In a collaborative step towards building more resilient cities, representatives from the Municipality of Chișinău and the Association for the Development of Galați visited Sofia for a peer review focused on climate adaptation. Hosted by Sofia Development Association, the visit provided partners with an up-close look at Sofia's pilot project—an innovative initiative aimed at transforming urban infrastructure while fostering community participation. Located near Lion’s Bridge - a densely built urban area particularly vulnerable to the urban heat island effect, the pilot involves the renovation of a municipal building yard into a climate refuge, a public space designed to mitigate heat stress through urban greening, shade structures, water features, and accessible seating. The pilot project is implemented in the framework of Be Ready project, Interreg Danube Programme, co-funded by the European Union.
The site serves not only as a cool zone during extreme heat but also as a model for integrating sustainable urban design with public engagement. The pilot project highlights how rethinking underused municipal spaces can contribute meaningfully to climate resilience.
A key highlight of the peer review visit was the dialogue with local leaders and changemakers. Partners from Chișinău and Galați held fruitful exchanges with Sofia Municipal Councilors Ekaterina Yordanova, SDA board chairperson, Sevdelina Petrova, and Tsvetelina Zarkin, with Serdika District Mayor Momchil Daskalov and Deputy Mayor Dilyana Stoyanova, who shared insights into the local governance and policy efforts enabling such climate adaptation projects. These discussions emphasized the critical role of local political will and cross-sector collaboration in implementing sustainable urban solutions. Decision-makers underscored the importance of aligning municipal priorities with both climate goals and community needs.
The visit also celebrated the contribution of young artists from the Knot studio, whose public artworks now animate the climate refuge space. Their installations not only beautify the area but also serve as storytelling elements that engage the local population in climate awareness.
The project has brought together a diverse network of stakeholders, including B'Cause Foundation, CleanTech Bulgaria, Green Sofia, and JTI, illustrating how the private sector and civil society can support municipal efforts. These partnerships strengthen the pilot’s impact and open doors to future scalability and replication in other urban settings.
Volunteers and local residents have also been involved in shaping the space, reinforcing the idea that community engagement is essential in the success and longevity of climate adaptation efforts. The peer review affirmed that tackling the challenges of urban heat requires more than technical solutions; it demands inclusive planning, artistic expression, political commitment, and cross-border learning.
As cities across Europe face mounting climate pressures, such exchanges highlight the power of shared knowledge and solidarity in building more livable, resilient urban environments.
To stay informed, please visit the website and the social media accounts of the BeReady project: website (https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/be-ready ), Facebook https://www.facebook.com/bereadyprojecteu, LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/beready-project/.
Be Ready is an INTERREG Danube Region project co-financed by the European Union.
