Sustainable Environment for Elderly People

The paper is focused on extremely important issue of an aging population and the related need to explore, develop and extend prospective forms of sustainable environment for the elderly. Having in mind the persisting grow of ageing population the task is getting extremely large economic and social effect. Prospective trends in development of manmade environment for elderly people and their relevance to the Bulgarian situation are investigated. The relevance was considered from several points of view – economic, climatic, socio-cultural etc. Selected diploma projects of architecture students from NBU are outlined as good practice examples. 

Sustainable Environment for Elderly People

The paper is focused on extremely important issue of an aging population and the related need to explore, develop and extend prospective forms of sustainable environment for the elderly. Having in mind the persisting grow of ageing population the task is getting extremely large economic and social effect. Prospective trends in development of manmade environment for elderly people and their relevance to the Bulgarian situation are investigated. The relevance was considered from several points of view – economic, climatic, socio-cultural etc. Selected diploma projects of architecture students from NBU are outlined as good practice examples. 

ENERGY POVERTY ALLEVIATION – A STEP FOR SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TRANSITION

The paper investigates the issue of fuel poverty and its presence in the Bulgarian context. The focus of the analysis is on the potential for alleviation and – in the long term – elimination of energy poverty through the implementation of measures for energy efficient retrofit of residential multi-story apartment housing. An effective strategy tackling this topic at local scale is a key prerequisite for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with particular relevance for SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities. Achieving the optimal ratio of saved energy versus financial resources is the key to renovating housing at scale sustainably and efficiently. Energy poverty as a phenomenon is linked to the combined effect of three main factors - low household income, high energy costs and low energy efficiency of housing. There is a broad scientific consensus that this phenomenon has a serious negative impact on the quality of life and citizens’ health and wellbeing. Furthermore, energy poverty contributes to a huge waste of energy and also affects the physical dimension of the sustainable development of the built environment. Therefore, energy poverty exacerbates deficits and discrepancies for territorial economies and communities.Eliminating the problem of “fuel poverty” is often considered to be impossible without the support of the affected households through subsidies. Subsidies invested in energy-efficient housing reconstruction result in immediate savings in housing heating costs, which in turn leads to a tangible reduction in the “fuel poverty” experienced by residents of reconstructed housing. Energy efficient housing reconstruction (retrofit) is the fastest and most efficient (in terms of public resources) way to combat energy poverty. The financial resources required to enable these activities could also be obtained or complemented through financial engineering schemes with third party involvement

ANALYSIS OF THE POWER DRIVES OF TERRAIN FORKLIFTS

The main subject of this publication is to provides a description of terrain forklifts, their design and specific features. The main mechanical, hydrodynamic and hydrostatic types of power drives and their application in terrain forklifts are presented herein. This article includes an analysis of the power transmissions drive systems of terrain forklifts. The most important trends in the development of the terrain forklifts have also been presented

Analysis of technologies for rapid prototyping of dental constructions

In the following article new technologies for the production of dental implants are presented. Using the best achievements of mechanical engineering, such as CAD/CAM and additive technologies, entirely new opportunities for increasing complexity, geometric accuracy, speed, and production efficiency of dental products are discovered

Housing policy in Bulgaria. Recent history, current projects and future trends

The first attempts to look at the housing-related issues as an integral component of the national socioeconomic struсture were made in Bulgaria during the 1970s and 1980s during the advancement of the urban and spatial planning. This was, however, done mainly in the theoretical realm and did not inform governance decisions under the then existing political and economic conditions. This book is an attempt to analyse housing and housing policy in the context of the heightened conflict between the natural and man-made environment on a global scale. This conflict is ubiquitous. It necessitates a thorough re-evaluation of fundamental systemic values of the modern civilisation, determining it – economic, financial, ideological. The idea for sustainable development has multiple dimensions and many of these relate to housing and its potential contribution to sustainability. This book aims to foster scientific research and development of adequate governance policies in the field of housing, a truly interdisciplinary area, essential part of the spatial, economic and social fabric of Bulgaria. More specifically, it addresses major issues facing housing policy in Bulgaria based on an analysis of the theoretical and practical lessons from European countries

Livable Architecture - Urban issues and Housing

The presentation focuses on Eastern European Urban and Housing Development - common features and Bulgarian specifics. Critical review on social housing activities in EU countries. Pilot housing projects as a tool for shaping the prospective policies and strategies in Bulgarian housing