Date of publication: 01.09.2025
Nestled on the picturesque Black Sea coast, Burgas is Bulgaria’s fourth-largest city and home to around 200,000 people. Surrounded by the sea and three coastal lakes — Burgas, Atanasovsko and Mandrensko — the city lies at the eastern edge of the EU. Its exceptional natural setting makes biodiversity and conservation central to its urban identity. It is also an important stopover point for birds migrating along the Via Pontica route, making it a haven for ornithologists and nature lovers.
Around 40% of Burgas's municipal land is designated as protected, demonstrating the city's long-standing commitment to environmental stewardship. This commitment is evident through its participation in various European initiatives focusing on climate adaptation, sustainable mobility, biodiversity, and the circular economy. As a signatory of the Green City Accord and the Covenant of Mayors, Burgas is actively pursuing a greener, healthier and more resilient future for all its residents.
Burgas has strategically prioritised the enhancement of urban nature as a core pillar of its sustainability agenda. Through projects such as GoGreenRoutes, Re-Value and Urban Nature Plans+ (UNP+), the city is transforming its policies and public spaces to promote climate resilience, well-being and a connection to nature.
Through the GoGreenRoutes project, for example, Burgas has revitalised underused urban spaces such as “Healing Island” and areas in the Bratya Miladinovi neighbourhood. These formerly grey zones are being transformed into vibrant green spaces featuring interactive music installations, therapeutic gardens, playgrounds and inclusive design elements to improve accessibility. These green corridors reconnect citizens with nature, promoting physical and mental health while integrating biodiversity into the heart of city life.
Burgas is also one of the 'greening cities' in UNP+, where a local Urban Nature Plan (UNP) is being developped with support from ICLEI. As part of this process, Burgas is testing and adapting a structured framework to ensure its nature-based actions are strategically planned, inclusive, and impactful. Through capacity-building activities in the UrbanByNature programme, the city is enhancing its ability to integrate nature into local policies, engage stakeholders, and align its efforts with the broader goals of the Urban Nature Platform. This will ultimately support Burgas in mainstreaming nature-based solutions into its urban development agenda. In the Re-Value project, meanwhile, the city is leveraging its waterfront and coastal ecosystems, such as Atanasovska Kosa and Burgas Bay, to develop environmentally friendly, climate-neutral urban solutions that promote sustainable tourism and citizen well-being.
These efforts are reinforced by forward-looking policies such as the city’s Plan for Integrated Development (2021–2027) and Strategy for Sustainable Energy and Climate (2021–2030). The city is also investing in solar mapping, anaerobic waste facilities, and blue economy initiatives, taking a multifaceted approach to green urbanism.
“Around 40% of the city's territory is protected areas. This unique place combines nature and development, and we are always striving to keep the balance with climate change and the needs of urban development.”
Michail Nenov, Deputy Mayor of Municipality of Burgas, June 2025
Burgas became an ICLEI Member in 2012, joining a global network dedicated to sustainable urban development. Through ICLEI’s support, the city has gained access to valuable expertise, tools, and collaborative opportunities that have strengthened its sustainability initiatives. Participation in ICLEI-led programs, such as the UrbanByNature programme and the Urban Nature Platform (UNP+), has enhanced Burgas’s capacity to integrate nature-based solutions into urban planning, fostering inclusive and impactful policies. As a signatory of the Green City Accord and the Covenant of Mayors, Burgas benefits from ICLEI’s guidance in aligning its climate and biodiversity goals with European and global frameworks, driving progress toward a greener, more resilient future.
Burgas collaborates with ICLEI on various projects and initiatives, including the Circular Cities Declaration, Connecting Nature, Regions4Climate , GoGreenRoutes, Re-Value, and Urban Nature Plans.
