Stara Zagora Municipality’s First NEBA Stakeholder Meeting
On September 18, 2024, Stara Zagora Municipality, as a partner in the NEBA project, held its first local stakeholder meeting. The meeting focused on the theme "Regional Planning Processes in Stara Zagora Municipality Through the Values and Principles of the New European Bauhaus." Representatives from industry organizations, institutions, and NGOs, each bringing their insights and expertise, participated in the successful event.
Key stakeholders invited to contribute included the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Stara Zagora, the Regional Economic Development Agency of Stara Zagora, Green Balkans, the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water – Stara Zagora, the “Lipa” Club, and regional boards of the Chamber of Architects and the Union of Architects in Bulgaria.
The event aimed to introduce stakeholders to the essence and objectives of the NEBA project. It highlighted best practices from project partners in integrating the New European Bauhaus principles into urban development projects. In particular, the study visit made by the Stara Zagora Municipality team to Panevėžys, Lithuania, in June 2024, provided a rich context for shared learning, with insights from the Lithuanian Innovation Centre and Panevėžys Municipality.
The pan-European initiative to enhance urban environments sparked strong interest among participants. Meaningful and constructive dialogues emerged, underscoring each stakeholder’s commitment to sustainable development. A significant focus of the discussion was the need for time-sustainable, environmentally friendly construction solutions - particularly nature-based, recyclable materials that not only improve aesthetics and energy efficiency but also respect biodiversity and avoid pollution after their use.
However, participants also pointed out that the current regulatory framework lags behind, posing challenges to fully integrating the principles of the New European Bauhaus into regional planning processes.
Despite these hurdles, this initiative has been warmly embraced by the local professional community. Stara Zagora Municipality hopes that the NEBA project will make a significant contribution to shaping a way of living that aligns with the environmental changes we face.