Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development 2024, 8(8), 5820. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i8.5820 1 Article New trends searching for urban transport management in the context of the regional development of Stara Zagora municipality Nikolay Tsonkov * , Kamen Petrov Regional Development Department, University of National and World Economy, 1700 Sofia, Bulgaria * Corresponding author: Nikolay Tsonkov, kolio_tzonkov@abv.bg Abstract: The paper proposes a methodology for the analysis and evaluation of the traffic scheme of Bulgarian cities. The authors combine spatial, network, and socio-economic analyses of cities with transport operators’ financial-economic evaluation, sociological studies of transport habits, and the possibilities of new information technologies for transport modeling (such as geographic information systems). The model proposes several approaches to optimize the municipality’s transport scheme. It results from a new need to improve urban traffic, the quality of transport services, and the integration of urban transport into the regional economy of Stara Zagora municipality. It presents a description, analysis, and outline of the opportunities for developing urban transport connectivity and mobility in Stara Zagora municipality. The research results show a deficit of transport connectivity between the different parts of the city, reflecting on the regional economy’s development and the efficiency of the environment and the population. Keywords: regional development; municipalities; urban mobility; public urban transport; transport modeling 1. Introduction In the twenty-first century, we are witnessing a new type of economy leading to a rapid transformation of technology and accelerating changes in the economic environment. It is characterized by business models that are more dynamic and agile than ever before. This stage or new phase has come to be called Economy 4.0, also known as the sharing or concentration economy. Business models are evolving for the communications, media, and technology (CMT) industry in addition to the tertiary sector, and companies are looking to seize new opportunities and innovate to keep pace with the changes ahead. This process also affects the public sector, where transport services in urbanized systems are structured (Kolasińska-Morawska et al., 2019; Lom et al., 2016). This gives rise to the need for several innovations in the transport system ranging from the formation of new development strategies, route optimization, traffic management, the creation of a reliable information environment for travelers, and several other activities that need planning of the activities related to transport management. Thus, when assessing and analyzing transport management, organizations need to consider how to proactively manage the emerging and dynamic risks arising from this new economic and digital era. This aspect is linked to the risk management that these companies must consider and anticipate the impact the assessment will have on the administrative-territorial unit in which they provide the relevant transport service. In addition, it is found that it is necessary to look for opportunities for the public sector to generate efforts to meet the requirements of green CITATION Tsonkov N, Petrov K. (2024). New trends searching for urban transport management in the context of the regional development of Stara Zagora municipality. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development. 8(8): 5820. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i8.5820 ARTICLE INFO Received: 15 April 2024 Accepted: 21 May 2024 Available online: 21 August 2024 COPYRIGHT Copyright © 2024 by author(s). Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development is published by EnPress Publisher, LLC. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/4.0/