Development in Bucharest, Romania, is completely at the will of developers. Can city officials regain control? The Diplomat Bucharest asks the experts.
Development is rampant and out of the city's control in Bucharest, Romania. Officials in the Eastern European country's capital city are without the legal power to impose limits on development, which many see as the root of the built environment's declining quality and sense of urbanism.
"Large projects can find it easy to win the green light for development. However, this also means citizens and authorities may lose their grip on the urban profile of their city."
" 'For the moment, the market dictates what new developments will happen and where,' says Radu-Petre Nastase, associate professor at Ion Mincu University of Architecture."
Architects, developers and public officials comment on the state of development in Bucharest and what can be done to get the city back in control of itself.
FULL STORY: Bucharest - the city where anything goes
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.
San Francisco’s Muni Ridership Grew in 2024
The system saw its highest ridership since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but faces a severe budget shortage in the coming year.
Colorado Lawmakers Move to Protect BRT Funding
In the face of potential federal funding cuts, CDOT leaders reasserted their commitment to planned bus rapid transit projects.
Safe Streets Funding in Jeopardy
The Trump administration is specifically targeting bike infrastructure and other road safety projects in its funding cuts.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland