Burgas
RELAUNCHTOWIN - Regenerative Local Actions for Urban Challenges to Wellness and Innovation
About the project
The RELAUNCHTOWIN project is responding to the challenges of climate change, loss of biodiversity and rising energy costs with a solution that involves renovating Mladost Sports Hall.
The sports hall is being renovated with energy efficiency measures and Renewable Energy Systems (RES) to transform it into a Nearly Zero Energy (NZEB) building combined with Digital Twin sensors to monitor energy efficiency.
Linked to this, the surrounding area will be transformed into a climate-adapted public space, with an array of nature-based solutions and therapeutic gardens.
The new functions to the site will support the creation of a new sports hall focused on energy efficiency, green living and wellness, social collaboration and the sustainability of local culture and traditions.
In this way, RELAUNCHTOWIN is contributing to improving physical and mental health in the area, giving local residents a stronger sense of belonging while raising awareness about energy efficiency and climate adaption measures.
Challenges
The City of Burgas faces multifaceted challenges, including environmental issues such as rising energy costs, loss of biodiversity, and climate change. Additionally, social inclusion challenges have a particularly strong impact on elderly people, refugees, and other vulnerable groups.
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The Black Sea region, where Burgas is located, faces complex challenges because of climate change. Long term trends show rising temperatures impacting biodiversity. Mitigation measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are needed.
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Poor energy performance and thermal comfort of inefficient buildings combined with rising energy costs. Significant investment is required to ensure environmental standards are met.
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Social inclusion challenges. For example, rising energy costs, loss of biodiversity, and extreme temperatures have a disproportionately strong impact on vulnerable groups, such as elderly people in Burgas.
Proposed solutions
The project takes a holistic approach to addressing local urban challenges. Solutions include renovating buildings with energy efficiency measures, and repurposing a sports heritage site as a wellness centre. Nature-based solutions and sustainability efforts are being integrated to enhance community health and wellbeing while creating an inclusive and environmentally conscious urban space. New green spaces will both support social inclusion and encourage a harmonious coexistence with nature.
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Renovation of the sports hall with Renewable Energy Systems (RES) and Digital Twin sensors to monitor energy efficiency. This will reduce carbon emissions and contribute to sustainable energy transition.
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Development of nature-based solutions in the area around the sports hall. These will improve liveability, reducing the heat island effect and supporting biodiversity.
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Community engagement activities to co-design and co-deliver services and workshops supporting socio-environmental regeneration. This will decrease the social isolation of vulnerable groups.
Milestones
Start of work to implement energy efficiency measures and renovate buildings
Start of interventions to build climate-adapted and nature-based solutions in the surrounding areas of the building
Activities begin in the redeveloped Sports Hall and surrounding areas including the set-up of a local green transition unit