Legal changes that will put an end to one of the most visible manifestations of the conquered state - the overdevelopment of cities, "Save Sofia" proposed to the deputies hours before the vote on the fifth vote of no confidence against the cabinet. These changes set boundaries, introduce transparency and guarantee that the interests of citizens will prevail over the interests of a handful of investors with tentacles in power. The municipal councilors from "Save Sofia" handed over their ideas for amendments to the Law on Territorial Development to the representatives of the people at the entrance to the Parliament this morning.
Among the proposals are the creation of a special “Public Development“ Fund, limiting the development indicators (KINT), requirements for transport security of new buildings, mandatory landscaping and clear rules for the development of neighborhoods. The proposals also include a change in the nature of building permits collected by municipalities - instead of the fees being determined in relation to administrative costs, they should become a tool for conducting an active urban development policy, including through various contributions to the “Public Development“ Fund. Another emphasis is the introduction of minimum standards for hygiene, aesthetics, transport services and social infrastructure in the neighborhoods through amendments to the law.
The conquered state has many faces - the impudent Peevski, the dysfunctional justice system that arrests mayors, but not prosecutors' sons, the water shortage, but also the cities conquered by uncontrolled overbuilding. This thesis was advocated by the political party “Save Sofia“ before the deputies. And they insisted that the conquered state fight with reforms and commitment to the deepening problems for all large cities. “It is necessary to find a sustainable solution to stop overbuilding in the cities, and instead we see how new doors are opening for even more intensive construction of buildings where they do not belong“, said Boris Bonev. “These are ready-made and precisely prepared texts. If adopted, they will enable municipalities to regain control over the development of our cities“ – he emphasized.
„Redevelopment is the most visible result of the Parliament's inaction. It is taking over Bulgaria's cities, depriving citizens of access to green spaces, kindergartens and infrastructure, and the tension that each newly emerging building creates creates a bad image for investors. This is not the urban planning policy of any municipality, but is the reality in dozens of them, created by incompetently written laws“, said arch. Rositsa Nikolova, municipal councilor and deputy chair of the architectural committee in the local parliament.
„We have reached out to all parliamentary groups with ready-made solutions. Now we are waiting for political will to adopt them. Instead of watching spectacles with a predetermined ending, we want the deputies to do work on the real problems, on the people who live in concrete jungles. Every city deserves a modern and orderly urban environment, not chaos and uncontrolled construction. People deserve more – it is time for the deputies to start working“, concluded Boris Bonev.