Daniela Staykova’s scientific contributions

Open urban spaces play an important role in the lives of modern city residents. Their aesthetic importance helps determine the characteristic of suburbs, and ameliorates the built-up character. Living in a city provides many opportunities for residents to connect with each other in many different ways. In order to take advantage of all the benefits that the big city can provide, it is especially important to design the urban environment, using urban planning solutions in the interest of the citizens. A well-thought-out design and healthy environment contribute to increasing the positive indicators of life. This relates both to a person's physical health and to the development of a sustainable social environment, affecting peoples behavior and usage of outdoor spaces. Through the tools of urban planning, it is necessary to create an environment that includes all the requirements for a modern city, and pay attention of the thermal, visual and sound comfort, as well as the needs of activities and entertainment of the residents. Open urban spaces should be planned in terms of the daily life that takes place in them. Quality urban design is necessary to promote social cohesion, create living and safe spaces, and maintain a sustainable living environment. It is extremely important in their design to preserve the identity of the settlement. Both the architectural ensembles and the design of urban spaces have a leading role in determining the appearance and character of the city, respectively, to define the opportunities that the place can offer to its users.

1]. Чрез инструментите на градското планиране, е необходимо създаването на среда отговаряща на всички изисквания за модерен град, взимайки под внимание термалния, визуалния и звуков комфорт, както и нуждите от активности и развлечения на обитателите. Заедно с архитектурните ансамбли, дизайнът на градските пространства има водеща роля при определянето облика и характера на града, съответно и дефинира възможностите, които средата може да предложи на своите ползватели. Abstract: In the modern city there is a strong public interest in the quality of open urban spaces. A well-thought-out design and healthy environment contribute to increasing the positive indicators of life. This relates both to a person's physical health and to the development of a sustainable social environment, affecting people's behaviour and usage of outdoor spaces. Through the tools of urban planning, it is necessary to create an environment that includes all the requirements for a modern city, and pay attention of the thermal, visual and sound comfort, as well as the needs of activities and entertainment of the residents. Both the architectural ensembles and the design of urban spaces have a leading role in determining the appearance and character of the city, respectively, to define the opportunities that the place can offer to its users.

The urbanized population is increasing year by year, leaving fewer and fewer inhabitants in the province. This inevitably leads to increased energy and resource consumption, leading to environmental problems. All this, combined with climate change, calls for a more holistic approach to the provision of raw materials and resources in future cities, both in the main aspects of sustainable development, social, environmental and economic. From this point of view, vertical farms can be an instrument that addresses these aspects.