Pazardjik
Established 500 years ago, Pazardjik has become an important commercial center and is now home to 85,500 residents.
It has a diversity of industrial and agricultural enterprises, including timber and woodworking, metal and rubber processing and production of food and dairy products, tobacco, textiles and batteries. Despite the variety of enterprises, the city suffered from the economic crisis in Bulgaria but is recovering by now. The city is working to increase local investment. Examples include the new commercial complex and business centers as well as privatization in the health sector.
Protection of the environment is one of the major challenges Pazardjik faces today. As a participant in the Cities of Change Network, it is addressing this issue with the development of a strategic solid waste plan. The plan calls for construction of a new landfill in compliance with EU requirements and surrounding municipalities. In the second phase of the project, Pazardjik also cooperates in the development of municipal environmental strategies.