SMART POLES AS A TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN BULGARIA: MARKET AND NEEDS ANALYSIS

Sustainable urban development and digital transformation are among Bulgaria's leading strategic priorities within the framework of European policies for the green and digital economy. In this context, smart poles are emerging as a key IoT infrastructure that integrates multiple functions– smart LED lighting, video surveillance, 5G/LoRaWAN/Wi Fi communications, environmental sensors and weather data, traffic, energy systems, EV charging and digital services. Their role is particularly significant in urban environments, where pressures related to mobility, security, air quality, and resource efficiency are especially high. The present article offers a systematic academic analysis of the market, the needs, and the opportunities for deploying smart poles in Bulgaria. The analysis encompasses global and European trends, market dynamics for the period 2025–2031, an assessment of the readiness of Bulgarian municipalities, profitability models, examples of good practices, as well as an examination of barriers and success factors. The study shows that the implementation of smart poles represents a technological, economic, and strategic solution applicable to municipalities of various sizes, supporting national objectives for digital and sustainable transformation.