• The restoration of urban rivers in Bulgaria is critically important for nature conservation, water resource management, water quality improvement, and the creation of natural and recreational facilities for the urban population.

The Ministry of Environment and Water has received the report "Approaches to Restoring Urban Rivers", prepared to provide a scientific basis for the urban river restoration initiative. Minister Julian Popov's initiative "Urban Rivers" started with a focus on Sofia's rivers and brought together local authorities and representatives of institutions, scientific and civil society organizations, business organizations, as well as individual citizens engaged in ideas and activities for the ecological restoration of urban rivers.

The authors of the scientific work are Dr. Radoslava Bekova from the Institute of Oceanology and Dr. Milena Pavlova from the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. Strategies for successful river ecosystem restoration, misconceptions and realistic outcomes in urban river restoration, factors associated with river restoration practices, and the need for urban river restoration in Bulgaria are presented.

The effects of urbanization on river ecosystems are known as "urban stream syndrome". The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicates that river flooding is one of the most widespread outcomes of climate change. In 2009, the European Environment Agency found that only 15% of freshwater habitats were in favourable condition, 30% were in poor condition and 35% were heavily impacted and effectively "dead", the study said.

The analysis highlights that in order to ensure sustainable environmental management, the development of multifunctional rivers that act as ecological corridors providing high biodiversity is being promoted internationally. In addition, they can be linked to parks and other green spaces and thus improve the urban landscape and increase the quality of life of residents.

In Bulgaria, over 90% of rivers flow through urban or rural areas and most of them are heavily impacted by human activities, so the restoration of urban river systems is becoming increasingly relevant.  As an example of the good work by state authorities, the analysis points to the inspections to identify the possible source of pollution of the Beli Lom river, an activity that is of utmost importance and represents a good practice when starting any project related to the restoration of rivers affected by human activity.

 The Perlovska River in Sofia is given as another example of a heavily impacted and modified river system. At present it is mainly used as a conduit for highly polluted water (both legal and illegal discharges). The process of restoring its natural appearance can contribute to reducing the risk of potential flooding and to creating climate islands, which will become increasingly important with increasing climate change and related adaptation plans.

The research document also proposes a structure for a pilot urban river restoration project and concludes that the development of a long-term restoration plan for each of Bulgaria's urban rivers is essential for several reasons: a long-term plan allows different stakeholders to coordinate and work together to achieve common goals; planning in advance of restoration activities allows for more efficient use of financial and human resources; it entails maintaining the long-term viability of ecosystems; it plans safeguards against flooding and other disasters; it creates public recognition and support for the project.

The report concludes that the restoration of urban rivers in Bulgaria is critically important for nature conservation, water resource management, water quality improvement, and the creation of natural and recreational facilities for the urban population. It is important for society to change its perception of these rivers to start seeing them not just as drainage channels but as river ecosystems that can benefit people if managed more effectively and sustainably.