Where there is water, there is life: how a river regeneration can activate urban life in Sofia, Bulgaria

The main topic of this thesis is the role of urban rivers in Sofia and their impact on the city, citizens and quality of life. It deals with infrastructure and traffic, public spaces in Sofia and their absence, natural resources negligence and their regeneration – all in the name of citizens’ wellbeing and a livable city. Case studies of waterways varying in size are brought together and compared, extracting common design aspects and similarities, which allow for a typology and strategies to be created. The project situation is along a stretch of the Vladayska river in the capital of Bulgaria. Special attention is given to one key area and is then followed by applying the same strategies on both sides creating a continuous public zone and urban riverscape.