Mayor Vasil Terziev submitted to the Sofia Municipal Council a report with a proposal for a new structure of the administration, prepared after a thorough analysis of the functions, processes and responsibilities in the management of the city.
The change builds on the management reforms initiated by Mayor Vasil Terziev and aims not just at an organizational reorganization, but at a more sustainable and predictable management system that ensures a clearer distribution of responsibilities, higher efficiency and better coordination between teams.
All changes are being made without increasing the total number of the administration, by optimizing the existing resource in order to more quickly and effectively implement the city's priorities.
„This structure is the result of a careful analysis of the processes. We are proposing a model that does not serve specific people, but the public interest, and we are looking for sustainability - a model that will work equally well after this mandate. We do not want temporary, operational solutions, but a management framework that will bring results over time,“ said Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev.
One of the key changes in the new structure is the creation of the position of Deputy Mayor for Urban Planning - a figure who will have a strategic role in integrating all processes related to the planning and development of Sofia.
The decision aims to restore the balance between political responsibility and expert independence in urban planning.
The new Deputy Mayor will be the bearer of strategic decisions and political responsibility for results - as is the case in all modern European capitals.
At the same time, the Chief Architect retains and will continue to exercise his expert powers under the Spatial Planning Act - issuing building permits, approving projects and controlling the legality and quality of construction.
In this way, a clear distinction of functions is achieved: the political level determines the vision and priorities, and the expert level - guarantees quality and compliance with the law.
“Over the years, Sofia has reached a distortion of the balance, in which the chief architect has become a figure of power - a position that the legislator never intended. The chief architect should be an expert, selected through a competition, which guarantees professionalism and independence, but not a person who determines the city's development policy. With this reform, we are restoring a fair order in which the mayor and deputy mayor bear political responsibility, and the chief architect - "expert" said Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev.
Optimization and efficiency without bloat of the administration
The new structure envisages the creation of a new "Security" department, a strategic communications unit, an inspectorate for combating corruption and an administrative unit for the maintenance of constructed facilities - changes that provide a modern and functional management framework that meets the standards of a modern European capital.
The proposed changes do not envisage an increase in staff numbers - Sofia Municipality will work with the same number of employees, but more efficiently. The new structure arranges the functions so that there is no duplication between the units and each team clearly knows its role and responsibility.
Through better coordination and internal organization, the municipality will be able to implement more projects, with less bureaucracy and faster results for citizens.
Clear division of responsibilities and a new culture of horizontal interaction
The new structure introduces a clear distinction between strategic, expert and administrative functions, creating more direct lines of accountability and control.
The change also introduces a new model of cooperation between the different directions - teamwork on common projects and integrated solutions in the interest of the citizens of Sofia.
The report on the new structure will be considered at a meeting of the Sofia Municipal Council on November 13.
The change builds on the management reforms initiated by Mayor Vasil Terziev and aims not just at an organizational reorganization, but at a more sustainable and predictable management system that ensures a clearer distribution of responsibilities, higher efficiency and better coordination between teams.
All changes are being made without increasing the total number of the administration, by optimizing the existing resource in order to more quickly and effectively implement the city's priorities.
„This structure is the result of a careful analysis of the processes. We are proposing a model that does not serve specific people, but the public interest, and we are looking for sustainability - a model that will work equally well after this mandate. We do not want temporary, operational solutions, but a management framework that will bring results over time,“ said Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev.
One of the key changes in the new structure is the creation of the position of Deputy Mayor for Urban Planning - a figure who will have a strategic role in integrating all processes related to the planning and development of Sofia.
The decision aims to restore the balance between political responsibility and expert independence in urban planning.
The new Deputy Mayor will be the bearer of strategic decisions and political responsibility for results - as is the case in all modern European capitals.
At the same time, the Chief Architect retains and will continue to exercise his expert powers under the Spatial Planning Act - issuing building permits, approving projects and controlling the legality and quality of construction.
In this way, a clear distinction of functions is achieved: the political level determines the vision and priorities, and the expert level - guarantees quality and compliance with the law.
“Over the years, Sofia has reached a distortion of the balance, in which the chief architect has become a figure of power - a position that the legislator never intended. The chief architect should be an expert, selected through a competition, which guarantees professionalism and independence, but not a person who determines the city's development policy. With this reform, we are restoring a fair order in which the mayor and deputy mayor bear political responsibility, and the chief architect - "expert" said Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev.
Optimization and efficiency without bloat of the administration
The new structure envisages the creation of a new "Security" department, a strategic communications unit, an inspectorate for combating corruption and an administrative unit for the maintenance of constructed facilities - changes that provide a modern and functional management framework that meets the standards of a modern European capital.
The proposed changes do not envisage an increase in staff numbers - Sofia Municipality will work with the same number of employees, but more efficiently. The new structure arranges the functions so that there is no duplication between the units and each team clearly knows its role and responsibility.
Through better coordination and internal organization, the municipality will be able to implement more projects, with less bureaucracy and faster results for citizens.
Clear division of responsibilities and a new culture of horizontal interaction
The new structure introduces a clear distinction between strategic, expert and administrative functions, creating more direct lines of accountability and control.
The change also introduces a new model of cooperation between the different directions - teamwork on common projects and integrated solutions in the interest of the citizens of Sofia.
The report on the new structure will be considered at a meeting of the Sofia Municipal Council on November 13.