Specialists from the Institute of Architecture recently presented the Bucharest 2035 Strategic Concept. Among other things, it provides for the construction of multi-story parking garages, new parks (Ferentari, Văcărești, and Lacul Morii), the transformation of the capital’s center into an exclusively pedestrian zone, and the highlighting of historical monument buildings. Additionally, the metro network will be extended into the capital’s crowded areas, high-speed trains and highways will be built to facilitate the connection between Bucharest and the country’s county seats, and small ports will be developed on nearby rivers.
“It is a political decision. If Bucharest remains in this form and focuses on cooperation, it is absolutely mandatory to collaborate with its surrounding territory of influence. The political world must understand this, because Bucharest provides nearly 30% of Romania’s GDP. It is obvious that if we do not take advantage of this, we will lose competitiveness and eventually be eliminated from the European market because we cannot utilize this opportunity, which is Bucharest’s status as a regional pole,” said Gheorghe Pătrașcu, the Chief Architect of the Capital.
He also believes that an airport in southern Bucharest could create this shift of development towards the south, because the “civic center” operation during the communist period left the southern part of the capital underdeveloped and lacking connectivity. These projects attempt to restore these things without creating large-scale axis projects or demolitions, but rather small interventions to restore the unity of Bucharest’s central area and favor, in a way, the movement of development towards the south.
Whatever we do, we always end up back at road infrastructure
In his turn, Sorin Oprescu, the General Mayor of Bucharest, believes that in 25 years the Capital will develop in a balanced way: “I am referring to the southern part, because until now, Bucharest’s development has been towards the north. The south must be developed from an economic, social, and cultural point of view, but also in terms of housing construction. In the south, we will build housing complexes, parks, and commercial complexes, while preserving the chain of lakes located a few kilometers away.” Furthermore, the General Mayor promised that by then, the northern highway (the suspended highway) will be completed, to be built through a public-private partnership. But he also has other plans: “I am referring to green roofs, the landscaping of the Dâmbovița river and its watercourse, with the green zone set to cover approximately 13 km.”
Oprescu admitted that all projects in the Bucharest 2035 Strategic Concept are important, but he still speaks about infrastructure: “They are linked to strategic parking and deterrence parking at the edge of the Bucharest ring road, so that travel can occur in a convenient timeframe.” He further mentioned ongoing road infrastructure projects (such as the Mihai Bravu – Văcărești, Doamna Ghica, and Splai Dudescu overpasses) which will contribute to traffic flow. It is worth noting that this study was developed at the request of the Bucharest City Hall by a consortium consisting of urban architects, engineers of various specialties, economists, and sociologists, with the concept being part of the General Urban Plan to be drafted and approved by the General Council of the Municipality of Bucharest in 2012.
Source: Flux Imobiliar
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main objectives of the Bucharest 2035 Strategic Concept?
The objectives include expanding the metro network, building multi-story parking lots, creating new parks (Văcărești, Ferentari), converting the city center into a pedestrian zone, and developing high-speed rail and highway infrastructure.
Why is the development of southern Bucharest a priority?
Developing the south is crucial to balance the city’s expansion, which has historically leaned north, and to address the economic and connectivity gaps left by communist-era urban planning.
How will this plan impact Romania’s economic competitiveness?
By strengthening Bucharest as a regional hub and fostering collaboration with surrounding areas, the plan aims to leverage the 30% of national GDP generated by the capital to maintain its standing in the European market.