Interview by Veselina Sapundzhieva, 26th May, 2009
Translation: Lili Gospodinova, PR of Eurolink Investment Group
Prof. Nikiforov giving a lecture at a conference held by Eurolink Investmenmt Group in 2008, The Eagle Has Landed
Prof. Architect Ivan Nikiforov is a Doctor of Architectural Science and the team leader of the group of specialists who prepared the General Town Plan (GTP) of Varna. He has a long professional experience gained from his engagement in developing many towns. A couple of days ago he was granted the prestigious award ‘Varna’ for his work on the GTP and his book ‘History of town development’. […]
– You were granted the prestigious award ‘Varna’. Are you now opening a new page in your life and your professional activity?
– On one hand I earned this award thanks to my work as a lecturer at the Free Varna University and my recent book ‘History of town development’. I had been working on it for 20 years and completed the book 2 years ago, and the Free Varna University financed its print. On the other hand the prize ‘Varna’ is for my contribution to the whole work on the GTP.
– You have exceptionally rich professional experience. Which of the projects you worked on was your greatest challenge?
– A major project I worked on during the last few years was the Plan of Sofia. Besides that, I am the originator of some interesting projects in several towns across Bulgaria, one of which is Shabla, where a holiday village is about to be constructed through a project of mine. As a matter of fact I have worked for almost all towns in Bulgaria and quite a few abroad. For example, I have a huge project for a harbour zone in Antwerp. During the 90’s there was not much to do in Bulgaria, so we began working on projects for Angola.
– The GTP must show us the way to the development of Varna in the next 30 years.Do you think that it will get ahead of its time, though?
– It is more likely to be for 15 – 20 years – until 2030. However, this goes for the basic things in the plan, while the details will most probably continuously change. I don’t think nowadays a plan may stand for a long period of time. The last GTP of Varna, which continues to be in force, was made in 1980 and two years later it was approved. Since then it has undergone many amendments, but has maintained balance in the development of the city. I think that the plan, which we propose will be a good basis for the next 10 – 15 years.
– What changes do you think the plan will lead to, taking into consideration the fact that Varna’s growth continues?
– I have a study, which I presented at a conference of the chairmen of the municipal councils in the region. I suggested that Varna should be considered together with the neighbouring municipalities of Aksakovo, Beloslav, Avren, Devnia and Balchik. In actual fact, Varna already works with the municipality of Beloslav. Varna will continue to grow due to many factors, mainly economic, which guarantee its successful development. We assessed the situation and agreed that the most favourable direction is south.
At present Borovets has 20 000 inhabitants, but in future the region will have 80 000 – 100 000 people living there. It represents a very good terrain and once the two bridges we propose are built, I think that both parts of the city will communicate and function extremely well. I expect this to happen very soon. The control in the areas of the port, the freight railway station and the island will quickly be realized. Their central location, attract huge investment interest. It has come to my understanding that the municipality is to hold an international competition for designing this territory.
At the present port Varna-south the freight activity will cease and a new recreational zone will be set apart. There will be many public buildings and a multifunctional culture centre will be built, with exhibition, conference and other halls. I realize that Varna is in need of a new aquarium and a new good-looking naval museum.
Once the channel is discharged of warehouse and freight activity, the island will turn into a series of yacht ports with hotels, offices, places of entertainment.
– What else does Varna require?
– Our plan provides for an increase mainly of areas for sports and entertainment facilities. We propose that they grow with 500%. At present Varna counts on the beach, whereas the opportunities for maximizing the sports and entertainment activities in the city are very big.
– Can you define your most ambitious and daring idea for the future of Varna?
– At the edge of the island, over a territory, which will be taken from the sea, I envisage a World Trade Centre, where a few skyscrapers will spring up. It could become the visiting-card of the city. Together with my graduates I have made such projects.
– Do you think that the time of skyscrapers has come to Bulgaria?
– Well, they don’t necessarily have to be skyscrapers. What I meant was actually a few tall buildings that would mark the silhouette of the city from afar, from the sea, just like the opera in Sydney, which turned into a symbol of the city. Varna could also have such a symbol. By including the old part of Varna in the project and finding a connection to the reserve, something exceptional can be made. The second largest Roman mineral baths, after the ones in Caracalla, Rome, can be found here. They have great potential, because they are a unique ancient memorial. I think that we could astound tourists from all over the world with these natural and historic facts. Not many towns can present what Varna can through the old Odessos (the old name of Varna).
– As a person holding the award ‘Varna’ and connected with the city for a long time, what is your dream of the city’s development?
– In our plan there is a section ‘Scenario for the development of Varna’. It is difficult to explain it in a few words, but I think that with its geographic location Varna has an extremely good opportunity for a visual contact between the two parts of the city. It has amazing natural facts and by increasing the green parks it will become a ‘garden city’ with excellent conditions for habitation, work and relaxation.
– The definition ‘garden city’ confute the reproach that greenery will disappear due to mass construction…
– By including the new green massifs Varna will become the most green city in Bulgaria. This will become obvious when the south part of Varna expands and the forest becomes a city park. There are currently 7 sq. m of green areas per person and the GTP provides for them to increase to 47 – 48 sq. m.
– When do you see the plans for Varna’s expansion to the south being realized?
– Immediately. In my opinion the financial crisis will slow down construction works for a year, however, once the plan is approved this territory will speedily be built up. Apart from that, we have suggested the erection of houses with gardens and a lot of greenery. We have provided for a minimum of 20% generally accessible green areas and the plots for build up to have 65 – 80 % greenery.
– At which stage is the work on the project for the GTP?
– The preliminary project is finalized and we are about to discuss it, so I hope this will be completed within a month or two. After that it will be coordinated with the town and central administrations. Following is the work on the final project. Our wish is to close it by the end of this year, whereas the coordination is most likely to continue in the beginning of 2010.
– Is there a chance that the GTP will come into force by the end of 2009, though?
– Yes, however, it all depends largely on the bureaucracy. The reason for that is because the plan’s coordination in complicated, as there are properties owned by the eco-ministry, the ports, airports and rail transport. Interests are also shown by the Monuments of Culture Institute and the National Forestry.
– How would you respond to the accusations that the plan is being continuously replaced?
– This project should be working in our system, but for various reasons it has become popular. Somebody even published it in the internet before we did and as we continuously work on it there is the impression that it changes, which is inevitable. We examined the plan 2 years ago and in 2007 we reported it to the Municipal Council for the first time. Last year we also presented it to the new local parliament. A total of 14 specialized discussions were organized at the Union of Architects. Thus in the course of working on the plan it changes, however, we endeavour not to step aside from the general strategic decisions.
– Public discussions on the plan are about to begin. What would you advise the people, who expect it impatiently?
– No direct consequences occur from the GTP for the different properties. In order for such to follow the properties should keep to a detailed town plan. The GTP is strategic and on a map at a scale of 1:25 000 there are no grounds for you to object. In order to determine the exact route of a street is a matter of a detailed plan. Discussions should be of more principle nature and not to concentrate on specific private plots.