Landscape Strategy & Masterplan for a Brownfield Site
Sofia, Bulgaria
Client: Private Client
Collaborators: V L Landscape Consultancy • External Consultants
Services: Landscape Strategy • Masterplanning • Environmental Analysis
Focus: Integrated Landscape Framework & Open View Analysis
Year: 2024-ongoing
Landscape strategy and masterplan for the transformation of an industrial site into a regenerative landscape structured around biodiversity, agriculture, education, and public use.
The proposal responds to landscape character, ecological systems, and key open views across the site.
Context
The site is located on the northeastern edge of Sofia within a fragmented landscape shaped by industrial activity, agriculture, ecological corridors, and open land.
Despite its industrial designation, the site retains important landscape qualities including mature vegetation, water features, and long-distance views towards Vitosha and the Balkan Mountains.
01
Open View Analysis
Understanding key view corridors and visual relationships informed the layout and open space structure.
02
Landscape Context
The wider context combines industrial and commercial uses with surrounding agricultural fields, meadow landscapes, and ecological habitats.
Landscape context analysis helped position the site within its broader environmental setting and informed the balance between productive use, biodiversity, and public access.
03
Site Understanding
Site understanding informed the definition of landscape zones and relationships between regenerative farming, ecology, recreation, and educational use.
04
Landscape Framework
The masterplan organises the site through ecological enhancements, productive landscapes, and event areas structured around existing spatial qualities.
The proposal responds directly to site analysis, open views, and landscape structure while maintaining openness across the site.
The framework supports a flexible and commercially viable long-term landscape strategy.
05
Outcome
The project demonstrates how landscape analysis and strategic planning can inform integrated masterplanning for complex brownfield environments.
06
Community Benefit
Recreation and educational uses are integrated to support social interaction and wider community engagement
Scenic Views
Open view corridors towards Vitosha and the Balkan Mountains are retained and reinforced as a defining landscape feature
Productive Landscape
Agricultural uses are integrated within the wider landscape framework, supporting long-term productivity, education, and seasonal change
Sustainable Planning
The masterplan responds to environmental systems, landscape capacity, and long-term adaptability through a landscape-led planning approach
Ecological Networks
Existing vegetation, water features, and habitat corridors are strengthened to support biodiversity and ecological connectivity across the site
