gabriel pascariu, simona pascariua -integrated urban

INTEGRATED URBAN DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PARTICIPATORY

APPROACH. A ROMANIAN STORY

Gabriel Pascariu*, Simona Pascariu

Associate Professor Gabriel Pascariu, PhD

University of Architecture and Urban Planning "Ion Mincu"

Academiei Str. 18-20, sect. 1

Bucharest, Romania

E-mail: [email protected],

Phone: +(4) 0744.689109, Fax: +(4) 021.3169438

*Corresponding author

Biographical notes

Gabriel Pascariu is architect and urban planner, teaching at the Faculty of Urban Planning of the

University of Architecture and Urbanism "Ion Mincu" in Bucharest. His main fields of interest are territorial planning, regional development, strategic planning, project management as well as inner city area

problems, urban culture and public space. During the last 15 years he has been involved in various European

projects in Romania and abroad. He is author and co-author of various studies, reference materials and

researches in the field of urban and territorial planning, master plans for medium and large size

cities, territorial studies at national level and physical plans for several counties of Romania.

Gabriel Pascariu is also member of the editorial board or scientific committee of profile journals.

Simona Pascariu is architect and urban planner and executive manager of a private company acting

in the field of urban and regional planning. She is author and co-author of various studies and

researches on housing and spatial development and has got specialised during the last 15 years in

participatory processes for urban and territorial development, working with local communities and

facilitating strategic planning processes. She participated as a consultant and facilitator in numerous

projects at national and European level, but also across the ocean or in the Middle East. She was

consultant for the South – East Regional Development Agency in the Euroscape project related to

the regeneration of the historical centre of the city of Braila.

Abstract

The main objective of the project "Historical Centre of Braila - build and natural heritage" has been

to develop an integrated approach of the urban landscape management plan (LMP), aiming to

rehabilitate the natural and built-up heritage of Braila Municipality historic centre, in strong

correlation with social, economic and physical regeneration. The project has also aimed to setting

up a mechanism for implementation of the LMP in the case study area and to ensure the

coordination with other plans and strategies for the area. The main results of the project have been

the elaboration of preparatory studies as a basis for future urban regulations and development

policies in the area, an increased awareness of the local actors (from public and private sector,

mailto:[email protected]

Gabriel Pascariu, Simona Pascariu -Integrated Urban Development Through Participatory

Approach. A Romanian Story

70

community, NGOs) about the significance, values and complex problems of the area and a

preliminary Action Plan aiming to change / transform the area in a sustainable way. Some of the

expected consequences and follow-ups are related to the initiation and preparation of an Integrated

Urban Development Plan for the city of Braila in view of applying for and benefit from EU funds in

the incoming programming period 2014-2020. The proposed approach followed a method

developed under the "EUROSCAPES" Project, aiming to raise the awareness and enhance the

managing capacities of urban actors to act in complex urban situations and in valuable cultural and

natural environments. The three years project was financed from INTERREG IVC programme and

was implemented during the 2010-2012 interval. It brought together public and private

organisations from 14 partners, European regions and cities, involved or related to peri-urban and

urban landscape development and provided effective exchange of expertise and know-how in the

field.

Keywords: historic centre, landscape management plan, cultural and natural heritage, integrated

planning

JEL Classification: O21.

1. Introduction

Integrated approach to urban development has been promoted at a larger scale in Europe starting

with the URBAN Community Initiative in 19941. The initiative was launched as an instrument

dedicated to urban areas in a critical state, which was using a simultaneous and integrated approach

to physical and environmental regeneration, of social inclusion, entrepreneurship and job creation.

EU Structural Funds supported the initiative, which was initially prepared by the 1990-1993 pilot

programme, for two consecutive programming periods: 1994-1999 and 2000-2006.

The URBAN initiative allowed the initiation and elaboration of innovative models for integrated

urban development based on local partnerships and had a strong influence over the national

practices and polices for spatial development. During the present programming period (2007-2013),

the principles, the objectives and the types of actions were integrated within the larger objectives of

Convergence and Regional Competitiveness and Employment (European Commission, 2005). This

does not mean a lesser recognition of this important dimension of the EU Cohesion Policy. The

regulations of the Structural Funds are explicitly referring to the urban dimension and acknowledge

the role of cities in regional development (European Council, 2006b). The European Regional

Development Fund (ERDF) regulation states that the fund can support "participative, integrated and

sustainable strategies to face the powerful concentration of economic, environmental and social

problems of the urban zones" (European Council, 2006a).

1 http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/archive/urban2/urban/initiative/src/frame1.htm



71

In recent European documents, integrated approach to urban developed has been stressed by the

Leipzig Charter, in 2007, which includes recommendations to towns and cities to adopt and

implement policies and programmes of urban integrated development: "For us, integrated urban

development policy means simultaneous and fair consideration of the concerns and interests which

are relevant to urban development. Integrated urban development policy is a process in which the

spatial, sectoral and temporal aspects of key areas of urban policy are co-ordinated. The

involvement of economic actors, stakeholders and the general public is essential. Integrated urban

development policy is a key prerequisite for implementing the EU Sustainable Development

Strategy" (European Commission, 2007).

The opportunity of using European Funds for urban development in the present programming

period has increased the interest for integrative and participative approached in urban development

in Romania, in the last decade2. The legal framework for spatial planning introduced new adapted

concepts after 2007. For instance the integrated urban development projects and programmes are

mentioned by a Government Decision, which modifies the Spatial Planning Law (Government of

Romania, 2008a).

The Romanian Regional Operational Programme – REGIO 2007-20133, supported by the ERDF,

provides explicitly an urban priority axis: Priority Axis 1: "Support for sustainable urban

development". This axis is the linear descendant of the URBAN I and URBAN II of the previous

programming periods. Towns and cities were encouraged to elaborate integrated urban development

plans aiming to cover three areas of intervention:

rehabilitation of the public urban infrastructure and improvement of urban services,

including urban transport;

development of a sustainable business environment;

rehabilitation of social infrastructure, including social housing and improvement of social

services.

The programming documents emphasized the need of participation of citizens and local actors in

the elaboration of the integrated plans. A large number of local authorities of towns and cities of

2 Among the first approaches to an integrated and participatory urban development, the project for the town of Horezu

can be mentioned. The project was undertaken by the Partners Foundation for Local Development in cooperation with

UN HABITAT, Training and Capacity Building Branch and financially supported by Local Government Initiative of

the Open Society Institute - LGI/OSI.

(http://www.fpdl.ro/services.php?do=strategic_planning_for_local_development&show=horezu)

3 http://www.inforegio.ro/en/rop-2007-2013.html.

http://www.fpdl.ro/services.php?do=strategic_planning_for_local_development&show=horezu

http://www.inforegio.ro/en/rop-2007-2013.html



72

different sizes started to prepare such plans, most of them touching the issue of old historic centers.

Yet, in only few cases a real strategic and integrated approach could be noticed4. However, the

experience of this period will by no means be a valuable one for the next programming period. The

case of the city of Braila is relevant in this sense.

2. Braila City and the EUROSCAPES project

Braila is a Danubian harbour city, which has developed as an important commercial node especially

for cereals during the second half of the 19th

century and the first couple of decades in the 20th

century. The city has a remarkable radial – concentric urban structure in the old centre, designed

around 1830 when Romania was ruled as a Russian protectorate through the so/called "Organic

Regulations"5. The city also became well known for its multicultural and multiethnic character.

During the Communist period, the city preserved its old core and developed a new city centre

outside the historic area. Along the last two decades of transition the old centre decayed due to lack

of resources, changes of the property status, speculative actions of the real estate market, and aging

of the population and lost of traditional economic and commercial activities (Pascariu and Pascariu,

2012). The city got the status of urban development pole (Government of Romania, 2008b) within

the South-East Development Region, one of the eight regions set up in 1998 in Romania (Law

315/2004). Although the city prepared an Integrated Urban Development Plan (IUDP) to get

financing from the Priority Axis 1 of the Regional Operational Programme 2007-2013, the

coherence and integrative sides of the plan were rather weak and the focus was, as in many other

cases, on hard urban infrastructure, mainly roads rehabilitation, with very few and punctual

interventions in the historic core.

In a parallel action to the IUDP the city implemented an INTERREG IVC project, which provides

good opportunities for preparing larger integrative approaches for the in-coming 2014-2020

programming period. The "Euroscapes" project for an integrated approach of the urban landscape

management plan (LMP) was developed during three years (2010-2012) by a consortium of 14

partners lead by the Syndicat d’agglomeration nouvelle Marne-la-Valée / Val Maubuée, France.

The project was aiming to produce coherent territorial strategies "that should either be linked or

4 Although no global evaluation of the Priority Axis 1 has been done, during the Master Programme "Territorial

Planning and Regional Development" at the University of Architecture and Urbanism "Ion Mincu"

(http://www.uauim.ro/en/faculties/urbanism/atdr/), there have been a number of analyses and evaluations carried out by

groups of students coordinated by the academic staff, which proved the weakness of the spatial integrated approach.

5 A quasi-constitutional organic law enforced in 1834–1835 by the Imperial Russian authorities in Moldavia and

Wallachia. Although conservative in its scope, it allowed a modernization of the two regions by introducing Western

models.

http://www.uauim.ro/en/faculties/urbanism/atdr/



73

integrated to main planning and environmental policies’ documents. It is a quality approach that

involves and helps practitioners and on-site workers as it leads to the elaboration of differentiated

action plans (for the different types of landscapes) and specification sheets. (…) The whole

documents produced in the framework of this LMP can be linked to a geographical information

system (GIS) or similar e-tools."6.

The Romanian project team was built around the South-East Regional Development Region Agency

(SERDA), and focused on a very sensitive area in the old historic centre of Braila. The area selected

for the case study, has around 75 ha and is located in the very centre of the old city. Its position is a

key one within the city structure as it connects the historic core to the river front and the old harbour

area to the new promenade along the river and new city centre (Figure 1, Photo 1). The area is also

important due to its huge regeneration potential as a consequence of the economic and industrial

restructuring process of the last two decades of transition in Romania from a centralized economy

to a market one and from an authoritarian regime to a democratic one. The restructuring process

created large abandoned industrial sites, waiting to be revitalised.

Figure 1. Braila Pilot area and coordination with major functional landmarks

Source: LMP Braila, 2012

6 http://www.euroscapes-eu.org/en/project.html

http://www.euroscapes-eu.org/en/project.html



74

Photo 1. Perspective over the pilot project area of the old centre in Braila

Source: The City Hall of Braila

The cultural value of the study area is due to its concentration of historic monuments, whereas its

natural one is due to its historic gardens and riparian landscapes and plays a "hinge" role in the

functional structure of the city (Photos 2, 3). The area is now facing economic problems as a result

of the economic decline accelerated by the general crisis of the last years and social problems

generated by the presence of socially disadvantaged groups in the area.

In spite of its problems, the area is still attractive due to its multifunctional character and diversity

of urban functions and activities, of which housing, green recreation areas, services, production and

storage are the most important ones. Public services such as education, health, administration and

culture are well represented. Leisure and sport facilities (such as tennis courts, ice rink), commercial

services and religious buildings (churches, cathedrals) are completing the large range of tertiary

activities in the area. A rather dense and unregulated road and pedestrian network, of low, medium

and high traffic intensity, represents the urban tissue of the area.

The social mix, the cultural and natural heritage, the specificity of a very vivid Danubian harbour

with radial and half-ring old streets, the presence of an representative and valuable buildings stock,

damaged but untouched by the 45 years of communism and its "systematization" and aggressive

interventions in the urban fabric, provides a touristic attraction for both city residents and foreign

visitors and makes this area suitable for a LMP laboratory.



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Photos 2 and 3. Buildings and nature in the old city centre of Braila

Source: authors’ archive

3. Methods and working directions

The project approach was founded on four major pillars:

i. Implementing the methodology and process developed under the EUROSCAPES project.

ii. Observing /applying the legislation at international - European and national level on

landscapes and integrated strategic planning framework at the local level.

iii. Building of a local partnership for the selected area, together with identification of the LMP

mechanism for management and implementation.

iv. Investigating, analysing and proposing the most appropriate recommendations to be

considered for protection and development of the natural and cultural heritage.

In practice, evaluating the priorities for urban transformation required a comprehensive assessment

of the initial state of the art and to investigate the critical aspects related to planning scenarios. In

case of Braila, the evaluation was conducted by involving local stakeholders, using interactive

methods such as participatory workshops questionnaires, dialogues, thematic working groups

coordinated and facilitated by SERDA team, all aiming to identify problems and potentials of the

are and set up diagnosis and directions for development and changing.

3.1 Building of the local partnership and capacity for integrated management

As the LMP aim was to rehabilitate the natural and build-up heritage of Braila Municipality centre

in strong correlation with its social and economic regeneration, the participation and involvement of

key local actors during the entire process was crucial. As a result, creation of a stable and



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committed Local Action Group (LAG) involving public, private and non governmental sector was

a key factor for the project success. In this perspective the team’s approach was to start building a

managerial capacity unit, aiming to generate the vector for revitalisation of the entire social and

economic life, in correlation with the intention of the LMP to be a concrete and practical guide for

the area’s partnership, pointing out integrated management mechanisms for reaching the proposed

objectives in changing the city centre. Building a durable local partnership and active managing unit

for the selected area were not easy tasks, but nonetheless became the focus of both LMP elaboration

and its further implementation phases.

3.2 Preparatory studies: cultural and natural heritage

The elaboration of two final studies on the cultural and natural heritage (Urbanart, 2012) was based

on previous studies and researches, analyses of the system of the green spaces, urban landscape and

public space of the city of Braila, on field research and direct observation of the area as well as on

meetings and discussions with the beneficiary, local professionals and representatives of the public

administration. Both studies on natural and built-up heritage revealed the historic importance of the

area, its significant position within the city and focused on the detailed analyses of the natural

environment and cultural landscape, which has been analysed from different perspectives: physical

state, height, architectural and historical values, and the system of the green spaces, urban landscape

and public space of the city of Braila. On the basis of a detailed analysis, a SWOT and diagnosis

were formulated, pointing out strengths and potentials as well as the weaknesses and the needs for

interventions in the area. On this base, both studies concluded with recommendations for local

development and operational urban strategies and plans, of which most important are Braila General

Urban Plan and the Integrated Urban Development Plan to be further developed by the Braila

Municipality in view of applying for EU funds in the incoming programming period 2014-2020.

3.3 LMP strategic objectives

The integrated management objectives answered to the identified situation requiring for each

objective to address specific challenges and development problems and all together to be able to

address the global aim to achieve urban and socio-economic cohesion and sustainable development

of an important part of the historic centre of Braila, an area with a significant cultural heritage and

key potentials. Three strategic objectives were identified:

Strategic objective 1 - Nature and community: improvement of the quality of life and

valorisation of the natural and anthropogenic resources;



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Strategic objective 2 - Restoration of the image and traditional atmosphere:

conservation and valorisation of the natural and build landscape, in the perspective of a

sound economic revival and sustainable development;

Strategic objective 3 - Citizens and administration: strengthening the local public

administration and citizen’s effective participation to the processes of decision making and

management of the natural and build heritage.

For each strategic objective a number of programmes were developed having specific projects ideas

and actions, specifying the management tasks and challenges. Based on the strategic objectives, a

short and medium term (2012-2015) Action Plan was elaborated and agreed in the final stage of the

project with the key local partners and main beneficiary of the LMP, the Braila Municipality.

4. Outcomes and discussion

The following sub-sections present the main results and proposals of the studies on built-up and

natural heritage in the area, elaborated within the “Euroscapes” project as a support for concrete

actions of local actors.

4.1 Recommendations and proposals for implementing the two studies

The proposals and recommendations of the LMP and of the two studies are of a general, zonal and

local character. They are mainly related to the protection, rehabilitation and functional conversion

of the natural, architectural and urban heritage of the Pilot Zone as well as to the promotion of its

cultural value. As priority measures, can be mentioned:

- rehabilitation of the listed buildings and of those having a urban and architectural value;

- rehabilitation and maintenance of the historic heritage that contributes to the general image

and to the preservation of historic and cultural features of the area, through a support and

technical assistance programme as well as information and education of the inhabitants;

- urban regeneration of the Eastern old industrial area by conversion of the abandoned

industrial buildings and warehouses, by reconstruction and reorganization of some obsolete

and abandoned lands;

- transformation of the Traian and Poligon Squares in an area of a strong cultural character –

"the museum zone" – and of a good and homogenous urban design, on the basis of a unitary

and integrated landscape planning project;



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- achieving a good and efficient reconnection of the Public Garden to the Danube Waterfront

by isolated and discrete interventions, without affecting the traditional tissue of the area;

- general improvement of the quality of the public space by rehabilitation of the roads and

sidewalks, of the urban furniture especially in the main points of interests in the area;

- involving the local communities in the area to take actions in maintaining, preserving,

rehabilitating the housing stock and the public areas;

- promoting the cultural and historical assets of the area.

Specific proposals and measures are formulated at the level of 7 main sub-zones, defined as specific

typological landscape zones (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Zones and sub-zones and landscapes typologies

Source: LMP- Natural Heritage Study, 2012

Taking into consideration all the valuable architectural, urban and cultural assets of the area, it is

recommended in the end, that the area gets the status of an "urban action zone", in order to

become eligible for European Funding in the next programming period 2014-2020. A number of

actions are necessary in this perspective, such as: preparing the documentary, juridical and

conceptual framework, starting maintenance and conservation actions in order to prevent further

degradations of the building stock and of the public spaces and initiating awareness and educative



79

programmes for local actors in order to set up a future partnership and to increase the involvement

of the local community in urban regeneration and landscape management.

4.2 Reconnecting the city: the cultural-touristic itineraries

In order to promote and make the best use of the Braila urban centre and architectural heritage, the

studies proposed the organisation of eight itineraries having a cultural, recreational or mixed

character, as a basis for a global regeneration of the area (Figure 3). The itineraries proposed will

connect the main nodes and landmarks in the area such as the Traian Square, Poligon Square, Public

Garden, The Harbour Station and others along main axis such as "Împăratul Traian" street or the

Danube waterfront, or along the natural corniche, or going through the inner urban tissue of the old

city. The organization and design of these itineraries is supposed to ensure the permeability and

legibility of the area and the connectivity and integration of the "upper city" with the lower part of

the Danube riverfront (Pascariu, 2011). The proposed itineraries are listed below and illustrated in

Figure 3:

Itinerary no. 1: Traian Square –Poligon Square–Public Garden – Danube Waterfront

Itinerary no. 2: Violatos Mill– Danube Waterfront –Saligny Silos,

Itinerary no. 3: Traian Square –Împăratul Traian street – Danube Waterfront (Harbour

Station)

Itinerary no. 4: From. Împăratul Traian street along the corniche line to Lykiardopoulos Mill

Itinerary no. 5: Călăraşilor Road – Traian Square –Galaţi Road – Fortificaţiei street - Vadul

Schelei street – Danube Waterfront (1st peripheral itinerary)

Itinerary no. 6: From Călăraşilor Road via Rubinelor street, Pietrei street and Neagră street

to Împăratul Traian street and then along the corniche to the Public Garden

Itinerary no. 7: Danube Waterfront (Violatos Mill) –Vapoarelor street (or along. Danubiului

street) –Călăraşilor Road – Traian Square – Galaţi Road (or to the West along Mihai

Eminescu street) (2nd

peripheral itinerary)

Itinerary no. 8: Călăraşilor Road – Florilor street – Rubinelor street –C. A. Rosetti street –

(Teatrului street) –Dimitrie Bolintineanu street –"Public Garden" park.



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Figure 3. Cultural-touristic itineraries in Braila historical centre

Source: LMP- Natural and Cultural Heritage Studies, 2012

The proposed cultural-touristic itineraries are one complex project, part of a key LMP program that

aims to restore the image of the traditional atmosphere, preserve and enhance the natural landscape

and built-up heritage, in the spirit of sustainable integrated development. It is expected to increase

visibility and inclusiveness, to add value - including economic and social and also development of

green areas. However, there were identifies a number of critical challenges that should be addressed

through the proposed integrated management system (IMS) as follows:

the project may increase land values, making it less affordable, increasing housing costs and

their maintenance as well as increased rents for individuals and businesses;

the choice for the proper reconversion of functions of the heritage buildings to be

rehabilitated;

the location of new activities should be discussed and agreed with the owners and the local

community, and in accordance with the priorities identified initially and in the Spatial

Management Plan7.

Configuring the itineraries should be considered at larger scale of the central area and of the city as

a whole (Figure 4). In terms of landscapes and planted areas, it is important to achieve better

relationships and integration within the green system of the city centre and of the municipality as a

7 http://www.euroscapes-eu.org/en/project.html

Legend

http://www.euroscapes-eu.org/en/project.html



81

whole. It is important to mark the spatial continuity by visible and unitary elements such as

plantations, urban furniture, pavements, etc. and this aspect should be taken in consideration in the

future planning process (projects and interventions). Emphasizing landscape elements on certain

routes and directions is necessary. In this respect, attention is due to the following directions:

Traian Square – str. Împăratul Traian – River Station;

Traian Square – Polygon Square – Public Garden and accesses to the Danube promenade /

waterfront;

Upper corniche route with its lower alternative (at the corniche basement level), linking

sport and recreation zones;

Danube waterfront with facilities in the contact points with routes connecting the upper

terrace, especially in the Public Garden area;

Perimeter route on the Northern side (Fortificaţiei – Vadu Schelei) under full valorisation

conditions, and rehabilitation - conversion of historical buildings such as Lykiardopoulos

Mill and Rizeria Română.

Figure 4. The scheme of axes, nodes and main sub-zones of the pilot area

Source: LMP- Natural and Cultural Heritage Studies, 2012



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4.3 The proposed management mechanism

The key actions in developing an operational structure were twofold:

i. Setting-up an effective management mechanism for implementation of the LMP in the

selected area, and

ii. Coordination of the LMP implementation with the other plans and strategies covering the

area.

The proposed management and implementing structure of the LMP is on two levels:

i. a Zonal Coordination Committee (ZCC), as operational agent under the Municipality

coordination and

ii. a Technical Unit.

The ZCC is under the coordination of the Municipality to which is directly reporting.

The Zonal Coordination Committee includes:

The representative of the Municipality (Chief Architect) and a City Council

Representatives of SERDA Braila, the Commission of Monuments and Agency for

Environment and Landscapes

1 or 2 representatives of the business sector

Representatives of the relevant NGOs and local community

The Technical Unit includes:

A landscape /urban / management expert

A financial expert

A legal expert

Secretariat

The management mechanism also includes a monitoring and evaluation system and involves

community representatives' direct participation in the Zonal Coordination Unit. Also, LMP

proposes the location of a small representative office in the area, as a direct and more informal

antenna between the community and the public administration. The proposed structure provides the

seeds for developing an integrated management system (IMS). The aim of the IMS is to avoid the

duplication of existing environmental management systems and management tools in a city8. The

8 Managing Urban Europe-25 project “Guidance paper on Overview of the Integrated Management System”

(http://www.localmanagement.eu/index.php/mue25:mue25home)

http://www.localmanagement.eu/index.php/mue25:mue25home



83

IMS for managing the urban area consists of five major steps that are repeated in annual cycles.

These steps are graphically illustrated below (Figure 5).

Figure 5. IMS, step-by step

Source: processed after Managing Urban Europe-25 project

5. Conclusions

The major expected long-term outcome of the project is the improvement of the urban landscape

and urban management in historic areas based on the support of a public-private mechanism, aiming

to a better quality of public life, increased awareness regarding the landscape and increased

participation of citizens and decision makers. Other expected outcomes are the accession and

absorption of European Structural Funds for the foreseen transformation of the city and developing

of a more entrepreneurial approach.

Overall, the most influential aspects are so far, the method and the approach towards landscape and

urban management, having the potential to promote the desired changes. The proposed approach is

quite different from the traditional one in the Romanian environment, which is characterised by lack

of cooperation and interaction between urban actors, by a rigid application of the legal framework, by

limited responsibilities and by a reactive type of action rather than a strategic and preventive one.

Involvement

and

communication

Organization

al set-up

Target

setting

Implementat

ion and

monitoring

Evaluation

and

reporting

Baseline

review

Political

commitment

THE IMS



84

The project is expected to create the necessary synergy for generating a change in the urban

management. This synergy can be achieved due to several factors: the existence of an interested and

active leading institution which is the SERDA, the opportunity to access the ERDF in the next

programming period, the important convertible land reserve, the increased awareness of the local

actors about the issues and the values of the area, the support of the City Hall, which is interested to

promote the area as a representative urban asset. The selected area is in fact a very important one

for the image and identity of the city and very appropriate for a complex urban regeneration

programme (Pascariu, 2010) and if the proposed Action Plan will be implemented accordingly, it

may be the seed for a significant change of the city transformation and evolution.

The importance and effectiveness of such projects for Romanian cities relies within the process of

building capacities for strategic planning, increasing the involvement of local communities in urban

development and successful implementation of new tools for urban planning.

It is expected that the LMP for this singled-out area, if well managed and well implemented, will

provide an effective tool with concrete outcomes for urban revitalisation and economic

development and diversification, natural heritage conservation, participation and social

inclusiveness. Even more, it can influence the other city neighbourhoods and be replicated on the

long run.

References

European Commission (2005), “Communication from the Commission, Cohesion Policy in Support

of Growth and Jobs: Community Strategic Guidelines”, 2007-2013, Brussels

European Commission (2007), “The Chart of Sustainable Cities”, adopted by the informal

Ministerial Meeting on Urban Development and Territorial Cohesion, Leipzig, 24/25 May, 2007

European Council (2006a), Regulation (EC) No 1080/2006 of 5 July 2006 on the European

Regional Development Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1783/1999, OJ of the EU

European Council (2006b), Council Regulation (EC) No 1083/2006 of 11 July 2006, laying down

general provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund and the

Cohesion Fund and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1260/1999, OJ of the EU

Government of Romania (2008a), Government Decision No. 27 / 2008 for the modification of Law

350 / 2001 regarding the territorial and urban planning



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Government of Romania (2008b), Government Decree No. 998 / 2008, modified by GD 1149 /

2008, defining the national growth poles where priority investment projects are achieved from

European and national financed programmes

*** Law 315 / 2004 on Regional Development Policy in Romania (replacing Law 151 / 1998).

Pascariu, G. and Pascariu S. (2012), "Urban Regeneration and Community Building in Historic

Centers, Romania", Planning Studies & Practice - Journal of Singapore Institute of Planners, Vol.

4, No. 1, Nov. 2012, pp. 43-56

Pascariu, G. (ed.), (2010), Methodological Guide for Urban Integrated Project, Latanzio et Assoc.,

Bucharest (in Romanian)

Pascariu, S. (ed.), (2011), “Draft report on Revitalization natural and built-up environment Braila

Historical Centre”, Urbaplan ltd., Bucharest

Urbanart (2012), “Built-up Heritage of the ‘Pilot Zone’ of Braila and Natural Heritage of the ‘Pilot

Zone’ of Braila”, Urbanart ltd., Bucharest

gabriel pascariu, simona pascariua -integrated urban

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