Elena Dimitrova

Elena Dimitrova is a Part-time Lecturer at the Department of Urban Planning within the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG) in Sofia, Bulgaria. She has been affiliated with the institution since 1983 and holds a Doctor of Architecture degree awarded in 1990 from the same university (then known as VIAS).

Her research interests focus on spatial and socio-cultural aspects of sustainable development, interdisciplinary research on urban sustainability, socio-spatial and cultural identity of European cities, and contemporary challenges for cities in Southeastern Europe. Her work spans spatial policies for sustainable development, methods for assessing urban sustainability, energy transformation at regional and local levels, public participation in urban planning, urban and regional mobility, and cultural heritage management.

Dimitrova has been involved in numerous research projects since 1997, including several Horizon 2020 projects such as URBINAT (2018-2024) and ECHOES (2016-2019), where she served as principal investigator for the UACEG team. Her scholarly output demonstrates consistent contributions to the field of urban planning, with recent publications examining gender-inclusive urban regeneration, post-war heritage, and sustainable mobility.

• Member of the Bulgarian National Committee of ICOMOS (2011-2022, as Vice President)
• Vice President of CIVVIH (International Scientific Committee of ICOMOS for historic cities and villages) since 2021
• Member of the Committee for Selection of Europa Nostra Awards in Education category (2022)
• Chair of working groups related to sustainable development goals implementation

Her international engagement includes extensive teaching collaborations across European universities through ERASMUS+, TEMPUS, and CEEPUS programs, reflecting her commitment to transnational academic exchange in urban planning education.