Green roofs and green walls – legislative framework in Bulgaria

Abstract

In Bulgaria, public relations associated with spatial planning, investment design and construction are regu-lated by the Spatial Development Act (2001). According to article 62 (10) of this act, each Municipal Coun-cil adopts an Ordinance for the construction and protection of the green system on the territory of the municipality. There are 265 municipalities in Bulgaria and they are free to customise this ordinance as long as the goals and framework of the Spatial Development Act (2001) are maintained. The aim of this article is to review all Ordinances for the construction and protection of the green system available in Bulgaria and to analyse the included information and regulations regarding the construction of green roofs and green walls. The review of the ordinances showed that the construction of green roofs and green walls is not suf-ficiently addressed in the Bulgarian legislation at the municipal level. About 30.2% of the municipalities in the country do not have an Ordinance for development, maintenance and protection of the green system, 33.6% of the municipalities have such an ordinance but it does not mention green roofs and green walls and only 30.9% have an ordinance and it regulates the construction of green roofs and/or green walls.