Planning Capital Cities

Suburbanisation in Sofia: changing the spatial structure of a post-communist city

Fig. 14, 15
Suburban developments on
the southern fringe of Sofia:
Satellite images in 2003 and

2014. (Google Earth – Historical
      Imagery)

could lead to social imbalances.

The decay of the panel housing estates is the other factor that could accelerate

suburbanisation. A significant part of the panel housing, built in the late 1960s

and 1970s, is at the end of its lifespan and the first signs of serious structural

defects are already observable. The panel housing accounts for 46.4 % of the

total housing stock in Sofia and a considerable part of it will fall into disuse in 20

• 30 years’ time.^23 In the lack of reconstruction and renewal, this would result in
  a new housing construction on the urban fringe and in the suburbs.

The third factor has to do with the commercial decentralisation. The

experience indicates that the green-field developments are preferred by most

investors. The existence of large industrial areas in key locations in the inner

city is a liability because the redevelopment of a large industrial area is costly

and requires public investments. However, it is also an opportunity because,

after the conversion, it allows for a response to the future demand for office

and retail space in the inner city, and a reversal of the process of commercial

decentralisation.

The suburbanisation and commercial decentralisation are some of the key new

aspects that have been taken into account in the new Master Plan of Sofia that

will shape the future of the city into the 21st century. The allocation of land

for future residential developments in the suburban zone and for commercial

developments on the urban fringe is expected to enhance the economic viability

and competitiveness of the city, by increasing the residential choice and making

the city more attractive for investments. A significant emphasis is placed on