site.btaChamber of Architects Blames Uncontrolled Construction, Environmental Destruction, and Institutional Inaction for Black Sea Floods

In a strongly worded statement, the Chamber of Architects in Bulgaria (CAB) blamed the disaster caused by recent torrential rains in parts of Bulgaria on uncontrolled construction, environmental destruction, and institutional inaction. "Excessive—and often illegal—construction along the coastline, including in ravines and dry channels across the country, is a direct cause of the catastrophic consequences. The destruction of dunes, green spaces, and natural drainage systems turns every storm into a disaster," the statement goes.

Furthermore, it says that the lack of effective oversight and the practice of legalizing violations after the fact have led to the complete devaluation of urban and spatial planning.

“We cannot ignore the fact that all of these developments have received a green light from the Ministry of Environment and Water, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and the Executive Forest Agency—even when located in riverbeds and high-risk zones,” the architects stress. “We must underline the enormous responsibility of all institutions involved in issuing these approvals, permits, and in exercising follow-up control.”

CAB is calling for a full audit of spatial development plans, particularly in high-risk areas, the immediate imposition of a moratorium on new construction in potentially threatened zones, and the restoration of the role of architects and urban planners in decision-making on territorial development. They also urge the reinstatement of natural drainage systems and green buffers as a mandatory part of the built environment.

The heavy rains and floods earlier this month affected several regions across the country, leaving parts of the population without electricity and cutting off access to affected areas. The floods claimed four lives in Elenite.

 Regional Development Minister Ivan Ivanov told a special news conference earlier on Tuesday that the authorities have established significant flaws in construction projects in the Elenite resort.