Addressing a complex issue like air quality in a large metropolitan area and making it a testbed to develop, test and showcase an innovative solution line on-demand public transport is challenging. The key to success is working with and not for the residents.

INNOAIR launched its multi-stakeholder dialogue on November 12, 2020, bringing different parties together. Nearly 100 stakeholders from universities and research institutes, community organizations, city administration, NGOs, national agencies, businesses and investors, took part in an online dialogue event and engaged in a conversation about the future. The discussants, among whom Sofia Deputy Mayor Kristian Krastev, Boryana Dimitrova with Alpha Research, associated professor Elena Hristova with the National Institute on Meteorology and Hydrology, Milya Dimitrova with SofiaPlan and Petar Seizov, Denkstatt, raised important questions to be explored during Q&A. Diverse perspectives were voiced pointing to various interdependencies: the more precise and timely feedback the city provides on the effect of its policies, the stronger the citizen commitment; the less measures for support of the energy poor, the more air pollution from old cars and household burning; the less air pollution, the bigger biodiversity; the newer the urban district, the more pollution from construction and underdeveloped infrastructure, to name a few.

The INNOAIR team chose multi-stakeholder dialogues as a method for managing change because it reminds us not to get lost in the weeds at work but see the big picture, not to ignore difficulties, remove assumptions and identify actionable firs steps.

Here are a few takeaways from stakeholders:

“The fact that now air quality is discussed more than before does not mean that the problems are growing or less is done. On the contrary.”

“The strongest factor fostering citizen support for the air quality policies is when the municipality consistently implements clear long-term measures with measurable result.”

“Sofia should demonstrate direct link between measures and effect achieved.”
Speakers’ presentations are available at HERE.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you take interest - https://www.facebook.com/innoairsofia!
INNOAIR project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund through the Urban Innovative Actions Initiative.