Plovdiv | Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas

Population and economy

Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria with a population of around 340,000 of whom 168,000 are economically active. The city is the administrative center of the south-central region. It is located in the western part of the Thracian Plain on both sides of the Maritsa River.
The south-central region generates about 14% of Bulgaria’s gross domestic product, which makes it second to the Southwest region. The region of Plovdiv generates some 7% of GDP, which makes it second to Sofia.

History

The city emerged around 6000 BC. In 342 BC it was conquered by Philip II of Macedonia. It was incorporated into the Roman Empire when Thrace was declared a Roman province in 46 AD. With the establishment of the Bulgarian state in the 7th century Plovdiv became a border city with the Byzantine Empire. In 1204 Plovdiv became part of the Latin Empire that was established by the knights of the Fourth Crusade. In 1364 the city was seized by the Ottoman Turks. The city became part of the Bulgarian state after the Union between Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia in 1886.
In the beginning of the 20th century Plovdiv flourished thanks to tobacco trade.
The city’s population increased from 24,000 in 1880 to 48,000 in 1910 and 105,000 in 1939. The growth after 1918 was to a large extent due to the arrival of refugees from Thrace and Macedonia. In 1928 a severe earthquake (with a magnitude of 7 and an epicenter in the town of Chirpan) destroyed a third of the buildings in the city.

Architecture and urban development

The first modern city plan of Plovdiv was completed in 1896 by architect and engineer Josef Schnitter. He designed the three boulevards connecting the railway station with the center of the city, as well as the boulevards encircling the central part of the city.
The next major city plan was completed in1968 under the leadership of architect Ivan Popov.
The Integrated Urban Renewal and Development Plan of Plovdiv was completed in 2013 under the leadership of architect Belin Mollov.
Architectural landmarks in the city from the Ottoman period include the Bell Tower, which was built on Tower Hill (Sahat Tepe) in the 16th century, the Djumaya Mosque (15the century), the Imaret Mosque (15th century) and the Chifte Baths (16th century).
More than 50 houses in the typical 19th-century Ottoman style have been preserved in the architectural and historical reserve of Old Plovdiv. The churches of Sts Constantine and Helen, St Nedelya, the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, St Demetrius and St Nicholas, which were built in the 1940s, are also part of the reserve.
There are also several remarkable buildings in the Bauhaus style in Plovdiv, including a tumbledown house on Sahat Tepe designed by architect Svetoslav Grozev, the former movie theaters of Balkan and Komsomol/Kosmos, St Mina hospital.

Culture

Today Plovdiv has archeological, historical, ethnographic and natural-science museums and five museum houses functioning. The Art Gallery of Plovdiv has a collection of more than 6,000 original works of art exhibited in four buildings. The city has more than 25 galleries, 5 movie theaters, 4 theaters, a symphony orchestra, an opera and a ballet.

Sports and recreation

Plovdiv is home to the largest sport center in Bulgaria, Plovdiv Sport Complex. Located in the northern part of the city, the complex comprises a stadium with 55,000 seats, a rowing canal awaiting expansion in line with the new requirements of the rowing federation, an indoor swimming pool, indoor and outdoor tennis courts and track-and-field facilities. Other sport and leisure facilities include Hristo Botev stadium, Lokomotiv stadium, Lauta karting track, Maritsa stadium, Todor Diev stadium, Lokomotiv handball court, the gyms of Dunav, Stroitel, Chayka, Akademik and Total Sport, Aqualand water-park complex.
The zoo of Plovdiv has been closed as not meeting the standards and is awaiting reconstruction.

Projects

Culture and amusement ,Rehabilitation of buildings ,Urban infrastructure ,Sports facilities

PROJECTS IN Plovdiv

Construction of Multiplex Markovo Tepe
Idea

Culture and amusement Plovdiv

The project of Cinema Arena for Plovdiv is for construction of Multiplex with six cinema halls including IMAX cinema and cinema LUXE in Markovo Tepe....
Restoration of a house designed by architect Svetoslav Grozev
Idea

Rehabilitation of buildings Plovdiv

The house on the hill. With an attractive location with panoramic views across the city, the main street, the other hills, the Old Town, Dzhumayata, Maritza. House is designed in the style of German 30s by one of the greatest...
Construction of a new production Simid facility
Under implementation

Plovdiv

Simid Investor Group is the largest manufacturer and wholesale distributor of bread in Bulgaria. The project includes the demolition of old warehouses and workshops with an area of approximately 4.094 m2. The new production facilities will have three floors, with...
Construction of an indoor parking for 350 cars in downtown
Terminated project

Plovdiv

The project is for a surface parking next to the building of the District Court. The parking lot is designed to accommodate about 350 cars and cost about 6-7 million leva. The project is not realized due to a disagreement...
Project for a crematorium
Terminated project

Plovdiv

The project is to build a crematorium in Plovdiv on the “Rogoshko road” boulevard. According to the plan, the capacity of the crematorium will be 1500-2000 cremations per year.The private property on which will be built the crematorium is 8.5...
Rehabilitation of existing and construction of new heating network EVN
Terminated project

Urban infrastructure Plovdiv

Expect more information!...
Ecopark “Maritsa”
Idea

Plovdiv

Plovdiv is a leader in the practice of rowing courses in Bulgaria, due to the wonderful rowing channel of the river. Maritza, built in the 80s of last century. The channel is long 2200 m, 120 m wide and 3 meters...
Indoor hall for ice skating
Terminated project

Sports facilities Plovdiv

In the town of Plovdiv, supported by the Municipality of Plovdiv has a project for construction of a Sports center with a total area of 3700 square meters. It will be used for training and competitions in winter indoor sports...
Conservation and reconstruction of one of the tobacco warehouses
Terminated project

Plovdiv

The project is for construction of a residential and public complex. Central Plovdiv (this is the name of the project) will consist of six buildings and a SPA center located in the middle of the complex. It includes shops, fast...
Rehabilitation and transformation of the Central post office in a shopping center
Terminated project

Plovdiv

The purpose of the project is the Central Post Office to be associated to the reconstruction of the Central Square in Plovdiv....
Construction of a beach volleyball center
Terminated project

Plovdiv

The project aims to create a modern base for beach volleyball. This includes both coated courts, which can be played through the whole year, and open ones. If the project is properly implemented the potential visits can reach up to...
Chocolate shop and visitor center
Idea

Plovdiv

Picture: tripwow.tripadvisor.com Expect more information!...
Building a school for gifted children
Under implementation

Plovdiv

The project aims to build and develop the first school for gifted children in Bulgaria that can offer specialized curricula and approach to 600 students with talents in various fields between the age of 4 and 14 years. The project...
Dormitories for students
Idea

Plovdiv

Plovdiv is the second largest city after Sofia and is often called the cultural capital of Bulgaria. Some of the largest and most prestigious universities in the country are located in the city. The growing number of students raises many...
Complete renovation of the building and adjacent areas of the former “Cosmos” cinema
Idea

Plovdiv

“Cosmos” cinema was built in 1960 and houses the largest at that time cinema in Bulgaria, with a capacity of 900 seats. Although it is located in the central part of the city, today the building is abandoned and the...
Private university for sustainable development
Idea

Plovdiv

Photo: blog.adl.org Expect more information!...
Construction of additional rooms and a purchase of medical equipment for hospital St. Кaridad
Terminated project

Plovdiv

Expect more information!...
Rehabilitation of the facade and a purchase for medical equipment for Medicus Alpha hospital
Terminated project

Plovdiv

Reason for cancelling negotiations: unacceptable risk assessment Expect more information!...
Restoration of a “revival” house in the old town with a gallery, restaurant and guest rooms
Idea

Plovdiv

Photo: bg-damma.com Expect more information!...
Construction of a warehouse of Sopharma

Plovdiv

Expect more information!...
Renovation of administrative building and infrastructure of the former factory Fin Tech Mach Plovdiv
Idea

Plovdiv

Expect more information!...