The Municipality of Sofia has agreed a loan of EUR 50 million with the European Investment Bank (EIB) in December 2022. Sofia will use the loan for its investment programme of urban development projects. This includes projects in the scope of the Bulgarian Capital’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP), including rehabilitation of municipal roads as well as investments in tramways, cycling and walking paths.
A particular focus is put on pedestrian infrastructure to improve everyday lives of residents, specifically people with reduced mobility.
Yordanka Fandakova, Mayor of Sofia, stated: “We have created a special programme for the construction and renovation of sidewalks, which we aim to renew in all parts of Sofia. This is one of the most important investments in our neighbourhoods and will enable us to multiply pavement repair efforts more than ten times over. Ultimately, we aim to make travelling short distances through the city more pleasant for all, as well as more convenient, comfortable, safe, and accessible for mothers with strollers and people with disabilities. Encouraging pedestrian traffic is also important for improving air quality.”
EIB is a long-time partner of Sofia and has supported mobility projects such as the development of the metro, re-equipping the public transport fleet and renewal of urban roads. The bank provides project preparation and implementation advise, too.
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