Innovative practices in Bulgaria
Sharing innovations for improving local self-government
Public discussion of commercial services in the city districts
City of Dobrich Municipality
Background
Public discussions of the gravest local problems is a regular practice at the Municipality of Dobrich City due to the effective partnership among the Municipality and the numerous active non-governmental organizations in the city. The first public discussion of the pending changes following the construction and regulation plan of one of the largest neighborhoods in the city Balik-iztok , was organized by the Municipality and the Civil Activity Association in the period April - May 1999. It initiated the idea for a public discussion of the commercial services in other neighborhoods, where, according to the construction plans, the building of shopping centers was expected. The project aimed to make preliminary surveys of public opinion, covering citizens needs in the area of commercial services in the neighborhoods, where construction plans envisaged the building of trade and services centers.
Public discussions of the gravest local problems is a regular practice at the Municipality of Dobrich City due to the effective partnership among the Municipality and the numerous active non-governmental organizations in the city. The first public discussion of the pending changes following the construction and regulation plan of one of the largest neighborhoods in the city Balik-iztok , was organized by the Municipality and the Civil Activity Association in the period April - May 1999. It initiated the idea for a public discussion of the commercial services in other neighborhoods, where, according to the construction plans, the building of shopping centers was expected. The project aimed to make preliminary surveys of public opinion, covering citizens needs in the area of commercial services in the neighborhoods, where construction plans envisaged the building of trade and services centers.
Practice
The series of meetings for defining the level of commercial services in the neighborhoods began in March 2000 and finished at the end of September 2000. The Municipality of Dobrich City implemented and financed the project. Volunteers of Civil Activity Association and journalists living in the respective neighborhoods took part in publicizing the forthcoming meetings and the main goals of the public discussion. Businessmen and potential customers participated in the discussion.
Summarized results of the public discussion have given opportunities to the traders to evaluate the demand of various goods and services. For example, the results of two meetings, held in the Balik District, showed that people in the neighborhood felt an insufficiency of service shops e.g. hairdressers, as well as dressmaking and tailoring shops. A large number of unemployed (including Roma people, which form the main population of this neighborhood) claim to be good specialists in these areas and could use the niche in the market.
Summarized results of the meetings showed a profusion of pubs, restaurants and cafes, and a lack of shoe and clothing stores. Prices of goods around the neighborhood were incomparably higher compared to downtown Dobrich. In the same time, the selling of production with invalid expiry date was a common everyday occurrence. Receipts were rarely handed to customers. Pointing out to particular sites where regulations were violated, has supported the control activity of the Trade, Tourism, and Services Department.
The series of meetings for defining the level of commercial services in the neighborhoods began in March 2000 and finished at the end of September 2000. The Municipality of Dobrich City implemented and financed the project. Volunteers of Civil Activity Association and journalists living in the respective neighborhoods took part in publicizing the forthcoming meetings and the main goals of the public discussion. Businessmen and potential customers participated in the discussion.
Summarized results of the public discussion have given opportunities to the traders to evaluate the demand of various goods and services. For example, the results of two meetings, held in the Balik District, showed that people in the neighborhood felt an insufficiency of service shops e.g. hairdressers, as well as dressmaking and tailoring shops. A large number of unemployed (including Roma people, which form the main population of this neighborhood) claim to be good specialists in these areas and could use the niche in the market.
Summarized results of the meetings showed a profusion of pubs, restaurants and cafes, and a lack of shoe and clothing stores. Prices of goods around the neighborhood were incomparably higher compared to downtown Dobrich. In the same time, the selling of production with invalid expiry date was a common everyday occurrence. Receipts were rarely handed to customers. Pointing out to particular sites where regulations were violated, has supported the control activity of the Trade, Tourism, and Services Department.
Results
The information collected from the public discussion, was a precious reference point for the Municipality of Dobrich City. The results of the meetings directed the municipal policies regarding these neighborhoods, and guided businessmen towards the potential participants in a future commercial activity of a particular neighborhood.
The information collected from the public discussion, was a precious reference point for the Municipality of Dobrich City. The results of the meetings directed the municipal policies regarding these neighborhoods, and guided businessmen towards the potential participants in a future commercial activity of a particular neighborhood.
[Nominate]
back