V. Strategic objectives and specific tasks

The priorities of each Management Plan emanate from its specific characteristics as document for strategic conservation policy that aims to “incorporate traditional practices, existing urban or regional planning instruments, and other planning control mechanisms”. In accordance with these specific characteristics the MP of the Ancient City of Nessebar considers the three main axes of contemporary policy towards the cultural heritage that are also its key priorities:

• The conservation of the outstanding universal value, the authenticity and integrity of the property;

• The sustainable use of the property allowing the enhancement of its uniqueness, with a positive effect on the national and local economy, as well as on the well-being and living standard of the local population;

• The management of the property that creates favourable conditions for its conservation and sustainable use, integrating, using and enhancing all available modern instruments for that.

On this basis, the MP applies the approach towards the historic urban landscape as defined in the Recommendation of UNESCO by regarding the heritage of “The Ancient City of Nessebar” as an integral system of values – tangible and intangible, natural and cultural, included in the broader urban context – natural, social, economic, etc. On this basis, the MP strives to perform ‘comprehensive and integrated approach’ by including the aims of preservation of the outstanding universal value, the authenticity and the integrity of the property in the global aims of the sustainable development, and applies the method of the integrated conservation where the conservation strategy fits within the broader strategy for overall sustainable development.

In this respect, the MP puts in the centre of the policy of conservation, use and management of the property the residents of “The Ancient City of Nessebar” and the quality of their living. It is necessary to provide their empathy with this policy in order to stimulate their engagement and support, on the basis of common objectives and interests related to the future of the property. International experience shows that only on this basis it is possible to achieve these priorities in the conservation and development of the historic town.

In order to ensure the effective implementation of this approach, the MP applies the following principles:

• sustainability of planning and execution;

• realism – considering the needs of the living town, the specifics of the surrounding environment and the available resources (human, natural, financial);

• solidarity – shared responsibility and common actions for achieving of the objectives of the MP, by balance between public and individual interests;

• partnership among all participants in the process of implementation of the MP, with special role to the local population;

• work by stages – regulation of the consecutive steps for achieving the long-term strategic objectives in the 20-year period of Plan.

On the basis of the above was adopted the following system of strategic objectives and specific tasks of the Plan:

Objective 1: Setting of strategic guidelines for conservation of the outstanding universal value, authenticity and integrity of “The ancient city of Nessebar”, as well as of the values of its buffer zone, providing additional protection of the property

Objective 2: Setting of strategic guidelines for use of the property as resource for sustainable development and enhancement the living standard

Objective 3: Setting of strategic guidelines of strategy for sustainable management of the property