Title: Challenges and Lessons Learned during the Initial Implementation of EU Urban Mobility Policy in Bulgarian Cities in the period 2007–2017
Abstract: The paper addresses the challenges that Bulgarian cities of today face in developing
strategic planning instruments for sustainable mobility. Large Bulgarian cities have been
developing integrated urban transport projects (IUTP) since the previous programming
period (2007–2013); the plans should be upgraded during the current programming
period (2014–2020). The sustainable urban mobility plans (SUMP), developed as
strategic instruments of EU urban policy, have been already acknowledged by many cities
in the country as part of the overall strategic development framework. Yet, the efforts of
local authorities in taking action for mobility improvement have in some cases faced
lack of awareness on urgent local imperatives and contradictory views among different
stakeholders on the way to overcome difficulties. The analysis undertaken by the authors
aims to outline: (a) the effectiveness of the policy measures already introduced in the
country; (b) the opportunities for a more effective implementation of EU urban policy
instruments; and (c) the degree to which local public authorities appreciate citizens’
involvement in the process as an important success factor. Conclusions are drawn about
the importance of lessons learned on both sides – by Bulgarian urban authorities and
experts, in developing current mobility development framework; and by EU policies
in supportively addressing the spatial, economic and socio–cultural context of urban
mobility policy implementation in Bulgaria.
Publication Year: 2019
Publication Date: 2019-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 1
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