The role of social and solidarity economy in the inclusive urban regeneration power of nature-based solutions : what can we learn from the Nadezhda District in Sofia?

Abstract: The URBiNAT project\u2019s regeneration of common urban spaces in deprived areas, funded under the European Union\u2019s Horizon 2020 programme, provides empirical evidence of Social and Solidarity Economy\u2019s (SSE\u2019s) contribution to the socio-economic adaptive capacity of nature-based solutions (NBS). The relationship between SSE and the perspective of inclusive urban regeneration offers many opportunities, when urban neighbourhoods are considered as a set of complex socio-economic, cultural and emotional relations rather than as spaces for circulation and living. A literature study demonstrates, for instance, that: (1) SSE is grounded in territoriality and stimulates connection with physical space; (2) a fairer perspective, more conscious of production and consumption, reinforces interdependence between SSE and nature; (3) equitable access to resources allows us to question the naturalisation of economic inequalities in territories and (4) new forms of sociability and connection with the community are grounded in the democratic management of initiatives. This chapter describes empirical findings of an investigation of the SSE component of the strategy for Sofia\u2019s Healthy Corridor (NBS clustering) in the Nadezhda district, characterised by initiatives such as a Repair caf\ue9, Bread house and Farmers\u2019 markets network. In this chapter, the adoption of SSE concepts and practices as part of the implementation of a Healthy Corridor demonstrates that NBS can constitute more than a \u201cgreen solution\u201d and thus support inclusive urban regeneration

Examining green space characteristics for social cohesion and mental health outcomes:A sensitivity analysis in four European cities

Introduction: In recent decades, there has been a rise in mental illnesses. Community infrastructures are increasingly acknowledged as important for sustaining good mental health. Moreover, green spaces are anticipated to offer advantages for both mental health and social cohesion. However, the mediating pathway between green space, social cohesion and mental health and especially the proximity and characteristics of green spaces that trigger these potential effects remain of interest. Methods: We gathered data from 1365 individuals on self-reported social cohesion and mental health across four satellite districts in European cities: Nantes (France), Porto (Portugal), Sofia (Bulgaria), and Høje-Taastrup (Denmark). Green space data from OpenStreetMap was manually adjusted using the PRIGSHARE guidelines. We used the AID-PRIGSHARE tool to generate 7 indicators about green space characteristics measured in distances from 100–1500 m, every 100 m. This resulted in 105 different green space variables that we tested in a single mediation model with structural equation modelling. Results: Accessible greenness (900–1400 m), accessible green spaces (900–1500 m), accessible green space corridors (300–800 m), accessible total green space (300−800), and mix of green space uses (700–1100 m) were significantly associated with social cohesion and indirectly with mental health. Green corridors also showed negative indirect and direct associations with mental health in larger distances. Surrounding greenness and the quantity of green space uses were not associated with social cohesion nor indirectly with mental health. We also observed no positive direct associations between any green space variable in any distance to mental health. Conclusions: Our results suggest that accessibility, connectivity, mix of use and proximity are key characteristics that drive the relationship between green spaces, social cohesion and mental health. This gives further guidance to urban planners and decision-makers on how to design urban green spaces to foster social cohesion and improve mental health.</p

Female students’ attitude towards studying informatics and expectations for future career - Balkan case

This paper presents the results of research on female students at three different faculties of informatics: Novi Sad in Serbia, Plovdiv in Bulgaria and Tirana in Albania. The idea of this paper is to analyze and compare female students' attitudes towards studying informatics (Computer Science - CS or Information Communication Technologies -- ICT and their expectations for future career. Therefore, we have collected female students' opinions, experiences, attitudes, and perspectives, on current studies, employment opportunities and expectations of future professional careers. Reliable statistical tests were used for a detailed analysis of student responses. The obtained results indicate that the opinions of female students vary, depending on the place where they study