NONA in Bulgaria: activating urban rivers and communities

As part of the NONA project, partners the Collective (Bulgaria) and urbanes.land (Germany) has been working to explore how urban rivers can become spaces for connection, creativity, and community action. NONA focuses on new forms of governance and collaboration across Europe, encouraging citizens to take an active role in shaping their local environments.

Through two events held in August 2025, the Collective showcased how the NONA project connects people and places around their urban rivers, from local initiatives in Gabrovo along the Yantra River to international dialogues linking experiences across Europe.

48 Hours Varusha South – Veliko Tarnovo, August 17 As part of the festival’s architectural program, Mircho Hristov presented "The Rivers of the People – A Tool for Engaging Local Communities in Improving the Urban Environment." The talk highlighted the NONA pilot activities in Gabrovo, demonstrating how residents can revitalise underused urban areas along the Yantra River.

International Conference “Rivers of the City” – Sofia, August 29 Later in August, the Collective hosted the international conference "Rivers of the City: Sofia / Bulgaria / Europe," bringing together experts to discuss river stewardship and urban transformation. In the third panel, Verena Krappitz from urbanes.land joined online to present "Research and Stewardship around the Neckar: A Secondary River," showcasing NONA activities in Stuttgart and highlighting shared European perspectives on reimagining urban rivers.

These activities demonstrate how the NONA project brings together local and international partners to co-create more inclusive, resilient, and liveable urban spaces through the shared language of rivers. By highlighting the social and spatial potential of riverbanks, the project shows how neglected or overlooked areas can become platforms for collaboration, creativity, and civic engagement.

Through initiatives in Gabrovo, Sofia, and Stuttgart, NONA partners are exploring new models of participatory urban development, where citizens, architects, and local authorities collaborate to reimagine the relationship between nature and the built environment. In doing so, the project not only revitalises public spaces but also strengthens a sense of belonging and shared responsibility within communities.