PLOVDIV,

CENTRAL
SQUARE
Architectural design competition assignment
Pre-investment architectural and landscaping design solution for revitalization
and renovation of Central Square in Plovdiv
Initiated by:
The Municipality of Plovdiv
One Architecture Week
Documentation and competition website produced by:
WhAT Association
PLOVDIV
370 000 residents
6 000 years of history
414 m to Istanbul
382 ha parks
146 m to Sofia
70 sunny days annually
250 000 tourists per year
30 galleries
282 ha Old Town
15 museums
12 churches
6 hills
5 cinemas
4 m pedestrian street
3 gay clubs
2 biggest in BG
1 central square
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Old Town
Maritsa river
Dzhumaya
Mosque
Kapana
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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 6
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Participants 6
Timeline 7
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
Site and context 8
Aim 8
Competition area 9
Thematic zoning 10
Competition objectives 12
Stages and restrictions 13
Evaluation criteria 13
PROJECT PRESENTATION AND SUBMISSION
Panels, format, files 14
Language 16
Anonymity 16
Project submission 16
Specific provisions 16
JURY, AWARDS AND COMMISSIONING
Evaluation 17
Awards 18
Copyright and commissioning 18

APPENDIX
Contemporary context 21
Ownership 28
Functions 29
Archaeological sites within the competition area 30
City Master Plan: Archaeological sites and potential connections between them 31
Restrictive regimes 32
Transport and parking 33
Pedestrian traffic 34
Historical context 35
Archaeological research in the area 38
Anticipated development 40
Public opinion 43
Photo documentation 44
Interactive map (the competition area in Google Maps) 45
Site plan in DWG format 46
Additional resources 47
Questions and answers 48
5
INTRODUCTION
The Municipality of Plovdiv and One Architecture Week invite Bulgarian and foreign architects in an
open international competition for concept design. Participants are invited to propose solutions for
the space of Central Square in Plovdiv an emblematic location where most of the significant
historical periods of the city overlap. A solution for their harmonious coexistence is yet to be found.

This document describes the terms and conditions of the competition, defines the objectives for the
participants and details the characteristics of the site. The Municipality of Plovdiv is the Promoter of
this competition.
All submitted projects shall be reviewed by an international seven-member jury. It shall select three
finalists. These three projects shall be awarded and shall proceed to the second stage of the
competition in which the Municipality of Plovdiv shall select one of them for implementation.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The competition is international, open and anonymous. All submitted projects should be for concept
design.
PARTICIPANTS
The competition is open for Bulgarian and international natural persons and/or legal entities or their
consortia which are in legal capacity to practice architectural design in their country of registration.
Bulgarian participants are required to have at least one member on the team whose professional
qualification is recognized by and can be attested by the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria.
Not eligible for participation are persons who are members of the jury or are in industrial relations
with the Promoter or with members of the jury.
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TIMELINE
11 April 2014
Competition announced.
Launch of plovdivsquare.com
11 April20 June 2014
Project development. Questions and answers (until 14 June). The
answers to the frequently asked questions shall be published on
the website.
1420 June 2014
Project submission.
Submission form shall be available at plovdivsquare.com/submit
by 23:59 hours on 20 June 2014
2123 June 2014
Technical committee
2427 June 2014
Expert committee
2829 June 2014
International jury meeting. Announcement of the 3 finalists.
30 June14 July 2014
Public discussion of the finalists. Final winner selection.
15 July 2014
Final winner announced.
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ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
SITE AND CONTEXT
The competition site is Central Square the largest open public space in the city of Plovdiv.
Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria. It is situated 146 km southeast of the capital city of
Sofia. It blends the relaxed atmosphere of a provincial town with the busy daily grind of a
contemporary major center. Plovdiv is an old city of thousands of years of history. Its significant
cultural-historical heritage encompasses the Antiquity, the Ottoman period and the Bulgarian
Revival, the after-Liberation period of the Third Bulgarian State, the Socialist period. Ample and
valuable material evidence has been preserved from each of these periods. The landmarks
however are far from coexisting in an organic body, even more so given the current rhythm of city
life.
What Plovdiv needs is a contemporary public space which should neither turn its back on history,
nor lose its touch with the present. The international architectural design competition for Central
Square in Plovdiv has been announced in an effort to find a solution to the problem in open
architectural competition.
AIM
Central Square is a tough place ridden with issues. Most of the historical and architectural layers
the city is famous for intersect right here archaeological excavations, a socialist Party House, a
Modernist and later renovated post office, ! park from the late 19th century and a number of
transport conflicts.
The aim of the competition goes beyond renovation. The challenge is to provide a strategy for
harmonizing all these layers into an actively functioning, attractive and distinctly contemporary
space.
The international competition for Central Square is also part of the strategy of the Municipality of
Plovdiv towards a successful bid for European Capital of Culture in 2019.
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COMPETITION AREA
The competition area comprises: Central Square, the zones of exposed architectural remains to the
north and east of the Post Office (Ancient Forum North and Ancient Forum East), the recent 2013
excavation sites in the western part of the square (Ancient Forum West), the Trimontium underpass,
the Archaeological underpass and the so called Post Office underpass, as well as the
archaeological site of the Early Christian Basilica of Philippopolis, also known as the Great Basilica.
To the north the competition area reaches the Archaeological underpass. The boundary follows the
contour of the private property to the north of the square and encompasses the archaeological
sites.
To the south the area is confined by the building of the former Party House (currently used by the
Municipality administration), by the Military Club and by the Trimontium Hotel. The Trimontium
underpass and the parking area of the Trimontium hotel are also within the competition area.
For most of its length the eastern boundery runs along the left sidewalk of Tsar Boris III Obedinitel
Blvd. Within the competition area are also the underpass connecting Central Square and Tsar Boris
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III Obedinitel Blvd. with Knyaginya Maria Luiza Blvd. and Gladstone St. which pass underground.
The archaeological excavations (the so called Great Basilica) are also within the competition area.
To the west the competition area reaches the end of the pedestrian zone raised above Gladstone
St. From there the boundary follows the contour of Tsar Simeon's Garden (Tsar Simeonova
Gradina) and reaches the beginning of Ivan Vazov St.
The Post Office building is private property and is therefore excluded from the competition
assignment.
THEMATIC ZONING
For convenience of the participants the competition area has been divided into 4 thematic zones
(see scheme on next page).
Zone A: Archaeological remains of the Ancient Forum of Philippopolis
The zone comprises 5 parts: Forum North, Forum East, Forum West (Western propylaea), Roman
crossroads and the Eirene Peristyle House (in the Archaeological underpass), a fragment of a
fortification wall (in the Trimontium underpass) and the Great Basilica.
Zone B: Urban public space
The zone comprises: Central Square, the pedestrian zone raised above Gladstone St., all sidewalks
and pedestrian zones, as well as the pedestrian access points to the underpasses within the
competition area.
Zone C: Underpasses
The zone comprises: the Trimontium underpass, the Post Office underpass and the Archaeological
underpass.
Zone D: the Trimontium hotel parking area and the Post Office building
(optional zone)
Based on the above thematic zoning the competition objectives have been set as follows:
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THEMATIC ZONES
Zone A - Archaeological remains of the Ancient Forum of Philippopolis
Zone B - Urban public space
Zone C - Underpasses
Zone D - The Trimontium hotel parking area and the Post Office building
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COMPETITION OBJECTIVES
Objectives for Zone A zone of exposed archaeology
" propose a concept for the preservation, exposure and socialization of the archaeological
cultural heritage of each part in zone A. At this stage (competition concept design project) it is
not required to elaborate on the technical details for each archaeological site. Participants
should only present their conceptual solutions for each part in zone A.
" provide for pedestrian access to the zone and its connection to the contemporary city
" establish spatial and logical links between the 6 parts in the zone (via underground or
overground structures, information design, paving patterns or other)
The archaeological sites in Zone A are shown in Appendix, scheme Archaeological sites within the
competition area.
All proposed interventions should take into account that parts of the competition area lie within a
zone of group immovable cultural values regime or within a group immovable cultural values
protective zone, as described in the Master Plan of Plovdiv Municipality (see Appendix, scheme
Restrictive regimes). Participants should elaborate in specific detail the proposed urbanistic
intervention in view of the immovable cultural heritage.
Objectives for Zone B
" solution for a space which can cope with large number of visitors at various events
" information facilities attending to the immovable cultural heritage in the zone (information center
and other facilities upon the discretion of the participant)
" temporary exhibition spaces
" movable merchant structures
" stage for concerts and other events
" solution for paving, green areas, greenery, shading (upon the discretion of the participant)
" solution for small urban elements (benches, pavilions, lighting and other upon the discretion of
the participant)
Participants may propose other types of spaces, volumes and elements appropriate for Zone B, in
support of their concept.
Objectives for Zone C
" demonstrate how the general idea of the concept may be developed and applied in the
underpasses, while retaining the parameters of the existing facilities (height and width of the
tunnels).
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Objectives for Zone D Optional
" proposal for reconstruction of the parking area in front of the Trimontium hotel in order to
provide for adequate contact with the public space. The type and extent of intervention is upon
the discretion of the participant. It is required that the current capacity of at least 50 parking
spaces be retained, yet the parking area in its current state is by no means an acceptable
esthetic solution for the particular area.
" proposal for exterior design and function of the Post Office building. The building is private
property and is not subject to this competition. Yet, in order to propose an overreaching concept,
participants may include recommendations for facade redesign and new functions of the
building. It is possible that their recommendations be implemented at a further stage, following
discussion with the property owners.
" The fountain in front of the Party House may be dismounted or redesigned upon the discretion
of the participant.
STAGES AND RESTRICTIONS
Competition projects should allow for implementation in at least two stages.
Participants should comply with the restrictions imposed by the protective regimes of the immovable
cultural values within the competition area (see Appendix, scheme Regimes)
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The jury shall evaluate projects according to the following criteria:
" clearly articulated approach to the contemporary context, the historical background and their
interaction
" effective preservation, socialization and integration of the immovable cultural heritage
" economic feasibility of the project
" innovation corresponding to the characteristics of the site
" construction and technological feasibility
" consideration for the climatic characteristics of the city of Plovdiv and the problems of the
particular area subject to this competition
" ecological sustainability
" consideration for the transport and communication characteristics of the area surrounding
Central Square and the problems of the site
" accessibility of the environment for people with disabilities
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PRESENTATION AND SUBMISSION
PANELS, FORMAT, FILES
Competition projects should be presented in 5 panels, A0 format, Landscape orientation. The
panels should be submitted in PDF files via the competition website. Files should not exceed the
size of 10 MB each.
Content requirements for each panel:
Panel 1
Materials demonstrating the general concept of the project: 3D visualizations, schemes and other
illustrative materials (upon the discretion of the participant), explanatory text up to 1500 characters.
Name the file 1.pdf.
Panel 2
Site plan (M 1:500). A 1:500 scale of the competition area exceeds the A0 format. Participants
should therefore insert the Archaeological underpass and its adjacent area in a separate layout
within the drawing, as shown in scheme Panel contents in A0 format. Name the file 2.pdf.
Panel 3
Typical sections and silhouettes (M 1:500 or 1:200, upon the discretion of the participant). Name
the file 3.pdf.
Panel 4
Typical fragments (M 1:200 or M 1:100) shown in plans, sections, details, axonometric views,
perspective views and other illustrative materials (upon the discretion of the participant). Name the
file 4.pdf
Panel 5
General visual representation of the project: 3D visualizations, photos of models, perspective/
axonometric drawings and other illustrative materials (upon the discretion of the participant). Name
the file 5.pdf.
Thumbnail
Besides the 5 panels, participants are required to provide 1 representative image of the project
(JPEG format, 300x300 px, 72 dpi). That image shall distinguish the project in the list of all
submitted entries, which shall be published on the competition website after evaluation is
completed. The representative image may comprise a 3D visualization, a detail or a scheme. It
should be readable when sized to a thumbnail. Name the file thumbnail.jpg
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PANEL CONTENTS IN A0 FORMAT
Explanation of the concept, text, images
Site plan, M1:500
Typical sections, silhouettes, M1:500; M1:200
Typical fragments, M1:200; 1:100
3D visualizations, photos of models, perspective/axonometric
drawings and other illustrative materials
Panel 1
Panel 2
Panel 3
Panel 4
Panel 5

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LANGUAGE
The official language of the competition is English. The explanatory text and all descriptions on the
drawings should be in English.
ANONYMITY
The names of the participants or of the teams, their photos, initials or logos should not be evident
on the presentation panels, nor on the thumbnail image. Names shall be entered in the submission
form on the competition website and shall not be visible to the jury and to the technical committee.
The anonymity of the participants is guaranteed by the electronic system for project submission and
evaluation.
PROJECT SUBMISSION
Competition projects should be submitted in digital format. The project submission form shall be
accessible at plovdivsquare.com/submit between 14 June and 20 June 2014. Please do not forget
to click the Submit button after you fill in all required fields. Upon successful submission, the
participant shall receive confirmation by e-mail.
Projects sent by email or mail, and not via the submission form on the competition website, shall not
be reviewed due to violation of anonymity.
SPECIFIC PROVISIONS
The Promoter reserves the right to cancel the competition in the cases when:
" fewer than 5 projects have been submitted
" all submitted projects fail to comply with the announced terms and conditions
Upon cancellation of the competition all participants shall be notified within 3 days from the
decision to cancel.
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EVALUATION, AWARDS AND
COMMISSIONING
EVALUATION
Upon conclusion of the project submission period, a technical committee shall review all submitted
projects for compliance with the technical requirements for size and content. Projects which fail to
comply with the requirements shall not be reviewed by the jury.
One week prior to the jury meeting all jury members shall be granted online access to the projects.
During the evaluation process the international jury shall be joined by an expert committee
comprising:
" a representative of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Bulgaria
" a representative of the Union of Architects in Bulgaria
" a representative of the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria
" a representative of the National Institute of Immovable Cultural Heritage
" a lawyer
" a representative of Municipal Foundation "Plovdiv 2019"
The expert committee shall have online access to the competition projects prior to the evaluation
process. To aid the work of the jury, each member of the expert committee shall draft their opinion
on the submitted projects. The international jury shall take into consideration these expert opinions
at the final stage of ranking the projects.
One week prior to the jury meeting all of its members shall have online access to the submitted
projects.
Evaluation shall be conducted in two stages on two consecutive days.
On the first day of evaluation all projects which have been approved by the technical committee
shall be reviewed and voted on. The jury members shall vote yes and no. The projects which
receive 4 (out of 7) votes yes shall proceed to the next round. Each member of the jury has the
right to support up to 3 projects and advance them to the second round of evaluation, even if they
have not received the necessary 4 votes of approval.
On the second day of evaluation compete only the projects which have received 4 or more yes
votes or have been supported by any member of the jury. At that stage each project shall be
discussed in detail and shall be voted on again.
By the end of the day the jury should have selected three finalists. The jury shall also rank these
projects from first to third place, yet their ranking shall only serve as recommendation.
The involvement of the international jury concludes at this point.
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At the next stage of the competition the Municipality of Plovdiv shall organize a public discussion on
the three awarded projects. The Mayor of Plovdiv may meet each of the authors, may demand a full
list of the participants on their team (if there are teams among the finalists), and may demand
certificates for their professional competence. The Promoter of the competition the Municipality
of Plovdiv is not entitled to demand reworking of any of the three concepts before determining
the final winner.
The Municipality of Plovdiv shall select the winner among the three finalists not later than 10 days
after the jury have submitted their decision.
AWARDS
The three finalists selected by the international jury shall receive financial rewards as follows:
First prize: 20 000 BGN
Second and third prizes: 10 000 BGN
COPYRIGHT AND COMMISSIONING
The decision to organize a competition for pre-investment architectural design concept for the
revitalization and renovation of Central Square in Plovdiv has been motivated by the desire to
ensure a competitive process leading to the selection of one concept, in compliance with the
aforementioned requirements, which shall form the basis for the ensuing technical investment
projects and shall determine their scope and content.
Participants who have been admitted to the competition by the technical committee, but have not
been selected among the three finalists, shall not assign to the Promoter any rights to their projects.
The two finalists who have not been selected as first-prize winner shall not assign to the Promoter
any rights to their projects.
Only the final winner shall assign exclusive rights to the Commissioner.
Not later than 15 calendar days after the competition results have been announced, the Promoter
shall secure a contract with the first-prize winner for the development of technical investment
project. In the case of refusal by the participant to contract, the next shortlisted finalist shall be
invited and a new 15-calendar-day period shall be assigned for securing a contract.
Upon securing a contract with the Promoter for purchase of the concept design, the participant's
concept shall become an indispensable part of the assignment for development of investment
technical and executive project.
The final winner may be engaged to provide consultation services and to conduct author's
supervision until the final implementation of the project, upon securing a contract with the Promoter.
The Municipality of Plovdiv reserves the right to publish, in parts or in their entirety, the submitted
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projects for archives or for publications related to the competition. In these cases
acknowledgement of the projects' authors is required (unless they have explicitly requested
anonymity in the submission form).
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APPENDIX
CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT
OWNERSHIP
FUNCTIONS
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES WITHIN THE COMPETITION AREA
CITY MASTER PLAN:
ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES AND POTENTIAL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THEM
RESTRICTIVE REGIMES
TRANSPORT AND PARKING
PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
Archaeological RESEARCH IN THE AREA
ANTICIPATED DEVELOPMENT
PUBLIC OPINION
PHOTO DOCUMENTATION
INTERACTIVE MAP (THE COMPETITION AREA IN GOOGLE MAPS)
SITE PLAN IN DWG FORMAT
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT
The major urban planning and architectural landmarks within the competition area are:
The Post Office
The building of the Post Office is private property. All
interventions in the architectural design and functions of
the building shall therefore be considered only as
recommendation at this stage.
Photos: bit.ly/1edpy7d
Tsar Simeon's Garden (Tsar Simeonova Gradina)
The park is a monument of culture. Created in 1892 by
French landscape gardener Lucien Chevallaz, today the
city garden is a favorite meeting spot for mothers with
children and the elderly, who love to play chess there.
The Municipality of Plovdiv has developed a project for
the restoration of the park's appearance as it was in the
early 20th century. The entrance to the park has always
been and will remain from Central Square.
Photos: bit.ly/1edoK2h
The building of the former Communist Party House
At present the Municipality of Plovdiv is the owner of the
building. The high-rise unit is occupied by various
municipal offices. The low-rise unit is used by the
Plovidiv Opera and Philharmonic Society. This is only a
temporary provision. A pending competition assignment
shall include an option for superstructing the low-rise
unit and reconstruction of the facade, so that in the
future all municipal structures could be accommodated
in the building. The Plovdiv Opera and Philharmonic
Society will be relocated.
Photos: bit.ly/1isuBxp
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The Military Club
The building is categorized as an immovable cultural
value. It is used for various cultural events, the most
famous of which is the re-enactment of the events
leading to the Unification of Bulgaria (6 September)
Photos: bit.ly/1mYrRL2
Ivan Vazov St.
The street connects the railway station with Central
Square. It is in a zone of group immovable cultural
values. On Ivan Vazov St. are located the so called
Tobacco Warehouses which are part of the industrial
heritage of the city. The huge sycamore trees growing
all along the street add to its unique appeal.
Photos: bit.ly/1koRcAK
The Trimontium hotel
Although it is not exactly on the Square, the hotel is
closely related to the space. It was built in the 50s of the
20th century, in the Socialist Realist style typical of the
period, and has become one of the emblematic
buildings of the city of Plovdiv.
Photos: bit.ly/1hod6lv
22
The parking area in front of the Trimontium hotel
The parking area of the Trimontium hotel borders on
Central Square. Pedestrians accessing the square from
the public transport stops walk on a narrow sidewalk
between th# parking and the exposed archaeology. At
present, and most probably in the future, this is the only
convenient parking place close to the Main Street. It is
also the nearest possible place where buses can park.
At the same time, the locals do not like the parking and
want it to be removed. One of the objectives of this
competition is to resolve the situation.
Photos: bit.ly/1k0N8ny
Tsar Boris III Obedinitel Blvd.
The Trimontium parking area is accessible by Tsar
Boris III Obedinitel Blvd. It is one of the major and
busiest transport arteries in the city, connecting the
northern and the southern zones. About 80% of the
public transport lines pass through the boulevard and
stop by the Square.
Photos: bit.ly/1lOJsb9
The Trimontium hotel underpass
This is one of the underpasses which cross Tsar Boris III
Obedinitel Blvd. At present the underpass
accommodates various kinds of shops. One of the
towers of the fortification wall of Ancient Plovdiv is
exposed in it as well. The underpass provides direct
access to the level of the archaeology exposed to the
east of the Post Office. The commercial outlets in and
around the underpass are granted temporary statute.
Photos: bit.ly/1g1sMJn
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The Archaeological underpass
The Archaeological underpass is the other underpass in
the area which crosses Tsar Boris III Obedinitel Blvd.
Construction work on the underpass uncovered a street
of the Ancient Town. It is exposed (and people actually
walk on it), there is a gallery exhibiting mosaics and
other artefacts from a wealthy Roman house the
Eirene Peristyle House. The underpass leads from the
main pedestrian street to a vast area of archaeological
findings the Eastern Gate of the Ancient Town. It has
been researched, yet still not exposed and socialized,
because it lies within an area of mixed property. The
commercial outlets in and around the underpass are
granted temporary statute.
Photos: bit.ly/1gHqqvt
Gladstone St.
Building that street was one of the conflict incidents in
the history of Central Square. The peculiarities of the
planning of Plovdiv and its natural relief make the
transport link between the eastern and the western
zones rather problematic. The situation is further
complicated by the long pedestrian street oriented
North-South. The conflict between a pedestrian street
and the need for a big transport artery, perpendicular to
it, was resolved by driving a tunnel underneath the Main
Street and the Post Office. The tunnel runs at the level
of the Ancient Town. Part of the Forum was discovered
and demolished during construction. Gladstone St. is
large and busy, it runs at the level of the archaeology
and makes it hard to connect the archaeological
remains of the Eastern Forum with the ones to the
North.
Photos: bit.ly/1iuC5jw
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Archaeology
During the 1st5th centuries at the place of today's
Central Square lay the Forum of Ancient Plovdiv. Every
intervention at a depth of more than 1 meter uncovers
the archaeological layer. The medium depth at which
the archaeological structures are located is 4 meters.
There is groundwater in the area. The Post Office
building occupies most of the free space of the Forum.
Archaeological excavations focus on discovering the
structures which once confined that space. Part of the
Forum was demolished during the construction of the
Gladstone St. tunnel, as mentioned above.
Discovered and exposed so far are The Eastern Forum,
The Northern Forum and The Western Propylaea.
The Eastern Forum. The eastern and southeastern parts
of the Ancient Forum are exposed between the Post
Office and Tsar Boris III Obedinitel Blvd. By its legal
statute, the property on which the Eastern Forum is
located is co-owned by the Municipality of Plovdiv and a
private owner. The Municipality is negotiating the
options to acquire full ownership of the terrain. The
terrain is in a Protective Zone of Group Immovable
Cultural Values and every intervention must be
coordinated with the National Institute of Immovable
Cultural Heritage (NIICH).
Photos: bit.ly/1lHNaAN
The Northern Forum. Currently it is not accessible from
the Square. It has a narrow front and problematic
access from the main pedestrian street. It is not
accessible at the archaeological level either, because it
is not possible to cross Gladstone St. at that place. The
legal owner of the property is the Municipality of Plovdiv.
The terrain lies within a Protective Zone of Group
Immovable Cultural Values and every intervention must
be coordinated with the NIICH. The Northern Forum
includes: the Odeon building which has been restored
and socialized; the building of the library; the northern
propylaea; shops. At present the space of the Northern
Forum is accessible from a small pedestrian street to
the North Gen. Gurko St.
Photos: bit.ly/1ip9NFR
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The Western Propylaea. These are the most recently
discovered archaeological remains. They have neither
been exposed, nor socialized. They lie within a terrain
owned by the Municipality of Plovdiv and within a
Protective Zone of Group Immovable Cultural Values
Photos: bit.ly/1hbPnE0
Main pedestrian street
The main street in Plovdiv (the so called Glavnata) is
the most vibrant space in town. It is a pedestrian street
with commercial stores, restaurants, bars, cafes and
public spaces. The places where people most
frequently gather are: The Square in front of the
Municipality, Dzhumayata and Kapana.
Photos: bit.ly/1gM1YsH
The Square in front of the Municipality. Smaller in size
than Central Square, it is a place for meeting over
coffee and also the place for the city's Christmas tree
and the Christmas Bazaar. The fountain works and
often there is an orchestra playing.
Photos: bit.ly/1juQpuz
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Dzhumayata. A small part of the Ancient Stadium of
Plovdiv is exposed here. After a recent reconstruction
the place has been effectively socialized. There is also
a historical monument from the Ottoman period the
Dzhumaya Mosque from which starts the easiest route
to the Old Town. The small square by the mosque is a
popular meeting spot. A must-see sight for tourists.
Kapana. This is a little neighborhood of narrow paved
streets, dominated by warehouses and commercial
buildings from the beginning of the 20th century. In the
80s of the past century the quarter was restored and
developed into an architectural reserve with commercial
focus. Most of the buildings in the neighborhood are
single immovable cultural values. In recent years
Kapana has become a zone for artists, fancy little
shops, cafes and vibrant night life. The Municipality is
gradually implementing its resolution to make all streets
in the neighborhood pedestrian.
***
The latest competition for conceptual design of the Square was announced in 2000. The
assignment included socialization, adaptation and exposure of the archaeological remains of the
Forum. The first-prize winning project was partially developed and then vaguely implemented. Some
of the grassed areas and trees in front of the Post Office appeared as a result of that competition.
Most of them however were dug up and removed when archaeological excavations began in 2012.
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OWNERSHIP
municipality/state-owned buildings
zones with archaeological sites, property of the Municipality
private property
zones with archaeological sites, property of the Municipality and private owners
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FUNCTIONS
administrative buildings
cultural buildings
residential buildings/hotels
public buildings
commercial buildings
residential/commercial function
residential/public function
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ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES WITHIN THE
COMPETITION AREA
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1
3
4
5
6
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30
CITY MASTER PLAN
Immovable cultural heritage.
Archaeological sites and potential connections between them.
2
1
3
4
5
10
9
8
7
6
12
14
15
11
13
archaeological sites
zones of excavated unexposed archaeological sites
zones of non-excavated archaeological sites
zones of exposed archaeological sites
potential connections between the archaeological sites
1. Eastern Forum
2. Northern Forum and Odeon
3. Western propylaea of the Forum
4. Fragment of a fortification wall
5. Roman crossroads and Eirene house
6. Ancient Stadium
7. Ancient Theater
8. Religious and residential buildings complex
9. Great Basilica
10. Fragments of insulae and ancient streets
11. Ancient buildings
12. Eastern thermae
13. Narcissus residential building
14. Small Basilica
15. Eastern Gate
31
RESTRICTIVE REGIMES
boundaries of the Ancient Forum of Philippopolis archaeological monument
regime A
- archaeology exposure in park environment
- ban on new constructions
regime B
- new constructions allowed after detailed urban planning project development
32
TRANSPORT AND PARKING
P
P
street
parking area
public transport stop
public transport stop (- 4.00 m)
traffic direction
33
PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC
public transport stops
pedestrian zone
water area
intensive pedestrian flow
non-intensive pedestrian flow
34
HISTORICAL CONTEXT
ANTIQUITY
Plovdiv is considered to be one of the most ancient European cities. Its history can be traced about
6000 years back in time. Between the 1st and the 4th centuries Plovdiv was part of the Roman
Empire. All archaeological remains within the competition area date from that period. In the zone
underneath and around Central Square are located:
Forum (Agora)
The forum used to be the commercial, administrative and religious center of the ancient city of
Philippoplis (nowadays Plovdiv). Meetings, debates, celebrations and state events were held there.
Spreading over an area of 20 daa, the shape of the city square (forum) remained unchanged for
centuries. It retained its basic shape of a rectangle (almost a square) with dimensions of 143 m
North-South and 136 m East-West. On its northern side a complex of administrative buildings
dominated over the rest of the structures on the square. The main streets cardo maximus and
decumanus maximus intersect outside the eastern entrance of the complex.
A characteristic feature of the city of Plovdiv is that the central part of the ancient Philippopolis
coincides completely with the contemporary city center of Plovdiv.
Odeon / Bouleuterion
The Odeon of Philippopolis is situated in the northeast corner of the Forum. It is rectangular in plan
and fits perfectly within the orthogonal structure of the forum complex. Perhaps the building
originally served as bouleuterion (town hall), but later construction periods reveal its principal
function as a theater building. The archaeological findings suggest that the building had four
construction periods: from the 1st to the 4th century.
Library
The Library is one of the public buildings forming the northern part of the Forum. It is located to the
west of the Odeon, in immediate proximity. The building plan is rectangular in shape and
approximately 15x20 m in size.
Treasury
In the northwest part of the Forum is situated the Treasury. The building has not been researched
archaeologically yet.
The Great Basilica
In immediate proximity to the nowadays church of St. Ludwig lie the ruins of the largest Early
Christian basilica in Bulgaria (4th 6th centuries). It has three naves with an apse at the east end of
the central nave. Only the southern part and (partially) the central nave have been researched. The
rest of the basilica is beneath the road leading to Tsar Boris III Obedinitel Blvd.
35
OTTOMAN PERIOD
Between the 14th and the 19th centuries the city was part of the Ottoman Empire. The remains from
the Roman period were used as construction materials for new buildings and thus the majority of
them were destroyed. During the Ottoman period urban planning and development followed the
typical Oriental model. The new authorities created an entirely new urban space through a series of
public buildings laden with symbolism (mosques, schools, drinking fountains, baths). While the
Christian population did not leave their neighborhoods from the Byzantine-Bulgarian period, the
conqueror took active efforts to ottomanize the open city space, modeling it on the urban planning
tradition that originated in pre-Ottoman Asia Minor.
The tremendous fiscal resource invested to create a new commercial and economic center in the
city, through financing the construction of the respective public buildings, paid back. During the
15th century, in the course of only a few decades, the city attracted enough settlers to revive the
glory of Plovdiv as one of the major urban centers on the Balkans.
During the period of the Bulgarian National Revival (18th 19th centuries) Plovdiv was a significant
economic center. The Bulgarian middle class gained economic power and secured its influence in
society. That stratum was open to modern political and cultural influences. Plovdiv inscribed its
name in the new Bulgarian history with its contribution to the development of the national culture
and the struggle for an autonomous church.
THE THIRD BULGARIAN STATE
Towards the end of the 19th century, following the Liberation from the Ottoman rule, Plovdiv was a
well developed and large city (by the standards of Bulgaria at the time). It had the economic
resource to partake in the budding European-style urban planning and development, thanks to a
number of Austro-Hungarian, Italian and other architects, engineers and landscape designers.
At the close of the 19th century the area now occupied by Tsar Simeon's Garden was a swamp. It
was actually transformed into a park and hosted the so called First Bulgarian Exhibition. This was
probably the first larger public zone designed in front of the residential neighborhoods which took
up the space at the time.
Some of the first city master plans from 1896 and 1905 also marked it as a square. The square
was a significant part of the city. Passing through it was the main road which connected the
downtown with the railway station via Stantsionna St. (nowadays Ivan Vazov St.) and reached the
Maritsa river and the bridge to today's town of Pazardzhik via the nowadays pedestrian Main street
(which back then was the major transportation and whatever artery in the city).
In front of the Military Club located in the western part of the square - one of the most beautiful
buildings in Plovdiv at the time citizens gathered to welcome the victorious Bulgarian soldiers in
the years of the Balkan Wars. The building was almost completely ruined in the Chirpan earthquake
of 1928, together with most of the residential buildings in the area. The buildings which survived
were mainly from the period after the Liberation such as the hospital of Kudoglu, another emblem
of the square. An important sight is the fountain of Demeter by Arnoldo Zocchi which still remains
today.
36
SOCIALIST PERIOD
The urban structure in the vicinity of the square remained unchanged until the 60s of the 20th
century. In the 50s the city garden still hosted the fair. The Trimontium hotel was built. The tunnel
construction underneath the Three-hill redirected the main traffic from the Square. Yet the
character of the space an extension of the main street was preserved.
In the 60s the socialist government needed a large, empty and imposing space to hold parades
from the Party House. Central Square became a square of the regime. It was used for
celebrations, parades, speeches, addresses, and even for welcoming the first man in space Yuri
Gagarin in Plovdiv.
In 1968 an international competition for the city center area was held. As a result, the Zoning and
Development Plan for that part of the city was developed. After a number of reworkings of the
winning competition project, in the 70s the Square underwent dramatic change.
The whole neighborhood, which until then formed the eastern part of the square, was demolished.
The Post Office building was substantially enlarged to the east. A building for the Party House with
a hall for celebrations was designed and constructed (at present it is a hall of the Plovdiv Opera
and Philharmonic Society). A large parking area was built in front of the Trimontium hotel. It was
decided that the new business center of the city should start from that square and develop to the
other side of Georgi Dimitrov Blvd. (nowadays Tsar Boris III Obedinitel Blvd.).
Archaeological remains underneath the Post Office were discovered the eastern and
southeastern part of the Ancient Forum which is partially exposed and socialized. All development
plans envisioned underground passage beneath the Post Office, in view of the (still) problematic
automobile connection in the East-West direction.
At the end of the 70s the square acquired the appearance that has generally been preserved to the
present day.
During the 80s construction work began on the underground passage Gladstone St. - Knyaginya
Maria Luiza Blvd. underneath the Post Office, splitting the Ancient Forum of Philippopolis. Despite
the wave of public debates and objections by architects and archaeologists, that transport link was
driven. The location of the Forum, the buildings on its north side, the southern fortification wall, the
Great Basilica and some insulae were revealed on the terrain. Large parts of the Forum were
exposed and socialized. There are numerous points of access to the excavation site, the area is
grassed and lit by night.
37
ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH
IN THE AREA
The information below has been provided by archaeologist Maya Martinova. It is a report presented
at an expert discussion on the future competition for Central Square, held in September 2013 in
Plovdiv.
The town square (forum) of Philippopolis is one of the places of great social significance in the
structure of the ancient city. The forum was designed and included as an integral part of the
orthogonal city planning and by its nature represents a large public building. The open square
space (the area) alone is about 99 m by 111 m. It is surrounded on all four sides by porticos. A
stylobate supporting a colonnade forms the faade of the porticos. During the different construction
periods the eastern, southern and western sides of the forum were lined up with shops. The shops'
entrances were from the side of the porticos and the open square space. A complex of public
buildings following the east-west axis composed the northern side of the forum. These buildings
were partly excavated, with the northeastern part of the complex being researched the most.
Four construction periods have been discerned in the building of the Forum of Philippopolis. They
have been dated back to the Late Hellenistic period, the late 1
st
century BC, the early 1
st
century AD
and the late 4
th
century AD . During all four periods the forum was functioning as a single public
building. It declined gradually after the end of the 4
th
century AD and later buildings were
constructed on top of it.
It is important to note that the earliest cultural remains date from the time of the last Thracian rulers,
a period when the Thracian kingdom had become a Roman protectorate. These remains are
represented by an early stylobate that was no longer used after the late 1
st
century BC. In this way
the open square space was reduced. Later, with the construction of another stylobate 2 meters
towards the center of the square, the open square space was reduced again, thus enlarging the
area of all four sides that was occupied by the porticos.
The forum was linked to some other sections of the ancient city that have been researched and
exposed. These remains are an insula south of the forum and a tower (the tower of Marcus
Aurelius) belonging to the outer fortification wall of Philippopolis. The latter has been exposed in the
underground passage in front of the Trimontium hotel.
The forum was divided and partially destroyed when Gladston street was being built, thus forming
the Eastern Forum that is no longer connected to the rest of the ancient town square.
Three public buildings from the Northern Forum have been researched and exposed. In the
northeastern part of the complex there is a small, roof-covered theatrical building. Although
according to its plan the building was an Odeon, it was actually used as a Bouleuterion, housing the
council of citizens (boule) that governed the ancient city. The building went through four
construction periods concurrent with the construction periods of the entire forum. The marble half
columns forming the western faade of the Odeon/Bouleuterion are well-preserved and were found
in situ near the level of nowadays Gurko street.
38
The city library was built west of the Odeon/Bouleuterion. It was a large rectangular hall with marble
flooring and a marble roundabout path at the height of 1 m, thus providing access to the niches that
segmented the inner walls of the building. Wooden shelves (armaria), used for scrolls and
documents, were placed in these niches. The marble flooring and the marble paneling of the plinth
and the roundabout path are evidence of the luxurious interior of the building.
During the 2012 excavation season the southern faade of a third public building was explored west
of the Library. At present it is not possible to uncover the entire building because there is
contemporary one lying to the north.
There are several sections from the Northern Forum that have not been excavated yet, but have
been scheduled for future archaeological research. These are commercial pavilions and a third
public building which, according to the working hypothesis, is a Civic basilica. The basilicas
southern faade had three entrances, two of which were later closed and transformed into apses
where emperors statues were placed.
The southern faade had three entrances. One of them was closed and a marble pedestal
supporting the statue of Emperor Commodus was placed there. The inscription on the emperors
statue pedestal in front of the preserved niche is the only surviving in situ epigraphic monument
from Plovdiv.
The position of the Northern Forum among the modern buildings is favorable in terms of
opportunities for using the original ancient walkways and connections. The original ancient
pedestrian zone (ambulatio) could be used for the purposes of integrating the forum complex and
making it accessible to the general public. The slabs of the threshold giving access to the library
are also well-positioned.
A drainage system has been uncovered in the northern ambulatio. This section has been
archaeologically excavated to the level of the groundwater. The earliest period of the town square
construction may be exhibited in a display showcase. The rest of the sections may be displayed at
the level of the last construction period of the town square (after the mid-3
rd
century AD).
DRAWINGS: SURVEYING AND INTERPRETATION
Ancient Forum Plovdiv, surveying, interpretation, preliminary research, June 1985, architect V.
Kolarova, N. Buchkova, R. Proykova (drawings, archive of the NIICH)
bit.ly/1eqMaRN
bit.ly/1lUID0c
39
ANTICIPATED DEVELOPMENT
The Master Plan of Plovdiv Municipality, approved in 2007, provides analysis and classification of
the cultural-historical heritage sites and the immovable cultural values. Any further development of
the area must comply with their protective regimes.
The provisions of the Master Plan of Plovdiv Municipality have been grouped in several spatial and
functional subsystems. Relevant to the area subject to this competition are:
Subsystem Residence
It is required to:
" preserve and develop the cultural identity of the residential environment in the zone of
immovable cultural heritage
" preserve the traditional urban planning characteristics of the environment
Subsystem Green System and Recreation
Tsar Simeon's Garden, The Hill of the Liberators (Bunardzhika) and Ruski Blvd. are urban elements
of major significance to the development of the city center.
It is required to:
" effectively preserve and utilize the elements of the city's green system which have been
recognized as monuments of landscape art
" manifest the cultural-historical value of the specific environmental amenities of Plovdiv.
Subsystem Social Infrastructure
It is required to:
" functionally enhance the city center system with a series of specialized information centers
attending to the cultural-historical resources of the area
" integrate the social infrastructure by adapting the cultural sites to appropriate social functions
" develop the social infrastructure through underground urbanism at the archaeological level,
offering reasonable integration of new functions amidst the archelogical artefacts
Subsystem Communication and Transport
It is required to:
" comply with the requirements of the zone of immovable cultural heritage
40
" preserve the integrity of the valuable physical characteristics of the urbanistic structures of
cultural-historical value
" prevent the multiplication of the negative effects of the failed communication solutions
implemented in the second half of the 20th century
" overcome these negative effects to the extent possible
" reduce to the possible minimum the automobile (transit) traffic and massive street parking in the
zones of immovable cultural heritage
" provide optimal pedestrian access and preserve the qualities and comfort of the urban
environment
" develop optimal underground urbanism
" interconnect the system of underground communication facilities (underpasses, underground
parking areas, garages) with the integral archaeological system within the framework of the
unified system of underground spaces
Provisions of the Master Plan regarding the cultural-historical heritage and the development of
The Underground Museum of Philippopolis
The idea to preserve, safeguard, adapt, assign new functions, valorize and utilize the urban cultural
and historical layering was developed in the Master Plan of Plovdiv Municiplaity as Underground
Museum of Philippopolis. Museum is a provisional term signifying a series of thematically and
spatially connected periods, sites, structures and routes, based on and united by the underlying
goal:
The density of underground spaces is the highest in the city center area, due to the high
concentration of engineering-transportation infrastructure and immovable cultural heritage,
especially in the zone of group immovable values Historical Zone Philippopolis - Trimontium
Plovdiv. At the same time, the underground spaces in the area offer high potential for integration,
which accounts for their multi-functional character.
In the city center area the system of underground spaces shall be developed in keeping with the
system of Immovable Cultural Heritage (ICH). The interconnected open system of integrated public
multifunctional underground spaces holds the most substantial grounds for development,
harmonizing urban communication and engineering infrastructure and showcasing the
archaeological potential of the area, with regard to the overground cultural-historical structures and
with the active role of the contact system.
Unified Underground Multifunctional System Underground Museum of Philippopolis
There are prospects for the development of an interconnected open system of directly integrated
public multifunctional underground spaces. It should provide a thorough exposure of the urban
archaeology in combination with attractive public functions. The system will be the central
component in the system of underground spaces in the city center area.
The system will encompass the existing underground cultural-historical spaces of the Lower
Town: the Forum complex, the Odeon, the Small Basilica with Baptistery by Knyaginya Maria Luiza
41
Blvd., the Archaeological underpass and the Ancient Stadium. Its development will further
incorporate new underground spaces and respectively new archaeological values.
The underlying goal is to create a unified continuous underground spatial system which follows the
integral archaeological structure and presents both the integrity and the stratification of the
historical layers. At present these urban riches cannot be adequately demonstrated and
appreciated because of their serious fragmentation in the urban environment.
The underground space beneath the Forum complex occupies a central place in the system. It
covers approximately the area of the protected zone of the Forum, reclaiming the part underneath
Central Square, as well as some adjacent zones in connection with the archaeological values (e. g.
possible integration of fragments of the presumed ancient street network). Future prospects
envision the reclaiming of the highly valued central Forum space underneath the Post Office as
well. The dynamic development of engineering communications will probably speed up the
reclaiming of this currently blocked zone within the space of the Underground Museum of
Philippopolis.
The development of the zone to the northwest will establish direct spatial link between the
archaeological values: ForumOdeoBasilica Archaeological underpass archaeological
structure by Ponedelnik Pazar (Monday Market).
To the north the zone will develop at the archaeological level along the axis of Knyaz Alexander I
Batenberg St. and the Ancient Stadium, will pass through Dzhumaya Square and will surface at
street level at Raiko Daskalov St. This development suggests the perspective relocation of today's
passable collector at greater depth or the implementation of another alternative.
Polycentric system of underground multifunctional spaces
The Underground Museum of Philippopolis being the core of the system of underground spaces in
the city center area will be actively connected to all underground spaces situated polycentrically
around it. The system will include the following underground spaces:
" Archaeological underground spaces (revealed or due to be revealed in the prognosis period) on
the territory of the Lower Town - outside the zone of the Underground Museum (The Eastern
Gate, the archaeological fragments underneath the Historical and Architectural Reserve (HAR)
of Old Plovdiv along Knyaginya Maria Luiza Blvd, the fortification system, elements of the street
network, etc.) and within the territory of HAR Old Plovdiv (Nebet Tepe, The Ancient Theater, the
fortification system, etc.)
" Multifunctional underground kernels situated in/along the city center area within the the city
center system: beneath the stadium to the south of the railway station, beneath the public center
on the territory of today's Stochna Railway Station.
" Multifunctional underground pedestrian passages (e. g. the one beneath the railway station
square, connected to the kernel to the south of the Central Railway station).
Contact underground-overground system
The function of the contact system is to provide connections in two directions:
42
" To connect in a unified system all of the aforementioned underground spaces in the area
" To connect the underground spaces with the overground urban environment, and more
specifically with the system of cultural-historical structures and open public cultural-historical
spaces in the city center area.
Dispersed system of underground spaces
A dispersed system of multifunctional and relatively confined underground spaces will be developed
in the city center area, in keeping with the evolving needs and demands of the functional systems.
PUBLIC OPINION
In the process of developing the assignment two public discussions and one online survey were
held. The responses to the survey offer general information on public attitudes in Plovdiv and are
accessible at http://plovdivsquare.com/survey
The opinions stated are not binding, participants may consider them to the extent they find
appropriate.
43
PHOTO DOCUMENTATION
All photos: plus.google.com/+Plovdivsquare/photos
All photos are accessible on the Google Plus page of the competition. There is a site locator mini-
map to the right of each photo (click on the Photo Details link in the right column if you do not see
the map). Click on the map to enlarge it.
Each photo on the Google Plus page is available for download in high resolution and may be used
in the competition projects.
44
INTERACTIVE MAP
The competition area in Google Maps: bit.ly/1gMbscg
Map with the main places and photos: bit.ly/1qempFT
The competition area has been mapped with approximate precision in Google Maps. Using the
interactive map and the satellite images, participants may determine the location of the competition
area in relation to other landmarks in Plovdiv. A virtual tour is also available via the Street View
function.
Virtual tour: bit.ly/Och57K
45
SITE PLAN IN DWG FORMAT
The downloadable ZIP file contains a site plan in DWG format with all necessary input data.
In case the file does not supply all data necessary for a particular design solution, the participant
may present their solution based on approximations.
46
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The Ancient Stadium of Philippopolis website
Contains elaborate information on the entire Ancient Town of Philippopolis
antichen-stadion-plovdiv.bg
Roman Plovdiv
Information on the Ancient Town of Philippopolis and the Small Basilica Project
romanplovdiv.org
Ancient Forum Plovdiv, surveying, interpretation, preliminary research, June 1985, architect V.
Kolarova, N. Buchkova, R. Proykova (drawings, archive of the NIICH)
bit.ly/1eqMaRN | bit.ly/1lUID0c
The project for restoration of Tsar Simeon's Garden
projects.plovdiv.bg/$!%-&'(#)*)+!-,%!-'*!-+-./'-0-/!%1-1+-1/
Master Plan of Plovdiv Municipality (in Bulgarian only)
plovdiv.bg/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/OUP_2.jpg
Urban planning indicators of Plovdiv (in Bulgarian only)
bit.ly/1gEWZPe
47
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
All participants in the competition may address their questions to the Promoter by 23:59 hours on 14
June 2014 at: info@plovdivsquare.com
Questions may be written both in English and in Bulgarian.
The organizers of the competition shall endeavor to answer all questions in due time.
The answers to the most frequently asked questions shall be published in portions on the official
website of the competition www.plovdivsquare.com
The participants may follow and comment on the competition updates in the social networks:
Facebook: facebook.com/plovdivsquare
Twitter, using hashtag #plovdivsquare
Google+: google.com/+Plovdivsquare
The following sources have been used for the development of this assignment:
Assignment for organizing an architectural competition Plovdiv, Central Square: Antiquity, Modernity, Vision,
developed by the Union of Architects in Bulgaria Plovdiv as a project of the Plovidiv 2019 Municipal
Foundation and in partnership with the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria - Plovdiv
Report from a public discussion held on 18.09.2013
Public discussion on 29.11.2013
Online survey: Plovidv, Central Square
Site plans and input data provided by the Municipality of Plovdiv
Archive of Architecture magazine
Data from the Yearbook of the Regional Historical Museum Plovdiv (2012)
Expert statement of the National Institute of Immovable Cultural Heritage (NIICH)
Archival data NIICH
Archival photos The Lost Bulgaria
Archival photos Memories from the People's Republic
This assignment has been developed on the basis of all information available to the Promoter. At a later stage
the information shall be amended and elaborated in its entirety as required for the development of the
technical implementation plan.
This assignment would not have been possible without the support of:
The Union of Architects in Bulgaria, Plovdiv
The Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria Plovdiv
The Municipality of Plovdiv
archaeologist Maya Martinova
architect Vladislav Kostadinov
architect Zhana Dzhogalanova
48