In Romania, construction of infrastructure was formerly a slow and inefficient process that left many in the country without access to basic needs like water and roads. But now, construction has picked up and the country's services have vastly improved.
"Though public works has been at the centre of discussions, little has been achieved on the ground in bringing Romania up to speed with the rest of the EU in its infrastructure."
"Public-private-partnership (PPP) is now the word of the day, with a plethora of financial institutions, local authorities and Government officials taking a closer look at this funding mechanism as a way of moving Romania's infrastructure forward."
"'The construction segment in Romania has increased by 16 per cent this year,' says Borbely, 'and in the future, if we really manage to adopt EU norms, we will have a stable legal framework and I believe Romania can become a success story [in public works and infrastructure].'"
FULL STORY: Work in progress?
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
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.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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