Who Shows Up When Participation Is Still Emerging?

In Burgas, the recent consultation on the park redesign revealed something subtle but important about how people participate when a participatory culture is still taking shape. Instead of proposals, assemblies, or co-design workshops, the municipality relied almost entirely on surveys, a lightweight, low-barrier format that feels familiar and safe. And the demographics of who responded tell us a lot about where the culture of participation currently stands.

Most respondents were between 25 and 45, a group young enough to be digitally active and socially aware, but old enough to care deeply about neighbourhood stability, safety, and long-term public space quality. This age cohort consistently appears in early-stage participation ecosystems: they are busy, often juggling work and childcare, and therefore more likely to fill out a short survey than attend a three-hour workshop. They respond when the process meets them where they already are.

Across these age groups, a similar pattern emerges: there is willingness, even eagerness, to participate, especially within formats that feel comfortable and low-pressure. This is seen by the willingness or even openness of the residents who answered the survey to volunteer at the park.

The next steps in this will be exciting to see how a culture of togetherness is nurtured in the implementation of their New European Bauhaus solution.