Urban Ecopark “Badelema” – Future (Im)Possible

Abstract

Park Badelema in the town of Asenovgrad is another Bulgarian case in which economic, political and public interests collide over development pressures and efforts to preserve urban green space. The local ecological resources, conservation practices, and educational initiatives at the urban park, town, and municipality levels, created and developed in the past, are the foundation of Asenovgrad's contemporary biocultural heritage. In the current situation, the conflict was created after a decision by the Municipal Council to build on a part of the park, which caused public reactions and at least the temporary suspension of these plans. In the absence of political will, the future of the Badelema Ecopark, for the creation of which all the ecological preconditions are in place, will depend largely on whether civic mobilization remains a declining defensive response or develops into sustained support for expert planning and implementation. In addition to presenting the case, this text seeks to contribute to a broader public and political debate on the future of Badelema Ecopark by engaging expert capacity and encouraging informed civic participation.

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