Amenitites

Mountains & views Green amenities Mineral springs & rivers Human scale morphology Key moves 02 Mobility

Getting around Pedestrian network Bicycle network Public transport Vehicular traffic Key moves 03 Public Life

18 20

22 24 25 27 28 36

38 40 42 44 46 48 58

Intensity of use Places of interest Activities in public space Age groups User groups Activity during the day & week Events over the year Key moves

60 61 62 64 66 68 69 71

04 Public Space Quality

76

Public space network 78 Scale 79 Quality of public space 80 Usability 82 Identity 84 Frontages 85 Pavement 86 Noise levels 87 Streetscape elements 88 Key moves 90 Summary 98

Vision and key moves

100

Introduction 6

This chapter provides an overview of Sofia and gives an insight into its historical background, which dates back to the Neolithic Period.

It also provides an outlook to its current status and some of the planned development projects.

The aim of this introduction is also to explain the Gehl methods and the approach to studying public life, which have been applied on Sofia's city centre. A map of the counting locations as well as insights into the process are also provided.

PSPL studies Gehl's work is based on the research conducted by professor Jan Gehl. With the human dimension as a starting point, he has worked to improve cities for over 50 years.

Gehl has conducted Public Spaces Public Life studies (PSPL) in cities around the world. A PSPL provides empirical evidence and arguments for improving public space. Once we understand the life of a place, we start looking at what changes are needed in the physical environment to create a more sustainable and livable city for all.

Gehl Copenhagen

Gehl New York

Gehl San Francisco

↑ Map of the cities where Gehl has worked over the years. Gehl has offices in San Fransisco, New York and Copenhagen.

ALMATY

TOWARDS A LIVEABLE AND LEGIBLE CITY PUBLIC SPACE PUBLIC LIFE 2015

MOSCOW TOWARDS A GREAT CITY FOR PEOPLE PUBLIC SPACES & PUBLIC LIFE 2013

New York — Streets for the 21st century

Almaty, Kazakhstan — Towards a liveable and legible city

With the Public Life and Public Space study published in Moscow in 2013, Gehl contributed to focus on turning Moscow into a livable metropolis. Since then, the municipality of Moscow has implemented numerous of the suggestions from the report, such as clearing obstacles from sidewalks, extending the pedestrian street network and turning parking spaces into spaces for staying in the city centre.

The NYC Department of Transportation has worked strategically to improve conditions on the city's streets towards the vision of a greener, greater New York with Gehl as a collaborator and PSPL as a tool. The vision manifests itself in a series of swift and affordable pilot projects along Broadway, reclaiming nearly 45,000 m2 of public space alongside initiatives throughout five districts.

The new public spaces have been a huge success, catching the attention of cities across the world.

In Almaty, we conducted a PSPL study, described the current situation and put forward strategies that can guide the next steps – mainly focusing on the central areas of the existing city centre. Recommendations included creating a well-balanced transport system, utilising the wide streets to cater for a good balance between all transport modes, creating a city that is accessible and attractive for pedestrians with safe crossings and a good environment for people.

Eskilstuna, Sweden Shanghai, China

2015

2016

2017

Sofia, Bulgaria

2014

Bern, Switzerland

2013

Almaty, Kazakhstan

2012

Oslo,Norway Mar del Plata, Argentina

2011

Adelaide, Australia Moscow, Russia

2010

Hobart, Australia Launceston, Australia Melbourne, Australia

2009

Istanbul, Turkey Auckland, New Zealand Chongqing, China

2008

Christchurch, New Zealand

2007

Perth, Australia

2006

Svendborg, Denmark Odense, Denmark Seattle, Washington, USA

2005

Sydney, Australia New York City, USA Rotterdam, Holland

2004

Copenhagen, Denmark

Public Space Public Life Studies by Gehl

Cape Town, South Africa Stockholm, Sweden

I N T R O D U C T I O N

Moscow — from car dominated to livable

Zürich, Switzerland London, England Melbourne, Australia

6

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Overview

Balkan Mountains

Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is located in an unique location in the west of the country - in a valley surrounded by high mountains on all sides, with Vitosha mountain reaching 2290 m of altitude. With its nearly 1.3 million inhabitants, it is Bulgaria's largest city and a capital of great importance to the whole Balkans, home to many companies, universities and cultural institutions.

City centre Lyulin Mountain 1256m

Vitosha Mountain 2290m

Sofia

1km 3km

Scale Comparison

City centre City boundary Water

7

5 km

Budapest

Vienna

Sofia

1.7 million inhabitants in the city of Budapest 2.9 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area

1.8 million inhabitants in the city of Vienna 2.4 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area

1.3 million inhabitants in the city of Sofia 1.7 million inhabitants in the metropolitan area

6 km2 city centre (District I + V) 51 870 inhabitants 8 645 inhabitants /km2

2,9 km2 city centre (District I) 16 465 inhabitants 5 717 inhabitants /km2

7,9 km2 city centre (Study Area) 95 268 inhabitants 12 059 inhabitants /km2

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

I N T R O D U C T I O N

5 km

5 km

Historical development

↑

One of the oldest cities in Europe, the history of Sofia can be traced back some 7000 years ago.

For centuries, the region has been an attractive place for settlement due to its thermal springs. Its rich history is present until today: a wide variety of styles from different times are shaping the city's character. Sofia has around 1400 protected buildings and sites and other immovable heritage located mostly in the city centre, where also prehistoric settlements were excavated.

The map shows simplified periodisation of the historical spatial development of the city. The selected periods are based on historical maps of the city's development up to the given year. They do not reflect the exact date of development of the areas.

8

I N T R O D U C T I O N

The Roman city of Serdica 1879 1908 1937 1956 1965 1985 After 1990

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Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Today and in the future A lot of projects are discussed and planned in Sofia at the moment, which proves the city's willingness to improve and provide investment.

There are a number of visionary documents in the making which will guide the way towards a more people-friendly city. The major challenge is to prioritise the efforts and maximise the outcomes.

A clear vision that unifies all projects will help to guide the way forward.

Western direction St. Nedelya Sq.

Dondukov Blvd.

Zone 3

Zone 4 9

Zone 2

I N T R O D U C T I O N

In 2013 Sofia Municipality held an open international architectural competition that called for the urban concept and architectural design and development of Sofia City Centre. Conditionally, the Sofia City Centre was divided into four zones.

Zone 1

Investment projects and building permits have been approved for Zones 2 and 4. In 2018, the implementation of Zone 2 and Zone 4 are going to start.

Zone 1 is not funded by EU funds. For zone 3, a new architectural competition is planned.

Approved projects for future development Projects for future development in procedure Buildings

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Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

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Blocks City centre boundaries

Measuring what we care about In order to improve the living conditions and the urban quality of the city centre in Sofia, it is important to understand how the city is performing in regard to its “hardware” (built form, public spaces and mobility) and “software” (public life, activities, pedestrians and bicyclists).

"It was exciting to spend a whole day in the same place watching how the pedestrian and traffic flow changed through the day and to realise who uses the public space at different hours of the day. We had fun playing a made up game where we tried to guess those flows for the next hours."

Maialen Landa Oregi

Public Space & Public Life survey

Gehl has based the analysis in this report on both available data from Sofia Municipality, as well as additional data collection in the form of a public space public life survey, as a collaboration with the Department of Architecture and Urban Planing and volunteers, with the support of Placemake.

The data has provided a clear understanding as well as an overview of how the the city centre works for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport, and cars and has illustrated the use and structure of the public spaces. This information has helped focus the strategic recommendations and concepts in the report and serves as a baseline to suggest ways of improving the quality, the connectivity and the liveability of the city.

"I found it very interesting to observe the city in this way. The subjective evaluation of “few” and “many” people, cars, bikes, trams, moms with babystrollers, all of them counted and the numbers being surprisingly steady in a row. I had the luck of spending two days outside, among the people, in the urban rush and calmness of our wonderful city and to fall in love with it again."

Dayana Nikolova

10

Pedestrian counts I N T R O D U C T I O N

The streetscape is the frame in which pedestrians flow through the city. The movement patterns of people throughout the day and week can reveal much about the character of urban life.

Staying activities

The longer each person stays in public space, the more city life accumulates. Gehl have conducted staying registrations and age & gender surveys in selected squares, parks, and streets, to observe what people do, where they do it and when. The activities are plotted onto a map - giving a picture of the activity levels and types at any given time of the day.

"For me it was very exciting to watch the life flow in a public space during the day – people in a hurry in the morning; mothers with kids, old people and tourists on a walk before or after noon; the turmoil during lunch break and at the end, all gathered together in the evening. I was really having fun observing how people give life to the city spaces!"

Dessislava Kovacheva

Public space registration

The city environment affects the extent and manner in which people are using the city. The quality of the public realm has been analysed through different public space registrations such as pavement quality, level of greenery, facade quality, general visual quality, and the quality of public furniture.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Counts have been carried out at the marked locations on a Thursday and Saturday in Spring 2017, from 8am to 8pm. The weather conditions were better on the Thursday, which has been considered as an influence on stationary registration patterns.

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Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

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Sofia workshop & visit In March 2017, Gehl was welcomed in Sofia by the Mayor Mrs. Yordanka Fandakova and the Chief Architect Mr. Zdravko Zdravkov and his team as well as the local collaborators Placemake. A first site analysis of Sofia’s city centre allowed Gehl to get a good impression of the city centre.

A two-day workshop with a wide diversity of participants focused on four different themes: city amenities, mobility, public space qualities and public life.

Participants of the workshop during their working session

Exploring the city

12

I N T R O D U C T I O N

March 2017

People from many different backgrounds participated in the workshop.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Copenhagen workshop In June 2017, a team of urban planners and designers from Sofia came to the Gehl office in Copenhagen. Three intense days included identifying and discussing key potentials, challenges and recommendations for Sofia, as well as exploring the city of Copenhagen on foot and by bike. This way, the team could get a good overview of the mobility patterns, public spaces and urban life in Copenhagen, which were then discussed in relation to Sofia.

A bicycle tour allowed for the team to explore the city's public spaces.

One of the stops included Israels Plads - a central, lively public space in the heart of the city.

13

I N T R O D U C T I O N

June 2017

The Sofia team at the Gehl office.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

14

Analysis & Recommendations

The analysis of Sofia is divided into four themes: Amenities, Mobility, Public Life and Public Space Quality. Under each theme, potentials and challenges are explored. Hereafter, a set of key moves explains the actions that can be taken to strengthen the potentials. The key moves are showcased by maps, international best practice and local cases from Sofia.

Amenities

Mobility

Mountains & views

Getting around

Green amenities

Pedestrian network

Mineral springs and rivers

Bicycle network

Cultural landscape

Public transport

Human scale morphology

Vehicular traffic

Public Life

Public Space Quality

Intensity of use

Public space network

Places of interest

Scale

Activities in public space

Quality of public space

Age groups

Usability

User groups

Identity

Activity during the day & week

Frontages

Events over the year

Pavement Noise levels Streetscape elements

18

Amenities Sofia is rich in both - cultural and natural amenities. As one of the oldest cities in Europe, it accommodates historic buildings and monuments from different periods. Small streams and the presence of mineral water form Sofia's blue character, whilst parks and tree-lined streets reinforce its green character.

The surrounding mountains shape Sofia's identity, as they are visually present from many parts of the city.

Mountains & views Sofia is characterised by its unique location, surrounded by the Lyulin mountains in the west, Stara planina in the north and Vitosha mountain in the south, with its peak of 2290m.

The mountains provide opportunities for hiking and skiing in the winter and for refreshing walks in the summer. Additionally, they serve as a prominent cityscape element creating a sense of orientation and identity.

Mountains give identity • Sofia is characterised by the surrounding Vitosha and Lyulin Mountain ranges which are important landmarks due to their visual presence in the city.

• The mountains are popular weekend

destinations for hiking, cycling, climbing and winter throughout the year, attracting locals and travellers.

Lack of connection from the mountains to the city centre

20

A M E N I T I E S

• The mountains are generally

protected areas but are accessible to the public.

• One can see the mountains, but

Great mountain views that are under the threat of being blocked

Distrinct topography not used to full potential

• The visual connection to the mountains does

• The city is not flat, but characterised by small

• Unfortunately, some visual connections to the

• Level changes some places overcome by steps,

not only create a sense of orientation, but also a sensation of spaciousness and openness.

Vitosha mountain are not perceptible from street level as they are blocked by misplaced developments.

ascents which strengthen the visual connections between different parts of the city. thus there is a potential to create open spaces in connection with the steps that utilise the views and the frequent pedestrian movement.

they can be difficult to access. There is a lack of wayfinding and hiking trails starting from the city centre.

Especially for tourists, it is difficult to find information on how to reach the mountains and what to see there.

• There are major streets with poor

crossings between Vitosha and the centre. The outer ring road W in particular is forming a barrier for pedestrians and cyclists.

• Important viewing corridors continue to be under threat due to an increasing demand for high rise buildings.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Green amenities Sofia's centre is blessed with a strong green identity due to its public parks, gardens and tree-lined streets. These green areas in the dense urban fabric of Sofia are not only important meeting places and areas for leisure and recreation, but they also preserve the natural environment, improve air quality and contribute to urban storm water and climate management. Due to their important role in the city, there is a need for regular maintenance.

Green areas Tree lines Rivers 0

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22

A M E N I T I E S

Green areas and public gardens are a key amenity

Green areas are mainly distributed in the south

Many tree lined streets and boulevards

Trees, shrubbery and green areas need regular maintenance

• There are public gardens with

• By looking at a map of Sofia, it

• Sofia has a lot of streets and

• Even though Sofia has great green

• Connections between parks and

• Street trees often have too little

different level of activeness for daily and seasonal recreation.

• Plenty of parks within a walking

distance in the south and east attract Sofia's residents.

becomes clear that the distribution of public space and green areas is not equal. The wealthier southeastern area is greener than the north-western area, which correlates with the socio-economic status of these areas.

boulevards aligned with trees, whilst others are not green at all especially in the northern areas of the city. green areas should be improved in order to attract more visitors and strengthen the city's green character.

amenities, unmaintained trees or shrubbery decrease the quality of streetscape design and visual connections.

space for their roots, elevating the pavement, hence decreasing the accessiblity for pedestrians and harming the trees.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Mineral springs & rivers

The mineral springs form another important water element and a historically significant feature. There are a number of mineral springs in the city centre. However, few of them are visible and utilised.

↑

Rivers usually create a sense of orientation, provide identity or serve as green spaces for recreation.

In Sofia, there is no large river flowing through the city, but two small streams of water - Perlovska and Vladayska River. TodayW the waterways are not yet used to their full potential and provide a great opportunity for improvement.

North park

The map shows simplified representation of mineral water springs in Sofia including existing balneological centres, rehabilitation and recreational areas and mineral water fountains.

West park

Borisova garden South park

Loven park

Lyulin mountain

City centre boundaries Parks and green areas Water areas Mineral water spring

Vitosha mountain

23

A M E N I T I E S

Existing waterways in the north The water streams are and south shape the city centre currently underutilised • The streams Perlovska and

Vladayska form the outer ring of the city centre and already have a strong green and blue character, which can be better maintained and strengthened in the future.

• They are surrounded by car heavy

• The presence of mineral springs in streets, making it less attractive for the city is a valuable asset for Sofia. pedestrians and cyclists to move along • In the heart of the city, adjacent to the water. the former Central Bath building, • The waterways do not invite for locals collect mineral water. This recreational use due to their way, the mineral spring is becoming apprearance and issues witth a social meeting place. pollution.

• There are only few possibilities for

staying along the water streams or at bridges crossing them.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Mineral springs are part of Sofia's identity

The mineral springs have a significant potential • The usage of the mineral water can be further explored.

• The areas around the existing outlets for mineral water can in the future serve as significant meeting places and character spaces of the city.

Cultural landscape In Sofia, the city's long history is still very present until today, with the many relics from past centuries and decades scattered across the city center. Ranging from Roman ruins to Orthodox churches, the city centre offers a wide diversity in historic buildings like no other. At the same time, what comes with the large amount of historic buildings is the need for maintenance. Along with this, the integration and preservation of monuments in the current city fabric are challenges that Sofia faces today.

Cultural heritage - single monument Cultural heritage - ensambles Cultural heritage - protected zones 0

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A M E N I T I E S

Rich cultural heritage

Heritage not valued equally

• The city's identity is characterised

• While a lot of the historic heritage,

by its variety of cultural heritage and is highly dependent on its preservation.

• The cultural heritage varies not

only on the time of its origin, but also in type and scale, ranging from commercial and educational facilities to private homes and memorials.

such as Roman ruins, is valued and maintained, a range of monuments or buildings from other centuries and decades are less preserved, even though they represent an equally important part of Sofia's history.

Mixed condition of historical buildings

Increased efforts to value and renovate historic buildings

• There are many historic buildings

• The Yablanski house, shown in this

in Sofia, which are of a very unique and charming character. Sometimes their historic value is Wnot fully visible due to the facade's condition and the lack of improvement of the interior facilities to modern standards.

photo, is a historic building which the owner has renovated. This is a positive example proving the increasing efforts of maintenance and restoration of heritage buildings.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Human scale morphology Generally, Sofia has a very human scale morphology: houses with a wide variation of facades and pleasant dimensions of 4-5 storeys of height are arranged around courtyards; traditional streets invite people to walk; squares and parks are of good sizes and layout.

However, modern developments of the last years, especially misplaced high rise developments and out-of scale public spaces, endanger these traditional structures and form a threat to the unique character of the city.

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A M E N I T I E S

Traditional built structure of good human scale

Private courtyards adding an interesting layer to the city

• The centre is of a pleasant size that

• Buildings are often oriented around

invites for walking, with blocks of buildings that are usually oriented around courtyards. Houses are traditionally 4-5 stories high, allowing good connections between buildings and public space.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

courtyards, which add an important semi-public layer to the city and provide residents with a quiet respite.

• A number of courtyards are

accessible to the public, whilst others are only available for neighbouring residents. Some are green and well-used, whilst others are underperforming or serve as parking lots.

New buildings and spaces challenging the morphology of the city

Small-scale elements adding an additional fine grain layer

• Some recent architecture interacts

small café-pavillons, or artistic shops, add a pleasant additional layer to the city. They serve as meeting places and points of activation.

very little with its environment - and there appears to be a general lack of respect for the scale, height and rhythm of the surrounding buildings.

• Building materials tend to be out of

sync with the neighbourhood and the building traditions in Sofia.

• Elements of small sizes, e.g kiosks,

• Many of these structures are not yet utilised, such as the former traffic police stations at busy roads.

I

II

Celebrate the mountains & maintain the views

Key Moves

• Protect view corridors

• Protect and strengthen the green network

• Connect the centre with the mountains

• Better distribution and maintenance of existing

Identify the most important view corridors and preserve them. Building regulations should be adapted to those corridors, to avoid buildings blocking the view. The view to the mountains is one of the most important assets and should not be reserved to a few only.

Today, the outer ring road - Okolovrasten pat is diminishing the connection between Vitosha mountain and the city. There are pedestrian bridges above the ring road which try to tackle this problem, however, efforts should be concentrated on further improving the crossings 255 257 and ensuring at-grade crossings wherever 251 252 253 254 possible.

256

»» Quick win: Improve the crossing across the 26

Protect & strengthen the green network

A M E N I T I E S

outer and future inner ring road to provide better pedestrian connections from the city centre leading directly to the mountain with clear wayfinding.

»» Long Term: Build a bicycle lane to connect the mountain and the city close to the river.

• Find ways to express and use the topography

The green network adds a strong character to the city. Strengthen the green character of the city centre through a network linking green pockets and public gardens. Spaces that have 255can be257 an overprovision made 251 252 of hard 253surfaces 254 more attractive through additional greening.

256

trees Ensure an equal provision of street trees in all parts of the city centre. There should be obligations to provide street trees when building new road infrastructure.

Today there are issues around maintenance of trees and providing adequate space for their roots. There should be a set of guidelines or a policy that helps to maintain and plant the trees properly, so they are not in the way of pedestrians as well as have enough space to grow and bloom.

»» Middle-term: Provide linear landscaping around all green areas/parks in the city. Strengthen the connection between the big parks bordering the centre and the city gardens.

The topography provides a sense of an unique landscape, but causes an issue of accessibility.

Terraces and possibilities for staying should be provided and celebrated. Barriers should be avoided.

»» Quick win: Provide seating opportunities at the steps at Budapeshta Street.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

III

IV

V

Exploit the full potential of the water

Embrace & build on the rich cultural heritage

Focus on the existing humanscale morphology of the city

• Integrate the river in the public space

Utilise the river beds and provide pedestrian and bicycle routes along the rivers. Integrate the rivers in the public space network and create good connections. Provide opportunities for staying and enjoying the view of the water and the nature.

»» Quick win: Improve existing bridges and platforms for staying activities. Identify well-located areas along the rivers for temporary events.

»» Long-term: Clean the water and create a

connected promenade along the rivers with plenty of places for recreation.

• Celebrate mineral springs

»» Quick win: Provide additional and better seating

Respect and maintain, where appropriate, monuments of all epoques and times. Be proud of Sofia's history, which makes it what it is today.

• Create a network between public destinations

Over time many monuments end up being detached from the city fabric. A strategy to integrate them better with their surroundings should be developed. Both in a design sense but also in the usage of the buildings and the public space around them.

• Modern interpretation of the heritage

In Europe, there are excellent examples of wellinterpreted heritage that re-engages with the surroundings and the public through a careful and contemporary approach.

»» Quick win: Provide a free online heritage map in various languages that is regularly updated.

»» Long-term: Provide guidelines for contemporary

restoration and preservation of heritage sites.

Protect the facade structure, including the window structure, of historic buildings.

opportunities around the mineral springs.

Showcase the history and discover ways of preserving this important part of Sofia's history.

»» Long-term: Provide public thermal baths or city

regulations Ensure that new buildings fit into the existing urban fabric. Quality of new buildings need to have certain standards & policies – height, block size, materials, ground floors.

»» Quick win: Create a guideline system for ground

floor frontages, facade colours, lighting, building materials and the positioning of air condition units.

• Activate courtyards

Courtyards provide great additional public and semi-public open space for the city's residents.

Provide incentives for private property owners and resident associations to upgrade their courtyards and provide public access in areas with a general lack of open space.

• Use the small-scale structures for activating

27

»» Quick win: Activate kiosks that are not used.

public space Already today, small traffic police stations are transformed to artworks. This is a way of using the existing underutilised structures. Lisbon is a great example of maintaining 255 consistency 257in 251 and 252 253 of free standing the design furnishing café 254 256allow for pavillons. Flexibility in the guidelines individuality and diversity in the design.

Abandoned, misplaced and underused kiosks should be removed.

beaches with areas for recreation.

251 252

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

• Ensure good quality buildings through

A M E N I T I E S

The existence of mineral springs in Sofia is part of the cultural heritage of the city and would allow for a bath culture such as in Budapest. The existing buildings should be well-maintained and their story told. The act of collecting water at the mineral springs should be considered in the design of the space and better highlighted as well as the opportunities for creating public spaces and meeting places around the mineral springs.

• Embrace history of all times

253

255 257 254 256

I

II

Celebrate the mountains & maintain the views

Protect & Strengthen the green network

Best Practice

28

A M E N I T I E S

Vancouver's protected views

Copenhagen is planting 100 000 new trees

The geography of Vancouver has played a major role in the city's development plan. Vancouver was one of the first cities to organise its view preservation policy in the late 1980s according to a series of view corridors, which considered the balance between a rising downtown, the port and waterways, and the North Shore mountains in the background.

Vancouver has 27 protected view corridors which have been preserved until today.

It is the goal of the City of Copenhagen to plant 100,000 trees in the city by the end of 2025. In order to find out where the trees are to be placed, the municipality has invited citizens to come up with their input to the location of the many new trees.

The goal of planting 100,000 trees is part of Copenhagen's so-called wood policy, which will help to ensure that 75 percent of Copenhageners perceive the capital as a 'green city'. In addition, growth conditions for existing and newly planted trees will be provided.

The view to the mountains is protected in Vancouver. This image shows the Queen Elizabeth Park and views to the surrounding mountains.

A recent redesign of Vester Voldgade included introducing new street trees

The interactive map of Copenhagener's wishes for tree locations.

Source: http://www.kk.dk/merebynatur

According to the tree prioritisation plan, trees must be placed on the streets, squares, parks and other places in the city. Copenhagen's input will be included in the final plan, followed by recommendations from local committees and a professional assessment from the administration.

Local conditions can also be crucial for the location of trees.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

III Protect & Strengthen the green network

Equally green Equally Equally innergreen city green neighbourhoods inner inner citycity neighbourhoods neighbourhoods

Where to start A greener Sofia

Well-connected Well-connected Well-connected green areasgreen via green green areas areas and viavia green green andand walkable boulevards walkable walkable boulevards and boulevards streetsandand streets streets

Towards a connected Towards Towards a connected green a connected city green green citycity

North park

West park

NorthNorth park park

West West park park

Park Voenna Akademia

Lyulin mountain

LyulinLyulin mountain mountain

Borisova Garden

Potential green corridors Potential Potential greengreen corridors corridors

Green neighbourhoods Green with Green neighbourhoods neighbourhoods with with well-maintained trees well-maintained well-maintained treestrees

Ensure equally green neighbourhoods Rivers

Rivers Rivers

Blooming trees along Copenhagen's streets in the neighbourhood of Vesterbro

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Loven park

Borisova Borisova Garden Garden

LovenLoven park park

Key boulevards withKey well-maintained boulevards Key boulevards with with well-maintained well-maintained greenery on both sidewalks greenery greenery on both on both sidewalks sidewalks Green walkable links Green to city Green walkable parks walkable linkslinks to city toparks city parks and gardens and gardens and gardens

Connect green areas via green and walkable boulevards and streets Rivers

Rivers Rivers

Towards a connected green city

Vitosha mountain

Vitosha Vitosha mountain mountain

South park

SouthSouth park park

Green links

4. Connect the 4.

Connect inner 4. Connect citythe green the inner inner network citycity green to green the network green network to routes the to the green of green Vitosha routes routes mountain of Vitosha of be Vitosha and mountain mountain andand The green connections should not only developed 2. Improve and 2. Improve maintain 2. Improve and trees and maintain and maintain greenery trees trees and inand key greenery greenery in key in key parks the other other at the bigbig parks border parks atofthe at the the border city border centre of the of the citycity centre boulevards and boulevards boulevards streets and and streets streets Sofia has great green parks and many tree-lined the other bigthe within, but also outside of centre the city centre. Good 3. Strenghten3.the Strenghten 3. Strenghten walkablethe character the walkable walkable of character thecharacter of the of the streets but the between them should be connections between green areas as well as already green already corridors already green green inconnection the corridors corridors city in the in the city city improved. In order to create a green network, it is attractive green links to the surrounding mountains crucial to identify key links between green areas and need to be established. focus on highlighting those as such.

A tree lined street in Paris, France

Green Green linkslinks

Green bicycle- and pedestrain-friendly Green Green bicyclebicycleand pedestrain-friendly and pedestrain-friendly routes to mountainsroutes androutes parks to mountains to mountains and parks and parks

A green pedestrian and bicycle link connecting different parts of Copenhagen, Denmark

29

A M E N I T I E S

The current green map shows that the distribution of green areas is not equal across the city. Ensure a more equal distribution of green parks and street trees.

1. Improve and 1. Improve maintain 1. Improve and the and maintain green maintain character thethe green green of character character of of the fine grainthe city the fine centre fine grain grain neighbourhoods citycity centre centre neighbourhoods neighbourhoods

Park Park Voenna Voenna Akademia Akademia

III Exploit the full potential of the water

Case Perlovska riverfront The Perlovska River has great potential to be improved. There are already walking and cycling paths along the water as well as bridges and pedestrian connections across.

Perlovska River holds a great potential for development in the future and can become an important green and blue corridor serving as a recreational meeting place.

Short term

Long term

• The safety of pedestrian connections from the

• In the long term, the water needs to be cleaned.

• The connections across the river should also be

• New seating possibilities can be created at key

centre to the river need to be improved. This can be achieved with elevated crossings where cars have to slow down. improved since they could be become key links for pedestrian traffic from the centre.

This has been done in cities all over the world, such as Shanghai's Suzhou Creek or Copenhagen's Harbour. locations where people can get close to the water and enjoy nature.

• Existing platforms could become great public

spaces if they are acivated and programmed, especially with good seating or sports facilities.

30

A M E N I T I E S Short term: Existing bridges across the river could become a meeting place with improved seating opportunities where people can find respite.

Long term: After cleaning the water and the riverbed, improve the pedestrian and bicycling conditions and provide seating opportunities where people could enjoy sitting in the sun.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

III Exploit the full potential of the water

Best Practice Cheonggyecheon river revitalisation In September 2005, the new Cheonggyecheon Stream opened in downtown Seoul. It reclaims the role of the original stream, which flowed through the city before it was turned into an expressway. It has become a pedestrian-only public space bringing water and vegetation into the centre of a dense metropolitan area of 25 million inhabitants. The restoration of the river serves as a highly visible, sustainable development that boosts Seoul’s image around the world.

In the early 20th century, the river was bordered by a slum and used as a dumping ground, resulting in an eyesore of polluted water. In the 1950s, it seemed like a good solution to cover it and build a freeway on top. In the 1970s the freeway was seen as a symbol of success and industrialisation. However, traffic, pollution and the decline of downtown Seoul followed, as the new freeway ran through the heart of the city.

As part of a political campaign in 2001, it was tested whether the removal of the freeway could work.

Many traffic engineers warned that demolishing the highway would be a disaster to inner-city traffic.

However, it was proven that the city could operate without the highway, and from 2002 to 2005, the government demolished the freeway and replaced it with a 5.7 km restored river. The river had planted riverbeds with parallel roadways and increased public transport, such as a dedicated bus lane.

Benefits and positive effects from the project include:

• An urban stream renaissance spread across the

country, with citizens wanting to restore their local rivers and streams.

• Property values adjacent to the corridor increased by 300%.

• Species of fish, birds, and insects have increased in and around the river.

• The “urban heat island” effect was diminished in

Seoul due to microclimatic benefits come from the river. As such temperatures in the river corridor are 3-4°C lower than areas only 400m away.

• Air quality improved: one report cites small-

particle air pollution decreasing from 74 micrograms per m³ to 48 in the vicinity of the river.

• Wind speeds are on average 50% higher than

before the river was recovered. These are important benefits for climate adaptation, in addition to the increased resilience against flooding when a city has open waterways.

The freeway has turned into a lush, 5.7 km river corridor that attracts over 60,000 visitors daily.

• Another elevated freeway in Seoul was removed

After: a green and blue riverbed that invites for walking along

After: a meeting place for people

31

and replaced with a surface street soon after.

A M E N I T I E S

The riverbed before: a highway Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

V Focus on the existing human-scale morphology of the city

Case Sofia's inner courtyards Today Sofia's characteristic courtyards are often underutilsed, used as parking lots, or divided into many small, private bits. There are a few examlpes where they are already semi-public and used by residents and locals alike, but could be further improved. The example of Planquadrat in Vienna shows how this can also be done by the residents themselves.

Short term

Long term

• Improve existing courtyards which are already semi- • Identify new courtyards which could be tranformed public and used. This could include more diverse programming, better seating opportunities and more regular maintenance.

• Connections should be enhanced but the courtyards

should still keep their semi-public "oasis" character.

from parking lots and subdivided inner yards to new semi-public space.

• The residents' wishes and needs should be part of the process. Residents can be responsible for the maintenance, as in the Planquadrat example, but some could be under the responsibility of the city.

32

A M E N I T I E S Example of a courtyard between Vasil Levski and Rakovski Street.

Today the courtyard is used as a more informal gathering place and has great potential to be improved.

The courtyard after: more green and more attractive seating, with elements for different user groups.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

V Focus on the existing human-scale morphology of the city

Best Practice Communal courtyard in Vienna The communal courtyard 'Planquadrat' is a self-managed, publicly accessible garden in the centre of Vienna created in the 1970s through a unique collaborative process among residents, association members and the city, by merging and greening several courtyards.

Originally, the area of Planquadrat consisted of 34 courtyards separated by walls, fences and barbed wire. At the beginning of the 1970s, the houses were to be demolished to create a wider thoroughfare.

At the same time, however, a new awareness of the quality of life in densely populated urban areas arose. Documentary filmmakers, together with the project group Planquadrat, encouraged the neighbours to take responsibility for their own living environment and to actively shape it. This process was followed in the form of a documentary series in the National Television's main evening programme.

More and more residents realised that they had the unique opportunity to change part of their immediate urban environment. Thus, they were becoming

increasingly involved and in 1977 an association, the Gartenhofverein, was founded and a contract with the municipality of Vienna was closed. The municipality committed itself to the construction of the inner courtyard as a recreational area. In return, the association was responsible for its maintenance.

Many residents became members and their enthusiasm helped in reaching the common goal.

In the course of time, through the efforts of its members and the municipality of Vienna, the Planquadrat has become a green oasis in the middle of the city for old and young. The number of members and visitors has increased greatly, and regular events, such as summer celebrations, flea markets, tai chi, and yoga classes attract not only residents, but also people from the whole city.

33

A M E N I T I E S

The courtyard before: characterized by walls.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

The Planquadrat courtyard today: a large green park of pleasant character.

34

Mobility Due to the walkable size of Sofia's centre, a lot of people move around on foot at all times of the day. Different modes of public transport metro, tram, trolley and buses - are transporting people to, from and within the centre.

Bicycle traffic is increasing and large efforts have already been undertaken to improve conditions for bicyclists.

Despite the many sustainable alternatives, Sofia is facing difficulties with the quality impact of car traffic on streets and public spaces.

Getting around Inner city ring road

↑

There are many different ways of getting around in Sofia. Different modes of public transport, cycling and walking are great alternatives to motorised traffic. The city is characterised by a diversity of different street typologies, ranging from heavily trafficked main roads to small, human-scale side streets.

One of the challenges which Sofia faces today is the motorised traffic driving through the city centre and causing congestion in its core. The range of the existing ring roads and the inner city one (in red), which will soon be completed, have the potential to significantly relieve the centre from pass-through traffic.

In the long-term, all of the passthrough traffic should be redirected protecting the inner city heart.

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Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Modal split 1,8%

Modal split in the city centre of Sofia

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The modal split of Sofia indicates that there is a strong car dependency, but also a significant share of pedestrians and public transport users. Bicycle culture is underdeveloped at a 1,8% share of the total modal split.

Modal split Modal split 1,8%

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Primary traffic arteria Todor Aleksandrov Boulevard

Secondary street G.S. Rakovski Street

Small city street Tsar Ivan Shishman Street

Pedestrian priority street Vitosha Boulevard

Alexandrov Boulevard is one of Sofia's key traffic arteries which carries a large amount of traffic and offers little space for bicycles as well as an unattractive walking environment with a poor microclimate. Thus, people tend to avoid to walk along these types of streets and choose alternatives instead.

G.S. Rakovski street is a typical secondary street with some active ground floor functions. Pedestrians have limited space available while vehicular traffic is prioritised. Due to a lack of bicycle infrastructure only 1% of the total modal share is bicyclists.

Tsar Shishman is an example of a typical local city street with a number of diverse functions and things happening along the street.

Therefore, it attracts a high number of pedestrians. During the week, the share of cars is 20% and the share of pedestrians 77%. Currently, there are plans to turn Tsar Shishman St. into a pedestrian priority street based on the current usage patterns.

Vitosha Boulevard is a major and quite popular pedestrian street. It enjoys a wide range of recreational activities apart from promenading. Bicycles are officially not allowed, but their number is comparable to other streets. This points to a lack of other attractive alternatives for bicyclists.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

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The walkable size of Sofia city centre, its good public transport coverage, as well as its interesting cityscape, make it a popular area for people to walk around on foot.

Future improvements should be targeted towards fixing missing links in the pedestrian network in addition to improving the overall pedestrian amenities.

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Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

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Ongoing improvements of paving

Sofia is blessed by a varied street network consisting of a diverse set of streets. This provides an interesting walking environment with continuous changes in views, landmarks, spatial experience and architecture.

The most important walking corridors usually have trams that support pedestrians in accessing the pedestrian network of the city centre as well as providing a ride to minimise walking time and effort.

Sofia Municipality has initiated projects to improve the pavements in selected streets. This is an important initiative to cater for people on foot and specifically those with special needs - people in wheelchairs, families with prams etc.

Moskovska St.

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39

M O B I L I T Y

Underground crossings

Inclusive design

Places with underground crossings still have people disregarding these facilities and insisting on crossing at ground level. At-grade crossings should over time be provided at all intersections.

Pavement quality, drop kerbs, at grade crossing facilities, low vehicular speeds and wayfinding are all elements that can provide improved conditions for those who need extra care.

Opalchenska St.

Opalchenska St.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Oversized commercial signs are often to be found in the city centre Future works should be focused at improving walking conditions along busy traffic corridors. This includes regulating commercial signs and visual pollution in the pedestrian environment.

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Bicycle network

This map shows the existing and planned bicycle lanes. Efforts have been undertaken to improve the bicycle infrastructure, but gaps in the network can still be observed.

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The weekday bicycle counts show rotska bul. To dor Alex androv an interesting pattern.

Even though bul. To dor Alex Vitosha Street is a pedestrian street, bul. Al androv exsand ar Stam boliysk of bicycles could the highest number i bul. Al be observed there. Graf Ignatiev street exsand ar Stam boliysk i offers a traffic-calmed environment and is therefore attractive for cyclists too. This shows the need for a safe cycling environment for bicyclists.

Other primary traffic routes, such as Todor Aleksandrov Boulevard, are very ia on ed car-dominated but are still important ak l. M bu bicycle routes.

en

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Bicycle counts rotska weekday Piaverage, 8am to 8pm

Tsar Sim

↑

Sofia is currently planning and implementing more bicycle lanes in the city centre that can assist in developing a connected network.

The city centre plays a crucial role in connecting the different parts of the existing bicycle infrastructure.

Opalchensk a

bul. Slivnica

Rivers

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

o ist

Hr

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Cycleable Sofia: Short distances and cycleable topography

Wide streets with potential for integration of bicycle lanes

Sofia has a network of small scale streets in the centre that work very well as connectors for bicycle traffic. More of the central vehicular traffic could be replaced by bicycling.

Sofia has a number of wide streets like Maria Luiza Street, Hristo Botev Street or Slivnitsa Boulevard, where bicycle lanes could be implemented quite easily.

Tsar Ivan Shishman St.

Todor Alexandrov Blvd.

Lack of bicycle parking in key destinations Metro stations do integrate bicycle parking, but there is a lack of attractive connections to them.

Other key destinations in the city centre lack bicycle parking that could support more bicycle traffic.

Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd.

41

M O B I L I T Y

Lack of bicycle culture

The bicycle infrastructure is fragmented

Bicycle lanes take space from pavements

Sofia is still in the early stages of developing a bicycle network and an associated bicycle culture.

Currently, bicyclists utilise what they can from the roads and pay less attention to traffic directions etc.

Although more bicycle lanes are being implemented, there are still challenges in overcoming wider intersections and the lack of infrastructure connecting different parts of the city.

There is a strong ambition to implement bicycle lanes in Sofia and to provide a connected network.

However, this should not be at the expense of pedestrians.

Maria Luiza Blvd.

Todor Aleksandrov Blvd. / Opalchenska St.

Maria Luiza Blvd.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Public transport Simplified illustration of the public transport network

↑

Sofia has an extensive, fine grain network of public transport that is providing the platform for a sustainable and attractive city.

This network needs to be constantly improved and further developed to remain relevant and constantly underpin a successful transformation of the city centre.

This graphic illustrates the main metro and train lines with key stations and terminals. It shows the importance of the centre as an interchange point, as well as the location of train stations at the border of the centre.

to Bozhurishte

Blvd. “North tangent”

Blvd. “Lomsko shose”

Blvd. “Okolovrasten pat” Blvd. “Rozhen” to blvd. “Okolovrasten pat”

“Lyulin” highway

Blvd. “Slivnitsa”

Central railway station

Blvd. “Chepinsko shose”

Central bus station

Blvd. “Todor Alexandrov” to Varna

Blvd. “Botevgradsko shose” “Hemus” highway

“Sofia“ Airport Railway station „Poduyane”

M

Central railway and bus station

Blvd. “Cherni vrah”

Railway station „Gorna Banya”

Blvd. “Tsarigradsko shose”

Blvd. “Tsar Boris III”

Blvd. “Bulgaria”

to Pernik

City centre boundaries Main transport communication Transport hub

M

Metroline III (under construction) Completed Metroline Future Metroline construction Inner transport ring I

Blvd. “Okolovrasten pat”

to Plovdiv

Ring road

“Trakiya” highway

M

M M M

M

M

42

M O B I L I T Y

M

M M M ↑

Public transport network in the city centre

M

This map shows a simplified version of the public transport network in central Sofia. It shows the existing and the planned metro lines, as well as trams, buses and trolleys, and their important interchange points.

0

150

500

M

M M

to Sofia Airport

M

1000m

Metrostation

Tram route

Public transport stop

Trolley route

Metroline III

Bus route

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Inner transport ring II

Good public transport network within the inner city

Different types of public transport serve the centre but lack coordination

Willingness to invest in innovation: a need for an integrated ticketing system

Sofia has an extensive, fine grain network of public transport that brings people from multiple destinations to and from the city centre. This assists in creating peaceful central streets.

The public transport network consists of metro, trams, trolley buses and buses, but it is often found that these are not coordinated in terms of timetables or at transit nodes in terms of location.

Graf Ignatiev St.

Todor Alexandrov Blvd.

City of Sofia has a strong focus at constantly improving the public transport system. As part of this needs to be an integrated ticketing system which should cover all different modes of public transport with just one ticket or card.

• Parts of the public transport fleet

is quite old and outdated. This results in a lack of inclusive design, but also in issues on cleanliness and a lack of maintenance.

Lack of nighttime public transport

Boarding and waiting for public transport

In general, there is a low coverage of public transport in the evening and no public transport after around midnight. To support a lively city centre and green mobility there needs to be a public transport service that supports the evening economy as well as late workers.

Waiting for public transport can be challenging due to a lack of seating opportunities and a few live waiting time displays. There is a lack of platforms to safely get on and off the trams, buses and trolleys.

Tram 10

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Alexander Stamboliyski Blvd.

• Sofia has a rising population of car

owners and a pressure from more and more to drive their car into the city centre. Public transport should challenge the perception of being a low social status transport mode by offering a high quality fleet and service.

43

M O B I L I T Y

Perceptions of public transport as a low social status transport mode

Timetable Tram 10

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M O B I L I T Y

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Primary traffic arteries Secondary Streets Tunnel

↑

In this map are shown the most important streets for vehicular traffic of Sofia. The traffic calming zones which are planned to be implemented in the coming years are also marked.

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This graphic illustrates the weekday average traffic counts in Sofia. On Todor Aleksandrov Boulevard, the number of cars per hour peaks at 2244 at 4pm. Tsar Osbovoditel Boulevard is equally busy with cars, despite its very central and important location in the city. Tsar Ivan Shishman Street is the most quiet street in terms of car traffic.

en

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Car traffic counts Average of counts between 8am and 8pm

↑

Sofia has through recent years experienced a rapid growth in traffic as well as car ownership.

This trend needs to be addressed by providing other sustainable modes of transport that can assist in protecting the heart of the city.

Luiza

bul. Slivnica

Traffic calming zone 2017 Rivers

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

System of ring roads is being built including 'Park & Ride' opportunities

Competitive alternatives to cars already exist

Wide streets have potential for dedicated lanes for public transport and/or bicycling

The road system of Sofia allows for an inner and an outer ring road that can assist in traffic calming the city centre. Sofia Municipality collaborates with Road Infrastructure Agency for upgrading and building the Western and Eastern part of The Sofia Inner City Ring Road. The 'Park & Ride' system is currently built along the main thoroughfares where there is an existing public transport, and this should be further optimised and extended.

Sofia is fortunate to have a well developed public transport system and cheap taxis. This means that people do have alternative transport modes to the car. Further investments in public transport and bicycling will ensure that the alternatives are more attractive.

Sofia has a number of quite wide streets with moderate vehicular traffic. These streets can be transformed to include dedicated bus and bicycle lanes as well as wider pavements and street trees.

Sitnyakovo Blvd.

High level of car ownership the private car is a status symbol.

Combined with cheap prices on cars and lots of second hand offers the car ownership in Sofia is 600 cars per 1000 inhabitants. In general, the vehicle fleet is old with low eco standards.

Through-traffic generates congestion in the city centre

Parking in inappropriate places reduces accessibility

Sofia suffers from an unfortunate transport planning of the past. Wide roads leading high number of cars straight through the city centre bring unecessary traffic in as well as congestion, high noise leves and low air quality.

Parking represents a problem across the city centre. Poorly located, too cheap and a lack of reinforcement in the existing parking regulations are some of the challenges.

Tsarigradsko Shose

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Parliament Sq.

M O B I L I T Y

• As in a number of other countries,

45

M

I

Enhance the walkability !

Key Moves

Create a connected pedestrian network

Create a more attractive walking environment

• Create a dense network of pedestrian and

• Better paving materials and maintenance of streets

pedestrian priority streets, allowing people to fully enjoy the already existing, interesting walking environment with its continuous changes in views, architecture and spatial experiences.

»» Quick win: Provide a new guideline system for the materials used in pedestrian areas and public space.

»» Quick win: Close Saborna str for cars - from Sveta

»» Quick win: Remove bollards and reinforce parking

• Supplement the pedestrian and pedestrian priority

• Improve street lighting in pedestrian areas to

Nedelya square to Aleksander I St.

streets with improved walking conditions along key boulevards, shopping and local streets.

Provide more and better pedestrian crossings

• Reduce the amount of over- and underpasses and

ensure at-grade crossings wherever possible.

Some underpasses are lively and serve as access to metro stations, others are dark and not used and could be replaced with at grade crossings.

• Ensure shorter waiting times at traffic lights and 46

with less obstacles (bollards etc.)

longer green light intervals for people to cross.

regulations.

ensure a safe enviroment and lively areas.

• Ensure a better microclimate for pedestrians

through introducing additional street trees, specifically in areas where there are few trees.

Ensure barrier-free streets accessible for all

• Inclusive alternatives for overcoming the

topography need to be provided for disadvantaged user groups. The pavement quality should be improved first and over time elevators to overcome steps should be provided.

• Provide seating possibilities along streets for people to rest and meet.

M O B I L I T Y

251 252

253

255 257 254 256

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

M ?

II

III

IV

Ensure better and safer M conditions for bicyclists

Improve the public transport system and experience

M Reduce car traffic and dependency ?

M !

M

?

M !

Establish a safe and seamless bicycle network

Better integration of public transport systems

Decrease the traffic in the centre

• Improve the quantity and quality of the bicycle

• Improve intermodality by launching an integrated

• To make sure less cars go into the city centre

• The bicycle network should not be implemented at

• Allow for bicycles !to be taken on the metro for

network – the main boulevards in the city centre have sufficient room for designated bicycle lanes. the expense of the pedestrian landscape. Look into the relocation of on-street parking, street widths etc.

• Connect the missing gaps in the network.

• Start with a focus on good bicycle accessibility

around kindergardens, schools and the university faculties.

• Introduce bicycle transit routes in the long-term. »» Middle-term: Upgrade the bicycle lane on Todor Aleksandrov blvd

»» Middle-term: Use the old rail lines as bicycle lanes or green areas

Ensure safer conditions for cyclists

• Introduce designated bicycle crossings and traffic lights.

vehicular movements and is given priority at intersections.

• Raise bicycle culture awareness and education for

the drivers and the bicyclists. Start now but ensure that it is a long-term project. Organise sustainable mobility campaigns and school workshops.

Collaborate with bicycle advocacy groups.

»» Quick win: Mark bicycle crossings in colour at the most busy intersections.

free. As a start, this could happen outside peak hours only.

Launch nighttime public transport

• Ensure public transport at night – this can be implemented rather quickly and is a smart investment with no additional infrastructure needed.

»» Quick win: Propose a public debate to have 24hour service of the main trasport lines.

»» Quick win: Discuss the option of offering free

public transport before 7 am to relieve the pressure on public transport during the morning peak hours.

Change the perception of public transport

• Launch campaigns to ensure a shift in the mindset around public transport.

• Improve the public transport fleet quality.

Improve the experience of waiting and arrival at stations

»» Middle-term: Create shelters for the waiting

passengers, with seating possibilities and realtime arrival screens.

• Better wayfinding from and to stations, through clear signage and direct connections.

through traffic needs to be reduced. Passing through the centre should not be as easy, as it is today.

• Utilise the inner and the outer ring roads. Finalise the inner city ring road, but utilise the existing parts now to redirect through traffic from the centre.

• Avoid key corridors going straight through the city

centre. Traffic calm the heart of the city by cutting the eastwest boulevards at the central core.

• Promote alternative means of transport for getting into the city centre - make them a faster and more comfortable alternative.

• Narrow and reduce the number of traffic lanes where they are not needed.

• Establish a delivery hour regulations and reinforce them.

• Continue with initiatives like temporary closures,

e.g week of mobility, car free day. Start working on long term strategies to decrease car traffic, such as a Congestion Charge.

Reduce the speed of vehicular traffic

• Implement the planned traffic calming zones and reinforce speed limits through stricter controls.

Create a smart parking strategy to reduce on-street parking

• Parking on sidewalks or bikelanes needs to be banned and fines reinforced.

• Limit on-street parking through zoning, higher

Improve bicycle parking

• Ensure safety from theft by introducing well-lit and well-positioned bicycle parking facilities.

• Make sure there is sufficient bicycle parking close to key buildings, destinations, transit nodes and parks in the city.

• Provide possibility for bringing bicycles on the train and the metro.

city centre parking fees and improved Park & Ride conditions.

»» Quick win: Raise the parking fees and taxes and extend the radius of the car parking paid zones.

»» Long-term: Public and private partnership for building underground parking.

Change the perception of car as a status symbol

• Monitor air quality and noise pollution to create awareness of the effects of vehicular traffic.

251 252

253

255

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public254 Life Report

256

257

47

M O B I L I T Y

• Ensure that the bicycle network is protected from

ticketing system that allows people to use one card only for all types of public transport.

I Enhance the walkability

Where to Start Pedestrian network Suggestion for the first steps of a more pedestrian friendly centre of Sofia.

bld. Slivnitsa

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M O B I L I T Y

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Green areas and public space

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Crossings with shorter waiting time for pedestrians Key on-ground crossings to be added/improved M

Key metro station in the north-west city centre Walkable boulevards with wide sidewalks

Shared Street: Public transport, pedestrians, bicycles Shared Street: Cars, Bicycles, Pedestrians Pedestrian routes Pedestrian Streets Rivers

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

The vision

from

to

A fragmented pedestrian network, which lacks connection.

to

A pedestrian heart, which is not interrupted by traffic.

An extended network with good pedestrian conditions, that stretches to other districts and areas.

Key Requirements

49

M O B I L I T Y

Pedestrian-only street

1

Shared street

2

• Completely free from motorised

• Shared with public transport and / or

• Good, barrier-free pavement • Bicycles restricted or slow speed • Possibilities to sit, meet and watch

• Additional traffic calming

traffic

people

• Active ground floor zones

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

vehicular traffic

measurements required (speed bumps, trees, etc.)

• Max. speed limit of 30km/h for cars • Limited on-street parking

Streets with prioritised pedestrians and bicycles • Even though all streets should be

3

safe for pedestrians and bicycles, big boulevards should have especially good conditions for pedestrians

• Wide pavements with obstacle-free paving

• Seperated bicycle lanes • Good lighting at night

Improved crossings • Crossings should be at-grade wherever possible

• Short waiting times for pedestrians • Medians at wide streets to ensure people can cross safely

4

II Ensure better and safer conditions for bicyclists

Where to start Bicycle network Suggestion for the first steps of an interconnected bicycle network in central Sofia.

bld. Slivnitsa

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M O B I L I T Y

bld. Yanko Sakazov

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Existing bicycle parking Planned bicycle parking Proposed additional parking

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Additional missing links proposed

by Gehl team Approved and planned bicycle lanes Existing bicycle lanes Green areas Rivers

bld. Bulgaria

Blocks

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Case Todor Aleksandrov boulevard Better cycling and walking conditions Todor Aleksandrov Boulevard is cutting through the central heart of Sofia with high traffic volumes. It is an important link into the city, but at the moment it is forming a barrier for pedestrians and bicyclists. With the construction of the ring road, it has the potential of becoming more attractive for people.

Short term

Long term

• Improve walking conditions by adding seating along

• Once the inner city ring road is finished, through

• Improve cycling conditions by creating a wide bike

• Large setbacks and buildings gaps should be filled

the way, better lighting and creating a more pleasant microclimate by planting new trees. Improve crossings. lane, with built buffers to increase the actual and perceived safety. Mark crossings across main sections in colour.

traffic should not be directed through the centre anymore. Lanes on Todor Aleksandrov Boulevard should then be further reduced. to create more density in the area, active edge zones and 'eyes on the street'.

• A wide median with trees can help to reduce speed of cars while serving for an additional help for crossing.

51

M O B I L I T Y

Todor Aleksandrov Boulevard today.

2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0 8

9

10

11

pedestrians

12

13

14

cyclists

15

16

17

18

19

motor vehicles

Weekday traffic counts on Todor Aleksandrov Boulevard showing the large amount of motorised vehicles.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Short term improvements on Todor Aleksandrov Boulevard making it a more attractive place for people walking and cycling.

III Improve the public transport system and experience

Best Practice Public transport

52

M O B I L I T Y

Copenhagen's public transport interchange

Nighttime public transportation in Vienna

Copenhagen has an efficient public transport network. Whilst the quality, number and type of public transport has increased over the years, there has also been a complimentary urban design strategy to ensure public transport is accessible. A key aim is to promote ‘choice between transport modes’. This is achieved through grouping stops of several transport modes together. Many of these transport nodes in Copenhagen are also surrounded by a public square, providing a sense of arrival and better safety.

Until 2010, nighttime transportation has been covered by a bus system in Vienna. In 2010, the night metro was finally introduced, as a result of a public referendum - 55% of the Viennese voted for a subway night service on weekends. Now the metro is operating all night on weekends and before public holidays. Night buses still cover the areas where the metro is not operating. During the week, when there is less demand, the service is still based on buses only.

Good interchange at Klampenborg Station

Nighttime public transport in Vienna. Source: www.wienerlinien.at

Leap Card: Dublin's integrated ticketing system Until the introduction of the Leap card, there were three non-compatible standard tickets or smart-cards for travel within the limits of Greater Dublin: a Luas card to pay for individual journeys, a Dublin Bus smart-card for day, week or year tickets and an Iarnród Éireann card for DART or Commuter tickets. The Leap Card has been introduced in Dublin in 2011, making the use of public transport a lot easier in Dublin, combining all modes of public transport in one fare system.

One card for all means of public transport: leap card. www.leapcard.ie

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

IV Reduce car traffic and dependency

Best Practice People-friendly development London's congestion charge

Towards a livable and sustainable Paris

When London introduced congestion charging in 2003, it was the first of many steps towards a more sustainable and people-friendly city. Traffic in the city centre was reduced by 15–20%, and revenue was generated for mass transit and public realm improvements. At this time, London also created a plan to become one of the world’s leading pedestrian cities. A key component is the goal to improve 100 public spaces. Other initiatives included planting one million new trees, the development of a new streetscape design manual, and several smaller scale interventions to improve the quality of the pedestrian experience. London is still on its way to implement this ambitious programme.

Despite its wide boulevards and promenades, Paris like so many cities succumbed to the pressures of the car. The city reacted, making an objective to keep Paris more livable, green and healthy. Twenty-five miles of dedicated bus lanes were created. The 'red axes'–once one-way corridors of high speed traffic – have been integrated back into the city as spaces for pedestrians and bicycles. Other traffic restrictions like the Sunday 'Paris Respire' were implemented, as well as the covering of the Peripherique ring motorway with a park, reconquering grey with green.

Congestion charging signage in London.

Reconquered public space along the Seine river.

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M O B I L I T Y

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

IV Reduce car traffic and dependency

Best Practice Ljubljana's transformation Ljubljana's Transformation "Closing the city centre to motorised vehicles, introducing a multipurpose ‘Urbana’ smart city card and the modernisation of public transport has resulted in a complete transformation of the city’s image, as well as making the city friendlier and more accessible for its citizens and visitors."

54

In 2007, Ljubljana created a clear vision for the year 2025: to become the ideal, sustainable city, with a cosmopolitan character and a modern image. A city for the people, tailored to their individual needs.

The "Kavalir" electric-powered vehicles provide demand-responsive transport for the elderly, disabled, or anyone having difficulties walking in the pedestrian area.

From 2008-2012, Ljubljana implemented further measures to promote non-motorised transport, to tackle congestion and improve the modal split ratio between motorised traffic and sustainable modes of transport - such as the reduction of available parking spaces in the city centre and reduced speed zones.

The close collaboration between the city staff and public institutions, together with citizens, NGOs, and other organisations and companies make the Vision Ljubljana 2025 a reality. First efforts paid off: Ljubljana won the "European Green Capital Award" in 2016.

Ljubljana's Ecological Zone

Illustration of Ljubljana and its Ecological Zone

M O B I L I T Y

In a short period of time, a number of strategic sustainability documents have been adopted amongst which the Municipal spatial plan, directing 83% of city development towards the renewal of existing areas and brownfields; the Environmental Protection Programme; the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan; the Sustainable Energy Plan, and the Zero Waste Strategy.

In this process, Ljubljana's once car-dominated city centre was closed to all motorised traffic in 2007.

Today this pedestrian area "Ecological Zone" covers more than 100 000 m2. Every year the pedestrian area is enlarged: from 2007 to 2016, it grew by 620%.

Deliveries can still be made between 6 am and 10 am. People who live in the centre or want to drive there must park their vehicle at an underground garage just outside the car-free area and walk from there. Fears that this would ruin local businesses never came true - instead, business and tourism is booming in the historic centre.

Ljubljana European Green Capital 2016 Report, www.ljubljana.si/ file/1782477/env-15-003_ljubljana_en-web.pdf 1

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

1. In 2013, a core part of Slovenska Street, a main traffic artery in the city centre that was always very heavily congested, was closed to motorised transport and is now accessible only for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.

2. Congress Square - from a parking lot to an attractive public space.

3. Petrovsko Riverbank - once used mainly for parking. Today, a welcoming public space with diverse possibilities to get close to the water.

1. Slovenska Street before © B.J.Jeršic

2. Slovenska Street after © N. Rovan

55

4. Congress Square after © D. Kordic

5. Petrovsko Riverbank before © B.J.Jeršic

6. Petrovsko Riverbank after © D. Wedam

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

M O B I L I T Y

3. Congress Square before © B.J.Jeršic

56

Public Life Sofia city centre is buzzing with life. Especially in the warmer months of the year, the diverse public spaces attract a variety of user groups of all ages: children riding electric cars, elderly playing chess, teenagers skating, groups of students gathering at cafĂŠs to study outside. This chapter focuses on the life that happens in public space, on the people who use it and on the areas that attract most people.

Intensity of use

.

Blvd Maria

Luiza

Hristo Bote v Blvd

Opal chen

.

ska St

.

A survey of the stationary activities in key public spaces gave an insight into the intensity of use throughout the day. Numbers indicate the average amount of people on a weekday.

Slivnitsa Blvd.

enska

St.

Slivnitsa Blvd.

Tsar Sim

Luiza Blv d.

Opalch

eon St.

Tsar Sim

eon St.

St.

58

Aleksa

ndrov Blvd.

96

ndar Sta

ndar Sta

mboliy ski Blv d.

d. dukov Blv

ndar Don

ksa Knyaz Ale

46

108

Gen. M.

Skobele v Blvd.

mbolo yski Blv d.

Aleksa

Yosif St.

Vasil

Pirotska

ovski St. G. S. Rak

Blvd.

Todor Aleksa

Ekzarh

Botev

ndrov Blvd.

Hristo

n Ivanov

Aleksa

Inzh. Iva

Konstant

Todor

i Blvd.

Levsk

Maria

St.

Blvd.

in Velich

kov Blv d.

Pirotska

40

50

Yanko Sakazov Blvd.

47

58

Tsa r

.

in St

Alab

Oborishte

Os vob

lvd .

43 ska St .

Blvd.

St. an m Sh

ish

t.

St.

Blvd.

ko S

A. Kanchev

il Va s

Partiarh Evtim

iy Blvd.

vi gie or

St.

d.

Blv

Ge

iH

lo

vski l Le

Blvd.

Ev

Vasi

Prof. F. Nan sen

St.

G. S. Rakovski

gi

to ris

Blv d.

Pass-through public spaces

Intense use

. lvd

ha

At the places we have surveyed, numbers indicate the average amount of people on a weekday. The evaluation of the rest of the public space is based on observations.

a ag Pr

d.

Blv

B ievi

eorg

Vit os

Map of the intensity of use of public space in Sofia city centre

↑

L I F E

Le vs k

iB

lvd .

. lvd

t.

S ev

ti na

vB le be ko

Ig

.S

.M

af Gr

n Ge

Vitosha

. lvd

Hristo Bot ev

86

Go

ur

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St.

B el dit

M

Shipka

o ob sv

.

St ki vs ko Ra Ge S. n.Y G. os if

Solun

rO

d.

Blv

a Ts

P U B L I C

ia

on

ed ak

St.

odit el B

ogi Evl

to G ris

iH

Key boulevards with wide sidewalks Rivers

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Places of interest The centre is visited by a large number of people both during the week and at the weekend. The green parks and gardens are particularly attractive, whilst other less popular areas hold great potential for improvement.

People enjoy spending time on pedestrian-friendly streets • The pedestrian-friendly streets of Sofia

are attracting a big number of people for promenading as well as for resting on the benches or spending time at the outdoor cafés.

59

P U B L I C

Public Benches

Cafés on squares and streets

Certain areas are underutilised

• At weekends, the parks and gardens

• There are a number of public

• The outdoor café culture has

• There can be quite complex

attract many people from various age and gender groups, especially families with young children.

• From spring to autumn, parks and

gardens are full of young people at night.

benches in parks, gardens and in pedestrian areas, but less so along the streets.

increased strongly in the last years.

This has supported the growth of an outdoor culture as well as the general appreciation of the city centre.

reasoning behind the underperformance of public spaces, but often it has to do with traffic impact, misplaced parking, scale, problems with the microclimate or a lack of activation.

• There is a great potential for

improvement of the conditions for these particular spaces.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

L I F E

Green parks and gardens

ys ic al

ra l

ph

tu

ci

cu l

er m

ly

re co m

ch ild

fo rt si tti ng on si tti si n tti g ng on on c se c si on tti da ng r on m ov ab

g ai tin w

Activities in public space The survey of stationary activities shows that the majority of people spend time standing (35,6%) and resting on benches (21,8) in the studied public spaces. These activities are followed by recreation in outdoor cafés. In addition, market life and informal vendors form an important part of city life.

Few children play in public spaces and very few physical or cultural activities were present during the survey.

Stationary activities registered in all locations on a weekday

standing waiting for transport

standing sitting on benches

waiting for transport

sitting on caféchairs sitting on secondary seating sitting on movable chairs

35.6% 5.4%

sitting on benches

21.8%

sitting on caféchairs

16.9%

sitting on secondary seating

7.6%

sitting on movable chairs

2.3%

lying down

0.1%

children playing

1.0%

commercially active

7.8%

cultural activities

0.5%

physical activities

0.5%

lying down children playing commercially active Banski Square

cultural activities physical activities Independence Square

Parliament Square

Battemberg Square

60

P U B L I C L I F E Central Market Hall Square

Saborna St. Sveta Nedelya West PSPL Studies

↑ Map of the activities in public space we have surveyed in Sofia.

Tsar Shishman St.

Public space Key boulevards Shared street

Slaveykov Square

Sveta Nedelya East

Rivers

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

0,356 0,054 0,218 0,1 0,094 0,007 0,002 0,009 0,077 0,005 0,005

Standing

People sitting on benches

Secondary seating

Sitting in cafés

• Most activities, more than a third of

• Public benches are popular in streets

• Due to a lack of resting options in

• The number of outdoor cafés is

all registered activities, are people standing engaging in a conversation with others as well as looking at monuments, shops etc.

and parks.

• There is a general lack of public

benches in the streets, while the parks are generally well-supported with seating.

the streets people use a number of alternative seating options.

• In general, secondary seating is

a supplement to public benches although it excludes the user group of elderly people in particular.

growing in Sofia.

• The outdoor cafés are utilised for socialising with friends or family.

• The cafés are also supporting an

active public life where people can rest for a while and still observe what is going on and look at other people.

61

P U B L I C

• The Women's Market has a wide range of activities taking place.

• There is a range of other markets

in Sofia; Dimitar Petkov's Market and Slaveykov's Market (known as the Book Market), but also a lot of informal vendors along key streets.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Children playing

Commercial activities

Cultural activities

• Children are primarily playing in the

• Street vending is popular in Sofia

• Sofia has a rich culture, which can

• Children utilise various elements for

• The vendors provide 'eyes on the

• Music bands, theatre ensembles,

parks, in dedicated playgrounds and in Vitosha Boulevard. their play and do not necessarily ask for dedicated playgrounds if there are other useful alternatives.

• However, children are a scarce user

group in the centre and more can be done to invite them in.

along a number of key local shopping streets. street' and something to look at and engage in.

also be found in some of the more informal cultural activities. puppet theatre etc. are all great examples of how culture emerges with public life.

L I F E

Markets and informal vending activities

67%

67%

weekday

Age groups 12%

5%

Generally, Sofia's city centre is attracting a wide range of age and user groups. However, it becomes clear that in comparison to the overall demographic data of the city elderly and children are underrepresented.

Average of all age and genderAgeregistrations & Gender all Counting Locations 35

weekday

weekend

31.4%

30

28.8% 25.6%

25

23.3%

20

Surprisingly, the weekday and weekend counts are almost 83% identical. In the share of elderly and children spending time in public space, almost no difference between weekend and weekday can be observed.

16.1% 14.1%

14.9% 12.0% 12.4%

12.3% 10

5

1.5% 1.6%

3.0% 2.9%

0

0-6 M&W

7-14 M&W

15-30 Men

15-30 Women

The city centre seems to attract almost the same share of user groups on weekdays and weekends.

Men aged between 15 and 30 spend slightly more time in the centre on weekends, while 30-64-year old men spend more time in the centre on weekdays.

30-64 Men

30-64 Women

above 65 M&W

Women are generally less present, except for 15-30year old females during the week. There is almost no difference in the share of elderly and children between weekday and weekend.

center population 10%

Age of the City Centre population

Age groups at registered locations

23%

62

P U B L I C

67%

weekend

weekday

L I F E

center population 12%

10%

5%

23% 35

30

23%

10% 25

Playgrounds

Playgrounds

Schools

Schools School yards

School yards

67%

Blocks 0

150

500

1000m

67%

weekend

20

0

City centre boundaries

150

500

Blocks

1000m

weekday

The population of Sofia's city centre is ageing, with 23% of its inhabitants over 65.

5% 12% 10% are children below the age of 15.

83%

City centre boundaries

10

5

Children (0-14) make up 10% of the centre's population, but in the observed public space - only 5%. There are also less elderly present in the surveyed areas.

Age & Gender all Counting Locations

35

31.4% 30

25

20

1.5% 1.6%

3.0% 2.9%

0

28.8%

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report 25.6% 23.3%

0-6 M&W

7-14 M&W

63

P U B L I C L I F E

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

User groups Elderly

Children & Teenagers

Elderly people are present in the city centre, but only in a few specific areas where they tend to spend time.

There are a number of schools in the city centre, as well as numerous playgrounds, mostly in the parks.

Nursing homes Pensioner’s Club

Playgrounds

Popular destinations for elderly people

Schools

Key green areas & public spaces

School yards

Blocks 0

150

500

1000m

Blocks

City centre boundaries

City centre boundaries

64

P U B L I C L I F E

Elderly people in public space • Elderly people tend to spend time

in parks and gardens, also at the Women’s market, at the mineral springs or at the flea market in front of the church.

• Activities attracting elderly people

are amongst other things the board games played in front of the theatre by primarily elderly men.

• Elderly women tend to occupy the public benches to small talk with friends and acquaintances.

Elderly concentrated in a few areas only

Playgrounds & schools in the centre

Lack of children friendly environment

• Elderly mainly stay in a few selected

• Sofia offers schools and local

• Navigating the streets with children

areas.

• They like to visit events that are

interesting and/or affordable, but there could be more of this kind.

• There are challenges of accessibility.

• Elderly tend to stay inside more in

playgrounds in the city centre.

• The playgrounds are quite dispersed

and there appears to be potential for a wider distributed network.

is a challenging task. Families tend to go to the parks or pedestrianised public squares with their children to recreate.

the winter season, due to a risk of accidents related to snowy and icey pavements.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Tourists

Students Sofia has a large student population of 105 000. The students have a positive impact on the liveliness of the city centre.

7,5 km

Dormitory

University

500

Public Space

To Student Village

City centre boundaries

150

Top Tripadvisor Tourist Destinations

+ 7 km

Faculty

0

Sofia is visited by a growing number of tourists every year (1 350 000 in 2016). The tourists are typically from the UK, Germany and Italy and stay for 2-3 nights.

Blocks 0

150

500

1000m

City centre boundaries

1000m

65

P U B L I C

Not many students live in the centre

• The universities in the city centre

• Sofia's students primarily live in the

are located primarily in the southern part of it with a concentration to the east around Sofia University.

• During lunchtime and in-between

classes, the students contribute to an active public life in the centre.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

"Student Village" 7km away from the city centre.

• Few students manage to find

affordable accomodation in the city centre.

Increasing number of tourists

Interested in a few key monuments

• More tourists are coming to Sofia

• Favorite tourist places are located

• The tourists bring investments to the

• To invite the tourists to enjoy more

to experience the culture and the history of the city.

city as well as supporting an active outdoor culture.

mainly in the southeastern part of the centre.

parts of the city centre and to stay longer there needs to be a connected walking network, accessible public transport and a number of attractive public spaces for recreation.

L I F E

The centre is full of university faculties

Activity during the day & the week The typical activity pattern follows the morning peak, the lunchtime break and the evening peak.

Weekends are different. Here there is a more even development in activity levels with a peak at 4 pm.

Evenings in Sofia are lively, especially on weekends when a number of people stay to have dinner or go for walks in the city centre.

Average of pedestrian counts in all locations, comparison of weekday and weekend 30 000 35000

30000 25000 20 000

20000 15000 10 000

10000 5000 0

0

1

8:00

2

9:00

3

10:00

4

11:00

5

12:00

6

13:00

7

14:00

pedestrians weekday

8

15:00

9

16:00

10

17:00

11

18:00

12

19:00

weekday weekend pedestrians weekend

66

P U B L I C

67

weekday

38

weekend

L I F E

stationary activities at all locations, average of weekday & weekend

More people staying during the week than on the weekend • In general, the surveyed locations

accommodate more recreational activities during the week than during weekends.

• The activity levels on weekdays are spill/offs from people working or studying in the city centre while the city centre is still not a strong destination during weekends.

Lunch peak • During the week, the first peak

can be observed between 12 pm and 2 pm, when a lot of people go out for lunch.This creates a lively atmosphere - especially in office areas.

Lively public space and cafes in the afternoon

Active during the day but feeling unsafe at night

• The peak in public life is after work

• Many places in the northern and

(5-6 pm) when the city feels very vibrant.

• The people who stay in the city after

work hours are primarily between 18 and 50 years old.

north-western part of the centre are not considered safe especially at night. Often they are vibrant during the day but avoided at night.

• Lighting could be improved in narrow streets and passageways which are otherwise lively routes during the day.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

CITY CENTRE OF SOFIA I SOFIA - A CITY FOR PEOPLE I CITY CENTRE OF SOFIA I SOFIA - A CITY FOR PEOPLE I

Events over the year Sofia has a number of summer events that bring activity to the squares and parks, such as Sofia Breaths across the city centre or the Jazz Festival in South park. In the last years Sofia Municipality frequently closed streets to car traffic, such as Dondukov blvd, Shishman str or Aleksandar Stamboliiski blvd for temporary cultural, sports, or commercial events.

NUMBER OF EVENTS BY MONTH NUMBER OF EVENTS BY MONTH

Event calendar

January January

December

February February

December November

March

November

March

October

April

October

April May

September September

May August August

June

July

June

July

0-5

5 - 10

10 - 15

15 - 20

20 - 22

0-5

5 - 10

10 - 15

15 - 20

20 - 22

67

P U B L I C

• The Women's Market is open from 8 am to 7 pm and provides a constant activity level over the course of the week and the course of the year.

• Other markets take place on a

weekly basis, such as the Farmer's market open on Sundays and the Flee market at Alexander Nevsky Square.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Most events take place in the beginning of the summer

Temporary events are becoming Lack of winter activities more popular

• 56 % of all events are concentrated

• Temporary streeet closures for

in a few months.

• The events range from jazz festivals,

outdoor movie screenings, as shown above, or sport events.

• National Palace of Culture, Gradska

gradina, Kniazheska gradina, South park, Borisova gradina are some of the busiest summer event locations.

• In the winter months, especially in

events and sport activites are a great way to engage more people in the city centre and calm down car traffic during weekends.

• Events and pop-up exhibitions bring more life in the public realm.

January and February, there are a few events happening.

• Life happens inside the buildings:

theaters and concert halls become popular destinations, offering a variety of programmes every night.

• The winter season with its snowy

but relatively sunny days could offer a variety of outdoor play and winter sport activites.

L I F E

An active market life

251 252

I 253

255 257 254 256

Ensure activity - at all times of the day and all year round

Key Key Moves Moves

Nighttime activation

• Generally, Sofia is a safe city at night. Some areas are however poorly activated in the evening.

Ensure ground floor activation, eyes on the street and good lighting especially along key walking links.

• Use light features to create evening destinations to enhance city life, e.g light art.

Develop an event strategy

• Provide space for festivals on the squares in the city (music, crafts, book festivals).

• As the majority of events take place in the 68

P U B L I C

beginning of the summer, the event strategy should focus on activating the city in other seasons as well. Besides the ice skating rink, other activities can take place in the winter time such as winter markets, curling games, snow art, children events etc.

Embrace the market culture

• Embrace the market culture and continue to

L I F E

provide a wide variety of Christmas markets, flea markets, everyday markets and farmers markets.

• Ensure that markets are attractive for younger

generations. This could include creating design and art markets for young people.

II

Cater for all ages and user groups

Create invitations for children and families

• Ensure more playgrounds in the northwest of the city's central core. This can be provided through the opening of schoolyards to the public.

• Invite family activities aside from playgrounds

through playful installations/sculptures/activities.

• Make it easier and safer to navigate the streets

with children, to invite these user groups to other areas. Increase pedestrian priority and dedicated pedestrian areas.

Invite tourists to explore other areas

• Use wayfinding strategies to guide tourists towards key destinations in the centre, but also towards areas that are not on their radar yet. Work closely with the tourism agency and a number of other stakeholders to provide information online and maps in hotels.

Increase the presence of students in the center

• Provide additional facilities for students in the city

centre (sports, accommodation, studying, meeting).

This can also include working or learning areas in empty ground floors or in public spaces.

Improve the public life for elderly

• As Sofia's population is ageing, providing good

public seating possibilities, outdoor meeting areas, free events, interesting things to do as well as good accessibility and comfort is important.

Enhance accessibility and quality of life for residents

• Ensure easy access to green areas. Both close to

the residence (balconies and/or courtyards) and in the neighbourhood (parks, playgrounds, squares).

• Provide nurseries, kindergardens, schools and supermarkets in or close to residential areas.

»» Page 72: Bryant Park is a brilliant example of a square that invites different user groups.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

251 252

253

255 257 254 256

IV

III

Diversify and programme public space

Monitor changes in public life

251 252

Ensure more diverse programming of public space • Cater for both passive and active staying activities through the design and programming of more public spaces.

• Provide diversity in public seating, while

maintaining coherent design: provide seating that allows for people to meet in different constellations, work, watch people passing by, study, have lunch breaks or watch children playing.

• Ensure that public space is not entirely

commercialised and that public seating is always provided.

Ensure a better relation between public space and the building functions • Improve interaction between public spaces and the functions of nearby bildings. in public space.

• Provide dedicated parking structures in relation

with residential areas in the city centre to encourage people to utilise building courtyards for recreational purposes and transform on-street parking spaces for public use.

»» Quick win: Utilise private parking spaces of

institutions for pop-up events and food stalls at weekends.

»» Encourage the occurance of temporary events,

festivals, performances and outdoor exhibitions.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Monitor changes in public life • Gather and monitor data of pedestrian traffic and public life in the public spaces.

• Collect qualitative measures about public life in terms of social equity, gender split, user groups, social interaction etc.

• Utilize the data collected to evaluate how improvements of public space work.

• Encourage collaboration between universities and institutions in the gathering of data.

• Share data online to provide transparency and knowledge to everyone. »» Short-term: Gather and monitor data of pedestrian traffic and public life in the public spaces.

»» Page 74-75: To see how other cities have managed to monitor public life, see Copenhagen and New York as an example.

69

L I F E

Activate underutilised public space • Open up selected courtyards and improve existing ones by providing better maintenance, meeting areas and a diversity of activities which can be selected in participatory processes together with local residents.

255 257 254 256

P U B L I C

• Building functions should spill out and be reflected

253

II Cater for all ages and user groups

Best Practice Bryant Park Bryant Park is famous for its lush seasonal gardens, outdoor dining, free activities, and public restrooms.

Located adjacent to the New York Public Library in the centre of New York, Bryant Park is visited by more than six million people each year and is one of the busiest public spaces in the world.

From a drug-dealing hotspot to a popular park Before its make-over, Bryant park is said to have mainly been used by drug dealers and muggers.

During the Depression, an iron gate and a high hedge had been added to the park exterior, insulating the interior from the surrounding neighbourhood.

Bryant Park began its transformation in 1980 when the Bryant Park Restoration Corporation was inaugurated.

The park was closed between 1988 and 1992 and was subsequently renovated. Its large centre lawn and outside was expanded and pedestrian connections improved. In addition, tables and folded chairs were also introduced. The park’s upper terrace, which had been its most active drug market before, was leased to the trendy Bryant Park Grill.

Buildings activate the space The library's functions spill out into the public space - there is an outdoor reading room and for both adults and children and poetry workshops take place in the park. Additionally, small pavilions, kiosks and mobile stalls activate the park.

70

P U B L I C

Catering for all user and age groups

Today, the park is a social place where friends meet, eat lunch, chat, stroll, listen to music, work using the wireless network, or simply sit and think.

Public toilets, different types of seating and various activities ensure that everyone's needs are taken care of.

Activities and events Bryant Park is a hub for hundreds of cultural events hosting over 1,000 free activities annually. The activities range from intimate drawing workshops and board game meetings to outdoor film screenings for 10,000 people, fencing and tai chi classes, opera performances, poetry jams, ping pong tournaments, bee-keeping classes, and a Friday French market.

Active at all seasons Winter, summer, spring, and fall, New Yorkers love this park. Those who visit Bryant Park in the summer months - when life revolves around its quiet, green lawn, would hardly recognise the space in winter months. The park transforms into a Winter Village with an ice rink, a glass pavillon where free activities continue to take place, such as Santa's corner, shops and more.

L I F E Lunch break for tourists and construction workers alike.

Childrens' outdoor library

Elderly playing petanque.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

III Diversify and programme public space

Case Knyaz Aleksandar I Square standing waiting for transport

Knyaz Aleksandar I Square is a key public space in the city, surrounded by the City Garden, the National Art Gallery and the Tsar's Garden. It is characterised by yellow cobblestones and beautiful architecture and holds a great potential to become a people-friendly square. It is an important pedestrian link, but today it is used as a main car route through the city and as a parking lot.

sitting on benches sitting on caféchairs

A lot of standing and secondary seating sitting on secondary seating

sitting on movable chairs lying down

3x more parked cars than people standing

children playing

waiting for transport

commercially active

The summary of all weekday activities shows that most people stand or sit, confirming that Knyaz Aleksandar I Square is not a place where people like to stay.

sitting on caféchairs

sitting on secondary seating

physical activities

47 people

26% secondary seating possibilities

62% standing

Chart Title

sitting on movable chairs standing waiting for transport

sitting on benches

147 cars

47 people

0 1

wai�ng for transport

si�ng on benches

si�ng on cafechairs

si�ng on secondary si�ng possibili�es

si�ng on movable chairs

lying down

children playing

commercially ac�ve

cultural ac�vi�es

physical ac�vi�es

lying down

147 cars

A busy car throughfare in the centre

1500

waiting for transport

children playing

sitting on benches

commercially active

sitting on café chairs

cultural activities

sitting on secondary seating

physical activities

2

3

4

5

pedestrians

6

7

cyclists

lying down children playing

cultural activities physical activities

Batemberg

standing

sitting on movable chairs

cultural activities

physical activities

commercially active

2000

500

lying down

children playing

commercially active

sitting on movable chairs

47 people

2000

1000

sitting on secondary seating

147 cars

2500

standing

sitting on caféchairs

47 people

2500

1500

In average of a whole weekday, there are 3x more parked cars on the surveyed area than people. sitting on benches

cultural activities

147 cars

8

9

10

11

standing

wai�ng for transport

si�ng on benches

si�ng on cafechairs

si�ng on secondary si�ng possibili�es

si�ng on movable chairs

lying down

children playing

commercially ac�ve

cultural ac�vi�es

physical ac�vi�es

standing

wai�ng for transport

si�ng on benches

si�ng on cafechairs

si�ng on secondary si�ng possibili�es

si�ng on movable chairs

lying down

children playing

commercially ac�ve

cultural ac�vi�es

physical ac�vi�es

1212

936

1000 500 0 12

8

9

motor vehicles

10

11

12

pedestrians

13

14

cyclists

15

16

17

18

19

motor vehicles

weekday counts

71

P U B L I C L I F E

The parking lot could be transformed into an activity zone related to the museum, inviting people to spend time - with outdoor furniture and room for art in public space.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

The parking lot could also be a green extension of the park, and the edge could invite for people to sit.

IV Monitor changes in public life

Best Practice New York City is collecting data

72

New York City is one of the densest urban environments in the United States, and like most American cities, it has detailed metrics for vehicular traffic and intricate plans to reduce traffic congestion. Yet before 2008, information about pedestrians, cyclists, and how people spend time in the city was not known. Working with local advocacy groups, the city engaged hundreds of volunteers to visit main streets and spaces in four of the five city boroughs.

city that dramatically improved public life through simplifying intersections, shortening crosswalks, organising and defining traffic lanes, and separating conflicting mobility movements. Multiple peoplecentred metrics provided the framework to make bold decisions that improved public spaces and served multiple citizen interests.

89% of the space in Times Square was for cars, yet 90% of the people there were pedestrians.

This was an equation that needed to change. The pedestrianisation of Times Square—or, stated differently, its transformation into an actual public square—increased the number of people who stayed in the area’s public spaces by 84% and improved vehicular traffic flows along the avenues in Midtown.

Measuring the effects Additionally, businesses saw improved foot traffic, increased sales, and decreased vacancy rates. In a survey, 42 percent more people said they shopped in the neighbourhood and 74 percent said that Times Square had improved dramatically. In terms of safety, pedestrian injuries fell by 35 percent in part due to 80 percent fewer people walking into the roadways.

Understanding the people centred metrics in Times Square has set a precedent for cities in how to measure, achieve, and then evaluate changes in the built environment to better suit public life.

P U B L I C L I F E

Measure what you care about Hundreds of thousands of people were then “counted” while they went about their daily routines.

Using this methodology, city officials were able to understand how streets and other public spaces were performing for people. One key finding was that 90 percent of the space in Times Square was dedicated to cars, even though 90 percent of the movement through Times Square was actually on foot. Something was not right about the math. One of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s favorite mottos was, “In God we trust. Everyone else bring data.” Equipped with this data, the mayor now had the empirical evidence to funnel investment and channel political capital toward bold ideas like creating new public spaces along Broadway between 14th and 57th Streets, including in Times Square.

Translate the counts into projects From Times Square to Flushing, Queens, new design outcomes were subsequently developed across the

Times Square before

Times Square after

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

IV IV Monitor changes in public life Monitor changes in public life

Best BestPractice Practice Copenhagen's Copenhagen'sevidence-based evidence-basedplanning planningapproach approach What began as Jan Gehl’s research What began as move Jan Gehl’s research on how people through and on how people move through and spend time in Copenhagen has spend has evolvedtime intoin a Copenhagen method for informing evolved intoFor a method informing city policy. over 20for years, the City city policy.

For over 20 years, the City of Copenhagen has applied evidenceof Copenhagen hasto applied evidencebased approaches strategic based approaches to strategic planning and investments based on planning and investments based on his methodologies. his methodologies.

Bicycle counts as the start Bicycle counts start Account in 1996, city Beginning with as thethe Bicycle Beginning with thebehaviour Bicycle Account in 1996, extensive city leaders observed and conducted leaders and conducted extensive surveys observed to directlybehavior inform investment in cycling surveys to directly inform investment in cycling campaigns and infrastructure.

The results, published campaigns results, published every other and year,infrastructure. do more than The demonstrate the city’s every other year, do moreinthan demonstrate the city’s status as a global leader bicycle mobility; they also status as a global leader in bicycleand mobility; they also illustrate municipal transparency build trust illustratecitizens municipal and build between andtransparency decision-makers.

Thistrust form of between citizensdocumentation and decision-makers.

This form of evidence-based captured quantitative evidence-based documentation quantitative data, like the number of childrencaptured or elderly cycling, data, like the of children elderly cycling, in addition to number qualitative data, likeor the perception of in addition to qualitative like theamong perception of safety and the motivationdata, for cycling citizens. safety and the motivation for cycling among citizens.

More than just cycling More than just cycling Soon, the cycle account began to spread to other Soon, theofcycle account beganIn to2010, spread other aspects strategic planning. thetocity aspects of strategic planning. In 2010, the city

launched a five-year campaign to make Copenhagen launched a five-year campaign to The make Copenhagen the most livable city in the world. project, entitled the most livable city in the world. The project, entitled “Metropolis for People,” included simple yet tangible “Metropolis formetrics People,”for included simpleofyet tangible and ambitious urban quality life.

The and again ambitious metricstofor urban quality life. The city committed quantitative and of qualitative city again to quantitative and qualitative targets to committed put people first on its agenda. targets to put people first on its agenda.

Setting high goals Setting goals met its goal for people spending In 2015, high Copenhagen In 2015, Copenhagen metspaces its goalthan for people 20% more time in public in 2010,spending which 20%been moreatime in public spaces thancity in 2010, which had unifying ambition across agencies had beenfrom a unifying acrossplanning, city agencies ranging parks, ambition transportation, and ranging from parks, transportation, planning, economic development.

Another target was forand 80% economic development.

Another was for 80% of residents to feel satisfied with target the quality of the of residents feel satisfied with the quality ofwould the public realm.toSuch qualitative measurements publicinvestment realm. Such measurements woulda drive in qualitative public life and benefit as broad drive investment in public life and benefit as broad a cross-section of residents as possible. cross-section of residents as possible.

73

P U B L I C L I F E

A metropolis for people, issued in 2009

Copenhagen is now a city with a well-balanced transport system.

A metropolis for people, issued in 2009

Copenhagen photo here

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

add photo 74

Public Space Quality Sofia's public spaces are of distinct identity, due to their surrounding iconic buildings.

They are diverse and of different sizes and character, hence provide a good base for a diverse, rewarding and inspiring public life.

Public space network The public spaces in Sofia are of different scales and formats, but all hold their individual qualities and potentials for further exploration.

What is yet to be developed, is a strong network of street connections in-between that can help to develop an improved and accessible public space network.

Key boulevards with wide sidewalks Shared Street: Public Transport, Pedestrians Pedestrian areas Squares dominated by car parking Rivers

76

Unequal distribution of public space

P U B L I C

• Sofia faces a challenge

S P A C E

• There tends to be an

in providing satisfactory open space in an even distribution across the city centre.

Poor connections between public spaces • Despite the fact that there is a

substantial amount of public space, the quality of the network is poor.

This is due to missing links in it, barriers and obstacles, such as parked cars.

• At night, lighting conditions make

connections between public spaces less obvious.

Traffic isolating public space

Potential for new public space

• Public space is often surrounded

• There is a great potential for

• Difficult crossing situations due to a

• Empty building lots along busy

by wide and car heavy streets that detach the public space from its surroundings. lack of crossings, long waiting times or unpleasant crossing situations (underpasses, short signal lights), increase the island-like character of some public spaces.

unlocking space that is not active today and programming it for different uses.

undersupply of public space in the northern part of the city centre, as well as an issue around management and maintenance of public space.

streets can provide a mix of building structures and open space which can provide activation and a place to rest.

• The lack of wayfinding is also an issue.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Scale Sofia has a variety of public space in Soccer Field a range of different scales to offer Traditional knowledge about Traditional scale knowledge about scale to its citizens for various purposes. proportions has gradually and proportions been has gradually been The open and spaces in Sofia's oldest, lost, with the result that lost, new with urban the result that new urban traditionalareas cityare structure often builtis in arelatively areas scale are far often built in a scale far removed from what people removed perceive from what people perceive small-scale and pleasant. meaningful and comfortable. as meaningful and comfortable.

The moreasrecent public spaces tend to have more challenges with scale and are often perceived as uncomfortable by users.

Scale

Scale

Zaimov Garden 105m

105m 665m

665m

National Palace of Culture 570m

570m

City Garden 290m

290m

Independence Square

0

160m

160m

60m Rayko Daskalov Square

60m

150

500

0 1000m 150

500

1000m

77

P U B L I C

• There is a range of lively and small-scale plazas

and gardens of great variety in the city centre that attract a lot of people. Their human scale, enclosed character and close relation to the buildings make them attractive places for people to stay.

Inner-yard between TZUM and the building of Bulgarian Government

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Well-utilised small pockets and corners

Large scale plazas

• The structure of Sofia is quite porous, and small

• Some of the squares (Independence Square, Knyaz

corners or gaps in the built structure are wellutilised.

• These spaces tend to be used for commercial

purposes, especially for cafés and restaurants, and to a lesser degree for public functions.

Small Five-Corners-Square

Aleksandar I Square, Lion Bridge) are not to human scale and offer no or little activation, greenery or seating.

• A large scale with an exposed setting and lack of

shelter from the weather makes the plazas feel unprotected and prevents people from using them.

Independence Square

S P A C E

Well-functioning and lively small scale plazas

Quality of public space A selection of open spaces were assessed with a set of 12 quality criteria, which are developed by Gehl and used for evaluating the experience of the city at eye level.

The green spaces stand out as the spaces of highest quality, whilst the other areas tend to have a negative impact from traffic or parking.

The map shows the evaluated spaces in a gradient, depending on their assessed quality. The various evaluated spaces can be discovered in more detail below.

Vladaiska River

Sveti Nikolay Garden

Lion’s Bridge Sq.

Women’s market Tsar Simeon St. Maria Luisa Bvd.

Pirotska St.

Central Baths Garden

Batenberg Sq.

Nezavisimost Sq.

Alexander Dondukov Bld.

Alexander Nevski Sq.

Garibaldi Sq.

City Garden

Vitosha St.

Parliament Sq.

Slaveikov Sq.

Eagle’s Bridge Sq.

to Park Voenna Akademia

Shishman St. to Borisova garden

Park National Palace of Culture

Graf Ignatiev St.

Perlovska River Poor quality

Good quality Good quality Average quality Poor quality

to South park

78

P U B L I C S P A C E

Independence Square

Parliament Square

Women's market

City Garden

+ Located in the heart of the city centre and well-connected to other pedestrian destinations

+ Surrounded by emblematic buildings

+ With its long operating hours, the market is a lively public space throughout the day

+ With its good microclimate, seating opportunities and activities around, it attracts people of all ages and backgrounds

+ Good detailing and interesting views - Unwelcoming micro environment with a lack of shading in the summer as well as wind protection - Traffic noise - The seating arrangement inconducive to communicating

+ Good detailing and unhindered views + In a walkable distance to green areas and fine grain neighbourhoods - Dominated by parking and car traffic - Lack of good connection to St. Kliment Ohridski Garden - Unattractive for pedestrians to stay in due to a lack of good seating and events

+ Provides good microclimate and a mix of cafés and public seating

+ Walkable and safe for pedestrians

- On-street parking limits the accessibility and walkability

+ Its human scale stimulates meeting others and allows for physical activities

- Inactive area after dusk

- Lack of amenity such as public toilets and water fountains

- Lack of temporary activities

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Comfort comfort Protection protection

The 12 Quality Criteria is a tool for studying the experiential quality of a space by evaluating its ability to provide features that are protective, comfortable, and enjoyable. In order to create a well-functioning space, all of them must be carefully considered in regard to a specific site.

• Protection for pedestrians and cyclists • Eliminating fear of traffic • Safe crossings

• Lively public realm • Allow for passive surveillance • Diversity of functions 24/7/365 • Well lit / lighting in human scale

• • • • • •

• • • • •

Part of a pedestrian network Links to destinations Accessible with bicycle Links to public transportation

• Defined zones for sitting • Pleasant views, people watching • Good mix of public and café seating • Resting/waiting opportunities

• • • •

alk & listen

Reasonable viewing distances Unhindered views Interesting views easy orientation Lighting (when dark)

• Low noise levels • • • Public seating arrangements conducive to communicating, ‘talkscapes’

• Allow for physical activity, exercise, play & street entertainment • Temporary activities (markets, festivals, exhibitions etc) • By day and night • In summer and winter

•

• • • Local identity •

• •

,

— 201

• • • •

Good design and detailing Good materials Fine views/vistas Rich sensory experiences: trees, plants, water

S P A C E

Sensory experience

uman scale

79

P U B L I C

Enjoyment enjoyment

Wind/draft Rain/snow Cold/heat Pollution Dust, noise, glare

Sit & Stay

Opportunities to see

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

• • • • •

Usability The quality of public space is also defined by its usability. Whilst some of Sofia's public spaces allow for flexibility in use, others are yet to be improved in order to attract more people. Areas that are now primarily used for parking could provide more staying activities.

Design of public space allowing for flexibility of use • Some of Sofia's public spaces are used in a flexible way for a wide variety of purposes.

• An example is Aleksandar Nevski Square: a parking lot most of the time, but also used for several events: church, cultural activity, food restaurants nearby, commercial activities, and political events.

80

P U B L I C S P A C E

Lack of basic public facilities • A lack of public toilets and poor maintenance of existing ones.

• Drinking water fountains tend to be located at the thermal baths only.

Poor micro climate especially on large public spaces • Some of the squares (Independence Square, Knyaz Aleksandar I, Lion Bridge) are quite exposed to the seasonal weather conditions and do not offer shelter or respite.

Privatisation • Privatisation of public space is a growing issue

in Sofia. This is a concern since extensive winter gardens take over public space and sometimes even push public seating to the side.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

At Knyaz Aleksandar I Square, parked cars occupy the majority of the public space

81

P U B L I C

• A large amount of public space

is dominated by parked cars. The available car parking challenges the layout of the public spaces and diminishes their quality.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

S P A C E

Parking challenges the public space quality and accessibility

Identity Public space needs to create a sense of place and be recognisable and distinguishable. This could be achieved through site-specific and distinctive design of the spaces or the surrounding architecture, but also through activities for various user groups. Most of Sofia's public spaces are of a strong identity, but the quality of the design is often not underlining the buildings, their functions, nor the activities of people using the space.

Monuments and buildings give public space strong identity • A lot of Sofia's public space is organised around

major monuments and administrative buildings, but also statues. This clearly defines the character of these spaces.

82

P U B L I C S P A C E

Activities and user groups shaping the identity of many spaces

Public space not reflecting the functions of the buildings

• The character of public spaces is shaped to a great

• Although monuments and public buildings are

extend by the user groups and activities happening in it. Since a lot of the public space in the centre is not programmed, people adapt the space according to their needs.

very present in the public space, their functions do not spill out into the outside space. Public space around them usually does not support neither the programme, nor the character of the building.

Traffic-oriented design • The quality of public space around historic

buildings is diminished by the traffic-oriented design solutions and the fact that parking often occupies most of the space in front of the monuments.

• Skaters, but also elderly or marginalised groups often contribute greatly to the identity of Sofia's public space.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Frontages

Slivnitsa Blvd.

Luiza Bl vd.

Tsar Sim

Skobele v Blvd.

St.

Aleksa ndrov Blvd.

B Levski

.

Yosif St

Vasil

Pirotska

Hristo

Todor

kovski St. G. S. Ra

Ekzarh

Botev

Aleksa ndrov Blvd.

lvd.

Maria

eon St.

.

Aleksa ndar

ov Blvd r Donduk

ksanda

Knyaz Ale

Stambo liyski Bl vd

.

Gen. M.

Tsa r

Os vob o

dit el B

lvd .

. Ra

St.

G. S

Alabin

Ge

n.

if G

ou

rk oS

t.

Soluns

ka St

m ish Sh

lvd . il Va s

na

Ig

A. Kanchev

St.

Le vs k

iB

Vitosha Blvd.

Hristo Bo

tev Blvd.

af Gr

. lvd

B ev el

b ko

.S

Fence

M

Ts

. vd Bl III E - Inactive

n.

D - Boring

is

or

B ar

. lvd

C - Mixture

E - Inactive

lB

B - Friendly

D - Boring

ite

C - Mixture

od

A - Active

an

M

B - Friendly

ob sv

St

.

.

rO

ed ak

A - Active

Yo s

a Ts

ia on

d.

Blv

Ge

i ev

vS tie

Monument

gi or

t.

In Sofia, the quality of frontages is mixed. There are several active ground floors, which can mostly be found around commercial streets, while facades along car-heavy streets in particular are mainly inactive.

kov ski

St.

Todor

St.

Blvd.

meon

.

ka St.

Tsar Si

Slivnitsa Blvd

Opalche ns

The design of buildings’ ground floor frontages has a high impact on the attractiveness of the public realm. The frontages are the interface of the urban environment, and contain the openings through which we see, hear, smell and engage in the city’s million-facetted palette of activities. On the ground floor and at eye-level, we come close to the city.

Marketplace No facade

ii

g lo

Partiarh Evti

Ev

miy Blvd.

o ist

. vd Bl

Ge

Hr

83

P U B L I C

• Along commercial streets in particular, most

facades are quite active, providing the passersby with a pleasant eye-level experience and contributing to street life. However, almost no public functions are offered.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Inactive frontages along car-heavy streets • Many buildings do not contribute to city life at all,

due to their inactive ground floor levels that often carry no functions at all.

Inaccessible ground floors due to parked cars • On streeet parking is blocking the connection

between a building's ground floor level and the street or public space in front. Parked cars become obstacles for movement and for sightlines.

S P A C E

Active frontages along pedestrian and local shoppping streets

Pavement Slivnitsa Blvd.

High quality and variety of paving surfaces is not only important for the accessibility of people and different modes of transport, but also contribute to the perceived quality of a space.

Luiza Bl vd.

Tsar Sim

In Sofia, recent efforts have been focused on improving the quality of paving. For instance, through a change in paving, Vitosha Street was enhanced as a pedestrian-only zone.

Todor

B Levski Vasil

.

Yosif St

St.

Aleksa ndrov Blvd.

ov Blvd r Donduk

ksanda

Knyaz Ale

Stambo liyski Bl vd

.

Gen. M.

Skobele v Blvd.

.

Aleksa ndar

Tsa r

Os vob o

dit el B

G. S . Ra kov ski

St.

lvd .

Alabin

St.

Ge

n.

Yo s

if G

ou

rk oS

t.

Soluns

ka St

Sh

il Va s

A. Kanchev

St.

Le vs k

iB

Vitosha Blvd.

lvd .

tev Blvd.

Hristo Bo

. lvd

na

Ig i ev

vS tie

gi or

t.

Bad No sidewalk

af Gr

. lvd

B ev el

b ko

.S

M

Average

lB

n.

Good

ite

ish

od

m

an

ob sv

St

.

.

rO

a Ts

ia

on

d ke Ma

d.

Blv

Ge

Along other streets, the quality of pavement and lack of barrierfree design creates difficulties especially for the elderly, people with disabilities and people with prams.

kovski St.

Ekzarh Pirotska

G. S. Ra

Aleksa ndrov Blvd.

lvd.

Maria

eon St.

Hristo Botev Blvd.

Todor

St.

St.

meon

.

Opalche nska

Tsar Si

Slivnitsa Blvd

ii

g lo

Partiarh Evti

Ev

miy Blvd.

o ist

. vd Bl

Ge

Hr

84

P U B L I C S P A C E

New paving type used • Recent efforts have been

concentrated on changing the pavement at squares and along streets.

• In the efforts of pedestrianising

Vitosha Boulevard, the pavement has also been upgraded.

Historic cobblestones are part of the city identity • Cobblestones cause challenges

in terms of accessibility and noise levels, but are part of the city's identity.

• Today, however, they are not valued

as such and are, unfortunately, often replaced with asphalt.

Obstacles on footways • Many footways in Sofia have

pavements of low quality. The surface is uneven, with changes in levels. This happens out of many different reasons - growing trees, building interventions along the street and wear and tear causing maintenance issues.

A mix of pavement materials can be observed • A patchwork of different materials can often be seen.

• Shops and cafés are privately

changing and adapting the pavement outside their properties.

• Lack of standards and coherency.

• Accessibility challenges.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Noise levels Slivnitsa Blvd.

Noise levels greatly influence the quality of a public space.

Consistently high noise levels add stress among the people living and working in the city. The traffic situation in Sofia makes noise levels on main streets and adjacent spaces extremely high. They are, therefore, a tough environment for social activities since talking and listening is difficult. Social interaction is confined to more quiet places such as city parks.

52dB

Luiza Bl vd.

Tsar Sim

Maria

eon St.

57dB

Hristo

Todor

St.

56dB

51dB

Aleksa ndrov Blvd.

lvd.

B Levski

.

Yosif St

Vasil

Botev

Ekzarh Pirotska

kovski St. G. S. Ra

Blvd.

56dB

Aleksa ndrov Blvd.

.

Skobele v Blvd.

63dB Aleksa ndar

56dB

Stambo liyski Bl vd

.

58dB Tsa r

56dB

60dB

Os vob o

dit el B

lvd .

50dB

54dB

49dB

kov ski . Ra

58dB

St.

G. S

Alabin

Ge

n.

59dB

rk oS

Hristo Bo

.

lvd .

ish

iB Le vs k il Va s

A. Kanchev

59dB

af Gr t.

vS tie

na

Ig

. lvd

B ev el

b ko

.S

M

St.

Vitosha Blvd.

Sh

58dB

m

an

St

60dB

. lvd

56dB

lB

ite

od

55dB

57dB

n.

48dB

ob sv

rO

.

. vd Bl

rB

a Ts

ou

ka St

Ge

III

57dB

if G

t.

48dB

Soluns

tev Blvd.

d.

Blv

Yo s

a Ts

ia

on

d ke

Ma

St.

63dB

60dB

is or

ov Blvd r Donduk

ksanda

Knyaz Ale

59dB

Gen. M.

Todor

St.

ka St.

meon

.

Opalche ns

Tsar Si

Slivnitsa Blvd

i ev

gi or

60dB

Average noise level

60dB

ii

g lo

Partiarh Evti

Ev

miy Blvd.

o ist

. vd Bl

Ge

Hr

Noise levels 85

• 150 dB - jet engine at • 130 dB - threshold of pain • 120 dB - hearing damage at short term exposure drill at 1m / chain saw

Large amount of traffic causing loud main streets

Quiet side streets

76dB 52dB

60dB

76dB

52dB

60dB

76dB 71dB 60dB 52dB 48dB 31dB

min

Av

max min

Stamboliyski

Av

max

Stamboliyski

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Graf Ignatiev Street is an example of a loud streetscape with peaks of 73dB and an average of 56 dB. 71dB

48dB

78dB

78dB

Stamboliyski Vitosha

78dB

71dB

63dB

63dB 50dB

50dB

63dB 50dB

48dB

31dB

max min min Av Av max min

during long-term exposure

High noise levels due to condition of tram tracks and paving

The small side streets carry significantly less amounts of traffic, Solunska Street has an average of 48dB and peaks of 67 dB only.

High traffic volumes on main streets results in high noise levels, which reaches peaks of 76dB on Todor Alexandrov Boulevard.

• 85 dB - hearing damage

31dB

Av Vitosha

min max

Av

max min

Dondukov

Av

max

Dondukov

min

Av Vitosha

max

min

Av

max

Dondukov

• 70 dB - vacuum cleaner • 55 dB - normal conversation

S P A C E

• 100 dB - pneumatic road

P U B L I C

30m

Streetscape Elements Trees, lighting, benches, flower pots, dustbins, fountains and other elements fill the spaces of the streetscape with life, light, color, and texture and make a street, a square or a park a comfortable, interesting, and usable space for people. In Sofia, there are plenty of streetscape elements - but the lack of guidelines and their random positioning causes not only the impression of cluttering and disorder, but also forms obstacles to pedestrian flows.

Streetscape elements make parks and squares truly usable • Elements such as benches or flower pots in public space show the efforts to invite people to stay and to offer an attractive environment.

86

P U B L I C S P A C E

Mixed condition of streetscape elements

Cluttering of elements and signage

Insufficient lighting at night

• Currently, a lack of quality in the condition of

• Streets are full of small-scale obstacles, such

• The lighting strategy of the city is geared primarily

benches, flower pots and other small scale street elements can be found.

as bollards, electricity boxes or advertisement posts, that are invading public space and create challenges for pedestrian flows.

• The many advertisement signs of various sizes and appearance cause cluttering and difficult wayfinding.

towards cars. Many footways are poorly lit and connections through parks in particular are lacking sufficient lighting and 'eyes on the street', decreasing the subjective feeling of safety in the public realm.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

87

elements can be found in the city which do not seem to follow a common visual language. This is partly caused by a lack of design guidelines.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

S P A C E

• A general mix of streetscape

P U B L I C

Lack in consistency in design of streetscape elements

I

esign Sofia D es n Guideli

Connect public spaces of human scale

II

Create usable public space

P

Key Moves

Create a network of public spaces

Reduce parking in public space

• Ensure equal provision of public space and good

• Reduce on-street parking blocking access to public

pedestrian and bicycle connections between them.

• Utilise the permeable city structure to add public

space where a lack can be observed: by activating underutilised parking lots or empty plots in the city structure for e.g. pocket parks, temporary markets etc.

»» Middle-term: Create a pedestrian heart by

developing a connection between Banski Square, TSUM and Sveta Nedelya square.

Ensure that public space is of pleasant human scale

• It is important to have a mixture of spaces of

different scale, thus a variety of large and smaller spaces should continue to be provided.

• Ensure good enclosure and scale proportions 88

of all newly built public spaces, as they tend to become too large.

• Subdivide large areas into different zones related

P U B L I C

to activities and functions of the surrounding buildings.

»» Quick win: Change the perception of Independence

S P A C E

Square by improving its microclimate. Introduce trees and seating conducive to meeting others.

Improve the sense of place by introducing more functions e.g. a variety of events in order to activate the public space.

spaces or occupying public space. Activate the additionally gained space by programming it and creating opportunities for people to stay.

• Reduce parking around squares and parks in order to create a better connection with the surrounding buildings and an improved interface to the square or park.

• Provide dedicated parking structures in relation

with residential areas in the city centre to encourage people to utilise building courtyards for recreational purposes and transforming on-street parking spaces for public use.

Design

Sofiaa square »» Page 93: Israels Plads showcases how nes Guideli

was transformed from a parking

Avoid privatisation of public space

• Today, commercial functions such as

wintergardens and to a certain degree outdoor serving, dominate some public spaces. Implement regulations and stricter controls to reduce this trend of privatisation of public space.

• Always ensure that not only outdoor serving, but also public seating is provided.

Provide amenities for basic human services

• Cater for basic human needs and provide public

services such as: water fountains, public toilets, shade etc.

• Provide sufficient street lighting to improve perception of safety in public space.

Improve microclimate

• Improve the general microclimate of public spaces by protecting people from sun, rain and wind when appropriate.

• Ensure that new buildings are not diminishing

the quality of the existing microclimate by overshadowing public spaces or increasing wind velocities at ground level.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

P

III

IV

Increase the quality of public space

Introduce streetscape elements of high quality

esign Sofia D es n Guideli

Provide pavement of high visual quality

Clean up the centre from unneccesary elements

• Improve the pavements in the city centre inn order a Desig

• Declutter streets from planting pots, rubbish bins,

Sofi

nes to not only reduce obstacles and create Guidelibetter accessibility, but also to create a coherent identity of public spaces, which can then be perceived as a connected network.

• Pavement should reflect the movement of

pedestrians, the functions of the surrounding buildings and the use of its adjacent space.

Active frontages

• Regulations can be developed to ensure a

consistent activation of key pedestrian connections.

Underline the identity of each public space

• Provide each space with a clear identity and

programme that reflects the local context. Allow public spaces to be used for an expression of the city's cultural identity: skating parks, sport activities, markets, etc.

• Enhance identity through distinct street furniture

Manage noise levels in public space

• High noise levels can be reduced through speed

limits, reduction of traffic and improvements of the public transport fleet. in locations where sound levels are low.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Introduce guidelines to ensure high quality and coherence of streetscape elements

• Introduce and follow design guidelines for public

space: lighting, furniture, pavements, commercial including facades .

• Monitor activities and gather data for stationary activities in public spaces, which should be the base for informing future design decisions.

Intensify maintenance efforts

• Ensure regular maintenance of streetscape elements.

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S P A C E

• Provide more street furniture and other functions

• Reduce visual pollution by commercial signs.

P U B L I C

and seating which invite for encounters and lively public life, but also ensure that the street furniture follows specified design guidelines.

signage, lamp posts and lighting elements which are in the way of pedestrian flows.

I Connect public spaces of human scale

Where to start Public space network Suggestion for a public space network in Sofia's city centre where public space is starting to be well-connected.

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Key streets with wide sidewalks Shared Street: Public Transport, Bicycles, Pedestrians Proposed fully pedestrian pubic space Public space Rivers

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

II Create usable public space

Best Practice Israels Plads Israels Plads was once a deserted parking lot with a few ballgame cages inbetween. The inauguration of the covered market halls gave the area a real injection of urban life, which started the transformation of the square into a lively, multifunctional public space for a diversity of age and user groups.

Israels Plads was built on top of the historic ramparts, which used to surround the city. It has originally been a busy outdoor market but was turned into a lifeless carpark in the 1950s. Besides parking, ballgame cages and basketball nets were the only attraction on Israels Plads for many years.

Israels Plads 1961: a parking lot. Š Copenhagen City Archives

Israels Plads today - beautiful design allowing for flexible use. The parked cars are now in an underground parking garage.

S P A C E

The surface of the new plaza is elevated above the existing street like a new urban layer. It hovers over the many cars that used to dominate Israels Plads and are now placed in the basement.

Israels Plads has become a place for everyone: the sports area serves both the school and the public, the market with outdoor seating attracts both locals and tourists alike, the playful water channel is popular with children while the skatepark attracts teenagers. People who would like to sit down and observe city life can choose between round benches below trees or steps along the square's edges.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

P U B L I C

The principal idea behind renovating the square was to enhance the coherence between the square and its surroundings. The goal was to integrate the market halls, Israels Plads and Ă˜rsteds Park in a contemporary urban space, taking advantage of the square’s unique location and turning it into a vibrant, diverse plaza for all kinds of people and activities.

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Water design elements inviting children to play

Subtle design for a skating area is well-integrated in the square

The functions of the market are spilling out into public space

II Increase the quality of public space

Where to start Improve and open schoolyards There are plenty of schools in central Sofia today, but most schoolyards are closed and inaccessible to the public. They could serve as public spaces and playgrounds and could be open permanently or at weekends only.

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Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

II Increase the quality of public space

Best Practice Copenhagen's public schoolyards Guldberg Byplads in Nørrebro is an example of an urban space which serves as a town square, a public playground and a schoolyard for Guldberg Skole, the nearby school.

Due to its extented functions, it is now actively used by the locals in the area. It offers a mountain-like slide, small ring-shaped trampolines, wooden seating furniture for relaxing and a landscaped climbing area. The public space also has a large granite surface that could accommodate stages for major and minor events.

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P U B L I C S P A C E

Children enjoy the playful facilities in the school yard at Guldberg Byplads.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

© Københavns Kommune

IV Introduce streetscape elements of high quality

Best Practice Copenhagen's public space principles

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P U B L I C

In the past 50 years, the public spaces of Copenhagen have been transformed into spaces for people using inventory with a strong character that has become the identity of the city. The Copenhagen Bench is the common bench placed throughout most of the public spaces, whilst the Copenhagen Sidewalk offers a comfortable walking environment through most of the city. The street furniture is unified by a shade of dark green color. In addition, the Copenhagen Street Lamps offer a carefully adjusted light to all user groups in the streetscape.

S P A C E Copenhagen's typical bench and sidewalk as well as the characteristic lamps that provide lighting at night.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

IV Introduce streetscape elements of high quality

Best Practice Melbourne's street furniture design policy In the 1990’s, Melbourne’s street furniture design policy was renewed.

Carefully designed, it now sets the scene of the streetscape and urban spaces. Café chairs and tables were initially purchased or leased from the Town Hall to ensure a coherent design of the urban landscape.

Moreover, planters, litter bins and other furnishing elements follow the design policy's palette of materials and colours. Тhe street furniture has consequently become the city's signature.

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P U B L I C S P A C E

Pavilions, service buildings, street furniture and signposts share an architectural expression that becomes part of the city’s identity.

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

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Summary This summary provides an overview of the key moves, with a clear vision for each of the themes.

Vision and key moves

Amenities A strong green and blue character

Mobility A balanced transport system

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M

M

M

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I

Celebrate the mountains & maintain the views

I

Enhance the walkability

II

Protect & strengthen the green network

II

Ensure better and safer conditions for bicyclists

III

Exploit the full potential of the water

III

Improve the public transport system and experience

IV

Embrace & build on the cultural heritage

IV

Reduce car traffic and dependency

V

Focus on the existing human-scale morphology of the city

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Public Life A lively city for all

Public Space Quality A public space network of high quality

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I

Ensure activity - at all times of the day and all year round

I

Connect public spaces of human scale

II

Cater for all ages and user groups

II

Create usable public space

III

Diversify and programme public space

III

Increase the quality of public space

IV

Monitor changes in public life

IV

Introduce streetscape elements of high quality

Sofia City Centre | Public Space & Public Life Report

Special thanks to all volunteers who participated in the workshop and the registrations: Aitor Cespon Diez, Aysen Sapundzhi, Ana Blagova, Angel Zahariev, Antoaneta Ivanova, Dayana Nikolova, Dessislava Kovacheva, Dobrin Prodanov, Elena Balabanska, Elitsa Ushagelova, Jozef Zen Nasser, Iva Bardarska, Ivan Peynirdzhiev, Iveta Slavcheva, Iren Stanikina, Kaloyan Karamitov, Kristin Dzhalova, Magdalena Bogdanova, Marina Mateva, Mariya Ivanova, Maya Miteva, Maialen Landa Oregi, Milena Nikova, Paola Petkova, Petranka Vasileva, Petar Kirilov, Plamena Kostova, Ralitsa Karamusalova, Ralitsa Tsacheva, Slavyana Dimitrova, Tatyana Atanasova, Tatyana Nedelcheva, Teodor Uzunov, and Teodora Markova