Urban planning

Turkey will renew 1.5 million houses in five years across the country as part of an urban renewal project of the government, the environment and urbanization minister said on Sept. 12.         

Mall owners and managers have turned their attention to expanding as well as reconstructing their existing assets, with four such projects currently under way in Attica alone. The total value of these projects comes to more than 80 million euros.

Business representativeс insisted on separation of parties and quiet zones in major cities and resorts. This was required after the official introduction of the new Noise Control Act. According to the chairman of BAZ Richard Alibegov, the changes were made without official public discussion and without consultation with the businesses.

MPs adopted at second reading amendments to the Environmental Protection Act, aimed to limit the harmful impact on people. The new text provides rules for strict bans on any noise between 23.00 and 08.00 and 14.00 to 16.00 each day.

The Municipality of Sofia has launched a public procurement contract amounting to BGN 160 million for maintenance, repairs and construction of lighting in the city for the next 5 years.

The total amount is divided into four positions and candidates will be able to apply for one of them until 7 June, Trud reports.

Turkey's Environment and Urbanization Ministry will evaluate ongoing constructions in Istanbul and make sure relevant precautions are taken if they see any risks.

Twenty-six buildings located near a four-story building that collapsed in Istanbul's Kağıthane district have been evacuated as a safety precaution, said Environment and Urbanization Minister Murat Kurum.

The director of the Regional Directorate for National Construction Control Milen Nenchev will carry out an inspection in the Alepu area after a series of signals of resumed construction despite the orders to stop the activities there.

The new shopping center that the Constantinou Group, which also built the Athens Metro Mall, is planning at Lykovrysi in northern Athens will proceed via the fast-track system as provided for by regulations concerning strategic investments.

The green tramway rails around Russian Monument Square will be extended to Macedonia"Square, so a linear city park with a bicycle and recreation areas will form in the area, Yordanka Fandakova announced on Facebook. Meanwhile, parking spaces as well as local lanes will be preserved.