Pidu Central Bucharest En

Integrated Urban Development PlanCentral Area of Bucharest City

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Drawn up by

SYNERGETICS CORPORATION

RE-ACT NOW STUDIO

KXL

IGLOO ARHITECTURE

STUDIO BASAR

ASTIL

MACARIE O’LOONEY ARCHITECTS

SOARE&YOKINA ARHITECTI ASOCIATI

REPUBLIC OF ARCHITECTS

POLARH DESIGN

KVB ECONOMIC

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CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE URBAN ACTION AREA

1.1. Identification of the Urban Action Area and Justification of Choice

1.2. Historic Evolution of the Area

1.3. Analysis of the Built Environment and Urban Fabric

1.3.1. Built Environment

1.3.2. Urban Fabric Structure

1.3.2.1. Urban Action Area

1.3.2.2. Sub-areas

1.3.3. Urban Fabric Structure

1.4. Analysis of Urban Transport

1.4.1. Transport by Private Car

1.4.2. Public Transport

1.4.3. Walking

1.4.4. Bicycle Use

1.5. Demographic and Social Characteristics of the Urban Action Area

1.5.1. Population

1.5.2. Living in the Urban Action Area

1.5.3. Green Areas

1.5.4. Crime Incidence in the IUDP Urban Action Area

1.5.5. Social Perceptions and Benchmarks Related to the Urban Action Area

1.5.5.1. Central Area Definiton

1.5.5.2. Central Area Promotion

1.5.5.3. Central Area Use

1.5.5.4. Central Area-related Problems and Requirements

1.6. Economic Characteristics of the Urban Action Area and Comparison with the City

1.6.1. Workforce

1.6.1.1. Employee Distribution according to the Field of Activity

1.6.1.2. Employee Distribution according to the Weight of the Activity

1.6.2. Economic Activity Volume

1.6.3. Economic Activity Profile

1.6.4. Company Dynamics

1.6.5. Economic Activity Density

1.6.6. Industry-specific Economy

1.6.7. Innovation, Research and Development

1.6.8. Added Value and Productivity

1.6.9. North / South Space Analysis

1.7. Public services

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1.7.1. Transport Infrastructure and Mobility

1.7.2. Technical-Urban Infrastructure

1.7.3. Cleanliness

1.7.4. Health

1.7.5. Education

1.7.6. Culture

1.8. Investment Dynamics in the Urban Action Area

1.8.1. Public Investment Dynamics

1.8.2. Private Investment Dynamics

1.9. Development Needs Identified in the Urban Action Area

1.9.1. Development Needs Identified by the Sociological Survey

1.9.2. Development Needs Identified by the Diagnosis Analysis

1.10. Urban Action Area Development Potential

2. URBAN ACTION AREA DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

2.1. Importance of a Strategic Local Development Vision

2.2. Objectives

2.2.1 European Objectives and Principles regarding the Improvement of the Living Environment in the Urban Area

2.2.2. Objectives of the Regional Operational Programme

2.2.3. Objectives for the Integrated Urban Development Plan for Bucharest – Centra Area

2.3. Development Priorities

2.4. Strategy for the Development of Tourism in the Central Area of Bucharest

3. ACTION PLAN

3.1 List of Projects and Estimated Budget for the Implementation of the Integrated Plan, according to Sources ofFinancing; Project Implementation Period

3.2 Urban Action Area Map including the Location of the Individual Projects within the Plan

3.3 Integrated Plan Implementation Management

4. PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS FOR IUDP PREPARATION

5. BENEFITS BROUGHT BY IUDP AND PROPOSED ACTIONS

ANNEXES

Annex no. 1 – List of Individual Projects

Annex no. 2 – Sub-areas Included in the Urban Action Area

Annex no. 3 – Historic Analysis Sources

Annex no. 4 – Stages of Evolution of the Central Area Sub-areas

Annex no. 5 - Stages of Evolution of the Structuring Axes of the Central Area

Annex no. 6 – Sociological Survey Methodology

Annex no. 7 – Traffic Analysis for the Urban Action Plan

Annex no. 8 – List of the Pledged Streets within the Urban Action Area

Annex no. 9 – Investments in the Urban Action Area made by Bucharest Municipality

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Context

This project represents the first stage of the service contract MB no. 444 of 31.12.2010, for the preparation of theIntegrated Urban Development Plan for the Central Area of Bucharest City (IUDP). The Integrated Urban DevelopmentPlan will be updated following the completion of the first three contractual stages, i.e. the completion of the list ofprojects following the public consultation process, of the design briefs and of the feasibility studies.In this context, this document may be supplemented following the final public consultation process which will takeplace after the completion of the prefeasibility studies.Furthermore, the information regarding the applicant will be updated following the approval of this work and of thenext stages by the beneficiary.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

I. The specific objectives of the Integrated Urban Development Plan (IUDP) for thecentral area of Bucharest City consist of: (i) bring into prominence the eclectic character ofBucharest central area as an identifying mark of the city, (ii) reintegrate and restructure the urbanfabric, (iii) create an efficient circulation system, (iv) renew the public space network, (v)sustainable development, (vi) integrated urban regeneration of the areas having social-economicproblems and (vi) ensure a diverse and safe social climate. The attainment of these objectives willresult in the improvement of the quality of life of the people living in this area and also in the otherareas of the city and in the enhancement of the attractiveness for investors and tourists, creating avibrant, dynamic and attractive central area for the City of Bucharest, European capital.

II. The actions proposed within the Integrated Urban Development Plan reflect a set ofpriorities:

1. (Re-)creation of a urban identity for the central area of Bucharest City. A clear andcaptivating identity of the city will attract tourists and investors, will create a positive brand, willdevelop a community and appurtenance feeling among the inhabitants of Bucharest City, enablingthe support of the commercial and economic activities of the city. The actions proposed in theIntegrated Urban Development Plan aim at bringing to prominence and extensively using theeclectic character of the city, by creating different areas with different identities, connected byroutes mainly intended for pedestrians and bicyclists.

2. Renewal of the areas with different historic and architectural specificity, whichconstitute the central area of Bucharest City, without considering the historic centre just asLipscani area. As presented in chapters 1.2, 1.5 and 1.6., the deconstruction of the city core and thesocial-economic imbalances generated by the insertion of the Civil Centre represent main problemsof the central area of Bucharest City, and the Integrated Urban Development Plan aims atreintegrating these landlocked, segregated areas. The reconstruction of two bridges overDâmbovița river, for example, will reconnect the northern and southern parts of the historic centre,which will generate flows of visitors on the pedestrian and bicycle paths and will lead to therenewal of the areas in the southern part of Dâmbovița, up to the Flower Market in Rahova-Uranus.

3. Increased efficiency of the circulation system in the central area by prioritizing thesustainable and alternative means of circulation. A route mainly intended for pedestrians andbicyclists will create a viable transport alternative. An integrated network of pedestrian andbicycle circulation in a large area of the centre is proposed, having not only circulationopportunities but also quality public areas. Furthermore, as regards the transport by bicycle, it isconsidered important to create a continuous and coherent network of concentric and radial bikelanes. The construction of this alternative route will not impair the traffic capacity and will notcreate parking problems in the area, because it will be performed in two stages. Within the firststage average underground and multi-storey car parks will be built, ensuring the necessaryparking spaces and clearing the public areas for the works of subsequent rehabilitation. Given thatlarge car parks lead to denser vehicle traffic in the central area, this strategy is not intended for thistype of investments.

4. The sustainable urban renewal of the problematic zones within the urban action area.They shall undergo an integrated and coherent process of urban renewal, aiming at bothrehabilitating the built-up land and the public spaces and strengthening the community andencouraging entrepreneurial activities. The recent social trends in Bucharest reflect an accentuationof the discrepancies between the different categories of population. A residential segregationprocess based on economic criteria takes place, contrary to the general European principles thatpromote social mixity. Bucharest shall not be developed as other parallel cities but it shall reflectthe diverse and alive character of a European capital. This IUDP includes actions aiming atachieving social cohesion, such as the creation of cultural centres for the community, having

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social, educational and leisure function for the entire population. By rehabilitating theinfrastructure, by creating pedestrian paths generating a continuous flow of visitors and byestablishing a development and identity direction for each of the areas, both private investments andcommercial activities will be stimulated.

III. Proposed projects. In order to ensure the attainment of the aforementioned objectives,a set of projects and related subprojects, distributed on all sub-areas of the action area areproposed. Some projects are conditioned by land purchasing or by partnerships with differentinstitutions, such as the Parliament. Furthermore, for certain high-complexity projects, such as thereconfiguration of the major public spaces having significant design and connectivity problems, it isrecommended to organise solution bids. Please note that the list of actions proposed by IUDP willbe completed by the Municipality of Bucharest City, according to the existing urban priorities,objectives and policies.

Urban interventions will be divided in stages so that the works do not create majorimpediments in the circulation and performance of the activity in the central area (e.g. car parks willbe built before reconfiguring the public spaces currently occupied by parked cars).

IV. The premises on which the aforementioned objectives and action plan are based.1. Identification of the urban action plan [chap. 1.1]. The specificity of the central area of

Bucharest City is its heterogeneous character: In this area there is a combination of spaces verydifferent in terms of building typology and urban morphology, functional profile and extent of useand their status in the mental geography of Bucharest inhabitants. The urban, demographic andsocial-economic analyses carried out indicate the essential need to develop a plan approachingurban development in a balanced and sensitive manner, as regards both the level of social-economicneeds and the level of the diverse space problematic of the central area. The essential premise is thatthe central area of Bucharest City requires a holistic approach, promoting and bringing toprominence the diversity and heterogeneity of the central area and strengthening the space andfunctional relations between the areas, conferring an individual image and identity of the city, basedon the principle of unity in diversity.

The urban action area and nine analysis sub-areas have been defined. The methodology usedis based on the urban morphology and typology of the buildings, functional profile and extent ofuse, historic function and last but not least the area image and status. Numerous pluridisciplinaryanalyses have been carried out in order to identify the needs, the development potential, theobjectives and priorities of the urban area: historic, traffic, urban fabric accessibility andpermeability, environmental, demographical, social and economic analyses.

2. The analysis of the historic evolution [cap. 1.2] indicates that the City of Bucharestexperienced an organic growth, affected however by the urban works in the XIX and XX centuries,when new axes were marked out. The main problems resulting from the recent evolution of the areaare the landlocking of certain sub-areas and connection cutting off once with the construction ofthe Civic Centre. The analysis of the urban fabric [chap. 1.3] indicated that the sub-areas in thesouthern part of Dâmboviţa river suffer from weak permeability and low local accessibility, whichlimit their development potential. The social [chap. 1.5] and economic [chap.1.6] analyses reflectthe major differences between these sub-areas and the areas in the northern part of Dâmbovița river.A solution for the space and social-economic disparities between the northern and southern partsof the central area of Bucharest represents one of the critical needs of the urban action area.

3. The economic analysis [chap. 1.6] indicates that the urban action area has an importanteconomic role for the city. Nevertheless, the potential is not fully exploited. On the one hand, thecommercial activity support potential on the streets with an important historic function is notexploited. On the other hand, the potential regarding the foreign investments is neither exploited.Bucharest City uses only a part of the brand potential, its image lacking positive recognition at aEuropean level, as compared to the prediction developed based on its potential. The studies in thefield of urban marketing indicate that the condition of the buildings and public areas contributes to

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the creation of the general external perception on a city and it influences, at its turn, the decision toinvest in such place. The City of Bucharest currently needs to improve its urban image in order tobecome an attraction pole in a European (even global) competition of cities. Following the analysescarried out, a set of strengths, yet unexploited, have been identified, which constitute a significantdevelopment potential for the city. This includes the existence of a greatly varied architecture whichmay bring to prominence a brand of eclectic city, the existence of cultural resources which may berehabilitated and promoted (Pasajul Vilacrosse [Vilacrosse Passage], Curtea Veche [Old PrincelyCourt], Centrul Istoric [Historic Centre], Mănăstirea Antim area [Antim Monastery area],Antrepozite-Rahova-Uranus area [Depots-Rahova-Uranus area]), and the presence of Dâmbovițariver, unexploited for the moment. Furthermore, the central area of Bucharest City needs highquality public spaces serving the community and strengthening the image of European metropolis.Both green areas and other types of public areas (squares, streets, sidewalks) currently have adeficient image and design and should be rehabilitated.

4. The analysis of the public investment dynamics in the area [chap. 1.7] indicated thatmost investments made by Bucharest Municipality have been intended for the transportinfrastructure. The traffic-related problems [chap. 1.4] are indeed very important for Bucharest.Even if the street infrastructure is the same as it was in 1989, the number of cars in Bucharest iscurrently seven times higher than it was two centuries ago. The congestion has a negative impacton the travel times, on air pollution and parking lots. The city does not have sufficient parkinglots in the central area, which results in “parasite” parking lots. At the same time, the alternativemeans of transport recommended by the EU, such as bicycle riding, are used a lot under theEuropean parameters. Less than 2% of Bucharest inhabitants use bicycles as daily mean oftransport, whilst by the Charter of Brussels of 2009, the European cities undertook to reach apercentage of daily travels by bicycle of 15%.

Following the analyses referred to above and following the identification of the area needsand potential, the objectives and priorities that generated the set of specific actions proposed for theurban action area have been defined.

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1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE URBAN ACTION AREA

1.1. Identification of the Urban Action Area and Justification of Choice

In the context of the heterogeneous character of the central area of the city, there have been identified ninesub-areas having distinct urban character but which, from a historic and functional point of view, jointly constitute thecentral area of Bucharest City (Figure 1). Altogether, these sub-areas represent the Urban Action Area (UAA) of theIntegrated Urban Development Plan proposed for the central area of the Capital. Please note that this IUDP impacts ona larger area, referred to as the zone of influence of the urban action area, represented by areas which are connected,from a historic or functional perspective, to the central area.

Figure 1: Location of the urban action area and of the zone of influence within the city

The methodology by which the urban action area and the nine sub-areas were defined was based on thefollowing elements:

- Urban morphology: density, characteristics of the street network, degree of accessibility in the area;- Building typology: height, characteristics (style, materials), condition (wear level, refurbishment actions etc)

;- Functional profile: residential/commercial/industrial/administrative functions;- Extent of use: at city/local level, high/low;- Historic role- Image/status

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Figure 2: Urban action area and identified sub-areas

SUB-AREA 9SUB-AREA 8

SUB-AREA 5 SUB-AREA 4

SUB-AREA 1

SUB-AREA 2

SUB-AREA 3

SUB-AREA 7

SUB-AREA 6

meters

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Description of the Sub-Areas within the Urban Action Area

Sub-area 1: Dense area, dominated by rather high-rise buildings, mainly interwar block houses having alarge diversity of functions and public interest buildings (ministries, prefecture, theatres, high education institutions,hotels, local institutions). It is an area extensively used by the inhabitants of the entire city, with high road andpedestrian traffic and a very good connection to the public transport network. The functions are mixed- administrative,cultural, services, offices, commercial, residential. Within this sub-area there are certain public spaces relevant for thecity: Piața Universității (University Square), Piața Revoluției (Revolution Square), Piața Palatului (Palace Square), PiațaRomană (Roman Square), Parcul Cișmigiu (Cişmigiu Gardens), large boulevards.

Figure 3: Urban fabric of sub-area 1

SUB-AREA 6

SUB-AREA 1

SUB-AREA 2

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Sub-area 2: Generally described as the“Historic Centre”, this sub-area represents apart of the old commercial centre (medievalcore), which has become in the last years thescene of urban renewal processes. Its rapidtransformation, from a deteriorated area intothe main leisure area in Bucharest, led to thegreatest density of restaurants and cafés in theCapital. It is also highly used at city level andthe pedestrian traffic is intense, being thesingle area in Bucharest with a pedestrianstreet network. The main morphologicalcharacteristic is the medieval, dense streetnetwork having narrow streets, continuousstreet frontages, specific for the commercialcentres in the extra-Carpathian area. Thebuildings mainly have two or three storeysand are mostly built in the second half of theXIX century (there are also several isolatedexamples of buildings prior to this period,ones of the few still existing in Bucharest).The ground-floor is occupied by commercialareas / cafés / clubs, the storeys beingresidential or vacant. The resident populationhas a low social-economic level, agentrification process appearing at the sametime at a residential level.


Sub-area 3: Part of the medieval core,similar, in terms of morphology andtypologies, to sub-area 2, this sub-area didnot undergo any urban renewal process.Even if, from a historic point of view, itformed a whole together with sub-area 2(representing together the commercialcentre of pre-modern Bucharest), it wasseparated from this sub-area by the Nord-South throughway (with a significantmotor car traffic) and was not subject tothe street rehabilitation conducted by thelocal authorities. Consequently, this areais mainly used locally and its extent of useis low; the commercial and public cateringactivities are less present as compared tothe sub-area 2. Most of the buildings aredeteriorated. The resident population has amodest social-economic level.


SUB-AREA 2

SUB-AREA 3

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Sub-area 4: This area describes the CivicCentre, marked by a major discrepancybetween the axis of Bulevardul Unirii(Union Boulevard) and the isolatedenclaves of the old city. The generalcharacteristic is given by rupture,discontinuity, contrast. The extent of useis very unequal within the area: on the onehand there is the commercial area of PiaţaUnirii (Union Square), which acts as a hubof the city, on the other hand there arelandlocked areas, extremely low used. Thenon-residential functions are grouped onBulevardul Unirii (Union Boulevard),which has a low commercial function anda number of administrative buildings(ministries in the western part of the area,the Court of Justice and National Libraryin the eastern part). From a morphologicalpoint of view the monumental axis ofBulevardul Unirii (Union Boulevard)separates areas with an organicmorphology, which in the past wereconnectedThe area typology consists of highbuildings on the alignment of boulevardsand of medium-rise houses, extremelydeteriorated, located behind them.


Sub-area 5: This area is dominated byPalatul Parlamentului (the Palace of theParliament). In its vicinity there isParcul Izvor (Spring Park), with manylarge areas. From a morphologicalpoint of view, the sub-area consists oflarge surface urban islands. Pedestriantraffic is extremely low, whilst themotor car traffic is extremely high.


SUB-AREA 5

SUB-AREA 8

SUB-AREA 4

SUB-AREA 2

SUB-AREA 3

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Sub-areas 6, 7, 8: These areas are mainly residential, being locally used and having a low traffic even ifcrossed by circulated thoroughfares and with different functions. The sub-area 8 includes the area of the RomanianPatriarchy which is used by the inhabitants of all parts of the city. The area typology mainly consists of single-familydwellings, and in low-rise buildings with a low number of apartments. The proximity to the active and intensively usedareas confers to these areas the perception that they are included in the central area.


SUB-AREA 1

SUB-AREA 6

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SUB-AREA 7

SUB-AREA 8

SUB-AREA 4

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Sub-area 9: Another area impacted by the urban disruptions. The street network is truncated by the construction of theCivic Centre and of Casa Poporului (People’s House), generating accessibility problems. The sub-area is characterizedby a combination of residential functions (the population living in here having a modest social-economic profile) andindustrial functions (factories, warehouses, most of them being closed down) and an increasing number of leisurefacilities. The area is mainly used by the local inhabitants.


SUB-AREA 9

SUB-AREA 5

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URBAN FABRIC SUMMARY TABLE:

Area Urbanmorphology

Building typology Functionalprofile

Status/image(resulting fromthe sociological

survey currentlycarried out)

Use (level) Extent ofuse

Area 1 high densitystreets from the

pre-modern streetnetwork crossed

byE-W and N-S

axes

block houses, inter-wardwellings and public

interest buildings

mixedfunctions:

administrative,cultural,services,offices,

commercial,residential

high at citylevel

high

Area 2 medieval, densestreet network,narrow streets

continuous streetfrontages

mainly buildings ground-floor+2 floors, most ofthem from the secondhalf of XIX century

leisure andresidentialfunctions

in transition fromlow to high

at city level high

Area 3 medieval, densestreet network,narrow streets

continuous streetfrontages

mainly buildingsconsisting of ground-

floor+2 floors, most ofthem from the secondhalf of XIX century

residential low local low

Area 4 the monumentalaxis of B-dulUnirii (Union

Blvd.) segregatesareas with an

organicmorphology, in

the pastconnected

high-rise buildings on thealignment of B-dul

Unirii (Union Blvd.);low-rise dwellings

extremely deterioratedbehind the boulevard

commercial(Piața Unirii

[UnionSquare]),

administrative,residential

high at city level/ enclaveswith local

use

high/enclaves

with low use

Area 5 large urbanislands

Palatul Parlamentului(Palace of theParliament)

administrative high at city level low

Area 6 organic single-family dwellings,low-rise buildings with a

low number ofapartments

residential medium local low



residential medium-high local low



residential medium local /at city level(RomanianPatriarchy)

low

Area 9 organic,accessibility

problemsbecause of theinterventions

carried out in the‘80

single-family wagon-typedwellings and industrialbuildings (warehouses,

sheds, factories)

residential,industrial

low local low

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Each of the sub-areas has distinct features when compared to the neighbouring sub-areaswith regards to several elements. From a functional point of view, the center consists mostly ofsub-areas 1, 2, 4 and 5, which comprise the majority of the administrative, commercial, service andcultural functions. From a historical point of view, sub-areas 2, 3 and 4 overlap the medieval centerof Bucharest, concentrated in the commercial areas of Lipscaniei and Calea Mosilor and Piata Mare(now Piata Unirii), the administrative centers (Curtea Domnească) and the spiritual centers of thecity (Mitropolia, Biserica Domnească, St. George Churh). The development towards the noth, alongCalea Victoriei ( Mogosoaia Bridge) and also along the new North-South and East-West axes,turned sub-area 1 into the center of the city in the 19th century. In terms of population’sperception, the sociological survey revealed that a number of objectives located at the ends of theurban action area are considered by the population as belonging to the center (see chapter 1.5), afact which confirms the demarcation of the urban action area proposed by this document. Therelated sub-areas 6, 7, 8 and 9 are largely residential, but they are closely related from a functionalpoint of view to the other sub-areas and they are perceived as central parts of the city. The insertionof the Civic Center in the 80s separated the sub-areas 8 and 9 from the rest of the urban area, thesesub-areas being thus prejudiced not only from a functional point of view but also due to the fact thatthey disapeared from the mental geography of the inhabitants as parts belonging to the city center.The urban interventions recommended by this integrated plan address the imbalance between thesouthern and northern half of the Capital city center, as a coherent answer to the issues appearedfollowing the division of the two parts as a result of the construction of the Civic Center.

We underline the fact that the impact of the Integrated Urban Development Plan covers alsoareas outside the Urban Action Area, towards areas of influence functionally connected to thecenter, such as North Railway Station area, Parcul Carol area and the eastern area includingFoișorul de Foc, Hala Traian, Piața Alba Iulia. Although there are no actual projects being proposedfor these areas, the impact of the action from IUDP and of the integrated approach will have animpact of these areas as well, which are important in their relation to the center of Bucharest.

As a method statement for the analysis of the central area and in order to draft astrategy, a multi-criteria analysis has been elaborated, by a multidisciplinary team. This analysiswas performed on several levels, in an attempt which would generate an integrated response for thewhole central area, given its heterogeneity:

Historical analysis Analysis of the built environment Analysis of the street network, focused on the following aspects:

Urban structure, accesibility, permeability

Analysis of the traffic, public transport and pedestrian flows Demographical and social features Economical features Dynamics of investments

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1.2. Historical development of the area

The current configuration of the urban action area, both from the perspective of the streetnetwork, of the built area, and from the perspective of the socio-economical features comes as theresult of extensive historical processes. For a comprehensive understanding of the urban action areaand in order to provide urban solutions which would clearly reflect the needs and identity of thecity, an analysis of the historical development is of utmost importance. Such an analysis waselaborated based on historical records and plans, old representations (photographs, paintings, prints)as well as observation of those buildings seen as architectural landmarks which managed to surviveuntil now. (See Annex 3).

15th-17th century: Commercial center and princely residence; the town of outskirts18th century - 1821: Phanariot cityNew axes in the modern city (1890-1935)Bucharest within the Town Planning limits of 1935Industrial areas in 1935Construction areas/ reinstared areas during the communist regime (1947-1989)City’s development after 1989

Figure 12: Historical development of the urban action area witin Bucharest

Two separate entities contributed to the formation of the medieval town - CetateaDâmboviței, a settlement for soldiers, with a strategic role in the defence of Wallachia and TârgulBucureștiului, situated at the junction between the commercial road from Moldavia andDâmbovița. Before the first mentioning of the town in the charter issued by Vlad Țepeș in 1459,one can reffer to Bucharest as a citadel and a seazonal commercial area, which can beapproximately identified within the limits of sub-areas 2 and 3 from the urban action area.

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Cetatea Dâmboviței becomes the summer residence of the court, and ends up replacingTârgoviștei as capital of Wallachia. Starting with the 15th century, the Old Princely Courtundertakes numerous processes of development and reinstatement as a result of repeated damage.Between 1545 and 1554, the Old Princely Court Church was built, being nowadays the oldestchurch in Bucharest. During the reign of Constantin Brâncoveanu, the palace was reconstructedfrom stone, with marble stairs and the court’s appartments were set. The current status of the OldPrincely Court is the result of a series of earthquakes and fires which led to the ruin of the complex.The Old Princely Court is, undoubtedly, the most important political monument of the medievalBucharest and its role for the identity of the city has to be emphasized.

The other essential landmark of the medieval Bucharest consists of Ulița Târgului dinAfară (currently Calea Moșilor), which connected Târgul din Lăuntru, the hearth of the city aroudthe Old Princely Court, with Târgul de Moși (Târgul din Afară), and which represented thestructuring urban axes. The medieval Bucharest was made up of outskirts grouped around thenumerous churches which were built between the 15th and 18th century, next to Mitropolie (1657)and monasteries, including Antim Monastery (1715). During these centuries a large part of thecurrent street network of the central area was developed: Ulița Mare (1589, the current LipscaniStreet), Ulița Curții (the current French Street), Ulița Târgului din Lăuntru (the current SmârdanStreet), Craiova and Mehedintilor Road ( 16th century, later known as Podul Calicilor – Bridge ofGreedies – and currently Calea Rahovei), which was connected to Ulița Șelarilor across Dâmbovița,Târgoviștei Road ( 16th century, the current Calea Griviței), Piteștilor Road ( which became Podulde Pământ, then Calea Plevnei) and Mogoșoaiei Bridge (1692, the current Victory Avenue ). Theoutskirts cover sub-areas 1, 4 and 7. Although the current street network has many commonfeatures with the one from the pre-modern city, there are very few buildings which still exist fromthat period, given the numerous earthquakes, seiges and fires, as the base material used forconstruction was wood. Nowadays, the majority of buildings belonging to that period are churches,built in stone or brick.

During the phanariot period (1718-1821), seventy new churches are built, thus theEnglishman Benthan stated in 1785 that „fewer are the cities which have such a number of churchesin such a small area”. Among these, one can mention Kretulescu church (1722), Stavropoleos(1724), Schitul Maicilor (1726 – one of the churches which were relocated and isolated behind theblocks of flats from the Civic Center during the 80s), Domnița Bălașa (1747-1751), Amzei (1810).During the same period, a large number of inns are being built, such as Hanul Gabroveni (1740)and Hanul lui Manuc (1801-1804). The city develops and comprises at the end of the phanariotperiod the whole urban action area. The first manufactures develop during this period, related totextile production ( cloth), glass, paper and food. At the end of the phanariot period, Bucharest is anoriental type city both in terms of morphology and buildings, and in terms of socio-economical life(Figure 13).

During the war between Russia and Turkey from 1806-1812, Bucharest is occupied by theRussian army, which brings a new cultural model, inspired from the French one. Bucharest emergesfrom the Ottoman influence and makes the first steps towards the Occident. The first „Regulationsfor the city embellishment” is introduced by the Russian general Kisselef. This provided amongother things for the drainage of ponds, the establishment of a theatre and of an architecture service.A great number of streets are paved in stone within the limits corresponding to sub-area 2. The firefrom 1847 destroys over 1850 buildings, and in 1860 a census reveals that most houses inBucharest are made of brick, the one made of wood having been replaces. Many of the newbuildings are designed by French and German architects, such as Știrbey Palace on MogoșoaieiBridgs (1852). The city expands a lot, being by far the largest south-eastern European city, afterIstanbul (60.000 inhabitants in 1830, compared to 14.000 in Athen in 1836 and 13.000 in Belgrad in1838).

Bucharest becomes the capital city of Romania in 1861, and the occidental model,especially the French one, gains ground in the architecture and life of the city. From a city mostlydominated by churches and outskirts, Bucharest becomes a city rich in public buldings, parks,

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avenues, cultural buildings. The new occidental city overtakes the historical traditional one. Thenarrow streets and bridges of the medieval city turn into streets and avenues. Certain landmarksvanish during the process, and are replaced by new ones. On the location of churces and inns,grandious buildings following the occidental pattern appear. The route of the new avenues (EastWest Axes – nowadays Elisabeta and Carol I Avenues and the North South Axes – nowadaysLascar Catargiu Avenue and parts of Balcescu and Bratianu Avenues, dating back in the 1890s)breaks the traditional patter which leads to the extinction of certain landmarks (Figure 14). In such acontext, the city center, and the interest area moves from sub-areas 2 and 3 in sub-area 1, around thejunctions of the axes in Piața Universității. Dâmbovița is improved and the landmarks change theirrelation with this natural element. Also, the first plotting and parcelling of land are made, such asGrammont parcelling (1893), Ioanid park (1900) and Filipescu plotting (1912). A large number ofthe private houses from sub-areas 6, 7 and 8 are built within this period mostly in French academicstyles (Beaux-Arts) and the national reaction – neo-Romanian style. Industrial areas such asBragadiru Brewery and the public warehouses appear in sub-area 9.

Bucharest between the two wars, as capital city of a country which was double the size andpopulation as compared to pre-war Romania, continues its development. Modernism becomespopular in architecture and a large number of houses of such style, often tall, replace the one or twolevel houses from sub-area 1. In 1921 the first General Urban Plan has been elaborated, followed in1935 by the first systematic Plan which describes the construction classes. North-South Axescontinued cutting of Magheru și Bălcescu Avenues, which determines the elaboration of amodernist built area (Figure 15). In paralel, new parcellation on larger fields appear, with urbanscenic landscape compositions. The experience of the town-garden is approached as it isconsidered to be „ closer to the Romanian lifestyle” (Cincinat Sfințescu). Towards the end of the1930s, the reign of King Carol the 2nd is marked by plans and urban and architectural works.

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Figure 13: Bucharest’s Plan in 1846 (Major Borroczyn) – the urban action area before thesysteming works of the 19th century.

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Figure 14: Bucharest Plan from 1914 –Urban action area after the drawing of N-S and E-Vaxes during the 1890s

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Figure 15: Bucharest Plan from 1938 (Col. Ulysse Samboteau / Prof. cartograperM.D.Moldoveanu) – Urban action area at the end of the interwar period

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During the first decades of the communist era, the dynamics of the constructions and buildings in theurban action area drops dramatically in comparison with the interwar period. Except for the Palace Hall assembley(1960-1965) and of some „filling” buildings, which complete the hollows created by earthquakes and bombingduring the Second World War (among which the Intercontinental Hotel - 1971 and the National Theatre – 1973),the street network and the built area remain unchanged in the central area. Due to the property regime changes,many of the buildings gradually degrade and do not benefit from the renovation programmes. The regime focuseduntil the 80s on the construction of blocks of flats outside the urban action area.

In 1984 the reshaping of the city center begins following Nicolae Ceausescu’s wish. The urbanmorphology is broken by certain brutal interventions, performed with the purpose of building a new CivicCenter. 485 ha of the traditional city are demolisehd (the entire sub-area 5, most of sub-area 4 and parts of sub-areas 8 and 9). Uranus Hill is leveled, villas, inns, public buildings, churches, synagogues, monuments aredestroyed. A new East-West axes, represented by Victory of Socialism Avenue (nowadays Unirii Avenue) isimposed on the previous street network, the connections are cut, parts of the old city remain landlocked betweenthe new constructions of the Civic Center (Figure 16). Parts of the old Bucharest landmarks are kept within theseenclaves, landmarks which are nowadays no longer an active part of the urban life. Due to their isolation, theseareas lost their importance within the city, they lost the „exposure”, and became problem areas.

Arealul lucrărilor urbanistice din anii 1980Figure 16: Reshaping of the central area bymeans of the construction works of the Civic

Center

The churces disappear from the urbanpicture, being hidden behind tall buildings at theedge of the new avenues. The architecturallanguage changes: while modernism dominatedthe 1930s and 1960-1970, a postmodernismstyle is now used, a style inspired from theeclecticism of two interwar buildings from theSenate Sqare (United Nations Square), whichbecome, for Nicolae Ceausescu, models for thenew Civic Center.

The year 1990 represents a breach inthe history of Bucharest: following a decade(1980s) of demolitions and construction of a newcenter, the central area will not have during thefollowing two decades any major urbaninvestment, nevertheless, numerous demolitionsof private houses and the architectural fillingswill change the traditional character of thesub-areas which had not been affected by theworks for the construction of the Civic Center. In2011 the works at the North-South DiametralRoad start, the first major infrastructure work,which is tangentially connected to the urbanaction area.

The analysis of the historicaldevelopment of the city reveals the image of anorganic growth, affected by the urban plans ofthe 19th and 20th century, which draw new axesand erect new buildings. The main issues whichappeared during the historical evolutions of thelatest decades are enclavisation and reductionof the connections between the areas whichhave developed together, caused by theconstruction of the Civic Center. Thus, sub-areas4, 5, 8 and 9 undertook important changes, withsocio-economical and spacial effects to beanalysed in the following chapters. Detailsregarding the historical development of each sub-area in particular are presented in Annex 4.Important traditional axes have been interruptedor blocked and suffered important dissolutionswhich are presented in Annex 5.

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1.3. Analysis of the built environment and of the street network

Socio-economical processes within the city are closely related to the urban spacialconfiguration. In order to identify the needs and the potential of development of urban action areaboth the built environment and the street network should be analyzed. The street network outlinesboth the identity and the image of the area, and the parameters of accessibility and connectivitywhich are essential not only for the performance of economic activities but also for the quality oflife.

1.3.1. The built environment

The urban action area comprises a heterogeneous built environment in terms of density,typology of the buildings, height and style (Figure 17): buildings with commercial ground floor and floors with different functions, 1-2 levels –

19th and 20th century, (rarely 18th): all sub-areas (except for sub-area 5) Single-family houses from the 19th and 20th century, 1-2 levels, Beaux-Arts, neo-

Romanian and Modernist styles: sub-areas 1 (rarely), 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9. Interwar ’blockhaus’ : sub-areas 1, 6, 7, 8 collective post-war housing estates, modernist style: sub-areas 1, 6, 7, 8 collective post-war housing estates, postmodernist style (Civic Center): sub-area 4 administrative / cultural / religious buildings: all sub-areas

Figure 17: General Urban Plan – typology of the central area of Bucharest

The central area of Bucharest has a pronounced eclectic feature, with a variety of architectural styles.Most of them date mainly from the 19th and 20th century, including styles such as Beaux-Arts/ Frenchacademism, neo-Romanian, Moorish, modernist, Art Deco and postmodernist. Most of the area consists ofprotected areas due to heterogeneity of the built environment and the high degree of architectural value of thecomponent areas. In fact, the urban action area contains 56 of the 97 protected built areas of the capital city

LIMITSBucharest’s Municipality administrative territory limit, according to thecorrections mentioned in the sector reports (street limits are market basedon the street plots)Bucharest’s Municipality administrative territory limit according to theMilitary Topographic DirectorateAdministrative territory limits for neighboring communesBucharest Municipality built-in land limit, according to Project 132/1998Neighboring communes built-in land limitLimit of the protected historical centre, according to GD 129 of 29th August1998Protected area limitArcheological sites limitsBaneasa Airport flight passage

FUNCTIONAL ZONIGCommercial and business centre areaArea of municipal and dispersed supra-municipal public functions/Area ofdistrict and residential public functionsArea of commercial activities, management, technical, professional,collective and personal services, restaurants, leisure, small production,households etc.Area of medium (P+3,4) and tall (P+4) collective householdsArea of small and individual collective households, built based on parceling(P-P+2)Area of small and individual collective households developed in time (P-P+2)Area of semi-rural householdsArea with predominant industrial and storage functionsSpecial destination areaMajor road structural frame/Road transport areaRailway transport areaPlane transport areaLand permanently under water (canals, water courses and edges)Area of major technical infrastructureCommunal town management areaCemetery areaArea for nursery gardens, greenhouses and agro-industrial unitsArea for parks, gardens and public squaresArea for specialized green spaces (Botanical Garden, Zoo)Sports and leisure areaForests in the built-up area/outside the built-up areaDestructured areas, land under construction and non-productive landAreas of agricultural land in the built-up area

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(Figure 18). The protected areas have special regulations regarding construction or changes. These protected areasshould not be seen as an impediment to urban development, but rather as having a great potential for shaping theidentity of the city, for the creation of the image of an European city of a great eclecticism and with a qualitydiverse architectural legacy. The studies of urban branding mention the quality of the built environment and theexistence of an old and valuable architecture as key factors in creating a positive brand to attract tourists andinvestors alike. Therefore, the protected areas must be seen as a strength of urban action area, their traditionalcharacter needs to be emphasized through urban interventions and the lack of accessibility in some of these areasneeds to be sorted out.

Figure 13: Protected built areas approved by HCGMB no. 279/2000

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All sub-areas contain protected built areas (with the notable exception of sub-area 5, where thePalace of Parliament has replaced the whole old built area). If the protected areas in sub-areas 1, 2,3, 6 and 7 (center and north of Splaiul Independentei and Calea Calarasilor) form a continuous area,easily accessible by the visitors, the remaining protected areas are isolated by the Civic Centerinfrastructure. In particular protected areas 64, 75, 76, 80, 89 and 90, all belonging to sub-area 4 aresegregated as they are hided behind blocks of flats. In order to achieve their potential to shape anattractive identity and image for the city, these areas must be reinstated in the city.

Distribution of the protected areas in the subareas of the urban action area:

Sub-area 1 :4 Magheru

Brătianu6 Elisabeta Kogălniceanu

16 Calea Victoriei23 Știrbei Vodă28 Amzei34 Pitar Moș42 Brezoianu81 Parcul Cișmigiu

Sub-area 2 :26 Lipscani27 Stavropoleos

Sub-area 3 :1 Calea Moșilor8 Hristo-Botev

22 Mântuleasa30 Colței36 Negustori

Sub-area 4 :25 Mărășești64 Parcelarea Mamulari75 Strehaia76 Biserica Mihai Vodă - Sapienței80 Radu Vodă86 Antim89 Crișului90 Bucurb Brătianu

Sub-area 6 :2 Calea Griviței6 Elisabeta Kogălniceanu

10 Calea Dorobanți12 Lascăr Catargiu16 Calea Victoriei23 Știrbei Vodă28 Amzei29 Nicolae Iorga35 Bibicescu43 Cobălcescu44 Temișana94 Caderea Bastiliei97 Occidentului

Sub-area 7 :5 Carol

13 Dacia

17C.A. Rosetti - Maria Rosetti - PopaPetre

18 Vasile Lascar20 Batiștei21 Jean-Louis Calderon - Polonă31 Caimatei32 Vasile Conta33 Thomas Masaryk34 Pitar Moș39 Armenească40 Icoanei41 Silvestru70 Parcelarea Parcul Ioanid

Sub-area 8 :9 Regina Maria

11 11 Iunie25 Mărășești63 Parcelarea Inter (Filaret)66 Parcelarea Învoirii67 Parcelarea Tacu68 Intrarea Viilor69 Parcelarea Oțelul Roșu79 Dealul Mitropoliei82 Parcul Carol87 Principatele Unite88 Parcelarea Gramont

Sub-area 9 :9 Regina Maria

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1.3.2. Structure of the urban texture

1.3.2.1. The urban action area

The positioning within the context of the city network has a powerful impact upon the useof the space. The manner of connecting the street network determines the capacity of using such,the relevance for the economic operations and the quality of life of the inhabitants.

The analysis of the urban texture can be carried out at the scale of the entire city,determining those important axes which attract flows, especially vehicle traffic flows. These axesare meant to accommodate functions of major interest because they do not depend on occasionalpassers-by; they are based on the need of the users to visit them (important institutions,Universities, shopping centres). They are many times crowded streets, where the masstransportation networks can also be found. Following the analysis of the overall accessibility (figure19), the high accessibility streets have been emphasized at the level of the entire city - ReginaElisabeta Boulevard, Carol I Boulevard, Magheru/Bălcescu Boulevard, I.C. Bratianu Boulevard,Unirii Boulevard, Regina Maria Boulevard, Victoriei street, Lascăr Catargiu Boulevard, Moșilorstreet, Buzești street, Berzei street, Dacia Boulevard. It is noticed that the boundaries of theproposed urban action area as well as of the subareas described are represented by streets with ahigh overall accessibility. Some of these streets go across the subareas, ensuring movement flowswhich may be attracted from the entire city.

Figure 19: Global accessibility in the central part of Bucharest

Accessibility/Hierarchy of routes

high

low

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The analysis of the urban texture can be carried out at a local scale (400-1,200 metres, theequivalent of a 5-15 minutes walk) in order to underline those spaces which have the potential ofbecoming or which already operate as local centres, with proximity, trading activities and services,based on a constant pedestrian flow. Based on the analysis of the accessibility and localconnectivity (15 minutes walk), high accessibility areas can be noticed, being segregated in certainsituations by boundary areas, such as Unirii Boulevard and Libertăţii Boulevard (figure 20). Thehigh accessibility poles are very strongly connected to the existence of the local services and tradingpoints, and also to a constant pedestrian movement. The areas play the role of local centres, beingrepresented by the Historic Centre, Unirii Square, Universităţii Square, important axes at a globallevel: Victoriei street (partially), Carol Boulevard, Vasile Lascăr street, Buzești street, DaciaBoulevard, I.C.Brătianu Boulevard and by axes of local importance such as Brezoianu street andGeorge Coșbuc street. These areas are very important for the further development of the localeconomy, because they have the potential of attracting the pedestrian flows and trading activitiestogether with the services which are dependent on such. In this case, it is essential to approach thepublic domain in the sense of giving priority to the existing and potential pedestrian flows.

Figure 140: Local accessibility in the central area of Bucharest

high

low

Accessibility/Hierarchy of routes

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When certain urban area benefit from a good accessibility both at global level and at locallevel, they have the capacity of creating interest centres, with a mixed audience and variousactivities such as the Historic Centre, Universității Square or the South segment of Victoriei street.

From the point of view of the structure of the urban texture, the studied area has aheterogeneous character, a direct consequence of the various stages and manners in which this areahas developed over time. If the subareas 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7 seem to be well structured due to theirorganic development in time, the other subareas have been affected by the interventions carried outin the 1980s, which generated a destructured urban texture. The analysis of the urbanpermeability takes into account the sizes of the urban islands which have the capacity ofinfluencing the use of the urban texture, especially at a pedestrian level. The smaller the size of theurban island, the easier it is for the pedestrian to use a certain area. An increased permeabilityfacilitates the pedestrian movement and maximizes the area of exposure of the business points. Thehistoric centre, for example, is such an area with an increased level of permeability, whichfacilitates the pedestrian flows and by default the trading and the leisure related activities (figure21).

Figure 21: Permeability of the urban texture in the centre of Bucharest

The major part of the urban islands in the urban action area is of medium size. In thesubareas 4, 5 and 9, the urban operations for building the Civic Centre have generated a texturewith a reduced permeability, consisting of large urban islands. The demolition of the bridges whichcrossed Dâmbovița river - Mihai Vodă bridge and the bridge which connected the old trading centre

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(Smârdan street) to Rahovei street -, the development of large urban islands around the Palace ofthe Parliament and the Romanian Academy as well as the erection of the wall around the Palace ofthe Parliament generated a reduced permeability of the urban texture, having thus a negativeinfluence over the continuity of the routes in the central area. This situation is enhanced by theexisting industrial areas such as Rahova-Uranus and the large boulevards such as Unirii Boulevardor Splaiul Independenței. Moreover, the urban action area is surrounded by areas which are mostlyimpermeable especially towards the South and the West.

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1.3.2.2. Subareas

Subarea 1

Figure 22: Global and local accessibility and permeability in subarea 1

Figure caption:Accesibilitate – accessibilityRidicata – highRedusa – low

Subarea 1 is crossed by the major traffic routes in Bucharest, respectively North-South axis,represented by the following boulevards: Magheru, Bălcescu and Brătianu (and its older version,Victoriei street) and the East-West axis, represented by Regina Elisabeta and Carol I Boulevards.There is a high degree of global accessibility and local accessibility which is reflected in thedynamic business texture in the area. The crossroads in Romană Square and Universității Squarebenefit from a high level of accessibility. The two squares are representative for the citizens ofBucharest as reference points in the city and used as meeting and socializing places. The importanttourist attractions such as the National Museum of Art (the former Royal Palace), the RomanianAtheneum, the National Theatre or Cișmigiu Park benefit from a high/medium accessibility level atglobal level but also from a local perspective, a fact which ensures that they are frequently visited.The permeability is high in the most part of the area, except for the space in the area of the Palace

Accessibility/high

low

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Hall (Sala Palatului). The underground stations and the mass transportation stops ensure animportant flow which brings the pedestrian in the area.

Strong points Opportunities- High global and local accessibility- Increased permeability

- Business and leisure activities are encouragedby the accessibility and permeability of the area

Weak points Threats- Failure to carry out therehabilitation/modernization works of thepublic areas

- The unfriendly pedestrian environment limitsthe achievement of the potential of frequentlyvisited area.

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Subarea 2


Figure caption:Accesibilitate – accessibilityRidicata – highRedusa - low

The area has a medium/low degree of accessibility at a global level, but an increasedaccessibility is noticed regarding the peripheral routes of such, respectively Blv. I.C. Brătianu,Victoriei street, Doamnei street, which supports the economic development. The permeability isgood and ensures that access of the pedestrians in the area. The recently rehabilitated streets offer apublic space dedicated to the pedestrians, thus encouraging the increase in the trading texture. Thetourist attractions in the historic centre, the pedestrian areas correlated with a proper permeabilityand a medium accessibility ensure the dynamic nature in the sense of using the space for economicpurposes.

Strong points Opportunities- Increased global accessibility of the - The accessibility and the permeability of

high

low

Accessibility/

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boundaries of the area- Increased permeability which encouragesthe pedestrian traffic

the urban texture encourage the pedestrianflows and the business activities

Weak points Threats- Some streets have a reduced localaccessibility, the potential for using the areais not capitalized upon in an equal manner

- The delay in the interventions and the lackof a coherent long and medium term strategy

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Subarea 3


The peripheral routes (Carol Boulevard, Mântuleasa street, Corneliu Coposu and I.C.Brătianu Boulevards) ensure an increased accessibility at global level, although the inner part of thesubarea has a low level of accessibility. At a local level, the streets Armand Călinescu and HristoBotev boulevards have a high level of accessibility. The permeability of the subarea varies fromincreased values in the West to lower values in the East. The boundary of the area features dynamiceconomic/business operations.

Strong points Opportunities- Increased local accessibility- The increased global accessibility of theboundaries of the subarea- The increased permeability of the western partof the subarea

- Proximity to the subarea 2 and increased localaccessibility might support the regeneration of thearea

Weak points Threats- Reduced global accessibility inside thesubarea

- I.C. Brătianu boulevard operates as a barrier whichseparates the subarea 2, which is vibrant anddynamic, from subarea 3, whose potential has notyet been exploited.

Accessibility/high

low

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Subarea 4


The global accessibility is increased in the area of Unirii Square, and it is reduced towardsConstituţiei Square. The local accessibility is decreased, except for Unirii Square. From the point of view ofpermeability, only the separated areas between the blocks from Splaiul Independenței to Unirii Square havean increased permeability, the other parts of the area featuring a reduced permeability, especially East ofUnirii Square. The separated areas have a reduced accessibility, which lowers the pedestrian flows. The highvehicle traffic flow on Splaiul Independenței separates the area of Dâmbovița Quay corresponding to thePalace of Justice in the same radical manner in which the river course separates Sfinții Apostoli street fromSmârdan-Șelari streets. The sidewalk adjacent to the Dâmbovița river bank is empty and completely ignoredboth by the pedestrians and the bicyclists, due to the small size and the increased vehicle traffic nearby.

Strong points Opportunities- The global accessibility is increased in UniriiSquare

- The subarea may use the increased level ofglobal accessibility in order to underline its roleof city hub

Weak points Threats- Reduced global accessibility in the western part- Reduced permeability, especially East of UniriiSquare

- The poorly connected areas and the separatedareas are characterized by risks regarding thesafety of the citizens.

high

low

Accessibility/

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Subarea 5


Although Izvor Boulevard and 13 September Boulevard have an increased globalaccessibility, the subarea is defined by a reduced local accessibility. The area is crossed by thevehicle traffic which connects the various parts of the capital, but is of limited interest for thepedestrian traffic and does not support intense commercial operations. The pedestrian traffic is alsodiscouraged by the much reduced permeability, the urban islands being by far the largest in theurban action area. The subarea is actually made up of two urban islands – Izvor Park and the park ofthe Palace of the Parliament.

Strong points Opportunities- High global accessibility - On the boundaries of the area, the accessibility is

higher. Carrying out new connections shall lead to thedevelopment of a better structured and efficient urbantexture

Weak points Threats- Reduced local accessibility andpermeability, an area with a reducedpotential for pedestrian use and streettrading operations

- The subarea has the risk of remaining an isolatedspace and an obstacle for the pedestrian flows in thecentre of the city

Accessibility/high

low

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Subarea 6


The subarea is well connected at global level featuring arteries with an increased globalaccessibility such as Lascăr Catargiu, Iancu de Hunedoara, Dacia Boulevards, Victoriei, Berzei andBuzești streets. At local level, the accessibility is medium. From the point of view of permeability,the area is heterogenous. The area between Calea Victoriei (Victoriei street) and Calea Griviței(Griviței street) is emphasized, in which the urban islands are larger on average. Consequently, thesubarea does not have the same potential for generating pedestrian flows and business operationslike subareas 1, 2 or 3, yet it does not have the problems which occur in subareas 4 or 5.

Strong points Opportunities- High global accessibility - The level of the accessibility and permeability

does not support the same pedestrian flows andbusiness operations like other subareas, but itestablishes the identity of central residential area

Weak points Threats- Reduced permeability in the northernpart

- The lower permeability does not supportbusiness operations at the level of other centralsubareas

high

low

Accessibility/

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Subarea 7


Unlike subarea 6, this area has a lower global accessibility, but an increased localaccessibility. Subarea 7 is not crossed by routes of global importance, but it is enclosed by such,ensuring towards its boundaries a proper connectivity with the rest of the city. From the point ofview of their permeability, the urban islands are of smaller size, especially towards the South,having the (yet unachieved) potential of supporting pedestrian flows and business operations.

Strong points Opportunities- Increased local accessibility- Contact with arteries having an increasedglobal accessibility- Increased permeability

- The South part may support pedestrianflows and business operations

Weak points Threats- Reduced global accessibility - The global connectivity being more

reduced, the area has the risk of not achievingits potential of central area

Accessibility/high

low

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Subarea 8


The subarea has an average accessibility, both on a global and a local level. A reducedaccessibility can be noticed for the Patriarchate which, although it is an objective of nationalinterest, does not benefit from a proper connectivity with the city and the rest of the subarea. Thesubarea has an average permeability, which might support pedestrian flows and business operations,but it is affected by the fact that it is surrounded by impermeable areas.

Strong points Opportunities- Medium permeability - The subarea may support pedestrian flows

and business operationsWeak points Threats

- Reduced accessibility of the Patriarchate- The subarea is surrounded byimpermeable areas

- The presence of impermeable areas towardsthe boundaries of the area renders the trafficflows more difficult

high

low

Accessibility/

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Subarea 9


Except for the Regina Maria Boulevard, the arteries in subarea 9 show a reduced globaland local accessibility, the area being isolated and secluded due to the destructuring of the urbantexture during the construction of the Civic Centre. From the point of view of permeability,although the area also has urban islands of small size, inherited from the pre-Communist texture,there are problems due to the existence of large urban islands which accommodated industrialoperations in the past and also due to the fact that the area is surrounded by impermeable areas.

Strong points Opportunities- Increased permeability of the urbantexture remaining after the constructionworks of the Civic Centre.

- By reconnecting the subarea to the centre ofthe city, the increased permeability of the urbantexture may support pedestrian flows andbusiness operations.

Weak points Threats- Reduced global and local accessibility- Reduced permeability caused by theexistence of the extended industrial areas- Area surrounded by impermeable areas

- The area may remain segregated and isolated ifno action is taken to change the urban texture

Accessibility/high

low

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1.3.3. The structure of the urban texture

In the urban action area a high number of objectives of public interest can be found,especially in the subareas 1 and 6. Subarea 2 has the highest density of monuments. By contrast,subarea 9 does not have objectives of public interest.

A series of such objectives of public utility do not capitalize on the space in the benefit ofthe community. In a city with small possibilities of carrying out sports activities outdoors, the sportsfields of the education establishments remain most of the times closed after class hours althoughthey could be used by the community. In a similar way, more spaces, such as auditoriums, librariesand similar buildings could be used more for the benefit of the community by opening them forlocal activities and initiatives.

Source: Information taken from the urban database of the City Hall of BucharestFigure 151: Objectives of public interest in the urban action area

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1.4. Analysis of Urban Transport

1.4.1. Transport by Personal Car

Although road infrastructure is the same as in 1989, the number of cars in Bucharest isseven times higher today than two decades ago (1.2 million cars, compared to 180,000).

The data collected to carry out The Transportation Master Plan highlight the followingstructure of car mobility:

The total number of travels by car on the roads of Bucharest is an average of 910,681 perbusiness day, out of which 70% represent travels to and from locations in theadministrative area of Bucharest, and 30% represent travels to and from locations outsideBucharest.

The volume of traffic on the boulevards leading to the city centre can reach 50,000 carsper day, on both directions of traffic.

Total number of travels by taxi is an average of 90,621 per day, out of which 90%represent travels to and from locations in the administrative area of Bucharest, and 10%represent travels between locations in Bucharest and outside areas.

With regard to freight transport, the daily average is of 99,157 freight transport vehicles,out of which 22% represent travels to and from locations in the administrative area ofBucharest, and 78% represent travels between locations in Bucharest and outside areas.

The saturation degree (the demand/capacity ratio) of the main arteries (the north-south axis, the east-west axis, the urban central ring) is over 70%, which causes long travel time,high fuel consumption and high polluting emissions. Also, the congestions that appeared in trafficaffect negatively the performance of the surface public transportation, where it has no separatetraffic line.

The congestion points are located in the major intersections along the inner traffic ring, inthe central area and along the north-south axis. The congestion has a negative impact on the traveltime, air pollution and the parking spaces. Because of the problems mentioned above, the averagedaily travel speed of the vehicles in Bucharest is about 30 km/h, and the average travel speed ofthe surface public transportation means is estimated at 16km/h. The number of hours spent intraffic amounts 220,000 hours for cars, 18,300 hours for taxies, 31,700 hours for freight transportvehicles and 854,800 hours for public transportation means. The total average daily volume of themonitored traffic is of 7,132,400 vehicles/km for cars, 582,700 vehicles/km for taxies, 1,052,100vehicles/km for freight transport vehicles and 13,664,300 passengers/km for public transport.

According to the estimations of the Transportation Master Plan, the monitored traffic inBucharest generates an average noise level of 62.8 dB and daily emissions as follows: 2 tonnes ofNOx, 10 tonnes of CO, 1.2 tonnes of unburned hydrocarbons/particles, 357 tonnes of SO2 and1,113 tonnes of CO2. The quantity of emissions generated by the monitored traffic is shown bothfor traffic arteries and for areas/neighbourhoods as well. The presented estimations are made forcars and taxis. The effects on human health are harmful.

In the event no projects or development measures are implemented, the trafficcongestion will reach a very high level between 2013 and 2027, thus blocking the main streetnetwork of Bucharest.

Car Transport, Pollution and Human Health

The pollution caused by the big number of cars in traffic will affect the human health, intime:

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Air pollution: ● the accumulations exceeding the maximum concentration allowed for NO2,SO2, PM10 can cause: acute poisoning (which appear only accidently in case of industrialdamages, in case of damage of tanks with irritant pollutants), affecting the breathing waysand eyes – acute bronchitis exacerbation; significant increase in mortality and morbidity byrespiratory and cardio-vascular affections ● accumulations above the maximum allowedCO concentration can lead to disorders caused by hypoxia or anoxia, depending on thecarboxyhemoglobin percentage with an increase in morbidity by CNS and cardio-vasculardisorders ● the accumulations above the maximum allowed Pb concentration can cause, intime, neuropsychiatric disorders, blood disorders (anaemia), cardio-vascular disorders(high blood pressure), kidney disorders, especially in children.

Noise pollution: creates discomfort and it has become disturbing and even harmful oncertain traffic arteries of Bucharest.

The Air Environmental FactorThe air pollution in Bucharest has a specific character, due to the emissions, respectively

the existence of many sources, to the different levels of pollution sources as well as to a unequaldistribution of these sources, spread throughout the city.

In the analyzed area, the air pollution sources come mainly from the road traffic. Thelargest impact occurs in built-up areas with traffic congested roads, where the dispersion ofpollutants is difficult. The air pollutant concentrations are higher in traffic areas surrounded bycompact tall buildings, which prevent the dispersion.

The data on the air quality in Bucharest (the measured pollutants being: SO2, NOx, CO, O3,benzene, PM10, PM2,5, Pb) are provided in real time – including to the public – and come from the8 automatic stations.

The emissions in Bucharest in 2010 were as follows: SO2 emissions came mainly from the CET (combustions in the energy industry) and road

traffic; there was no exceedance of the alert threshold in any of the monitoring stations. VOC emissions came mainly from road traffic and from use of solvents and other products. dust emissions came mainly from road traffic and combustions in the manufacturing

industry; the annual concentration exceeded the limit allowed in all monitoring stations. Lead emissions came mainly from combustions in the manufacturing industry, from

treatment and waste disposal; the annual average Pb concentrations were below the limit. NO2 emissions exceeded the limit value at Military Circle (in the urban action area), Mihai

Bravu and Drumul Taberei stations, mainly due to road traffic. CO2 emissions didn’t exceed the limit values (10 mg/m³, an average calculated for 8 hours). benzene emissions didn’t exceed the allowed limit values.

The images 32 and 33 indicate the analyzed area as a concentration pole for CO and PM10emissions.

The NoiseIn the analyzed area, the main source of noise is the road traffic (estimated to be the cause

of approximately 70% of the noise pollution). The traffic noise is a disturbing phenomenon, whichhas an important effect on people living or working near intense traffic arteries. Recent studies haveshown that the risk of heart and circulatory diseases is significantly increased by a traffic noise levelof 65-70 dB (A) or higher. This is due to increased pulse and blood pressure. The digestion is alsoslowed down and the muscle tone is increased, which are clear symptoms of stress. The noise fromroad traffic in urban areas where speeds are generally below 60 km/h comes mainly from enginesand exhaust facilities, and in areas where the traffic speeds are running over 60 km/h, it comes fromthe interaction of the tires with the road surface.

Analyzing the noise map in the central area (image 34) we can notice that the noise level inthe large boulevards area is of 70-80 dB(A).

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The costs of using the cars for urban communities:

Environment Economic Social Smog Large emissions of

greenhouse gases Noise

External costs out ofaccidents, pollution

Congestion costs, evenconsidering a sustainedroad construction

Infrastructure costs Loss of productive rural

land by building housesout of town, which areaccessible by car

Loss of dynamic, humancharacter of the streets

Weakening ofcommunity

Isolation in the urbanprojects away from therest of the city

Access problems forpeople withoutcars/people withdisabilities

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Source: Intergraph – processinginformation from the urban database

Source: Intergraph - processing informationfrom the urban database

Image 16: The CO emissions map Image 17: The PM10 emissions map

Source: Enviro – Noise Map in Bucharest 2010Image 18: The noise map for the central area of Bucharest

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The map of the parking spaces in the urban action area

50

Another problem related to the transportation by private car is the excessive parking inthe central area. The city does not have enough parking spaces in the central area, which leadsto the "parasite" parking spaces (on the roadside). The street parking reduces the efficiency oftraffic and it can sometimes be an obstacle to the passing cars and pedestrians. Some cars areparked perpendicular to the street. When a car enters or exits a parking place, the traffic is stoppedduring manoeuvres. The drivers tend to park very close to their final destination, and the vehiclesare parked for long periods of time (the average is over 7 hours).

Image 19: Example of parking on the roadside and on the sidewalk in the city centre

In order to examine in detail the road traffic and the impact on the traffic produced in themain streets and intersections by the IUDP projects, a traffic study was prepared for the urbanaction area.

Within the traffic study for IUDP – central area, we can distinguish the following maincomponents:

The update of the Bucharest transport model for the morning - AM and afternoon – PM rushhours, for the basic year 2011, and the analysis of traffic and public transport performancefor the basic year;

The forecast of demand for private transport and public transport for 2016 and the estimateof car traffic flows and passengers flows for the public transport for the year 2016, for theIUDP scenarios.Since the traffic study is attached in full in Appendix 7, in this chapter will be summarized:

The analysis of traffic and public transport performance for the basic year 2011, for themorning - AM and afternoon – PM rush hours, based on the update of the transportdemand and traffic flows for 2011;

The conclusions on the forecast of demand for private transport and public transport for theyear 2016, for the IUDP scenarios.

The analysis of the traffic and public transport performance for the basic year 2011

Bucharest's road network has a radial and circular distribution and has a total length ofabout 1,900 km, being mainly divided into two concentric traffic rings (central and peripheral). Thedistance between the main streets in the centre area (the inner traffic ring) is about 1 km on the east-west axis and 2-3 km on the north-south axis. The volume of traffic on the nine boulevards thatconverge from the inner ring to the city centre - Unirii Square may reach 50,000 cars per day, on

51

both directions of traffic. The congestion points are located in the major intersections along theinner traffic ring in the central area and on the north-south axis.

The traffic management in the city is currently performed by using the traffic light system,covering 240 intersections (it works adaptively on the main thoroughfares only) and by one-waytraffic system implemented in the central area.

For the detailed analysis of the urban action area, it was necessary to detail the roadnetwork, intersections, public transport stations and connector networks. Also, the parking placesavailable in the area were taken into account. The traffic light cycles in the main intersections of theUrban Action Area (UAA) were taken into account as well. The Images 36 and 37 show how thisparticularization was made, specifying the movement direction; for this purpose, the trafficreviewed in 2011 was considered, in order to adjust the origin-destination (OD) matrices formorning - AM and afternoon – PM rush hours (based on the transport model in the MasterTransport Plan 2007).

Image 20: The structure of road network, zoning, connectors and public transport stationnetwork for Bucharest transport model 2007 - AM and PM rush hours

Image 21: Details of road network, zoning, connectors and directions of travel for theadjustment of OD matrices – Bucharest transport model for AM and PM rush hours, 2011

Street network, connectors and public transportstationsTransport model for Bucharest 2007 – rush hours

The structure of the street network and zoning - transportmodel for Bucharestand the movement directions considered for theadjustment of OD matrix 2011

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A study of the existing street network in the UAA was conducted in order to define theattributes of the streets from the transport model. This includes the number of lanes for eachdirection of travel, speed limits, technical category of the street, number and direction of their ways,bus/tram lanes or priority, street parking.

The conclusions of the study on the street network are the following: The road network in the UAA and in the area of influence of IUDP is characterized by the

presence of thoroughfares and connecting roads, with major traffic flows. The thoroughfares and collector streets are traffic routes that cover the largest region of the

study, connecting the larger areas of the village. They provide the transit traffic and thecity public transport.

The study area is served by a series of collector streets (of 3rd technical category) or of localuse (of 4th technical category). Here, the traffic is regulated by one-way signs.

The most important problem of the 3rd and 4th technical category streets is the inadequateand unregulated parking along the arteries, fact that decreases considerably the trafficcapacity (Images 38-40).

Image 22: Illegal parking, occupying a part of the driveway, on Pitar Moș Street, at theintersection with Arthur Verona Street

Image 23: Cars parked on Episcopiei Street, occupying a part of the driveway and of the sidewalk

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Image 24: Cars parked on Clemenceau Street

Due to the arranged parking spaces or to the illegal parking on the driveway space, itremains only one traffic lane. In the traffic model, the considered traffic capacities were the realones, in order to take into account the limitations of the driveway due to the vehicles parked. Also,by parking the vehicles on sidewalks, the pedestrian traffic is obstructed.

The transport demand analysis was based on the origin-destination (OD) matrices’adjustment for public and private transport, taking into account the traffic flows noticed in2011. The method applied is detailed in the Annex.

The Images 41 and 42 below show the transit of cars, taxis and pick-up trucks, generatedand attracted by each area, at the AM and PM rush hours, expressed in standard vehicles (cars) perhour. The Images 43 and 44 below show the public transport transit generated and attracted by eacharea, at the AM and PM rush hours, expressed in number of passengers per hour.

It can be noticed that the UAA attracts a greater number of travels by public transport thanit generates, in the morning rush hour - AM, and it generates a greater number of travels than itattracts in the afternoon rush hour - PM, the values being about 50-100% higher than the number oftravels by car. This aspect is also reflected by the total number of travels by car and public transportin Bucharest, at rush hours, as shown in the table below.

Table 1: The transit in the urban action area

Type of transitMorning

rush hour -AM

Percentage of thetotal number oftravels for themorning rush

hours

Afternoonrush hour -

PM

Percentage of thetotal number oftravels for theafternoon rush

hoursGenerated/attracted travels by

private transport - total OD matrix(at the entire city level)

90,148 27.7% 87,559 34.1%

Generated/attracted travels bypublic transport – total OD matrix

(at the entire city level)234,443 72.3% 168,083 65.9%

Generated/attracted travels byprivate transport – in the central

area16,421 27.5% 21,228 42.4%

Generated/attracted travels bypublic transport – in the central

area43,181 72.5% 28,761 57.6%

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Image 25: Generated and attracted travels by car – Bucharest transport model 2011, AMmorning rush hour

Image 26: Generated and attracted travels by car – Bucharest transport model 2011, PMafternoon rush hour

General and attracted travels by car and taxiMorning rush hour – AM, final adjustment 2011The central area of Bucharest

General and attracted travels by car and taxiAfternoon rush hour – PM, final adjustment 2011

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Image 27: Generated and attracted travels by public transport – Bucharest transport model 2011,AM morning rush hour

Image 28: Generated and attracted travels by public transport – Bucharest transport model 2011,PM afternoon rush hour

General and attracted travels by public transportMorning rush hour – AM, final adjustment 2011The central area of Bucharest

General and attracted travels by public transportAfternoon rush hour – PM, final adjustment 2011

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Analyzing the transit, we can notice that the public transport travels are predominant. Atthe entire city level, the public transport represents 66% -71% of the travels, while thepercentage of private car travels represent 29% -34%.At the AM morning rush hour, the city centre, corresponding to the IUDP study area, generates inaverage: 6,176 travels by car, representing 6.9 % of the total number of travels generated at the

morning rush hour, at the entire municipality level; 4,133 travels by public transport, representing 1.8 % of the total number of travels generated

at the morning rush hour at the entire municipality level;and it attracts in average: 10,245 travels by car, representing 11.4 % of the total number of travels generated at the

morning rush hour at the entire municipality level; 39,048 travels by public transport, representing 16.7 % of the total number of travels

generated at the morning rush hour at the entire municipality level.At the PM afternoon rush hour, the city centre, corresponding to the IUDP study area, generatesin average: 10,234 travels by car, representing 11.7 % of the total number of travels generated at the

afternoon rush hour, at the entire municipality level; 24,344 travels by public transport, representing 14.5 % of the total number of travels

generated at the afternoon rush hour, at the entire municipality level;and it attracts in average: 10,994 travels by car, representing 12.6 % of the total number of travels generated at the

afternoon rush hour, at the entire municipality level; 4,417 travels by public transport, representing 2.6 % of the total number of travels generated

at the afternoon rush hour, at the entire municipality level.The volume/capacity ratios (traffic flows/traffic capacity) represent the proportion of the

estimated traffic flows and the traffic capacity of each street. The traffic capacity is the maximumnumber of vehicles that can pass in a time unit through a road section, on a lane and it dependsmainly on the following factors: the geometry of the road, visibility distance and design speed; the relief conditions; the flow-speed relationship for the respective road category; the length and traffic characteristics of road sector.

For the volume/capacity reports greater than 90%, the traffic queues grow very fast (thereis an exponential growth), leading to a dramatic drop in traffic capacity. The traffic capacity isexpressed in the hourly flow of standard vehicles (cars). The factors influencing the traffic capacity,which were listed above, in conjunction with the traffic intensity determine the conditions for theroad traffic, respectively the level of service, at some point, of the road or the considered roadsector.

The level of service is a quantitative estimate of the operational traffic conditions,expressed by the speed, duration of movement, traffic comfort and safety. In practice, there are 6levels of service, marked with letters from A to F.

It can be noticed that the service levels in the central area are mostly in C and D categories.There are some areas (Victoria Square, Lascăr Catargiu) where the movement capabilities are low.The level of service is characterized by the following:

Level of serviceCharacteristicelements A B C D E F

Ensuredconditions forthe traffic flow

Free flow Steadyflow

Steadyflow

Almostunsteadyflow

Unsteadyflow

Forced flow

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Service flows(standardvehicle/hour)

Low 420 Medium750

High 1200 High, withconsiderablefluctuations1800

Capacity2800

Under capacity

Speedscorrespondingto maximumservice flows

High High, buton certainareas theyare limited,due to thetraffic

Medium,with manyrestrictions,due to thetraffic

Mediumspeeds withlargefluctuations

Low Very low

Drivers’freedom ofmanoeuvre

Full Almost full Partiallimited bythe traffic

Little,limited bythe traffic

Almostinexistent

Inexistent

Movementcomfort

Very good Good Medium Sufficient Insufficient Trafficcongestion

Image 29: Volume/capacity ratio, AM morning rush hour, basic year 2011

Volume/Capacity ratio, in %Adjustment for the basic year 2011 – morning rushhour AM

Transport model for Bucharest

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Image 30: Volume/capacity ratio, PM afternoon rush hour, basic year 2011

Volume/Capacity Ratio, in %Adjustment for the basic year 2011 – afternoon rush jourPM

IUDP areaTransport model for Bucharest

59

Image 31: Public transport traffic flows, expressed in passengers/hour, AM morning rush hour,basic year 2011

Image 32: Public transport traffic flows, expressed in passengers/hour, PM afternoon rush hour,basic year 2011

Passengers flow for the public transport, inpassengers/hourAdjustment for the basic year 2011 – morning rushhour AM

Transport model for Bucharest

Passengers flow for the public transport, inpassengers/hourAdjustment for the basic year 2011 – afternoon rush hourPM

IUDP areaTransport model for Bucharest

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The Appendix presents the results of traffic flows expressed in vehicles/hour at rush hours,the volume/capacity ratio at rush hours, the level of service in intersections at rush hours, and thepassenger flows by public transport at rush hours.

The analysis of traffic data shows a decrease of the average traffic speed from 37 km/h onLascar Catargiu Boulevard to 11 km/h at Universtăţii Square. Because of the higher traffic flows inthe South - North direction (Unirii Square - Victoriei Square) than the North - South direction(Victoriei Square - Unirii Square), the average traffic speed is lower in the South – North direction.Taking advantage of the one-way roads, the average speed is higher on Calea Victoriei than on theparallel route, Victoriei Square - Unirii Square, via Romană Square.

VITEZA MEDIE DE CIRCULATIE (KM/H)

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

490 1045 2387 2598 3123

Distante cumulate (km/h)

Vite

za m

edie

(m)

AMPM

UniversitatePta. Romana


0

5

10

15

20

25

525 736 2078 2633 3123Distante cumulate (km/h)

Vite

za m

edie

(m)

AMPM

Universitate Pta. Romana

Image 33: The average speed on VictorieiSquare- Romană Square – University Square –

Unirii Square

Image 34: The average speed on Unirii Square- Universității Square - Romană Square –

Victoriei Square


0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

805 1450 1885 2150 2690Distante cumulate (km/h)

Vite

za m

edie

(m)

AMPM

intersectia Calea Victoriei / IonCampineanu

Image 35: The average speed Calea Victoriei(from Victoriei Square to Splaiul

Independenței)

From the basic scenario analysis (year 2011), we can draw the following conclusions: The central area is experiencing high traffic flows, which, under the current growth rate of

the car fleet, will lead to permanent traffic jams in the future. It is therefore necessary toprovide alternatives to the north-south traffic through the internal ring, median ring andthe ring road of Bucharest. The streets and boulevards in the centre must serve as far aspossible the local traffic only, which should support commercial, cultural and leisureactivities, the essential characteristics of a European city centre.

Another problem that occurs both in the central area and the rest of Bucharest is the lackof parking spaces. Moreover, the drivers tend to park very close to their final destination,

AVERAGE TRAFFIC SPEED(KM/H)

Average speed(m)

Calera Victoriei / IonCampineanu crossing

Cumulated distances(km/h)

AVERAGE TRAFFIC SPEED (KM/H) AVERAGE TRAFFIC SPEED (KM/H)

Average speed(m)

Average

speed(m)

Cumulateddistances (km/h)

Cumulated distances(km/h)

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and the vehicles are parked for long periods of time. The presence in the centre area of alarge number of public institutions, cultural institutions and leisure sites leads toovercrowding and excessive use of streets as parking space, including the dedicatedpedestrian sidewalk areas, fact that creates a general discomfort. There should be anintegrated medium-sized parking space system (under 500 places), which should beconnected to major public transport nodes and to the artery network with priority forpedestrians and cyclists.

The public transport is not sufficiently developed and prioritized. Many European citiesfocus on a new transport policy where no private cars, but the public transport connections,cycling and pedestrians are favoured. Studies are needed on the improvement of the publictransport connections in the centre, such as new tram network connections. The works onthe new subway lines must become a priority. A fast, efficient and comfortable publictransport will be more attractive than the use of private car.

Conclusions on the forecast for private and public transport demand for 2016

We estimate that the transport demand will be higher in 2016 than in the basic year 2011,both for private transport and public transport, at both AM and PM rush hours (see Appendix 7).The traffic model anticipates that the traffic flows will be redistributed for the private transport dueto the implementation of several major projects for Bucharest. The speed is expected to increase by3-5 km/h on Calea Victoriei, Victoriei Square – Ion Câmpineanu Street.

One of the identified critical points is in Victoriei Square, where the level of service in themajor traffic lights points is unsatisfactory. To be noted that the new Uranus Boulevard brings animportant traffic flow from/to Victoriei Square and the construction of this boulevard willdetermine a speed decrease on Elisabeta Boulevard.

The implementation of the IUDP projects has no significant influence on the traffic inthe main thoroughfares of the capital’s city centre. The influences on the traffic capacity will bemostly at local level by variations in the average traffic speed. The levels of service and the trafficflow/capacity reports remain unchanged. For the morning rush hour is further expected a triplenumber of passengers with private cars (an average of 12,756), compared to public transport (anaverage of 4,597) in the studied area.

The central area is an urban magnet. The transit traffic overlaps the traffic flows having thecentral area as origin or destination; the transit traffic makes a pressure on the capacity ofmovement. The volume/capacity reports for 2016 (with and without project) are expected to be over70%, with negative influences on the traffic flow. The attenuation of the transit traffic in the centralarea, concomitant with the public transport development, should be encouraged in the whole city.

Solving the acute problems which the central area is facing cannot be achieved byinfrastructure projects only. Other measures are also needed: Review of transport policy in Bucharest by: regulating the access of personal cars in the central area; regulating the ad-hoc parking in the central area and the establishment of parking fees to

discourage maintaining vehicles in the central area for long periods of time; establishing tariffs for public transport, which could provide savings to users; establishing routes with dedicated lanes for the public transport and taxis;

Institutional and organizational measures: Development of the metropolitan area; Development of fast connections between Bucharest and the surrounding localities.

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1.4.2. Public Transport

Regarding the public transport, there is a daily average of 2,514,637 personal travels, outof which 84% are from and to locations in the administrative area of Bucharest, and 16% are travelsbetween locations in Bucharest and outside areas. The arisen traffic congestions adversely affect theperformance of surface public transport, where it has no separate traffic lane.

Source: SNSPA - “The social mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Image 36: The transportation mean most used by the inhabitants of Bucharest.

The sociological studies conducted in 2010 and 2011 by SNSPA indicated important datain order to understand the mobility of Bucharest’s inhabitants. The data show that a few over aquarter of Bucharest inhabitants mainly use their personal car when going through the town, afigure which has dropped to 20% in 2011 (Image 52). Instead, the public transport is used by mostpeople. Only 39% of people who have a car use the car to travel to work/elsewhere. Almost half ofthose who own a car use both the surface public transport and the subway. The people who own acar but use the surface public transport exclusively are less than people who don’t own a car. Thesubway has identical rates, which proves that it is the main alternative to the car. In order to investin a sustainable and attractive transport, the subway appears as the most popular alternative to thecar.

Most respondents to the survey said they used one or two transportation means, which mayindicate a high level of efficiency in the organization of public transport network. Yet, it is notknown how many of the 29% who don’t use the public transport chose not to use it due to theirpreference over car, bicycle or walking, or due to the lack of convenient transport links.

Public transport users

Subwayand RATB

RATB Personalcar

Subway

Companycar

Other N/AI don’t know/Idon’t answer

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Source: SNSPA - “The social mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Image 37: The number of transportation means used by Bucharest’s inhabitants

The sociological study was conducted on a representative sample of Bucharest’spopulation; therefore the residents of the neighbouring area of the capital were not included in thestudy, which, to their turn, travel through Bucharest. They can be divided into a group mainly usingcommon transport (public or private, as there are several private transportation companies) -generally older population of rural and urban centres in the metropolitan area and a group of peoplewho use the car - generally the population of the new real estate developments around Bucharest.The lack of convenient public transport links to the metropolitan area creates a greater pressure onthe road traffic coming from this area.

The urban action area is generally well served by the public transport, by three mainsubway lines (stations: Unirii Square 1 and 2, Izvor, University, Romană Square, Victoriei Square 1and 2) and a large number of bus, trams and trolley lines. There are a number of terminus tramstations in this area (Sf. Gheorghe Square, Calea Plevnei), trolley stations (Sf. Voievozi Square) andbus stations (Romană Square, Magheru Boulevard, Sala Palatului, Izvor), and intermodal terminusstations (Sf. Vineri Square - buses and trams, Rosetti Square - buses and trolleybuses, Unirii Square- tram, bus, trolleybus).

How many transportation means do you use whengoing to job/school?

1 transportationmean

2 transportationsmean

3 transportationsmean

Not applicable

I don’t know/Idon’t answer

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Source: Regia Autonomă de Transport BucureștiImage 38: The public transport network in the centre of Bucharest

65

There are areas poorly served by the public transport in the urban action area. Subarea 9has not been crossed by transportation means since the demolition communist times, when the linesserving the area and using Uranus Street were cancelled. There are also areas in the sub-areas 1 and7 which are not close to the stations served by public transport lines as the spaces around CaleaVictoriei or Maria Rosetti Street.

Source: processing information from the urban database – the City Hall of Bucharest

Image 39: The public transport stations in the urban action area

Analyzing the current public transport network, we can notice the lack of necessary connectionsin the subareas no. 4, 5 and 9 (Image 56):

Public transport connection Unirii Square - Constituției Square, with stations on UniriiBoulevard;

Public transport connection Regina Maria Square - Izvor, with stations on LibertățiiBoulevard;

Connection between Chirigiu Square and 13 Septembrie - Hașdeu, with stations on CaleaRahovei, Uranus Street;

Connection for trams over Unirii Square, which should thus connect the tram networkon the NE-SW direction.

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Image 40: The lack of necessary connections in the public transport network in the urban action area

1.4.3. Walking

Walking is the oldest form of human mobility and it is now again in the light, as thepedestrian mobility in a city is considered a priority. The desire to better understand how theinhabitants of Bucharest move in the central area led to the comprehensive analysis of pedestrianflows in 14 areas in the city centre.

The methodology was to initial establish "observation points" in each of the places fromwhich it was intended to collect information, the passengers being counted for 5 minutes per hour,for an eight-hour period, in each observation point. These data were extrapolated to reach an hourlyaverage which may be consistent and comparable in terms of statistics.

The representations below mention the counts’ results:

II. 2 CURRENT PUBLIC TRANSPORT

III. LACK OFCONNECTIONS

Current tram line

Current bus line

Current trolleybus line

67

Romană Square Amzei - Verona

Calea Victoriei - Sala Palatului Elisabeta Boulevard

Hourly average pedestrian flow

68

Str. Tudor Arghezi

Str. Biserica Enei

Str. Edgar QuinetBdul. Carol I

Bdul. N

icolae Balcescu

Str.Ion Ghica

Bdul. Regina Elisabeta

Bdul. Ion C

. Bratianu

Str.Tom

a Caragiu

Str.Io

n Ghic

a

Str.Coltei

Str.Doamnei

Str. Ion Campineanu

Str. Batis

tei

Str. Nicolae Filipescu

Str. Tudor A

rgheziS

tr. Tudor Arghezi

Str. A

cademiei

Str. A

cademiei

Universității Square

Armenească


69

Hystorical Centre - Lipsanos Brătianu (Cocor) – old Calea Moșilor

Unirii Square – Hystorical Center (Hanul luiManuc)

Unirii Square (South-West)


70

Izvor Flower Market - Uranus

Image 41: Pedestrian flows in points of the urban action area

The pedestrian flow analysis indicates the fact that the analyzed areas are different in termsof pedestrian traffic:

Areas with the highest pedestrian traffic: Universitate, Romană, Unirii Area with high pedestrian traffic: Centrul Vechi, Magheru Blvd., Brătianu Areas with pedestrian traffic: Izvor, Elisabeta Blvd. Areas with low pedestrian traffic: Armenească, Sala Palatului, Piața Revoluției, Uranus –

Flower Market

Among the most intense traffic areas of the City Center we can name: Unirii Boulevard crossing – 3,660 persons/hour Unirii Square sidewalk (SW) – 3,144 persons/hour Romană Square (columns) – 2,328 persons/hour Magheru Boulevard (columns) – 2,280 persons/hour Bridge over Dâmbovița, Unirii – 1,728 persons/hour Universității Square – sidewalk in front of the Faculty of Geology – 1,512 persons/hour Izvor – 1,392 persons/hour Magheru Boulevard, the crossing with Tache Ionescu Street, 1,356 persons/hour Universitate Subway entrance - Șuțu – 1,320 persons/hour Universitate Subway entrance - TNB – 1,272 persons Brătianu Boulvard – exit of Sf. Gheorghe – Lipscani passage – 1,248 persons/hour Universitate Subway entrance - Colțea – 1,260 persons/hour Bălcescu Boulevard – near the University artesian well – 1,200 Brătianu Boulevard – between Cocor and Unirii – 1,200 Universității Square – Book Street sidewalk – 1,200


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Following the analysis of the pedestrian flows on the North-South axis, it was noticedthat the largest flows were in the north end of Magheru Boulevard, immediately in the south part ofRomană Square (2,292 pedestrians per hour in the columns area) and at the exits of the Universitysubway (1,800 pedestrians per hour at the University subway exit, 1,320 pedestrians per hour at theŞuţu Palace exit, 1,272 pedestrians per hour at the National Theatre exit, 1,260 pedestrians at theColțea exit). The flows decrease between Romană Square and Universității Square, with aminimum of 444 pedestrians per hour recorded on the western side, between Biserica Amzei Streetand Tache Ionescu Street and 708 pedestrians per hour on the east side, in the front of the ScalaCinema. South to Universității Square, the flows remain high on both sides (about 960 pedestriansper hour on the west side and 1,080 pedestrians per hour on the east side), due to the connectionswith the leisure streets (west) and the connections with the tram lines end at Sf. Gheorghe Square(east). The difference between southern and northern parts of Universității Square can thus beexplained by the public transport organization as well, whose stations are absent on the eastern sideof the northern axis from Universității Square to Romană Square.

The pedestrian flows on the historical alternative of the axis, Calea Victoriei, are muchlower and reach a similar level to the minimum levels in Magheru Boulevard only in the "historicalcentre" (720 pedestrians per hour in front of Zlătari Church). They decrease in the north of theNational Military Circle, reaching only 120 pedestrians per hour in front of the National Museum ofArt and 240 pedestrians per hour in front of the Hilton Hotel, decreasing to the north. These dataindicate that the pedestrian activity in Calea Victoriei is not among the highest in the city centre, incontrast with its traditional role of promenade street. A possible cause is the unfriendly character ofpedestrian spaces (narrow sidewalks with cracked asphalt). By comparison with Magheru andBălcescu Boulevards, it can be concluded that the absence of public transport in Calea Victorieimight be a cause for the lack of important pedestrian flows.

The streets in the Pilot Area of the Historical Center have high flows of pedestriantraffic in Magheru Boulevard (the crossing with Batiștei Street - 996 persons/hour, similar toSmârdan-Lipscani crossing) or in Romană Square (between Căderea Bastiliei Street and DaciaBoulevard – 1,080 persons/hour, similar to Șelari - Splaiul Independenței crossing).

In terms of distribution by age groups, approximately 50% of the registered pedestrians areadults. There are areas frequented by young people (16-30 years) more than the average of thestudied areas, the difference being statistically significant. Thus, in the north of the Romană Square,66% of pedestrians are young, in the south area of the market, the young people represent 51%, andin Magheru - Amzei-Verona area they represent 48%. In Hanul lui Manuc area, 49% are youngpeople, but Lipscani - Smirdan area do not record greater youth flows than the average, beingintensively used by adults as well.

Some areas are frequented by young people under the average in the areas studied(statistically significant difference) such as Calea Victoriei - Hilton (27% young people),Armenească area (27% young people) and the Cocor Store – Calea Mosilor (25% young people).

Regarding children, they remain at the average of 3%, except Uranus - Flower Marketarea, where they represent 9% of the pedestrians.

Image 42: Distribution by age of the pedestrians registered

B – old people (over 65 years), A – adults (30-65 years), T - young (16-30 years), C - children (under 16 years)

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Image 43: Numeric evolution, by hours and age groups of the pedestrians

In certain areas, the pedestrian mobility respects the average evolution model presented in Image59.

Constant flows throughout the day: Sala Palatului, Hilton, Armenească, Lipscani, UniriiSquare SW, Izvor, Uranus, Batiștei, Teatrul Național, University artesian wells

Pedestrian flows decreasing in the evening: Brezoianu, Cercul Militar Național,Universitate-Edgar Quinet, Romană North, Cocor, Colțea

Pedestrian flows increasing in the evening: Romană South, Amzei-Verona, Hanul Manuc,Ion Ghica-ȘuțuIn contrast to the area between Brătianu and Victoriei Boulevard which is used throughout

the day, there are areas with potential such as Elisabeta Boulevard-Victoriei-Brezoianu and thehistorical centre area in the east of Brătianu which face a decrease in terms of pedestrian use in theevening, indicating the need for reactivation operations for these areas.

In terms of correlation of the pedestrian flow study with the local accessibility, we candraw a conclusion: the low pedestrian flows in Armenească area and the relatively low pedestrianflows in Elisabeta-Brezoianu and the old Calea Moșilor do not correspond to the high localaccessibility of these areas, resulting that the pedestrian route design should be analyzed to identifyobstacles.

The study conducted in Izvor area reveals a lack of connections over Dâmboviţa towardsthe northeast where pedestrian flows are moving, after they must make a detour at Izvor Bridge.

75% of the interviewed people in the sociological investigation agree with the enforcementof speed limits for road traffic in the centre of Bucharest (Image 60). The agreement for this type ofrestriction is correlated with the intention to delimiting a space in the centre of Bucharest, having acultural and commercial character rather than a transit one.

08:0

0-09

:00

09:0

0-10

:00

10:

30-1

1:30

12:

00-1

3:00

13:0

0-14

:00

15:

00-1

6:00

16:3

0-17

:30

17:3

0-18

:30

18:

30-1

9:30

Total

Yes

No

Would you agree the enforcement of speed limits for cars andpublic transport in the central area of Bucharest?

Don’t answer/Don’t know

Yes

No

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Source: SNSPA - “The social mapping of Bucharest”, 2011

Image 44: The extent to which the Bucharest’s inhabitants agree the enforcement of speed limits forthe traffic in the central area

83% of Bucharest’s inhabitants share the idea of a strictly pedestrian area in the Capital(image 61). From social point of view, the promenade areas are designed to enable artistic, culturaland social events, which express the life of a city and offer identity. The respondents mention Uniriiarea and the great boulevards (Magheru, Calea Victoriei) as areas that could become pedestrianareas, in addition to the already popular Historical Center (image 62).

Image 45: The extent to which the Bucharest’s inhabitants agree the arrangement of pedestrianspaces in the central area of Bucharest

Image 46: Areas with acceptance potential for becoming pedestrian area

To what extent would you agree the arrangement ofpedestrian spaces in the central area of Bucharest?

To a very great extent

To a great extent

To a little extent

To a very little extent

I don’t answer/I don’tknow

Name an area/boulevard/street in the city center where you would like apedestrian space be arranged

Historical Center

Romană Square

Magheru Boulevard

The Cișmigiu Park

City Center

I don’t know/I don’t answer

More than 80 locations were named, each of them representing less than1%

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1.4.1. Use of bicycles

The study conducted by SNSPA in Bucharest in 2010 highlighted the fact that less than2% of respondents use the bicycle as daily mean of transportation, while, through the BrusselsCharter in 2009, the European cities committed to bring the percentage of daily trips by bicycleto 15%, because the use of bicycles entails the following advantages:

represents the most efficient transportation solution in terms of energy consumption andCO2.

contributes to improving population health through prevention of coronary diseases; does not create traffic jams.

The bicycle is not a popular mean of transportation in Bucharest, first of all because ofunfriendly traffic conditions. European cities have developed general bicycle networks on which alarge number of cyclists travel daily, unhindered. Bucharest, however, has a less extensivenetwork, characterized by inappropriate design, with many obstacles for bicycle users (figure63). The network is discontinuous, not maintained, without signalling and traffic light, with a verysmall width, often occupied by parked cars or pedestrians. However, the existing network can beused as a catalyst to set up a new continuous and coherent network.

Figure47: Lanes dedicated to cyclists, often hostile, occupied by obstacles

In parallel with pedestrian flow analysis, a cyclist flow analysis was performed during abusiness day (July 2011). This analysis was carried out in areas marked on the attached map, onwhich were noted only cycling flows exceeding 5 cyclists during the day (Figure 64). This can beconsidered a pilot study for an analysis of cycling flows, to be achieved for the entire city,including possible origin-destination queries to study the flows connected at the level of

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Bucharest.

The main conclusion of this study is that, except more intense circulation of cyclistsconducted on the north-south axis, the more significant flows are recorded on arteries / in pointswhere there are large surfaces dedicated to cycling circulation, such as in the park at Piaţa Unirii oron Bulevardul Unirii. This supports the initiatives to create lanes dedicated to cyclists, in order toencourage this form of sustainable mobility (Figure 65).

Figure 48: Bicycle flows in selected areas in

the urban action area (bicycles/h)

"shared space" on the road

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on the sidewalk "shared space"

Source: blogs dedicated to urban cycling

Figure 49: Examples of layout of bicycle lanes

SWOT Analysis

of the existing cycling network

Strengths Opportunities

- a first step in introducing the notion ofbicycle specific infrastructure in Romania- intensive exposure for bicycle icons,which helped to raise awareness ofbicycles/cyclists as road traffic participants- encouraging novice cyclists and those whore-discover cycling after many years, childrenand retired persons

- initiating discussions on specificinfrastructure themes- analysis of possible continuous andcoherent networks that can be made tocontinue the existing network- develop an initial thematic map, whichcontains all the necessary resources toencourage citizens to use bicycles as analternative means of travel

Weaknesses Threats

- discontinuity- incoherence- very small width- lack of maintenance- without signalling and without trafficlights- without protective physical separation- very often occupied abusively by parkedcars, or used by pedestrians just as abusively- very poor quality of the work: expensivematerials used on an inappropriate surface

- continued placement of the lanes on thesidewalks, which contravenes toany modern andintelligent urban transportation strategy,- lack of planning of budgets andmaintenance works for the lanes, whichwill entail a perception of lack of purposeof the investment

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SWOT Analysis

of accessibility, permeability and transport in the urban action zone

Strengths Opportunities

- boulevards and streets with high global accessibility in the city(Calea Victoriei, Bulevardul Magheru, Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta, Bulevardul Carol I, Splaiul Independenţei)- high permeability of the sub-urban fabric in the sub-zones locatednorth of Piaţa Unirii

- prioritizingpublic transport andalternative routesmainly forpedestrians andcyclists willdecrease the level ofcongestion- construction ofbridges overDâmboviţa will helpreconnect the de-structured urbantissue

Weaknesses Threats

- The Civic Centre developed during the 80's (Bulevardul Unirii,Bulevardul Libertăţii) is a barrier zone which distinguishes and separatescertain areas- industrial areas such as Rahova - Uranus also reducethe permeability of the urban tissue- impermeable spaces surround the south-west of the urban action area- the limited number of bridges over Dâmboviţa reduce accessibility- the intense traffic flows represent obstacles for pedestrians(Splaiul Independenței, Calea Victoriei)

- the increase ofthe number of carsand traffic in thecentral area- the lack of actionin the respect ofmodifying thecurrent trends willlead to city blocking- the concernsrelated to thesecurity of thePalace of theParliament reducethe possibility ofcertain urban operations in Sub-zone 5.

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1.5. Demographic and social characteristics of the urban action zone

1.5.1. Population1

The demographic profile of the urban action zone of action is the result of the typology oflow buildings often present, which dominates the central area of Bucharest (as opposed to thecollective housing complexes in the outskirts neighbourhoods), of the concentration of collectivehousing complexes along grand boulevards and of the complex functional role of the centre, whichgroups a large number of functions.

The stable population recorded by the General Directorate for Persons Records ofBucharest in July 2011 for the urban action zone is of 87.844 persons (4.52% of the total stablepopulation registered in Bucharest), but it is important to note that the role of central zonedetermines the use of the perimeter under study by much of the population of Bucharest.Therefore, the integrated plan has a greater impact, not only for the population of the urban actionzone.

The most populated sub-zones are north (1, 6 and 7), amounting to 61% of the populationof ZAU PIDU, while they account for 49% of the ZAU PIDU. By reference to the entire urbanaction zone, the density of stable population is higher that the Bucharest average. The averagedensity in ZAU PIDU is of 9,276 inhabitants per square kilometre. Table 2 shows thatthe values below the average Bucharest density (8,938 inhabitants per square km) are found insub-zone 4 (Parcul Izvor and Palatul Parlamentului), sub-zone 5 (Bulevardul Unirii - Piaţa Unirii)and sub-zone 9 (where there are former industrial areas, and significant areas of unused land).Figure 69 suggests concentrations of population along the major boulevards, where collectivehousing buildings are located (Calea Victoriei, Bd.Magheru, Bd. Unirii, 13 Septembrie).

Sub-zone 7 has the highest population density. (An area in which the population of largehousing complexes along the major boulevards defined within the sub-zone will be excluded fromthe analysis. For sub-zone 7, thus restricted, it resulted an average population density of 10.913inhabitants/km2, by approximately 20% lower than the one calculated for the entire sub-zone 7, butstill above the Bucharest average.2).

1 When drawing up this chapter, the ascending method was used, starting from relative information of the resident units (data onpopulation by number, age and sex for each postal address in the ZAU PIDU). Data were processed in geographicinformation system using Intergraph ® platforms2There is the perception, sometimes even the professional environment, that the central area is less populated. The average density ofpopulation in ZAU PIDU is higher than the the average for the entire city.

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Source: Processing of data provided by the Directorate General for PersonsRecords of the Municipality of Bucharest

Figure50: Distribution of the population by sub-zones in the ZAU PIDU (July 2011)

Table 2: Density of stable population in ZAU PIDU (July 2011)

Zone Surface of the zone (km2)Number of inhabitants

(July 2011)

Average density

per km2

Sub-zone 1 1.39 15,331 11,050

Sub-zone 2 0.27 2,766 10,309

Sub-zone 3 0.50 5,510 11,097

Sub-zone 4 1.19 7,977 6,721

Sub-zone 5 0.84 - -

Sub-zone 6 1.92 20,595 10,736

Sub-zone 7 1.36 17,807 13,135

Sub-zone 8 0.90 9,779 10,860

Sub-zone 9 1.12 8,079 7,207

Total ZAU PIDU 9.47 87,844 9,276

Repartition of population on sub-zones

Sub-zona 1 Sub-zona 2 Sub-zona 3 Sub-zona 4 Sub-zona 5 Sub-zona 6 Sub-zona 7 Sub-zona 8 Sub-zona 9

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Source: Processing of data provided by the Directorate General for Persons Records of the Municipalityof Bucharest

low density high density

Source: Intergraph - processing ofINSSE data

Source: Processing of data provided by theDirectorate General for Persons Records ofthe Municipality of Bucharest (July 2011)

Figure 51: Population density in Bucharest Figure 52: Population density in ZAU PIDU

Source: Processing of data provided by the Directorate General for Persons Records ofthe Municipality of Bucharest

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Figure 53: Population concentration in the PIDU Urban Action Zone (July 2011)

Table 3: Distribution of population by sex and age groups in ZAU PIDU (July 2011)ZAU PIDU Bucharest

Age group/SexNumber of persons percentage of

populationNumber of persons

(thousands)percentage of

population

Total 87,844 100.0% 1,944 100.0%

Male 39,679 45.2% 908 46.7%

Female 48,165 54.8% 1,036 53.3%

0-14 years 8,834 10.1% 235 12.1%

Male 4,514 5.1% 121 6.2%

Female 4,320 4.9% 114 5.8%

15-20 years 2,819 3.2% 90 4.6%

Male 1,443 1.6% 46 2.4%

Female 1,376 1.6% 44 2.3%

20-29 years 10,510 12.0% 327 16.8%

Male 5,200 5.9% 162 8.3%

Female 5,310 6.0% 166 8.5%

30-44 years 20,439 23.3% 496 25.5%

Male 9,564 10.9% 239 12.3%

Female 10,875 12.4% 257 13.2%

45-69 years 27,924 31.8% 594 30.6%

Male 12,662 14.4% 267 13.7%

Female 15,262 17.4% 328 16.9%

70 and more 17,318 19.7% 202 10.4%

Male 6,296 7.2% 74 3.8%

Female 11,022 12.5% 127 6.6%

Source: Processing of data provided by the Directorate General for Persons Records of theMunicipality of Bucharest

3All the studies in the European countries suggest that prices of properties are higher in areas where there is a higher percentage of

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Source: Processing of data provided by the Directorate General for Persons Records ofthe Municipality of Bucharest

Figure54: Distribution of population by age groups (July 2011)

From the point of view of age groups, the urban action zone has a higher proportion ofelderly population than other parts of the city (the population of more than 70 years represents19.7% of the total population in ZAU, compared to 10.4% in the entire municipality) and a lowerproportion of children (10.1%, compared to 12.1%) - see Figures 71-74.

From the total population of ZAU PIDU, 45.2% are males and 54,8% are females (themasculinity ratio is of 82.4%-meaning that a number of 82 men correspond to 100 women). Thepercentage of female population is 1.6% higher in the ZAU PIDU than the average of the city.Analyzing gender distribution in each age class, we observe that older female population is larger,confirming the higher life expectancy (75 years compared to 68 years for men).

More than half of the population of ZAU PIDU (51,5%) is aged of more than 45 years,while the corresponding percentage in Bucharest is of 40.9%.

The demographic dependency ratio (indicator characterizing the population's activitypotential and measures the pressure of the inactive population - young and elder - on the activepopulation - adult population) has a value of 573,6 ‰ for ZAU PIDU. This means that 1,000people aged 15-64 correspond to approximately 574 young (0-14 years) and elderly (65 andover) people. The demographic dependency ratio is 533.8 ‰ in Bucharest, meaning that an activeperson in ZAU PIDU maintains several inactive persons by reference to the whole city.

The youth dependency ratio represents the ratio between people aged 0-14 years andadults aged between 15-64 years and has a value of 153.3 ‰. This indicator has a value of 163.9‰ for the whole city.

Percentage of working age population (15-64 years) is 66.3%, below

public green spaces.

Repartition of population on groups ofages

83

the Bucharest average.


Source: Processing of data provided by theDirectorate General for Persons Records

of the Municipality of Bucharest

Figure55: Density of children population

(0-14 years) in Bucharest

Figure56: Concentration of childrenpopulation

(0-14 years) in ZAU PIDU (July 2011)


Source: Processing of data provided by theDirectorate General for Persons Recordsof the Municipality of Bucharest

84

Figure57: Density of population aged of morethan 70 years in Bucharest

Figure58: Concentration of population agedover 70 years in ZAU PIDU (July 2011)

1.5.2. Inhabiting of the urban action zone

The housing stock of ZAU PIDU comprises approximately 6,200 buildings, both individualdwellings and collective housing complexes.

A rate of 43.1% of the population resides in individual dwellings and 56.9% of the populationlives in collective dwellings. The individual dwellings are mostly in sub-zones 6, 7, 8 and 9.

● Individualdwellings

● Collectivedwellings

● 1 level ●●●●● 8 levels and more

Source: Synergetics - data collection (inventory) of the functions of buildings - July 2011

Figure59: Distribution of population by type of dwelling (July 2011)

Many of the collective housing complexes have exceeded the period of length of service.

The situation of building consolidation requires special attention. Most of the buildings affected byseismic risks, subject to expertise are concentrated in the central area of Bucharest (Figure 76),predominantly in sub-zones 6, 7, 2 and 8.

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Table 4. Statistics for buildings subject to seismic risk expertise

Seismic risk category

Numberof

buildings

Construction year

(average)

RsI - public hazard 92 1933

RsI - constructions with high risk of collapse in case ofearthquakes having intensities corresponding to seismic calculationareas (design earthquake) 134 1892

RsII - constructions for which the probability of collapse isreduced, but for which major structural damages are expectedwhen a design earthquake occurs 121 1935

RsIII - constructions for which major structural damages that donot significantly affect the structural safety are expected, but forwhich the damages of the non-structural elements may beimportant 23 1935

RsIV 2 1897

constructions assigned to emergency classes, not included in theappropriate risk class 833 1920

Total number of constructions subject to expertise 1,205 1919

out of which consolidated constructions 15 1897

Source: Processing of information from the urban database of the City Hall of Municipalityof Bucharest

86

Source: Processing of information from theurban database of the City Hall of

Municipality of Bucharest

Source: Processing of information fromthe urban database of the City Hall of


Figure 60: Distribution of constructions subjectto technical expertise from the point of view of

seismic risk (Bucharest)

Figure 61: Distribution of constructionssubject to technical expertise from the

point of view of seismic risk

(ZAU PIDU)

Buildings density in sqkm

87

Source: Processing of information from the urbandatabase of the City Hall of Municipality of

Bucharest

Source: Processing of information from theurban database of the City Hall of


Figure 62: Distribution of constructions subject totechnical expertise from the point of view of seismic

risk in ZAU PIDU

Figure 63: Concentration of populationaffected by seismic risk in ZAU PIDU (July

2011)

Only 20 constructions subject to technical expertise from the point of view of seismic riskhave been consolidated. Among the buildings of particular importance that have beenconsolidated, it may be mentioned the "Athenee Palace" hotel, the Nehoiu hotel, part of theRomanian National Art Museum and the Telephone Palace. If the provisions of the normative actsimplementing safety for the stock of buildings in the 1st class of seismic risk will apply, the entireaction requires more than 50 years at the current rate and costs amount to hundreds of millions ofeuro.

Approximately 41% of the buildings subject to seismic risk of the 1st degree have 4floors or more. Figure 79 shows the concentration of the affected population in the event of anearthquake of high intensity, calculated depending on the number of persons recorded in eachbuilding and the density of the buildings (Figure 78).

Another major issue is the need for thermal rehabilitation of collective residentialbuildings. So far, only 45 buildings included in programs run by the City halls of districts 1, 2, 3and 5 have been rehabilitated in the action area.

Affordability of the dwellings in ZAU PIDU

The residential market has fluctuated significantly in recent years. If, by the end of 2007and early 2008, the prices increased from week to week, in 2009 and 2010 the situation hasreversed. The financial crisis reflected in the decrease in salaries or even the loss of jobs, matchedby the lack of confidence in the country's economic development have led to a significant decreasein demand and, implicitly, of the prices of residential units with up to 30-50% in certain peripherallocations of Bucharest. Centrally located units were also affected, although in a more moderatemanner, compared to those located in semi-central or peripheral areas. The financial institutions,which have tightened financing conditions, also contributed to this decline. Also, the increase ofthe VAT rate by 5 percentage points to 24% from July 1st, 2010 affected the sale prices ofresidential units. Thus, corporate owners had to bear this increase.

In terms of offer of old apartments, it is around 750,000 units in the capital city. As apreference among consumers, about 40% of buyers are interested in central and downtown areas,the others opting for the semi-central and outskirts areas. Starting with 2004-2005, new apartmentsin residential complexes started to add to the stock of existing residential units. Although thepercentage of stock of new apartments is only about 2% of the total number of apartments, theemergence of this concept on the Romanian market has brought a desire among Romanians for abetter quality housing. These complexes provide decent living conditions and multiple facilities,such as modern construction standards, own underground parking lots, elevators connecting theunderground parking lots and the apartments, security, landscaped green spaces, playgrounds forchildren, spa centres or swimming pools.

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From the real estate perspective, the zone under analysis is predominantly a residentialone. In most sub-zones, this feature is given either by blocks of flats built during the communistera or by the numerous pre-war or post-war villas (Dacia, Grădina Icoanei - sub-zone 7, "old"Calea Mosilor - sub-zone 3, Tudor Vladimirescu - sub-zone 9, Mircea Vulcănescu, LascărCatargiu - sub-zone 6, Ştirbei Vodă - Cişmigiu - sub-zone 1).

From the standpoint of market attractiveness and, hence, of the demand it generates,blocks of flats may be classified depending on the year of construction, seismic classification,construction standard, sub-zone 4 being one of the most popular. This is due to the fact that, interms of building quality, the Unirii area provides safety.

Another aspect that determines demand on the residential market is the proximity tospecific points of interest. The central area of Bucharest covers most of the administrativebuildings in Bucharest, numerous office buildings, educational institutions and other publicinterest objectives. As a result, this area is very sought after among buyers, about 40% of themarket demand focusing on this part of the capital city. A high demand equals higher prices and,if the supply is constant. For this reason the centre was the least affected by the crisis in terms ofdecrease of the selling prices. The average selling price per square meter for old flats in theanalyzed sub-zones range from EUR 1,250 per sq m in zones 3, 6 and 7 and EUR 1,400 per sq min zone 4, with values of EUR 1,300 per sq m in zone 1 and 8 and EUR 1,350 per sq m in zone 5(the market average in the whole city is now approximately EUR 1,100 per sq m). The pricespresented above are averages of each sub-zone, referring to 2-bedroom apartments located instandard blocks of flats for each zone. These prices can be higher or lower, depending on thespecific characteristics taken into account.

The residential units of the type house/villa in the sub-zones concerned may be classifiedinto two categories: historical, impressively-sized villas, refurbished, used for various commercialand institutional (restaurants and coffee shops, embassies, offices of companies) and old, small-size houses in advanced stage of impairment. In the first category, the demand is relatively high,the selling price per square meter reaching at times more than 3,000 Euros. In the second case,some of these buildings can be renovated and used for various commercial or residential purposes,but there are situations where such buildings are purchased either to be demolished in order fordevelopment or are incorporated in a future wider project. In this case, the purchase price isreferenced to the development potential of the land and not to the existing buildings. Most of thedevelopments of small apartment buildings (average 3-4 levels) shown in Figure 167 are made inthe absence of available land on the site of former houses.

A large real estate development potential is represented by sub-zone 9, where there stillis unused land.

In the urban economic development, housing can play a key role in regenerating under-performing areas or those affected by the lack of investments, but considered to have growthpotential. On the other hand, the successful rehabilitation of collective buildings (for example theone subject to seismic risk located on the front side of main boulevards or in the downtown area)may attract long-term investments by the private sector, also leading to long-term viability of thespaces. Especially the highly skilled workforce is drawn to locations in stable and coherentcommunities, with strong transport links, to well maintained areas of the city, having a strongcultural identity.

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1.5.3. Green spaces

Green spaces infrastructure is more than a statistic of green land, involving a spatialvision of the network of public spaces, parks, public and private gardens, sport grounds, recreationcomplexes, squares, street alignments. The development of this infrastructure is the result of apublic policy implemented throughout a long period.

Green spaces provide added value to the urban environment by increasing its diversityand providing socio-economic and environmental benefits.

Many studies emphasize the social benefits of green spaces. From a social perspective,green spaces can provide a greater diversity of land use and opportunities for a wide range ofactivities, with significant influence on the social health of the city. Well-managed green spacescontribute to strengthening social justice by increasing social inclusion, providing a neutralframework, freely available to everyone, so as to create the basis for interaction among the varioussocial categories, both through direct contact and by participating in community events. Thecultural life is enriched by the fact that green spaces are venues for social and cultural events(festivals, theatrical or cinematographic activities, exhibitions, celebrations and other similarevents). Green spaces can be a safe playground for children, whose behaviour is influenced inrespect of physical, mental and social development. They can also play an important role in basiceducation of children about nature and the environment.

In addition, health benefits of green spaces are extremely important and worthemphasizing. They encourage a healthier lifestyle, through various exercises (walking, running,cycling). They also have psychological effects, through the way in which they allow to escapefrom daily stress in a more peaceful, relaxing place. There are studies indicating that the mainvalue of green spaces lies in their role of recovery of the "well-being" of people who often gothere.

In terms of environmental benefits, urban green spaces are a true moderator ofenvironmental impact of human activity, contributing to improving the urban physicalenvironment by:

Reducing pollution. The process of photosynthesis consumes carbon dioxide and releasesoxygen. During the day, a green area of 25 square meters provides the necessary oxygenfor one person. Green spaces can absorb other pollutants as well (e.g. particles and dust),contributing to maintaining a healthy urban environment by cleaning air, soil and water;

Maintaining a balance of the urban environment, especially by moderating the extremes ofurban climate. The constructions and concrete surfaces in cities creates a specific urbanenvironment, with higher temperatures and limited air circulation, which leads to the so-called "heat islands" (see Figure 80);

Mitigating noise. Well landscaped green spaces can be effective barriers against noise,contributing significantly to reducing their level, particularly during the growing season;

Improving the efficiency of water drainage in the urban environment; Conserving the local natural and cultural heritage and maintaining biodiversity.

Green spaces also have a great importance in terms of aesthetics. Through the value oflandscaping, green spaces give identity to the built environment. Many times, they can function asa visual screen against spatial uniformity.

The economic benefits include both direct benefits (workforce employed in themanagement of public spaces, as well as income generated from this activity) and less tangible

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benefits, such as effects on the price of the neighbouring properties3, helping to attract economicactivities in the area or their role in attracting tourists. A high quality network of green spaceslinking residential areas to areas of economic activity increases the accessibility and attractivenessof local residences and jobs in the area, including by encouraging the inhabitants to walk to worksafely, on foot or by bicycle. A pleasant environment always helps create a positive image ofurban centres and thus can increase the attractiveness for investments and new job offers.Generally, the presence of green space, through the benefits it ensures to the inhabitants (in termsof aesthetics and health) determines the increase of the value of the areas.

In conclusion, the existence of well-maintained green spaces contributes to the quality oflife. Research has shown that the inhabitants attach high value to the areas where quality greenspaces.

Source: Intergraph - processing of ANM dataFigure64: Heat poles map of Bucharest

In the perimeter under study, the entire typology of green spaces (public parks, publicgardens, squares, planted alignments) may be found. The total area of green space in ZAU PIDU isof 66.4 hectares, and the balance regarding the existing and required green space is shown in Table5. According to the census made by the "green cadastre", the number of isolated trees is 45,411and the number of trees in the compact green space areas (parks, gardens) is 7.612.

Table 5: Existing and required green spaces in ZAU PIDU

Category ofgreen space

Greenarea

surface

Greenspace

surface m2

Minimumrecommended surface

Green spacedeficit m2/inhabit

Greenspacedeficit

91

(m2) /inhabitant

(m2) ant (ha)

Parks 371,922 4.23 6.00 1.77 15.5

Alignments,squares 292,354 0.79 1.50 0.71 6.3.

Total 664,276 2.48 21.8

Source: Processing of data in the "Green Cadastre" - urban database of the City Hall of theMunicipality of Bucharest

The landscaped parks in the urban action area are listed in Table 6. According tosociological survey detailed in Chapter 1.5.5, between 79% and 82% of Bucharest inhabitantsbelieve that the parks are representative elements for the centre of Bucharest (see Figure 86). Longwalks in the parks of the urban action zone are the main motivation for 24% of the Bucharestinhabitants going in downtown Bucharest (Figure 94). Cismigiu Park, Unirii Park and Carol Parkare among the favourite walking areas of the Bucharest inhabitants (Figure 98). Considered aleisure behaviour, walks in the park are not affected by social, economic or political events, beingdetermined by individual availability and weather conditions. Only half of the Bucharestinhabitants go to the park every week (Figure 81)

Table 6: Parks in the urban action zone PIDU

Park Surface (m2)Cişmigiu 209,474Libertăţii (Carol I) 64,521Izvor (Haşdeu) 12,219Ion Voicu (Ioanid) 7,761Grădina Icoanei 3,236Unirii 3,070Nicolae Iorga 2,710Sala Palatului 1,816Sf. Gheorghe Nou 1,437Ateneul Român 979I.C. Brătianu (Colțea) 786Cazzavilan 692Universitate (National Theatre) 651Total 309,352*

*The difference up to 371,922 square meters is represented by green landscaped surfacesunder the form of parks in the area of housing complexes.

Pro-social policies recommended at European level aim at increasing the number of parksand green spaces in urban areas and encouraging people to spend as much free time in such places.

The information in the sociological investigation shows that the main reasons why people usegreen spaces are: relaxation (whether active relaxation - walking through the park, sportingactivities, or a passive one - for instance, participating in various events held in the park),socializing activities (either with friends or to meet new people) and going with thegrandchild/child to play (Figure 82). The main barriers that prevent people to use urban greenspaces are: the absence of facilities (including play areas for children), the presence of otherpeople considered undesirable in the park (also related to concerns about personal safety), lack of

92

cleanliness, and access difficulties (especially for older people). The factors that encourage peopleto use green spaces more are cleanliness, the increase of personal safety, a better management,better facilities, more events in the park, better accessibility and proximity of a dwelling to greenspace.

Source: SNSPA - "Social mapping of Bucharest", 2011

Figure 65: The frequency with whichBucharest inhabitants go to the park

Figure 66: The motivation for the Bucharestinhabitants for going to the park

For analysis of the green space infrastructure, the most comprehensive set of indicatorsappears in the Interdisciplinary Catalogue of Criteria, developed in the FP5 URGE project(Framework Programme 5 - Urban Green Environment), which establishes the following groups:

a) group of quantity (availability) indicators of green areas: surface, fragmentation, isolation fromother green spaces, connectivity of green spaces, green spaces offer accessibility, integratedinternal/external system;

b) group of quality indicators of green spaces: species diversity, habitat diversity, protectingcultural and natural heritage, the ability to improve the quality of the environment, city identity,awareness of the physical and emotional benefits derived from the impact of urban green space;

c) group of indicators regarding the use of green spaces: recreation, sports, education, culture,production, employment;

d) group of indicators for planning, development and management of green spaces: green urbanpolicy and its legal context, planning tools, administration responsibilities, the integration ofprivate green areas, budget for the urban green system, waste management, citizen involvement.

Calculating the main indicators at the level of the urban action zone, we find that theproportion of green spaces in the total administrative area is 7%, and the surface of green spacesper inhabitant is of 4.23 m2/inhabitant, calculated depending on the surface of the parks and 0.79m2/inhabitant, calculated based on other types of green spaces (Table 5).

According to the World Health Organization, the standard of green space for aninhabitant must be 50 m2 (9 m2/inhabitant is the minimum recommended). At EU level, where theurban environment is the habitat of about 70% of the population, standards regarding green spacesare at least 26 m2/ inhabitant (with a recommended minimum of 6 m2/inhabitant).

How often do you go in the park?What is the main reason you go in thepark?

Every week

1-2 times a month

once in 1-2 months

several times a year

1-2 times a year

less than once a year

I don't go

to relax

I take my child/grandchild to

play

to meet my friends

to meet/tals to other people

N/A

NA/Don't answer

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Therefore, the existing green space in ZAU PIDU does not provide the minimum standardper inhabitant needed to raise the quality of life in accordance with European recommendations.The average of trees per inhabitant is of 0.6 in the urban action zone, lower than theBucharest average (0.88) and well below the level of the UE recommendation of 3 trees.

In conclusion, one of the great failures of the ZAU PIDU is the insufficiency of greenspaces. The adoption of public policies for the purpose of remedying this problem is urgent. Toincrease the quality of green spaces, an updated database is needed first of all. The City Hall of theMunicipality of Bucharest has completed the "Green Cadastre", the data being structured as ageographic referencing system. Secondly, green spaces planning policies should be developed tomeet local needs. Thirdly, an integrated approach, accompanied by a community involvement isneeded to develop and manage green spaces through partnerships between local authorities, thebusiness environment and NGOs. Fourth, the increase of quality, quantity and accessibility ofgreen spaces is needed in a vision of urban space.

The integration of green spaces in the urban regeneration process should be doneinclusively by attracting investments in the area (as a result of the increase of the attractiveness ofthe urban landscape) and by using green spaces (especially parks) as starting points for localregeneration initiatives.

The level of satisfaction of the urban population depends on the way in whichthe quantitative (spatial) and quality aspects of the green space system are performed. As forBucharest, it falls into the category of cities where public perception of environmental quality (inwhich green spaces are also included) is low.

Source: Processing of data in the "Green Cadastre" - urban database of the City Hall ofthe Municipality of Bucharest

Figure 67: Green spaces in ZAU PIDU

1.5.4. Crime in PIDU urban area

Crime and civil disobedience are factors that encumber local economic development,to the extent that sustainable development is harmed by social phenomena that affect thepersonal safety or the trust of citizens.

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After assessing the statistics regarding crimes, we can notice the following: The increase of street crimes is determined by various factors, out of which we can

highlight the decrease of the standard of living and the fact that a part of thepopulation tries to obtain resources using illegal means, but also the fact that thecommunity is tolerant towards antisocial and law-breaking behaviour.

Proliferating street crimes is enhanced also by the fact that the members of thecommunity are not enough preoccupied with their own safety and of the goods theydetain.

Committing street crimes is also enhanced by the impossibility of the public orderforces to cover the territory, due to the lack of police officers, which is why it isimposed to continue the actions to increase the employees of the public securityforces.There is a series of trends that can be favourably influenced by the implementation of

PIDU. The total number of crimes tends to grow in the last 5 years. At the level of rates/area,we can state that the incidence degree of the crimes that took place within the area of operationhas been significantly increased in 2007, compared to the situation in Bucharest, and then itslightly decreased. Unlike last year, in 2010 the crime in the PIDU area has decreased, while atthe level of the city there was a general increase. But we can notice an almost 10% increase ofthe crimes against the patrimony in the PIDU area, in 2007. After a decrease registered in thesubsequent year, the incidence of these reported crimes presents an increasing trend. Inclusive,the increase of the total crimes reported is greater in the PIDU area (135% in the last fouryears), compared to the situation in the capital city (121% for the same period).

Even if most of the street crimes are decreasing in the PIDU area (robberies, thefts,rapes – in absolute value or analysing their incidence degree), the reports are alarmingconcerning the abuse crimes, respectively the disturbance of public order. Having significantlydecreased in Bucharest (45% decrease), these crimes have increased by 43%, in the period2007-2010, in the area of the project.

Although the population in ZAU PIDU only represents 4.52% of the total populationof Bucharest and the analysed area represents only 3.97% of the area of Bucharest, between15% and 17% of the total reported crimes take place in this area. The crimes reported for 1,000inhabitants (total crimes, as well as street crimes) are three to four times greater than theaverage mean of Bucharest.

Table 7: Total statistics of the reported crimesIndicator Area 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Total reported crimes, out of which: Bucharest 81,227 80,153 82,272 96,260 98,679PIDU 12,888 13,384 12,440 14,848 14,785

- crimes against a person Bucharest 15,660 16,928 17,513 19,257 15,925PIDU 465 376 536 768 500

- crimes against the patrimony Bucharest 46,618 46,394 46,359 59,205 62,639PIDU 8,259 9,174 8,365 10,171 10,292

- other crimes Bucharest 18,949 16,831 18,400 17,798 20,115PIDU 4,164 3,834 3,539 3,909 3,993

Crimes reported for 1,000inhabitants Bucharest 42 41 42 50 51

PIDU 148 153 142 169 168Source: Data provided by the General Directorate of Bucharest Police

Table 8: Statistics regarding the street crimes reportedIndicator Area 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Total reported street crimes, out ofwhich: Bucharest 18,925 15,449 16,177 18,029 20,325

95

PIDU 3,737 2,866 2,827 2,661 3,044- crimes against a person (robberies,thefts, rapes) Bucharest 1,058 929 1,138 1,387 1,419

PIDU 283 234 233 256 250- street thefts Bucharest 16,021 12,695 12,984 15,718 17,887

PIDU 3,314 2,483 2,398 2,191 2,552- other street crimes (abuse,disturbance of public order) Bucharest 1,837 1,818 2,046 911 1,002

PIDU 138 149 196 210 238Street crimes reported for 1,000inhabitants Bucharest 10 8 8 9 10

PIDU 43 33 32 30 35Source: Data provided by the General Directorate of Bucharest Police

Percentage of total crimes reported inBucharest, committed in ZAU PIDU

Percentage of crimes against patrimony reported inBucharest, committed in ZAU PIDU

Percentage of crimes against persons reported inBucharest, committed in ZAU PIDU

Percentage of other crimes reported in Bucharest,committed in ZAU PIDU

Crimes reported for 1,000 inhabitants

96

Source: Data provided by the General Directorate of Bucharest PoliceFigure 68: The evolution of crime in PIDU area and a comparison with the city

The policies of the city leaders in Europe provide us valid examples of urbanstrategies that have been used to control the illegal behaviour of the population. With regard tothe type of intervention requested by the findings resulted from the analysis of the crimestatistics in the central area of Bucharest, the integrated project of urban development isrecommended, including in order to discourage and prevent street crime.

Firstly, the analysis presented highlighted the great per cent of abuse crimes anddisturbance of public order. Taking into account that all other crimes in this area have beenmaintained under control, we can state that a better management of the territory would beeffective to fight against this type of crime. It is considered that a greater access and a non-limited mobility within a space can lead to the decrease of the crime rates. The increase of thepermeability or of the access within a space implies the increase of the effectiveness and of thevisibility of police officers in the area. Moreover, the surveillance is also improved by a well-

Percentage of total street crimes reported inBucharest, committed in ZAU PIDU

Percentage of street crimes against persons reported inBucharest, committed in ZAU PIDU

Percentage of street thefts reported in Bucharest,committed in ZAU PIDU

Percentage of other street crimes reported inBucharest, committed in ZAU PIDU

Street crimes reported for 1,000 inhabitants Street crimes reported for km2

97

structured and maintained space. On the other hand, order and efficiency, opposed todisorganization and instability, are preventive factors that discourage the crime behaviour.

Parallel with discouraging the illegal behaviour, encouraging social forms of pressurethat fight these manifestations can be an additional method to secure a space. Recent studiessuggest the existence of a determinant liaison between the attractiveness of a space and themobility of the community for civic actions. Through the measures proposed by the integratedplan, the increasing trend of the total reported crimes can be negatively influenced.

The security of the community became an explicit objective of urban policies, whichare presented as main control vehicles of the population and which are included in thegoverning principles of the local community. As a result, the integrated plan proposed supportsthe discouraging of crimes, by a more effective management and surveillance of the territoryand by enhancing a civic spirit, including by proposing individual projects concerning thesecurity of the population.

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1.5.5. Perceptions and social landmarks related to the urban action area

A complex sociological study was conducted to understand how the Bucharest peoplerelate to the central area, and what the issues, needs and priorities of the area are in both uptownresidents’ view and those of the city as a whole. The survey had a wide, multithematic character andwas conducted with the support of the teachers, PhDs, MAs, and the students from the Faculty ofPolitical Sciences of NSPAS (National School of Political and Administrative Studies), in theannual research program “Social Mapping of Bucharest”. The research, a quantitative one, used thesociological survey method on a representative sample of the Bucharest population of over 18 yearsof age, with a total volume of 1116 persons and a theoretical margin of error of +/-2.93 to a 95%confidence level. The questionnaire design was based on several research dimensions:

perceptions, attitudes and representations on the quality of life; current issues of the city and country; crime and anomie; perceptual evaluations of the city at an architectural and urban, social and cultural

level of the urban processes dynamics.Information on the methodology used is provided in Annex 6.In the following, the study results interpretation is presented, highlighting the aspects

relating to defining the center, center valorization and use. Regarding the transportation aspects,they were presented in the section allocated to the urban transport (Chapter 1.4).

1.5.5.1. Defining the center

One of the sociological research dimensions was to define people’s perception on thecenter, through image analysis and center Bucharest identity for the city residents. One of thisanalysis’ first components was to define the elements of the center, which are representative forthe Bucharest people. For more than a quarter of the respondents, the University Square is themain symbolic center of Bucharest. This is because the University Square, compared with allothers, is an important place for the social memory with civic character, being the only place ofspontaneous manifestations in the Capital. All other areas, although loaded with political, historicalor commercial symbols, have yet failed to assimilate sufficient social symbols (Figure 85).

The source: NSPAS - “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Figure 69: The most representative areas for the Center of Bucharest

“Which of the following areas/ squares/ boulevards you thinkare the most representative for the Center of Bucharest?”

99

The elements of the urban landscape considered as representative for the center by theBucharest people were also analyzed. Respondents of all ages emphasized that the historicalbuildings, monuments and parks are primarily representative for the center of Bucharest (Figure86). The young respondents found that the bars, cafes and restaurants are also representative for thecentral area. Yet, the administrative and office buildings are not considered representative for thecenter of Bucharest. This emphasizes that for the majority of the population, the identity of the citycenter is given by the built heritage and parks, thus explaining many people’s animosity on theincreasing presence of the office buildings in the downtown area (referred to as a problem of thecenter by a number of respondents).

The source: NSPAS - “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Figure 70: Elements considered as representative for the center of Bucharest

The building the most representative for the Bucharest people is the Palace ofParliament (“The House of People”). The House of People is followed at a distance by theRomanian Athenaeum and the Intercontinental Hotel. “The House of People” is considered by a

Do you consider historical buildings asbeing representative for the center ofBucharest? First of all

Not at all

Do you consider historical monuments asbeing representative for the center ofBucharest? First of all

Not at all

Do you consider historical buildings asbeing representative for the center ofBucharest? First of all

Nota t all

Do you consider parks/open areas for relaxingas being representative for the center ofBucharest?

First ofall Not atall

Do you consider restaurants/coffeehouses/shops as being representative for thecenter of Bucharest?


Do you consider administrative buildings asbeing representative for the center ofBucharest?

First of allNot at

all

Do you consider economic centers/businesscenters as being representative for the centerof Bucharest?


66+ yearsbetween 56-65yearsbetween 46-55yearsbetween 36-45yearsbetween 26-35yearsbetween 18-25years






100

third of the population also the most beautiful building in the capital, while other 11% of the peoplethink it’s the ugliest of the buildings. More than half of the respondents say that in case of a tour ofBucharest for their foreign friends, they would certainly include “The House of People”. Thesuburbs and, in general, the streets covered with garbage are the areas that shouldn’t be shown tostrangers. Some of the respondents mention the historic center as an area to be avoided by thepotential tourists.

A quarter of respondents did not mention any building to be beautiful, while more than ahalf none to be ugly. Equally interesting is the fact that no building built after 1989 falls in the top20 most beautiful buildings of Bucharest. As a matter of fact, only two buildings built after 1989 – amall and the Victory Square BRD building – figure in the first 60.

A large part of the objectives the Bucharest people are proud of are in the urban actionarea: Cişmigiu Park, the historic center and the Romanian Athenaeum.

Another component of the demarche was related to the people’s perception analysis oncertain points of the city, which the survey participants were asked whether they are part of thecenter or not (Figure 87). A mental map of the center indicating locations that are part of thecollective image of the center, as well as places for which opinions are divided, or whose belongingto the center is challenged, was thus obtained.

The source: NSPAS - “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011

In your opinion are the following areas/objectives part of Bucharest’s center?YesNoI’ve never heard of this areaDon’t knowDon’t answer

101

Figure 71: The perception of different areas on belonging to the center of Bucharest

The mental map resulting from mapping the responses obtained shows the respondents’perception on the center: the places perceived by an absolute majority as being central bind on theNorth-South axis between Victoria Square and the Patriarchate and on the East-West axis betweenKogălniceanu Square and Rosetti Square. Areas in the vicinity have a certain degree of challenge,but are still considered as part of the center, as Dacia Boulevard, Antim Monastery, Marriott Hotel,old Calea Moşilor, Carol Park. Other points in return, such as Uranus, Buzeşti, Gemeni Square,Traian, Mântuleasa are already considered outside the center by a relative majority of respondents(Figure 88).

An important aspect is the proportion of respondents who haven’t heard of some areas.Uranus, the Flower Market, Antim Monastery or Mircea Vodă Boulevard areas, all located in thearea where the interventions related to the Civic Center have been made, are unknown for almost aquarter of respondents, which reveals the impact of urban dissolution produced by the operations ofthe ‘80s on the image of the center. Isolated behind the curtains of blocks and the boulevards of theCivic Center, these points seem to have disappeared from the mental map of the Bucharest center.

●areas that the majority of therespondents do not consider partof the center

●areas that the majority of therespondents consider part of thecenter●areas that a high percentage ofthe respondents have not heard of

The sursa: processing data from NSPAS - “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Figure 72: “The Mental Map” of the center of Bucharest

1.5.5.2. Valuing the center

The analysis of the way in which the Bucharest people relate to the center was anotherdimension of the sociological study. The attachment to the center is much smaller than that to thecity or to the neighborhood (figure 89). It is no surprise that the attachment to the familiar space,neighborhood is higher, but the difference between the attachment to the city and that to the centerreveals a problem in the Bucharest inhabitants’ relationship to the center.

102

The source: NSPAS - “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Figure 73: The inhabitants’ attachment to the neighborhood/center/city

The center is the most desirable area of Bucharest. The North is considered the “best”neighborhood, which includes the regions north of Victoria Square, Dorobanţi, Kisselef, Aviaţieiand Băneasa (Figure 90).

The source: NSPAS- “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Figure 74: Ranking neighborhood by desirability

The residents of the center place their own area on a relatively modest position in relationto other areas of Bucharest. They grant on average a 6.90 grade, 10 representing the best residentialarea, the center being thus advanced by the perception of residents in several neighborhoods,including Bucureştii Noi, Crângaşi – Giuleşti or Berceni (Figure 91).

“How much do you appreciate …?”Very fond ofFondNot so fond ofVery little fond of/Not fond at

allDon’t knowDon’t answer

The neighborhoodyou are living

The center of thetown

The center of theBucharest

In your opinion which is the best neighborhood fromBucharest?

Center

OtherDon’t know/Don’tanswer

103

The source: NSPAS - “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Figure 75: The self positioning of own neighborhood

The center does not represent a popular option to live for the other inhabitants of Bucharesteither. Three in four Bucharest inhabitants say they would not choose Bucharest downtown asresidential area. This is a natural tendency characteristic of most metropolises, the center beingdefined either as part the business and/ or the tourism, or, because of overcrowding and pollution, asinauspicious housing area. For Bucharest, after the excessive centralization of the communistperiod, also associated with the prestige of living in central area, the horizontal expansion trendmanifested with a relative difficulty, especially in the North area, due to a poorly structured urbangrowth strategy. Although the big cities’ central areas are not generally used as residential areas, thetrend in recent decades in the big cities is to increase the popularity of the center as residential area.

The source: NSPAS - “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Figure 76: The attractiveness of the center of Bucharest as residential area

The self positioning of own neighborhood on a scaleof 10 units

1- the worst neighborhood

10- the best neighborhood

Center

“If you had the possibility to settle in the center ofBucharest would you choose to live in this area?”

104

1.5.5.3. Exploitation of the center

The center is an area frequently used by a majority of respondents (Figure 93). 40% of theBucharest people, in particular the active people, often go downtown. The main motivations of theactive people are related to work/school, shopping and leisure. These types of activities bring to thefore the issue of the parking, only partly solved for some of the commercial units in the central area.Most of the public or private institutions (from institutions with a public/administrative character torestaurants) lack of parking spaces proportional to influx of people they require.

The source: NSPAS - “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Figure 77: The frequency of going out downtown in Bucharest

The source: NSPAS - “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Figure 78: The motivation for going to downtown Bucharest

In terms of the commercial role, the traditional propensity to the center, as a place ofacquisition prestige, is permanently reduced because of the emergence of malls and shoppingcenters, relatively similar in offer, in residential neighborhoods. For non-food products, the mostBucharest people opt for proximity as the main criterion for selection of the point of purchase.

“How often do you go to the center of the Bucharestirrespective of the reason you go there?”

Don’t know/Don’twant to answerat 2-3 months

don’t go

once a month

several times ayeardaily2-3 times a week

2-3 times a month

“Most of the time you go to the Center…”

Don’t know/Don’t answer

I live in the center

For walks in park

For spectacles (theatre, cinema, music)

To go to restaurant/bar/coffee/club

For shopping/markets

I work/go to school in the center

105

Usually, most Bucharest people go to the market or small shops in the housing area, includingstores like “supermarket” in markets or from ground floor (41%). Approximately 18% of theBucharest people most often buy products from the small stores near the house. Also, almost half ofthe Bucharest people said they had bought products from traditional products fairs organized inBucharest, mostly located in the center. One can say that there is a revaluation of the traditionalproducts.

The source: NSPAS - “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Figure 79: The Bucharest people preferences for non-food shopping stores locations

The Bucharest people do not often go out to restaurants, bars or cafes. Among theBucharest people, the young aged between 18 and 35 years are those who go out downtown weeklyto a significantly greater extent than all other age groups. This leisure practice is becoming less andless common with the advancement in age. Of course, one of the factors that determine this type ofleisure behavior is the individual income level: the data reveal that as the individual incomeincreases, the greater the frequency with which the Bucharest inhabitants go out becomes.Correspondingly, most of those who never go out to town are in the low income groups (up to 1500RON).

“If you were to thing to think about the things you buy other thanthose representing food products what would you prefer?”

A shop from the neighborhood you live

A shop from the center of the townIt doesn’t matter, it can be anywhere inBucharestDon’t know/Don’t answer

“How often do you usually go out, at therestaurants/bars/coffee houses?”


Daily

Once a couple of months

Once a month

106

The source: NSPAS - “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Figure 80: The frequency with which the Bucharest people go out to restaurants/ bars/

cafes

Higher education people would rather go out in the center of Bucharest, compared withthose without higher education. The habit of going out to town in the area close to work is presentin a greater extent to the active population (26-45 years). In general, a big attraction of the youngand adult population for the city center, in terms of leisure options is noted. Attraction is strongestat young people between 18-35 years (over half of them use to go out downtown). The better thefinancial situation, the more the Bucharest people go out downtown. In terms of individual income,it appears that this practice of going out downtown the capital is more common for the categorieswith a more than 1500 RON income. Some of the people with no income are the young who preferthe central urban targets with major symbolic capital.

The source: NSPAS - “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Figure 81: Where Bucharest inhabitants go out to restaurants/ bars/ cafes

DailyWeeklyOnce a monthOnce a couple of monthsOnly on a special occasionsDon’t go

DailyWeeklyOnce a monthOnce a couple of monthsOnly on a special occasionsDon’t go

18-25 years 26-35 years 36-45 years 46-55 years 56-65 years 66-75 years over 75 years

Withoutincome

over

“Where are you usually go out, atrestaurants/bars/coffee houses?”

Without higher educationWith higher education

In the neighborhood

Near the workplace

In the center

Another situation

Don’t know

107

According to the Cultural Consumption Barometer (CCCDC, 2009), there is a decrease inthe culture consumption in Bucharest compared to previous years. More than half of the Bucharestpopulation says that they haven’t been to the theatre, cinema or museum in the last year (NSPAS,2010).

According to the CCCDC study, the consumption of elite culture (theater, museums,exhibitions) decreased in the population with secondary education and has remained relativelyconstant among the loyal public and with higher education. Going to the cinema is the mostcommon activity of the mass cultural activities. Also, the average consumption of events/ localfestivals decreased in the segment of people with university and postgraduate studies in Bucharest.Non-cultural activities, such as walking in the park, have increased among the population, probablybecause leisure in the park does not vary depending on the economic factors and does not requireeconomical resources (Figure 98).

In CCCDC’s point of view, for ameliorating the effects of the crisis on the culturalconsumption, measures have to be taken on three dimensions: financial, socialization andinnovation. The financial measures, especially applicable to the show institutions and museums,could consist of discounts on tickets, offers, special programs. New shows adapted to the public’sneeds could increase the level of cultural consumption, as a compensation for people not spendingmuch for fun and leisure. Secondly, show institutions, such as theaters, operas, museums andcinemas can take measures of socialization such as laying out spaces like bars or cafes in theirpremises for the public that attend them (CCCDC, 2009).

The restaurants the most cited as favorite are those located in subzone 1. Bucharestpeople’s preferences generally focus on targets with a historical resonance. In terms of cafes andbars, preferences are much more diversified, no bar having a score greater than 4%.

The source: NSPAS - “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Figure 82: Bucharest people preferences for walking areas

1.5.5.4. Problems and needs of the center

The trend in Bucharest is largely perceived as wrong, in direct correlation with how thetrend of the country in general is perceived. The data reveal the existence of a pattern, i.e.: thepeople originating in Bucharest have the tendency to believe that things are going in the wrongdirection, while the people originating from another locality tend to believe that the direction inwhich things work in Bucharest is good.

“Name one area in Bucharest where you like to walk”


108

The source: NSPAS - “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Figure 83: The Bucharest people perception on the direction in which things work in

Bucharest

In Bucharest people’s opinion, the main issues of the center are the traffic and the parkingspaces, followed by cleaning, the condition of roads and old buildings (figure 100). The traffic andthe parking spaces are considered the most serious issue for the center, to a greater extent than theyare for the whole city (26% versus 9%, and 15% versus 5% of respondents), resulting thus the needto act in the central area for improving the situation. The issue of parking spaces in downtownBucharest is mostly mentioned by the active young and adult population (18 to 45 years). The issueof the parking spaces is present to a greater extent among those with higher education than amongothers. Among the main problems of the city, cleaning is mentioned to a greater extent with age,being of lesser importance for the young population, for example for those of 18-25 years (8%),compared to those of 56-65 years (14%).

The source: NSPAS - “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Figure 84: The main issues to be handled in the center of Bucharest

If the analysis narrows down to the central area residents, the main issue for them isrepresented by the lack of the parking spaces (Figure 102).

“Do you think that in Bucharest things are going well orbad?”

Wrong

Well

Don’tknow/Don’tanswer

“If you think about the center of Bucharest, in your opinion,which is the most serious problem that should be solved?”

TrafficParking spacesTown cleaningRoad conditionsThe look of the old center/consolidating thebuildingsDelinquency/infractionalityInsufficient green spaces/green spacesmaintenancePublic transportationThe contrast between new and old buildingsOthersDon’t know/Don’t answer

109

He source: NSPAS - “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Figure 85: The main issues to be handled in Bucharest

The main issues of the Bucharest people remain constant in recent years. The condition ofthe roads and the cleaning of the city are in the top among the interviewees, as in 2010, along withthe traffic and crime. A significant aspect is the presence in the top of the local issues of thecondition of hospitals and polyclinics as a result of the decentralization of the health system, butalso of the impact of media that the policy, as well as the accidents in healthcare had in the last year.

The source: NSPAS - “Social Mapping of Bucharest”, 2011Figure 86: The issues of the center from its inhabitants’ perspective

The citizens’ perception on the security level in the areas they live is rather negative. Halfof the respondents say they don’t feel safe after dark in the areas where they live.

The police officers interviewed in the qualitative survey conducted by NSPAS say that inthe central area of Bucharest, crime is mostly present in the Roman area and the North Station. Theareas with the highest crime level are related to several streets in subzone 9, Rahova- Uranus.Subzone 1 and subzone 6 of the intervention area are on the map of Bucharest drug sellers. Alsosubzone 6 and subzone 7 are on the map of Bucharest prostitution. Ravova –Uranus area (whichincludes subzone 9) is negatively valued by the population. Crime is the main issue of theinhabitants, followed by the lack of cleanliness and the condition of roads.

“Which is the most serious problem in Bucharest that shouldbe solved?”

Road conditionTown cleaningCondition of hospitals, policlinicsTrafficDelinquency/infractionalityA lack of dwellings for young peopleWork placesParking spacesCondition of footwalksInsufficient green spaces/green spaces maintenancePublic transportationSewageMaintenance costDwellings, school constructionPublic lightingDon’t know/Don’t answer

“But if you think about the neighborhood/area you live in, which is themost serious problem which should be solved?”

Parking spacesTown cleaningRoad conditionDelinquency/infractionalityTrafficInsufficient green spaces/green spaces maintenanceSewageWater supplyCondition of footwalksPublic lightingStray dogsWork placesPublic transportationOthersDon’t know/Don’t answer

110

SWOT AnalysisDemographic and social characteristics

Strenghts Oportunities- density of stable population, with averagesuperior to the whole city- satisfactory percentage of the population ofchildren- increased interest of the investors for thearea in question- numerous transport links- very well equipped with social, health andeducational infrastructure

- the potential of a consolidation andrenovation project of the buildings withseismic risk and unitary management ofimplementation- the area restructuration and developmentallow a better surveillance of the area,resulting in a decreasing crime incidence- private investment attraction/ stimulation inthe regeneration/ rehabilitation of buildingsfor collective dwellings- the cultural landmarks of the area can serveas a catalyst for the community cohesion

Weaknesses Threats- high rate of dependence of the inactivepopulation in relation to the activepopulation, superior to the Bucharestaverage- high percentage of elderly population- the presence of social disparities- poverty and pauper living in somesubzones- large number of buildings that requirethermal rehabilitation- high price in the residencial sector anddifficult access to funding sources- insufficiently developed green spaces, inrelation to the EU approved standards- reduced local accessibility for somesubzones

- the potential of the working age populationis inferior to the situation of the whole city- large number of buildings assigned toseismic risk- street crimes are increasing in the actionarea- lack of social integration programs of thedisadvantaged population results in thegrowth of socio-economic disparities

111

1.6. Economic characteristics of the urban action area and comparison to the city44

The purpose of this chapter is: to provide an understanding of the economic conditions of the urban action area and

how they affect the welfare of residents and businesses; to identify how the evaluated area relates to the city economy in general; to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the local economy, and the nature and

form of the economic challenges and of the opportunities of the urban action area; to identify the obstacles to economic development and local employment, as well as

the risks related to the ingeneration of economic sustainable growthThe financial, institutional framework, and the way of developing the policies concerning

the economic development in the urban environment are going through profound changes. Budgetreductions confirm that financing investments with impact in economic development will bereduced in coming years. Also, the productivity will be affected in the next period, and the acutegrowth of the public debt will intensify the competition for the access to resources.

In this context, the public authorities’ understanding the form of local economicdevelopment and influencing the public service provision in a way to help meet the needs of theresidents becomes extremely important. Deepening the economic context in which companiesoperate is fundamental to identify the ways in which they can be supported, such as effective publicpolicy formulation, investment targeting and decision suitability.

The urban action area should be understood in its relation to the whole city. Futureprospects for business in the UAA (Urban Action Area) depend, at least partly, on the growth formand patterns in Bucharest, just as other areas of the city are influenced by the UAA. But there arespecific features of the UAA economy, unique in Bucharest, and they can only be treated from anoverall perspective. First of all, the UAA defines the center of the capital of Romania and istherefore a matter of importance both national and international. On the other hand, even if theurban action area is the center of the capital, part of the subzones/ neighborhoods suffer from bothpoverty and worklessness.

1.6.1. Workforce

In 2010, the IUDP (Integrated Urban Development Plan) of the UAA had an officialnumber of 103 962 employees, of which 29 245, representing about 28% of the total, in the publicsector (central and local authorities, education, health, culture) and 74 717, representingapproximately 72% from the total, in economic activities.

1.6.1.1. Employees distribution according to the field of activity

In 2010, 74.717 people were reported as engaged in economic activities in UAA,representing an estimated 8.8% of employees in Bucharest.

According to Table 9, most employees were in the field of professional and technicalservices, of support services for businesses and other services (about 23 thousand), in the fields oftrade and repairs (about 10,6 thousand) and in the field of hotels and restaurants (around 6.5thousand).

4 In preparing this chapter, we used the ascending method, based on the relative information of the resident units (datafrom the financial statements of all businesse registered in the IUDP of UAA, in geographic information system, usingIntergraph® platforms were processed)

112

Comparing to the figures in the entire city enables the identification of those sectors thatare locally important (have a concentration of employment or growth potential). In this respect, aspecialization index is calculated as the ration between the percentage represented by the number ofemployees in a particular field to the total number of employees, for the UAA, and the percentagecalculated in the same way for all Bucharest. Results are shown in Table 11.

It is noted that the index exceeds the unit value for the fields of real estate (2.7) and ofprofessional, technical services, and other services (1.7), which shows a specialization in thesesectors of the urban action area. Moreover, it appears that the employees in these fields are asignificant percentage of the total employees in the whole city (27.3% for real estate transactions,respectively 17.1% for services). Also from Table 10, we notice the high percentage of theemployees in the UAA in total employees, in the fields of hotels and restaurants (44.6%) in 2006,this percentage decreasing four times within five years (which means that presently, the UAA nolonger has the employment concentration in the respective field it had the past, with thedevelopment of investments in hotels and restaurants in other parts of the capital, which could offeravailable base). The specialization index calculated for the agriculture sector is not relevant,whereas the headquarters of some large companies in the field are in the UAA, and most employeeswork in their local bodies and not in the studied area. The analysis of employment specialization inthe UAA does not indicate conclusive data either for the financial intermediation and insurancesector, as employees are reported at headquarters and not at local branches. Empirically, there is aconcentration of bank headquarters and of financial institutions in the UAA.

Table 9: Number of employees on fields of activity – the IUDP of the UAANumber of employeesField of activity 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Agriculture, forestry and fishing 1.009 907 805 712 565Industry 18.139 17.693 17.117 15.308 14.531Constructions 10.759 11.567 12.974 10.011 8.050Trading, repairs 10.770 11.690 12.760 16.568 10.618Hotels and restaurants 7.042 7.506 7.726 6.166 6.522Transportation and storage 2.253 2.681 3.055 2.925 3.096Informations and communications 3.043 3.523 3.892 6.303 3.627Financial intermediation, insurance 539 474 751 605 548Real estate transactions 2.598 2.709 2.829 2.183 1.793Professional services and other services 18.495 21.487 25.463 23.308 23.699Public administration, education, health, culture 1.133 1.095 1.584 1.624 1.668Total 75.780 81.332 88.956 85.713 74.717

The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register

Table 10: Total percentage of employees working in the IUDP of UAA Bucharest, on fieldsProcent salariați

ZAU-PIDU/BucureștiDomeniu de activitate2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Agriculture, forestry and fishing 10,4% 11,1% 35,0% 35,6% N/AIndustry 10,9% 11,1% 12,3% 12,2% N/AConstructions 12,1% 11,8% 12,2% 9,5% N/ATrading, repairs 7,2% 7,2% 7,0% 9,6% N/AHotels and restaurants 44,6% 13,6% 13,8% 11,5% N/ATransportation and storage 4,3% 14,3% 12,5% 13,2% N/AInformations and communications 7,5% 8,4% 5,6% 9,8% N/AFinancial intermediation, insurance 1,6% 1,3% 1,7% 1,3% N/AReal estate transactions 43,3% 38,7% 24,6% 27,3% N/AProfessional services and other services 17,3% 17,5% 18,3% 17,1% N/APublic administration, education, health, culture 0,8% 0,8% 1,5% 1,5% N/A

The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register,Statistical Yearbook Bucharest 2007-2010

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Table 11: Employment concentration

Specialization indexSpecialization

to BucharestTendency

Calculated

index to

Bucharest

Calculated

index to

national

levelAgriculture, forestry and fishing NO ↓ 3,5 0,03Industry NO ↓ 1,2 0,81Constructions NO ↓ 0,9 1,49Trading, repairs NO ↓ 0,9 1,54Hotels and restaurants NO ↔ 1,1 4,03Transportation and storage NO ↔ 1,3 0,69Informations and communications NO ↔ 1,0 5,53Financial intermediation, insurance NO ↔ 0,1 0,53Real estate transactions YES ↑ 2,7 14,71Services(professional, technical, other services) YES ↑ 1,7 5,90Public administration, education, health, culture NO ↔ 0,1 0,13

The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register,Statistical Yearbook Bucharest 2007-2010

1.6.1.2. Distribution of employees by size of the business

A percentage of 29.7% of employees are employed in small and medium enterprises. Thereis a very high percentage of employees working in large enterprises (significantly higher than thecorresponding percentage calculated for the entire city), which indicates a certain concentration ofthese large enterprises in the UAA.

If the number of employees in micro, small and medium enterprises keeps relatively thesame trend, synchronized with the evolution of the entire city, the number of employees in largeenterprises experienced a sharper decline in recent years, of 18.6% in 2010 compared to 2009,driven also by the relocation of some large enterprises in the area (Figure 103). However, thepercentage of employees working in this type of enterprises is relatively constant over the past fiveyears, around 44%. The loss of large enterprises represents a strategic issue for the UAA, both interms of space usage, and because the major economic activities provide leadership for the localbusiness community and represents an incentive for quality and innovation. Small businessesdevelop along large firms. More extensive training programs are developed by large enterprises. Onthe other hand, given the average number of employees by types of enterprises (2.3 inmicroenterprises, 15.9 in small enterprises, 82.5 in medium enterprises and 516.6 in largeenterprises), it follows that, if a large company leaves the market, 230 microenterprises or 33 smallenterprises would be necessary to compensate the redundant employment.

Table 12: Distribution of the number of employees according to the size of the enterprise in theIUDP of the UAA

Number of employeesType of enterprise 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010Microenterprises 8.972 10.163 11.665 10.382 9.344Small enterprises 14.043 15.927 17.965 16.630 14.971Medium enterprises 17.923 20.294 21.877 19.763 17.584Large enterprises 34.842 34.948 37.449 38.938 32.818Total 75.780 81.332 88.956 85.713 74.717


114

Table 13: Percentage of employees by type of enterprise – The IUDP of the UAAPercentage of employees in each type of enterpriseType of enterprise 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Microenterprises 11,8% 12,5% 13,1% 12,1% 12,5%Small enterprises 18,5% 19,6% 20,2% 19,4% 20,0%Medium enterprises 23,7% 25,0% 24,6% 23,1% 23,5%Large enterprises 46,0% 43,0% 42,1% 45,4% 43,9%



Figure 87: Evolution of employees by type of enterprise

1.6.2. The volume of the economic activity

The economic activity in the urban action area generated an aggregate of 34.7 billion leiturnover in 2010 (Table 14). The relative importance of the industry, construction, hotels andrestaurants sectors in the economy of the city remained constant. In contrast, the share of turnovergenerated by services and the fields of public administration, education, health, culture, totalturnover of the entire city in the respective field (Table 15) has increased, which indicates there aresectors that are specializing and growing.

The triplication of the relative weight of the fields of transport, information andcommunication within the total economy of the city is determined by the presence of theheadquarters of one of the important telephone and data operators in the UAA, as well as by therelocation of the other significant Bucharest operator in Ilfov County.

As shown in Figure 104, most enterprises are registered in the field of services(approximately 33.8%) and in the fields of trade and repairs (approximately 23.8%).

The evolution of the number of employees depending on the size ofthe company (ZAU PIDU)

Micro enterprises

Small enterprisesMedium enterprises

Large enterprises

115

Table 14: Turnover on fields of activity – the IUDP of the UAATurnover (million lei)Field of activity 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Industry 6.665 6.514 9.044 8.234 8.773Constructions 2.065 2.633 3.689 3.528 3.084Trading, repairs 5.651 7.158 9.693 8.948 9.279Hotels and restaurants 656 820 993 841 820Transportation, storage, information, communication 5.620 6.369 7.781 7.612 7.516Services (professional, real estate transactions, financial, other) 3.365 4.428 5.883 6.169 5.077Public administration, education, health, culture 60 75 144 166 163Total 24.082 27.997 37.227 35.498 34.712


Table 15: The total share of turnover in the IUDP of the UAA in Bucharest, on fields of activityThe share of turnover

in the IUDP of the UAA / BucharestField of activity

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010Industry 15,1% 12,6% 15,4% 16,7% N/AConstructions 14,1% 12,1% 12,2% 13,7% N/ATrading, repairs 5,5% 5,1% 7,4% 7,4% N/AHotels and restaurants 31,2% 31,5% 33,5% 29,6% N/ATransportation, storage, information, communication 26,6% 25,2% 73,2% 75,4% N/AServices (professional, real estate transactions, financial, other) 13,0% 12,6% 19,1% 21,6% N/APublic administration, education, health, culture 8,1% 7,7% 14,1% 19,6% N/ATotal 11,4% 10,1% 14,0% 14,9% N/A

The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.Statistical Yearbook Bucharest 2007-2010

The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.Figure 88: The number of enterprises by fields of activity

Number of enterprises on activity scope in ZAUPIDU

Agriculture, forestry and fishingIndustry

ConstructionCommerce, repairsHotels and restaurantsTransport and storageInformation and communicationFinancial intermediation,insuranceReal estate transactionsProfessional and other servicesAdministration, education, healthand culture

116

1.6.3. Business profile

77% of the firms in the UAA are microenterprises. The urban action area hosts animportant weight of the large enterprises in Bucharest, namely 23.4 % (see Table 17). Thepercentage of large enterprises in Bucharest located in the UAA has yet declined from 42.5% to23.4 % in the last five years. One explanation for this phenomenon is the business center relocationin the North of the city, where investments in modern office buildings suited for users’ needs thatrequire large spaces have developed (the number of large enterprises in the UAA almost threefolddecreased between 2006 and 2010). Moreover, table 17 shows the dropping tendency of the relativeshare compared to total in Bucharest for all types of enterprises (the larger the company, the lesserthe relative share of total in Bucharest). One can thus infer that the developing companies no longersee the center of the capital as an attractive place for offices and seek locations more appropriate totheir needs.

Table 16: The number of enterprises by type of enterprise – in the IUDP of the UAANumber of enterprisesType of enterprise 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Microenterprises 9.789 8.949 7.831 6.052 4.148Small enterprises 2.170 1.961 1.689 1.364 939Medium enterprises 554 484 397 309 213Large enterprises 172 130 109 87 64Total 12.685 11.524 10.026 7.812 5.364

The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.

Table 17: The share of enterprises by type of enterprise (in the IUDP of the UAA in total Bucharest)Percentage in the IUDP of the UAA / BucharestType of enterprise 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Microenterprises 9,3% 7,6% 7,5% 5,8% N/ASmall enterprises 23,3% 19,5% 16,8% 13,6% N/AMedium enterprises 27,4% 23,5% 19,1% 15,9% N/ALarge enterprises 42,5% 32,3% 25,3% 23,4% N/A


Figure 105 included an analysis necessary to better understand the economy of the UAAand particularly, what the strengths and the weaknesses, by aggregating the data on the number ofemployees and the number of enterprises in each sector, compared to the average of the city are.The horizontal axis represents the number of employees in each field, compared to the average, thevertical axis represents the number of enterprises in each field, compared to the average, and thesize of the “circles” is proportional to the number of employees. The interpretation of the chartindicates a specialization in services (professional, technical, other services), trade and real estatetransactions, as well as an “over-employment” in the industry.

117

The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.Figure 89: The distribution of the sectors of activity in the IUDP of the UAA

1.6.4. The dynamics of enterprisesEntrepreneurship has a critical role in a dynamic and flexible economy. New enterprises

induce the productivity increase, by applying the market competitive pressure and by launching newproducts. In this way, investment, innovation and increased efficiency, and quality are stimulated.Entrepreneurship also plays an important role by creating jobs and contributes to the economicregeneration and social cohesion. Research suggest that up to 50% of the local economic growthcomes exclusively from this phenomenon of company setting up/ closing, of market entry and exit,which forces companies to maintain their competitiveness.

The percentage of newly established enterprises declined in the period 2006-2010 ofalmost 5 new firms per 100 existing firms to a figure of 0.1 (Table 18). A key indicator is the ratioof newly established enterprises and the number of people (adult population). Figure 107 shows thatthis indicator is decreasing. If during the period 2009-2010 this decrease is explained by theeconomic crisis, we see that the downward tendency is pre-crisis, prefiguring a downfall of theattractiveness of the area in terms of private investments.

In 2006, most newly established firms were in the field of trade (figure 109), followed bythose in the field of services. In 2010, the order of these two fields has been reversed, the number offirms established in the field of trade falling from 42,4% to 25,3% of all firms and those in the fieldof services having increased from 18.6% to 30% (the phenomenon of specialization set out insection 1.6.1.1. can be noted).

The percentage of firms that survive over 2 years, whose evolution is shown in Figure 108,is very high (96.1% in the year 2010), higher than the average in Romania (75.9%) and much higherthan the average in the European countries, which fall between 60% and 80%55. Approximately78% of firms have survived for more than 4 years.

Table 18: The dynamics of newly established businesses in the IUDP of the UAAIndicator 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Businesse established in the course of the year 781 662 456 11 9The percentage of newly established businesses 4,6% 5,2% 4,0% 0,1% 0,1%Businesses that have ceased to exist in the course of the year 4.200 1.161 1.498 2.214 2.448

of which have operated under 1 year 162 281 300 199 133of which have operated between 1 and 2 years 44 46 78 233 170

5 The source: Eurostat

Agriculture, forestry and fishingIndustryConstructionCommerce, repairsHotels and restaurantsTransport and storageInformation and communicationFinancial intermediation, insuranceReal estate transactionsProfessional and other servicesAdministration, education, health and culture

Employee distribution index

ZAU PIDU activity fields according to number of employeesand enterprises

118

of which have operated between 2 and 4 years 56 90 116 357 460of which have operated for over 4 years 3.938 744 1.004 1.425 1.685

Total businesses operating at the end of the year: 12.685 11.524 10.026 7.812 5.364The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.

The source: database processing financialstatements reported in the Trade Register.

The source: database processing financialstatements reported in the Trade Register.

Figure 90: The growth rate of newlyestablished businesses

Figure 91: The evolution of the number ofnewly established businesses per 10 000

inhabitants

The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.Figure 92: The survival rate for businesses

Table 19: The distribution on fields of activity of the newly established businessesPercentage of newly established businessesFields of activity 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Agriculture, forestry and fishing 1,5% 0,8% 0,7% 1,1% 0,8%Industry 6,8% 6,2% 5,6% 6,7% 6,7%Constructions 7,2% 13,2% 12,8% 11,0% 11,7%Trading, repairs 42,4% 33,3% 30,8% 27,2% 25,3%Hotels and restaurants 2,8% 2,2% 2,5% 1,9% 2,2%Transportation and storage 3,2% 3,2% 4,0% 3,0% 3,1%Informations and communications 4,7% 5,4% 5,2% 6,6% 7,4%Financial intermediation, insurance 3,8% 1,9% 2,3% 2,7% 2,1%Real estate transactions 7,6% 10,7% 8,3% 8,3% 8,8%Professional services and other services 18,6% 20,7% 25,5% 28,8% 30,0%Education, health, culture 1,5% 2,2% 2,3% 2,5% 1,9%


Growth rate of newly established businesses Number of newly established businesses at 10.000 inhabitants

Percentage of companies surviving over 2 years Percentage of companies surviving over 4 years

119

The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.Figure 93: The distribution on fields of activity of newly established businesses (2010)

1.6.5. The density of the economic activity

The density of the economic activity is an indicator of the local economic power. Morebusinesses mean more opportunities. The competitiveness generated by a larger number ofcompanies attracts an increase in productivity. Research has shown that the density of the economicactivity is associated with higher levels of economic growth.

Table 20 shows a higher density of the economic activity compared to the city economy,but this indicator is decreasing (Figure 110), foreshadowing a regressed attractiveness in terms oflocation of the economic activity.

In terms of spatial distribution, subzones 4 and 9 have the lowest density of companies(Figure 111).

Table 20: The number of enterprises per 10 000 inhabitantsThe number of enterprises at 10 000 inhabitantsThe area 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

The IUDP of the UAA 1.454 1.320 1.141 889 611Bucharest 603 672 603 602 N/A


The distribution on fields of activity of newly established businesses

Agriculture, forestry and fishingIndustryConstructionCommerce, repairsHotels and restaurantsTransport and storageInformation and communicationFinancial intermediation, insuranceReal estate transactionsProfessional and other servicesEducation, health and culture

120

The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register. StatisticalYearbook Bucharest 2007-2010

Figure 94: The evolution of indicator number of enterprises per 10 000 inhabitants

The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.Figure 95: The spatial distribution of enterprises registered in the IUDP of the UAA

1.6.6. The economy on sectors of activity

AGRICULTURE

The field is represented in the UAA by companies that reported its headquarters within thisarea (but obviously don’t have agricultural activities in the urban area). In terms of activity volume,the field is in recovery after the decrease in 2009, but the number of employees has decreased byhalf (Figure 112).

Table 21: Average indicators on the field of activity of agriculture (year 2010)

The field Number ofenterprises

Averageturnover(million

Averageprofit

(million

Averagenumber

of

Evolution of the number of companies at 10.0000 inhabitants

121

lei) lei) employeesAgriculture, forestry and fishing 31 91,11 2,92 18,2


Table 22: The top of enterprises byturnover and number of employees in

agrculture(year 2010)

EnterpriseTurnover(million

lei)ROMSILVA RA 1.104,6INTERAGRO 1.680,8AVICOLABUCUREȘTI 23,6DACROMTRADE 1,3PIC ROMANIA 8,6

Enterprise

Numberof

employees

ROMSILVA RA* 19.131INTERAGRO 262AVICOLABUCUREȘTI 184DACROMTRADE 33PIC ROMANIA 16

The source: database processingfinancial statements reported in the

Trade Register.Figure 96: The evolution of turnover, profit and

number of employees in agriculture* was not included in the economicanalysis since it has a structure of

employees developed in the territory

Low density High density

122

The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.Figure 97: The spatial distribution of turnover

in agricultureFigure 98: The spatial distribution of the

number of employees in agriculture

INDUSTRY

In this field, the activities from the extractive industry, manufacturing industry, productionand supply of electricity, gas, hot water and air conditioning, water distribution, sanitation, wastemanagement and decontamination have aggregated. Although representing only 4.6% of the totalnumber of enterprises in the UAA, the industry employs 19.4% of the number of employees andcontributes with 25.3% at the cumulative turnover of the UAA. The number of employees in thissector decreased in the last five years with almost a quarter (fall largely determined also by the largeenterprises’ in the UAA relocation), while turnover increased by a third. The representativescompanies are geographically distributed mainly in subzones 6, 7 and 8. The occurrence of afocusing pole in the eastern subzone 9, in the area at the intersection of Tudor VladimirescuBoulevard with 13 September (Figure 116) can be noticed. The main utility providers in the capital(RADET, Apa Nova, REBU) are amond the largest companies in the area (both in terms ofturnover, as well as employers). The largest number of employees per enterprise in the UAA is inthe industry.

Table 23: Average indicators in the field of industry (year 2010)



lei)

Averageprofit

(millionlei)

Averagenumber

ofemployees

Industry 345 25,43 0,46 42,1The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.


industry(year 2010)


lei)R.A.D.E.T. RA 1.173,8TRANSELECTRICA 2.545,7ELECTRICA SA 1.022,4TINMAR IND SA 733,3APA NOVABUCUREȘTI 441,3

ÎEnterprise

Numberof

employees

R.A.D.E.T. RA 4.336TRANSELECTRICA* 2.185

123

APA NOVABUCUREȘTI 903C.N. AURANIULUI SA* 1.783REBU 1.009

Figure 99: The evolution of turnover, profit andnumber of employees in industry


Trade Register.* was not included in the economicanalysis since it has a structure of


Low density High densityThe source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.Figure 100: The spatial distribution of

turnover in industryFigure 101: The spatial distribution of the

number of employees in industry

CONSTRUCTIONS

In terms of spatial distribution, construction businesses are located mainly in subzones 8, 4and 7 (Figure 119). Although significant actors on the national market are present in the UAA, theaverage number of employees per company in the field is 16, the total number of employeesdecreasing (by about 50% over the past two years). The volume of activity reflected by the turnoverhas not known a so dramatic decline, falling by approximately 14% during 2008-2010, afterregistering almost a doubling during the boom of 2007-2008. The sector represented in 2010 a rateof 9.8% in the economy of the UAA, employing 10.8% of the number of employees.

Table 25: Average indicators for the field of constructions (year 2010)



lei)

Averageprofit

(millionlei)

Averagenumber

ofemployees

Constructions 490 6,29 -0,08 16,4The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.

Table 26: The top of enterprises by

124

turnover and number of employees inconstructions(year 2010)


lei)T.M.U.C.B. SA 343,7TIAB SA 121,3BOG ART 347,0STRABAG 55,6COMINCO 102,4

ÎEnterprise

Numberof

employees

T.M.U.C.B. SA 1.595TIAB SA 676BOG ART 418STRABAG 412COMINCO 336



number of employees in constructions


turnover in constructionsFigure 104: The spatial distribution of the

number of employees in constructions

TRADINGThe sector is well represented in the UAA, with a number of 1276 active enterprises

(23.8% of all enterprises). The average turnover of 7.27 million lei and the average number ofemployees per company of 11 in the year 2010 are relatively high, due to the presence of some

125

significant traders in the area. The number of employees (as well as the number of activecompanies) is significantly decreasing, by 36% in 2010 compared to 2009. Although the sectorremains a major employer, with 14.2% of the total number of employees. The retail market haspolarized in recent years, the independent retailers being in a continuous decline (in number andmarket share), as the large chains of hypermarkets substantially increased. The companies arerelatively evenly distributed geographic within the studied area.

Table 27: Average indicators for the field of trading and repairs (year 2010)



lei)

Averageprofit

(millionlei)

Averagenumber

ofemployees

Trade, repairs 1.276 7,27 0,12 10,8The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.


trading(year 2010)


lei)ROMANIAHYPERMARCHE 1.376,6AUTOCOBLCESCU 60,4CARLSROMBEVERAGE CO 447,1SANOFIAVENTISROMANIA 898,0ROEL 20,4

Enterprise

Numberof

employees

ROMANIAHYPERMARCHE* 3.146AUTOCOBALCESCUSRL 658CARLSROMBEVERAGE CO 481SANOFIAVENTISROMANIA 201ROEL 200


126


number of employees in trading* n was not included in the

economic analysis since it has astructure of employees developed in

the territory


turnover in tradingFigure 107: The spatial distribution of the

number of employees in trading

●professional trading ●street food tradind●lay trading

The source: Synergetics – data collection (inventory) of the functions of buildings – Jully2011

Figure 108: Trading in shops in IUDP of the UAA

127

Trading in shops is well represented in terms of density and area, over 500 commercialspaces being identified in the urban action area. The entire territory north of Dâmboviţa has atraditional commercial character. However, the retail market has gone through major changes lately.For the first time, the balance between the demand and the supply on the commercial arteriesreversed. While trading spaces were hardly available in 2008, especially on the intensely circulatedboulevards and streets, due to an aggressive expansion of the financial institutions andpharmaceutical networks, at the end of the first half of 2009, they ended their expansion.Consequently, the pressure from the demand dropped, which resulted in a reduction of rents.

The analyzed area is dominated in commercial terms by street shopping spaces. They areamong the most attractive in Bucharest, thus maintaining a high level of rental prices. CaleaVictoriei is one of the most sought areas, with the entry of the luxury brands on the localcommercial market in 2010.

Unirea and Cocor Shopping Centers are the largest investments in the field in centralBucharest, representing prestigious locations, with diverse professional and lay supply, but familiarand constant. Moreover, Unirea Shopping Center became a destination of street trading in 2011, byopening stores with visibility and access from the street. In contrast, the areas adjacent to thesetrading “anchor presence” do not configure in complementarity or under their influence. Thediscontinuities at the perceptive level generated by the degradation of the surrounding streets or thedeteriorated building facades prevent the integration or exploitation of their commercial potential.Consequently, much of the secondary streets lose their commercial attributes, with the role of“connectors” between the intensely circulated areas or roads, a phenomenon otherwise present allover the studied perimeter.

The historic center (subzone 2) remains most popular with traders. Following theinfrastructure rehabilitations, prestigious retailers began to appear. Because it is for the present theonly pedestrian area of the capital, it remains very attractive for restaurants and cafes, but also forthe fashion retailers. On the other hand, a big part of the national and international retailers aremissing from the urban action area.

TOURISM (HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS)

The hotels and restaurants are mainly located in the north of the UAA, a gap in thedevelopment of the southern area being created. After a period of decline in 2009 due to theeconomic crisis (which caused a decrease in the volume of turnover of approximately 8.5% and therecording of some significant losses in this sector), the field appears to feel a recovery, byincreasing the number of employees in 2010 and recording of losses and a lesser decrease in theaggregated turnover value.

Table 29: Average indicators for the field of activity of hotels and restaurants (year 2010)



lei)

Averageprofit

(millionlei)

Averagenumber

ofemployees

Hotels and restaurants 210 3,91 -0,16 31,1The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.


the field of hotels and restaurants(year 2010)

128


lei)US FOODNETWORK 157,9BUCUREȘTITURISM 105,1GRAND 98,6AMERICANRESTAURANT 92,4T.B.R.C.M. SA 65,5

Enterprise

Numberof

employees

US FOODNETWORK 1.219T.B.R.C.M. SA 701AMERICANRESTAURANT 676LEBADA 2000 568GRAND 328



number of employees in the field of hotels andrestaurants


turnover in the field of hotels and restuarantsFigure 111: The spatial distribution of the

number of employees in the field of hotels andrestaurants

129

●hotels ●restaurants ,bars, cafes, clubsThe source: Synergetics – data collection (inventory) of the functions of buildings – Jully

2011Figure 112: Hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes, clubs in the IUDP of the UAA

The Bucharest hotel market is mainly based on the business tourism segment and eventplanning. Of the 188 registered hotels in Bucharest, almost one third is concentrated in the center ofBucharest defined in the analysis (9 5-star hotels with a total of 1879 rooms, 22 4-star hotels with atotal of 1422 rooms, 31 3-star hotels with a total of 1302 rooms, 2 2-star hotels with a total of 25rooms and a one-star hotel with a total of 45 rooms – a total of 66 hotel units with a total of 4673rooms). 9 of the 12 5-star hotels in Bucharest are in the UAA. The summed number of hotel roomsrepresents 63% of all hotel rooms in Bucharest. In 2010, hotels represented the place ofemployment for 3238 employees and achieved a turnover of 458.5 million lei. The labor force in thefield of restaurants and other services of public alimentation and beverage service totals a numberof 3284 employees, generating a turnover of 361.7 million lei.

In the cities with a developed touristic industry, a lot of the economic activities are mainlyaddressed to the city’s inhabitants and, in particular, the tourists. Restaurants, shops of all kinds, artgalleries, exchange offices or other tourism related services focus around the hospitality functions,while maintaining the contact with the city’s residential function. Unlike the metropolises well-known in this regard, in Bucharest, this type of services / trade did not develop following a spatialordering of tourist flows, just as the urban planning tools did not take into consideration creating orfacilitating the emergence of these flows.

For example, although in the studied area have been identified more than 300 restaurants,cafes, bars and clubs (from a total of approximately 1300 in Bucharest), the greatest density is insubzone 2. The symbolic, civic and historic nature of this private area favored its natural growth andappreciation as visible and important destination in terms of trade (and hence of tourism), whichdemonstrates the importance of an area’s clear-cut identity. For comparison, Unirii Boulevard,although closely located to the Palace of Parliament (considered one of the main touristicattractions) and shortly distanced from subzone 2, is now devoid of distinctive elements and vitality,from an economic point of view.

130

The analysis of the entire urban action area indicates that most of the touristic resources inBucharest (accommodation, museums, monuments, representative institutions, theatres, historicbuildings, art galleries, bookstores, antique shops, events planning, important public spaces, eventhose few exclusively commercial streets) are concentrated in this area. However, promotion is nota synergetic one among the different types of touristic products. They “survive” in terms of imageand individual promotion, without exploiting together their grouping in the central area, but alsowithout participating in a definitive way in the creation of strong identities for the areas they belongto.

TRANSPORTANTION AND STORAGE

The sector comprises only1.8% of the enterprises registered in the IUDP of the UAA,employing 4.1% of the employees and participating with 6.3% in the volume of activity of thestudied area. The field is in progress, the logistic activities generally evolving in the recent years.An efficient transportation and logistics system is necessary to support the development of thecapital and the economic and demographic growth of the entire metropolitan area. The sector isvital, not necessary as generator of new jobs, but especially as support for all other fields. Thenumber of employees increased by 37.4% over the past five years, the turnover by 77.6% in thesame period, but there have been losses in the last two years. The activity is concentrated in termsof space in subzone 4.

Table 31: Average indicators in the field of transportation and storage (year 2010)



lei)

Averageprofit

(millionlei)

Averagenumber

ofemployees

Transportation and storage 94 25,01 -1,43 32,9The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.


the field of transportation andstorage

(year 2010)


lei)C.N. POSTAROMANA SA 1.376,9GRUP FEROVIARROMAN 521,8TRANSPECOLOGISTICS 84,6WILLI BETZROMANIA 39,8ROMAVIA RA 36,7

Enterprise Numberof

131

employees

C.N. POSTAROMANA SA* 34.731GRUP FEROVIARROMAN 1.729TRANSPECOLOGISTICS 388WILLI BETZROMANIA 152ROMAVIA RA 152



number of employees in the field of transportation andstorage

* was not included in the economicanalysis since it has a structure of



turnover in the field of transportation andstorage

Figure 115: The spatial distribution of thenumber of employees in the field of

transportation and storage

132

133

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

The field is a in a downward trend in all respects. In 2010 it contributed directly with13.7% to the turnover of the area, having a rate of 4.9% of the total number of employees. Arelatively high number of small and medium enterprises, which represent 8.1% of all enterprisespresent in the UAA, are recorded. This sector includes 82 companies with publishing activities(with a totaled number of employees of 749 and a total turnover of 145.5 million lei), 108 audio-video and cinematographic production, including their broadcasting (407 employees and 188,6million lei turnover), 203 enterprises in the software production (2082 employees and 488.1 millionlei turnover) and 39 corporations with telecommunications activity (389 employees and 4344.5million lei turnover – of which 4170.6 million lei just one operator and 173.9 million lei otherenterprises).

Table 33: Average indicators in the field of information and ommunication (year 2010)



lei)

Averageprofit

(millionlei)

Averagenumber

ofemployees

Information and communication 432 11,96 2,23 14,7The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.


the field of information andcommunication

(year 2010)


lei)ORANGEROMANIA SA 4.161,2FREESCALESEMICOND. 40,5IXIA SRL 35,6COMPUTARISROMANIA 24,1OSF GLOBALSERVICES 8,7

Enterprise

Numberof

employees

ORANGEROMANIA SA* 2.732FREESCALESEMICOND. 198IXIA 190

Evolution of turnover, profit and number of employees in the fieldof information and communication (ZAU PIDU)

No. of employeesTurnover (mil. lei)Profit (mil. lei)

134

OSF GLOBALSERVICES 130COMPUTARISROMANIA 121


Trade Register.

Figure 116: The evolution of turnover, profit andnumber of employees in the field of information and

communication

* was not included in the economicanalysis since it has a structure of


Low density High densityThe source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.Figure 117: The spatial distribution ofturnover in the field of information and

communication

Figure 118: The spatial distribution of thenumber of employees in the field of

information and communication

FINANCIAL INTERMEDIATION AND INSURANCE

The monetary intermediation, credit, leasing, insurance and insurance brokerage, financialtransactions, fund management activities and activities of the holding companies are included in thissector. After a spectacular expansion in 2006-2008, the field indicates in the last three years, acontraction in terms of all indicators, returning to levels recorded in 2006. Significant companiesare located in the area University – Calea Moşilor.

Table 35: Average indicators in the field of financial intermediation and insurance (yearl 2010)



lei)

Averageprofit

(millionlei)

Averagenumber

ofemployees

Financial intermediation, insurance 81 1,68 0,13 6,8The source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.

Table 36: The top of enterprises byturnover and number of employees inthe field of financial intermediation

No. of employeesTurnover (mil. lei)Profit (mil. lei)

Evolution of turnover, profit and number of employees in the fieldof financial intermediation and insurance (ZAU PIDU)

135

and insurance(year 2010)

Întreprindere

Cifra deafaceri

(milioanelei)

SMITH & SMITHSRL 12,1IFN 2 B GROUPSRL 10,8ANGELO COSTARO 10,9SELECTEXCHANGE 1,3ROMVAL EUROE 1,0

Întreprindere Număr deangajați

SMITH & SMITHSRL

92

SELECTEXCHANGE

48

IFN 2 B GROUPSRL

40

ANGELO COSTARO

39

ROMVALEUROEX

27


Trade Register.

Figure 119: The evolution of turnover, profit andnumber of employees in the field of financial

intermediation and insurance

Low density High densityThe source: database processing financial statements reported in the Trade Register.

136

Figure 120: The spatial distribution ofturnover in the field of financial


Figure 121: The spatial distribution of thenumber of employees in the field of financial


The source: Synergetics – data collection (inventory) of the functions of buildings – Jully2011

Figure 122: Branches of banks and financialinstitutions in the IUDP of the UAA

Figure 123: Bank headquarters in the IUDP ofthe UAA

Apparently, the field is poorly represented in the IUDP of the UAA. The statisticspresented are built on the data reported to the Trade Register, therefore the banks that report inspecial system are not included in these data. The headquarters of 11 of the 41 licensed banks inRomania, which in 2010 represented together 35.6% of the total banking assets in Romania. Six ofthese banks are in the top 50 largest companies in Romania. The total turnover of the banks withheadquarters in the IUDP of the UAA is 45.9 billion lei and the number of employees in theirnational developed network is approximately 23000. A number of approximately 2800 of thesework in the IUDP of the UAA66, at headquarters and branches represented in Figure 138.

Banks tend to occupy the best retail locations. During the period of economic growth until2008, they led an aggressive policy of expansion of branch network, stimulated by the increasingpopulation access to credit. A heavy spatial clustering determined by the orientation of the branchlocation towards strategic segments of customers can be seen. In most cases, the occurrence of abranch determines the installation of the competitors’ branches nearby. Accessibility is so importantfor a bank headquarters that more than 95% of sites are on the main streets of the area. The presenceof many public utility objectives (generating increased flows of users), a developed trading sectorand a population with a relatively high income level are some of the factors that favor the expansionof banking branch network.

Zones 8 and 9 are the most poorly served by the banking branch network.

6 They were not included in the economic analyses for the IUDP of the UAA. It is also the case of the approximately 1800employees of the National Bank of Romania.

137

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

This field includes the real estates’ sale-purchase activities and their lease (which in 2010 havegenerated an activity volume of lei 475 million, with 1,298 employees), as well as the real estate administrationservices (with a turnover of lei 128 million and with a number of employees of 495 in 2010). The sector is infreefall starting with 2009, the number of employees diminishing by 63%, and the sales’ volume by 51% duringthe last two years. Nevertheless, in this sector was identified a specialization of the urban area of action, incomparison to the entire city (see analysis in chapter 1.6.1.1.; according to Table 10, 27.3% of the total numberof employees hired in the real estate field in Bucharest work in the urban area of activity (UAA), after that in2006 this percent represented 43.3%; the decrease is proportional to the general decrease of the field). Spatially,it is relatively uniformly distributed on sub-areas.

Table 37: Average markers on the real estate transactions field of activity (year 2010)

Field Number ofcompanies


lei)

Averageprofit

(millionlei)

Averagenumber ofemployees

Real estate transactions 369 1,63 0,07 4,9Source: Processing of the database of the situations reported to the Companies Register

Table 38: Top enterprises according to theturnover and the number of employees in the

field of real estate transactions(year 2010)

Company Turnover(million lei)

BUILDINGSUPPORTSERV. 221,6UNIRESHOPPINGCENT. 86,5PRACTIC 30,2SINDOMETSERVCOM 4,8SCMFOTOGRAFIA 1,2

Company Number ofemployees

BUILDING SUPPORT SERV. 292UNIREA SHOPPING CENT. 170PRACTIC 58SINDOMET SERVCOM 40SCM FOTOGRAFIA 37

Source: Processing of the database of the situations reported to the Companies Register

Figure 140: Evolution of the turnover, of the profit and of the number ofemployees in the field of real estate transactions

Low density High densitySource: Processing of the database of the situations reported to the Companies Register

Figure 141: Spatial distribution of the turnover in thefield of real estate transactions

Figure 142: Spatial distribution of the number ofemployees in the field of real estate transactions

Evolution of the turnover, of the profit and of the number of employees inthe field of real estate transactions (UAA IPUD)

No. of employees

Turnover (millions)

Profit (millions)

SERVICES

In this field have also been included the M, N, S and T groups in the national economy classifiedactivities Schedule (professional – judicial, accounting, architecture, engineering, advertising, scientific,technical services, services concerning the human resources, activities of the tourism agencies, various servicesprovided to the companies and to the population). The analysis in chapter 1.6.1.1 has revealed that UAA isparticularized in this sector, reported to the scale of the entire city (the percent of the employees in Bucharestworking in UAA gravitates around the value of 17% during the analyzed period). Even during a period ofcrisis, the field does not show a diminution that would be too accentuated (Figure 143). The development ofsupport-services for the economic activity reflects a specialization of the economy, the companies being moreand more opened regarding the externalization of the activities that they used to perform using their ownpersonnel. The phenomenon is of positive facture, because the companies providing support-services are in factinnovative and they favour the introduction of modern practices in the activities that they serve.

Table 39: Average markers for the services’ field of activity (year 2010)



lei)

Averageprofit

(millionlei)


Services 1.816 2,39 0,12 14,6Source: Processing of the database of the situations reported to the Companies Register


field of services(year 2010)

Company Turnover(million lei)

C.N. LOTERIA ROMÂNA SA 1.101,7MANPOWER ROMÂNIA 78,7LUGERA & MAKLER 76,1SEARCH CORPORATION 45,0E & PUNTO INT. CO. 43,1


C.N. LOTERIA ROMÂNA SA 2.806LUGERA & MAKLER 2.017MANPOWER ROMÂNIA 1.742WATCH&CATCH SECURITY 831I.N.C.S.D.M.P.S. 806

Figure 143: Evolution of the turnover, of the profit and of the number ofemployees in the field of services

Source: Processing of the database of the situations reported to theCompanies Register

* not included in the economic analysis because it has an employmentstructure developed in the territory


Figure 144: Spatial distribution of the turnover in thefield of services

Figure 145: Spatial distribution of the number ofemployees in the field of services

Evolution of the turnover, of the profit and of the number of employeesin the field of services (UAA IPUD)

No. of employees

Turnover (millions)

Profit (millions)

Source: Synergetics – data collection (inventory) of real estates functions – July 2011

Figure 146: Services provided to the population (localized in the streets) in UAA - IPUD

The services provided to the population register a dynamics determined by the system of needs, ofincomes and of consumption behaviours. The services’ provided to the population group is extremely diverse,being destined to complete the assortment palette of the consumption goods, to the satisfaction of needs that donot have a correspondent in products or to the completion of the products’ usage in the field of consumption.The development of the services provided to the population represents a feature of the economically advancedcountries, where the services' sector holds a 35-55% quota of the final private consumption, with a constanttendency to increase.

From the urban development point of view, it is of interest the analysis of the spatial development ofthe services provided to the population. Most of the times, they are located in the streets. Figure 146 suggeststheir concentration on more circulated arteries. It is determined that sub-zones 8, 8 and 9 are the weakestserved. Recent studies have shown the fact that an uneven distribution of the services provided to the populationexacerbates the inequalities produced by the other sectors of the economy.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, EDUCATION, HEALTH, CULTURE

The sector includes private economic activities in the classes of public administration and defense,social insurances, education, health and social assistance, entertainment, cultural and recreational activities (hereare not included the activities performed by the state institutions in the same fields of activity). The increase ofthe turnover and that of the number of employees belong to the field of provision of medical services, spatiallydeveloped in the north and in the east of UAA.

Table 41: Average markers for the fields of public administration, education, health, culture (year 2010)


Averageturnover

(million lei)

Averageprofit

(million lei)


Public administration, education, health, culture 220 0,74 0,06 7,6Source: Processing of the database of the situations reported to the Companies Register


field of public administration, education,health, culture

(year 2010)Company Turnover

(million lei)C.M. MED AS 2003 23,6H2O SPORT EVENTS 21,7MEDICAL ENTERPRISES 11,3UNISYN LABORATORIES 8,7AMA OPTIMEX SL 7,2


C.M. MED AS 2003 347FALCK FIRE SERVICES 222PULS MEDICA 86MEDICAL ENTERPRISES 75UNISYN LABORATORIES 48

Source: Processing of the database of the situations reported to theCompanies Register

Figure 147: Evolution of the turnover, of the profit and of the number ofemployees in the field of public administration, education, health, culture


Figure 148: Spatial distribution of the turnover in the field ofpublic administration, education, health, culture

Figure 149: Spatial distribution of the number of employees inthe field of public administration, education, health, culture

1.6.7 Innovation, research and development

Innovation is one of the productivity determinants, together with investments, the training of theworkforce, entrepreneurial spirit and competition. Statistic information regarding innovation is limited, becausethe innovative activities are not usually reflected by traditional markers, like the volume of investments inresearch and development, or the number of registered patents.

In the UAA has been identified a number of 34 economic operators having the main field of activityin the NACE group 72 – “Research-development” (Table 43). Their number of employees has almost halvenedin the last five years, but the volume of the turnover is increasing (Figures 150 and 151).

Table 43: Number of units in the research-development activity in UAA IPUD (year 2010)

Research-development activity Number of units

Research - development in bio-technology 4Research - development in other natural sciences and engineering 21

Research - development in social and humanist sciences 9

No. of employees

Turnover (millions)

Profit (millions)

Evolution of the turnover, of the profit and of the number of employeesin the field of public administration, education, health and culture

(UAA IPUD)


Figure 150: Evolution of the number of employees inresearch-development in UAA IPUD

Figure 151: Evolution of turnover in the research-development field in UAA IPUD

A more relevant analysis is provided by the use of the proportion of employees in innovativeindustries (activity sectors including an increased percent of activities resulting from research-development andwhere more than 25% of the number of employees have higher training, like information and communications,financial services and professional services). The percent of employees working in innovative industries in theurban area of action is superior to the average on Bucharest and is increasing (Figure 152).


Figure 152: Evolution of the percentage of employees working in innovative industries

1.6.8. Added value and productivity

This section presents the result of the economic activity of the companies registered in the urban areaof action. The statistic marker used most of the times for the evaluation of the economic activity result is thegross added value7. Because I.N.S.S.E. mainly uses for the regional accounts the descendant method (which

7 Represents the newly created value in the production process, namely the value of production minus the intermediary consumption. It canbe approximated satisfactorily with the sum resulting from the total salary expenditure and the cash operating profit (that is the operatingprofit to which the expenditure with amortization is added). Sometimes, the value of the salaries plus the difference between the turnoverand the cost of the material expenditure and of other entries in the production process (that is the operating profit) is used in the economicanalysis. The indicator is thus a combined function of using the work force and using the capital; at national level, the weighting coefficientsfor the two production factors are used, attracting the criticism concerning the arbitrary determination of these factors.

No. ofemployees

Evolution of the number of employees in the research-development field (UAA IPUD)

Turnover (mil)

Profit (mil)

Evolution of the turnover in the research-development field (UAA IPUD)

Evolution of the percentage of employees working ininnovative industries (UAA IPUD)

supposes the “distribution of the national value of the gross added value on regions, using various distributionkeys, reflecting as much as possible the estimated features”), there are serious reserves regarding thecomparable character of the data8. This is the reason why the usage of the cumulated turnover and thecumulated profit of the economic units registered in UAA IPUD was preferred for the highlighting oftendencies.

The activity volume is mainly generated by the commerce (lei 9,2 billion), industry (lei 8,8 billion),information and communications (lei 5,2 billion) and services (lei 4,3 billion) – Figure 153. In Figure 154 canbe observed that, among all these, only the field of information and communications actually crates the “addedvalue”, the other reporting a relatively reduced profit. Also, according to Figure 155, this field is the mostprofitable (the highest rate of declared profit9, among all the sectors of activity).


Figure 153: Turnover on fields of activity, 2010 Figure 154: Profit on fields of activity, 2010

Table 44: Profit on fields of activity

Profit (million lei)Field of activity

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Agriculture, forestry and fishing 6 84 74 -56 91Industry 504 -83 634 500 159Constructions 95 66 1 -20 -41Commerce, repairs 258 314 363 81 151Hotels and restaurants 62 -31 -119 -109 -33Transportation and storage 64 72 53 -148 -135Information and communications 1,457 1,256 1,668 1,179 965Financial brokerage, insurances 14 22 54 26 10Real estate transactions 96 64 -7 52 26Professional services and other services 329 330 365 247 224

Public administration, education, health, culture 10 12 23 23 14

Total 2,896 2,107 3,108 1,774 1,430Source: Processing of the database of the situations reported to the Companies Register

8 The level of the underground economy is estimated by businessmen, by representatives of the Employer’s Association or of the tradeunions, as well as by the references at European level between 30% and 40% of the GDP (the level is double as compared to the oneestimated by the INSEE and triple as compared to the one estimated by the Romanian Government).9 It is possible that the official reports may not reflect the economic reality. According to some estimates, up to 4 billion dollars aretransferred annually from Romania to accounts from fiscal paradises (Source: Global Integrity Report).

Turnover on fields of activity in UAA IPUD(lei millions)

AgricultureIndustryConstructionsCommerce, repairsHotels and restaurantsTransportation and storageInformation and comm.Financial brokerage, insur.Real estate transactionsProfessional serv. and otherAdministration, education,health

Profit on fields of activity in UAA IPUD(lei millions)

AgricultureIndustryConstructionsCommerce, repairsHotels and restaurantsTransportation and storageInformation and comm.Financial brokerage, insur.Real estate transactionsProfessional serv. and otherAdministration, education, health,culture


Figure 155: Profit rate on fields of activity, 2010

The productivity of an economy is mainly measured by two markers: total productivity (of all the productionfactors) and the labour productivity (gross added value per employee). The productivity of all the production factors alsoincludes the variables like capital investments, the use of land, the availability of the infrastructure, the innovation, thetraining of the workforce. The increase of the total productivity may be attained by improving the manner in which are usedthe inlets in the production process, especially that of the efficiency in which they are combined. Because the totalproductivity is more difficult to calculate due to the lack of available data, the labour productivity is usually used as astatistic marker. Because of the existence of the already presented reserves regarding the accuracy of the gross added valuemarker provided by I.N.S.S.E., for the purpose of the analysis the data has been used, consolidated using the ascendantmethod, regarding the turnover, the profit and the number of employees in UAA.

In the last five years, the profit’s rate (profit reported to the turnover) has registered decreases inalmost all the fields of activities: 4.3 times in the industry, 3 times in constructions, 3 times in commerce, 2times in the field of hotels and restaurants, almost 2 times in information and communications, 2.5 times in thefinancial field, 6 times in real estate transactions, over 2 times in services, administration, education, health,culture (Table 45). The comparison to the profit evolution per employee in Table 47 shows the fact that thisdecrease of profitability is not only determined by the price increase of the labour production factor – overall,the profit’s rate has decreased almost three times, whilst the profit per employee has dropped only two times(indeed, in this period, the wages have increased at a more alert pace than the volume of the economic activity).The phenomenon is alarming, indicating a decrease of the UAA economy’s competitiveness, falling in the trendregistered by the entire national economy, that reflecting imbalances of structural nature. The turnover peremployee, represented by Figure 156 for UAA, as well as at the level of the entire city, shows a more elevatedproductivity in UAA in comparison to Bucharest. There is a notable exception, namely the commerce sector,which registers averages below the level of the entire city, imposing the necessity of interventions in this field.

Table 45: Profit rate on fields of activity

Field of activity 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010Agriculture, forestry and fishing 0,3% 3,3% 2,3% -2,3% 3,2%Industry 7,6% -1,3% 7,0% 6,1% 1,8%Constructions 4,6% 2,5% 0,0% -0,6% -1,3%Commerce, repairs 4,6% 4,4% 3,7% 0,9% 1,6%Hotels and restaurants 9,5% -3,8% -11,9% -13,0% -4,0%Transportation and storage 4,9% 4,3% 2,4% -6,6% -5,7%Information and communications 33,9% 26,7% 29,8% 22,0% 18,7%Financial brokerage, insurances 19,1% 12,5% 23,4% 14,4% 7,7%Real estate transactions 25,9% 12,7% -1,1% 4,3% 4,2%Professional services and other services 11,2% 8,8% 7,3% 5,1% 5,2%Public administration, education, health, culture 17,3% 16,6% 15,7% 14,1% 8,6%Total 11,2% 6,9% 7,7% 4,7% 3,8%

Agriculture, forestry, fishingIndustryConstructionsCommerce, repairsHotels and restaurantsTransportation and storageInformation and comm.Financial brokerage, insurancesReal estate transactionsProfessional services and otherAdministration, education...Total

Profit rate on fields of activity in UAA IPUD

Table 46: Turnover per employee in UAA IPUD, on fields of activity

Turnover per employee – UAAIPUD (lei million/person)Field of activity

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010Industry 303 302 428 426 474Constructions 192 228 284 352 383Commerce, repairs 429 494 620 465 674Hotels and restaurants 93 109 129 136 126Transportation, storage, information, communications 133 145 171 160 170Services (professional, real estate and financial transactions, other) 135 159 184 213 176Public administration, education, health, culture 53 68 91 102 98

Total turnover per employee 199 219 273 267 286Source: Processing of the database of the situations reported to the Companies Register

Table 47: Profit per employee in UAA IPUD, on fields of activity

Profit per employee (lei thousands/person)Field of activity

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010Agriculture, forestry and fishing 0,24 3,64 3,42 -2,75 4,60Industry 22,88 -3,85 29,97 25,87 8,58Constructions 8,87 5,73 0,06 -1,98 -5,08Commerce, repairs 19,61 21,69 23,23 4,20 10,94Hotels and restaurants 8,86 -4,10 -15,35 -17,68 -5,00Transportation and storage 1,74 1,90 1,36 -3,86 -3,56Information and communications 275,90 204,24 243,67 127,99 151,69Financial brokerage, insurances 25,34 45,51 71,96 42,16 19,02Real estate transactions 36,91 23,56 -2,62 23,61 14,26Professional services and other services 15,10 13,42 12,81 9,44 8,45Public administration, education, health, culture 9,15 11,31 14,25 14,40 8,44Total average profit per employee 19,83 13,94 19,63 11,57 10,13


Source: Processing of the database of the financial situations reported to the Companies Register, Statistics Directories, Bucharest 2007-2010

Figure 156: Turnover per employee, on fields of activity (UAA IPUD and Bucharest)

Source: Processing of the database of the financial situations reported to the Companies Register

Figure 157: Modifications as per number of employees and turnover, 2006-2010

Figure 157 presents the UAA performance in the last 5 years, depending on the number of employees(the size of “circles”), employees number increase markers (horizontal axis) and the turnover10 (vertical axis).

10 The turnover was considered as the indicator having the highest credibility, as compared to “the gross added value” or the declared profit.

Turnover per employee

Constructions (Buc)

Constructions (UAA IPUD)

Industry (Buc)

Industry (UAA IPUD)

Commerce, repairs (Buc)

Commerce, repairs (UAA IPUD)

Hotels and restaurants (Buc)

Hotels and restaurants (UAAIPUD)

Transportation, storage,information, communications(Buc)Transportation, storage,information, communications(UAA IPUD)

Services (UAA IPUD)

Administration, education, health,culture (UAA IPUD)

Modifications as per number of employees and turnover, onfields of activity, 2006-2010

Increase in the number of employees

Professional services and otherservicesAgriculture, forestry, fishingIndustryConstructionsCommerce, repairsHotels and restaurantsTransportation and storageInformation and comm.Financial brokerage, insur.Real estate transactionsAdministration, education...

The administration, education, health and culture activities noted the greatest increase, as number of employeesas well as turnover (still, their weight is reduced in the total of the economic activity). The professionalactivities are the second field reflecting local specialization (located in the same quadrant, delimitated by supra-unitary increase of the turnover, as well as for the number of employees). The field of logistics (transportationand storage) has also known a development, increasing together with the expansion of this sector nationally.The information and communications technology sector also shows an increase of the studied area’s economy.

The UAA economy is superior to the Bucharest average in almost all the chapters. In principle, itcannot be held as the market's area of failure. Still, it is noticed a decrease of competitiveness and ofproductivity. Thus, the interventions of the local authorities must stimulate the increase of the competitivenessand of productivity, because only the market’s mechanisms are able to regulate this aspect, in the wider contextof a weak competitiveness and productivity of the national economy overall. The most efficient interventionmethod is to create support structures for the innovative businesses. There are several types of businessstructures.

The business park is represented by a larger surface of land, on which are grouped several officebuildings (not existing in the development of industrial or residential functions). They are usually developed insuburban locations or near freeways and national roads, where the price of land is lower. Particularly, in theBucharest area, due to the relatively low price of the land, several significant business parks have been builtinside the city. They are privately developed and are actually oriented towards major companies, with a largesurface on one single level (up to 6,000 sqm).

Industrial parks are characterized by three wide categories: (1) production, (2) research anddevelopment and (3) storage and distribution. Accordingly, three wide categories of business structures, adaptedfor industrial needs, can be defined: the industrial park, the technologic park and the logistic park. Theindustrial park is traditionally represented by an area dedicated for the development of industrial, productionactivities, mainly heavy industry (because there also is the variant of “light” industrial parks, closer to thebusiness park concept). The logistic park represents a well-defined area where the activities in connection withtransportation, logistics and distribution of goods are developed by various operators on commercial bases. Thescientific and technologic park represents an area where educational, research, technologic transfer of researchresults and their capitalization by economic activities take place.

Business incubators are programs created to accelerate the development of small enterprises and ofthe entrepreneurial initiatives by a range of services and support resources, developed and coordinated by theincubator’s management and offered within the incubator, as well as by the network of created contacts. Theincubators vary regarding the manner in which they provide their services, in the organizational structure or thetypes of clients. The incubation of a startup company increases the probability that the business to last for alonger period. The main objectives of an incubator include: creation of new jobs; providing support to smallcompanies with great potential; technology transfer; promotion of innovation; development of industrial clusters(presence in the location of companies in the same field of activity); collaboration between universities, researchinstitutes and the business community. Differently from the scientific and technologic parks, which aredesigned to be large, hosting companies or laboratories of the universities and institutes, the incubators areoriented towards startup companies or in the incipient development stage and they also offer support-servicesfor the businesses. Not all businesses are eligible to be incubated; the entrepreneurs who wish to enter anincubation program must follow an admission program. Although most of the incubators offer to their clientsareas to develop their businesses, the main idea behind the existence of incubators consists in the servicesprovided to the startup companies.

There are several business incubators in Bucharest, financed by the “Development of innovation andtechnologic transfer infrastructure - INFRATECH” national program, by the multiannual national programbetween 2002 and 2012 of founding and developing business incubators, developed by the former ANIMMCusing funds from the World Bank or by the Regional Operational Program, Major Field of Intervention 4.1.Based on the investigation performed on the business incubators and on the industrial and technologic parks, afew features can be isolated: the incubators host an average of 11 SMEs, less than the EU average of 34enterprises sustained by one incubator; most of the SMEs in the incubator belong to the services and to theindustrial sector and there is no target sector towards which it could clearly aim, except those in the informationand communications technology; the existing business incubators did not succeed to create the expected effectsaround them.

Therefore, the creation of municipal business incubators is imposed, by functional re-conversion ofbuildings in the patrimony of Bucharest Municipality Town Hall, which would benefit in the financial supportfrom the capital's budget. Thus, the advantage of the presence in the area of the main institutions of highereducation will be capitalized, and the individual projects should be included in a wider program of the localauthority to support the technological poles. We include here a reference to the “Eco Bucharest 2015” project,which proposes the creation of a “backbone” of ECO development of the city, by innovating rehabilitation of a

surface of 1,000 hectares along the Dâmboviţa’s axis, including the Parcul Izvor and Lacul Morii areas (seeFigure 158).

Source: Space Syntax / ASUB

Figure 158: Eco Bucharest 2015

1.6.9 Spatial analysis North/South

The analysis of the urban weaving has revealed an imbalance between the north part of the delimitedarea and its south part, affected by the urban interventions in the '80s. The southern area suffers, from the pointof view or urban weaving accessibility and permeability, and this underdevelopment is also noticed in the levelof economic activity. The southern area has diminished its importance in the city, has lost its "good will", by anartificial intervention and not by the natural development towards the north.

For the purpose of the analysis, the UAA “North” consists in subzones 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7, and the UAA“South” in the subzones 4, 5, 8 and 9.

The main markers afferent to those subzones have been aggregated, the result being presented inFigure 159. More than two thirds of the enterprises are located in the northern area. They hire almost threequarters of the total number of employees and generate over three quarters of the activity volume of the UAA.Figure 160 comparatively shows the profile of the economic activity in the northern and in the southern areas ofthe UAA (the size of the “circles” is according to the number of employees in the field).

Figure 159: Distribution of the economic activity between the north and the south in UAA IPUD

Source: Processing of the database of the financial situations reported to the Companies Register

Figure 160: Profile of the economic activity in the northern and in the southern areas of UAA IPUD

North-South distribution UAA IPUD

Percent of total surface

Percent of total population

Percent of total no. ofcompanies

Percent of total employees2010

Percent of total turnover 2010

North South

Number of employees and turnover, on fieldsof activity, in the Northern area

Index number of employees

Inde

x tu

rnov

er

Number of employees and turnover, on fields ofactivity, in the Southern area

Inde

x tu

rnov

er

Index number of employees

Agriculture, forestry, fishingIndustryConstructionsCommerce, repairsHotels and restaurantsTransportation and storageInformation and comm.Financial brokerage, insurancesReal estate transactionsProfessional services and otherservicesAdministration, education, health,culture

SWOT analysisEconomic characteristics

Advantages Opportunities- numerous innovative industries, comparedto the city- higher economic activity perinhabitant/employee than the city average- numerous and significant transportationconnection points with the rest of the city- high percentage of employees in prioritysectors- an attraction place for employees from theentire metropolitan area- in general, the degree of poverty is lowerthan in the rest of the city- strong source for services – support foreconomic activity- strong presence of the financial sector inthe area (a quarter of the Romanian bankshave their main headquarters in ZAU PIDU,strong network of subsidiaries is developedin the area)- tourism is well developed in the area(representative hotels and restaurants)- highly educated labour force

- presence of higher educational institutionsrepresentative at national level is favourablefor access to highly educated labour force- increase in the quality of the urban spacemay attract investments and highly educatedlabour force- most employees travelling here to workearn better than in the areas they come from- there still is land not used in the South,which can be used for other developments(both for residential and business purposes)- the generally good accessibility can keepthe area attractive as a business location,including “separation” from current business- large amount of users of the area

Disadvantages Risks- it is more dependent on jobs in the publicsector (28%), compared to the rest of thecity, because of the numerous publicinstitutions located in the central area- many big enterprises, which could have agreater impact if they are closed- three activity sectors comprise two thirdsof the number of employees- real estate properties are more expensive,which discourages labour force in the area- high crime level- numerous senior citizens- there are “clusters” of high poverty level- absence of infrastructure investments incertain areas

- in the past, high percentage of companyregistrations/closings indicated a strongentrepreneurial economy. At present, suchentrepreneurial spirit is no longer manifest- traffic congestions and extensive use ofpersonal cars- public transportation is not rapid- increase in the number of highly trained andqualified unemployed persons- large enterprises left the area (more thantwo thirds in the past five years)- development of the city toward the North,which offers better opportunities and attractsenterprises from the ZAU- aging population, which determines a largerdependency on social services- increase in the national/global competitionin attracting investments- re-directing investments to other areas withgrowth potential

1.7. Public Services

1.7.1. Transportation and mobility infrastructure

The information available in the urban database of the Bucharest City Hall showsthat 24.9% of the surface area of the ZAU represents transportation infrastructure (1.57square km of streets, representing 16.5% of the total surface area of the ZAU and 0.79 squarekm of sidewalks, representing 8.3% of the total surface area of the ZAU). The two majortransportation axes (N-S and E-W) cross the centre, with no possibilities for detours at thelevel of the central circular transportation line or inside the central area. Such transit trafficputs enormous pressure on the centre and has adverse effects spatially (by an excessiveconsumption of valuable urban space and degradation of the quality of the urban space interms of function and landscape), socially (leads to an improper behaviour in the publicspace, as a result of the citizens’ uncertainty and negative perception of it) and economically(makes the city centre less appealing). The street network is developed mainly as circulationcorridor, whose capacity does no longer satisfy the growing number of motor vehicles. In theabsence of an integrated mobility policy and poor information of the population regardingsuch vision, there still is an unjustifiably increased tendency to use motor vehicles. Theconstruction of a coherent and agreed system of circulation areas and sidewalks and bicyclepaths is all the more necessary for the centre of the capital. Considering that it will take sometime until the matter of the large transportation infrastructure deviating the transit traffic fromthe centre is settled, this integrated plan proposes a series of interventions that would notmake the transportation issue worse than it is.

The purpose of the interventions is to give the city centre a friendly look forpedestrians, by developing a new type of design for the streets, making them accessible forall types of users, i.e. the so-called “shared streets”. Streets are designed as public spaces,warning drivers to drive carefully and introducing elements that make them easier and moreenjoyable to be used by pedestrians or bikers. The more than 20 years old history ofpedestrian priority streets proves their success in enhancing safety and the quality of theenvironment provided by the street.

Pedestrian priority streets integrate pedestrian activity and motor vehicle movementin one surface area. In this approach, the streets’ main function is that of a populated publicplace, a meeting area and only secondarily their role is to facilitate traffic and provide parkingspaces. The main characteristics of priority streets are:

they are a populated public space; transit traffic is not encouraged; the priority is the movement of pedestrians and bikers; entrance in such spaces is very clearly marked; movement of motor vehicles is restricted through various obstacles, detours and

humps; residents have car access; the area is developed in terms of landscape.

Instead of being a traffic monoculture, streets are turned into a perfectly operationalsystem of human interaction. Vehicles are not forbidden, but streets are first of all designedas public spaces. The studies carried out in all cities where pedestrian priority streets wereimplemented show a high degree of satisfaction on the citizens’ part, as the street can be usedboth for moving and as a public space, and this level of satisfaction is influenced mostly bythe design and social performance of the public spaces, rather than their utility within the

traffic system. As revealed by the sociological study, citizens of Bucharest are willing toaccept traffic restrictions for the purpose of improving the public space (see Figures 60-62).

This plan identified a route that includes the streets that can be developed as“pedestrian priority streets”. Its role in the rebirth of the centre of Bucharest is detailed inchapter 2.4.

1.7.2. Technical and urban infrastructure11

Bucharest has a technical and urban infrastructure that is facing heavy wear and tear.The centralized water supply system allows the connection of the entire population

from the urban action area. Gross water comes from the Dambovita and Arges rivers (treatedin the Arcuda, Rosu and Crivina plants), from underground, wells and small capture zones.Drinking water is carried from treatment stations to the pumping station tanks throughviaducts. Considering the tanks’ reduced capacity, pumping is performed in failure mode,because of the need to pump water in order to harvest it in tanks. Waster is distributedthrough arteries, service pipelines and connection pipelines, partly modernized byreplacement programs and by extending of metering to the consumer, which led to fewerlosses (which represent up to one third of the total quantity of distributed water).

The sewage system in Bucharest was designed as a unitary transport system ofhousehold and rain water. The main collectors are placed parallel, one on top of the other,and the city’s main collector drain is placed below the Dambovita river. Waste water andmeteoric water is collected through connections and outlets, and then is discharged intoservice pipes (cannot be inspected) and secondary collector drains (difficult to be inspected).The main collector drains carry waste water and then discharge is into the emissary. Afterthey were developed, the role of emissary was taken over by the waste water cassettes belowthe Dambovita riverbed. It is worth mentioning that the section of the clean water riverbed ofthe Dambovita is substantially reduced around Unirii Square, because in that area the subwayroutes and the uneven passageway were correlated vertically. Consequently, there is the riskof floods upstream of Unirii Square. At present, in Bucharest, waste water is not treated, it isdischarged directly into the Dambovita, downstream of the capital (the waste water treatmentstation in Glina is not operational yet). The sewage system faces several malfunctions: partialor total colmatage of leakage sections, non-discharge of rain water in certain areas, existenceof certain depression areas that can benefit from sewage only by pumping, increasedpollution of surface water.

Electric energy is distributed to final consumers through a more than 15 year oldnetwork, located on public roads, under sidewalks or green spaces, street crossings or privateproperty.

Thermal energy (heating and hot water) is still mainly supplied by the Bucharestcentralized heating supply system, which consists of CETs and the distribution systemmanaged by RADET, which provides 72% of the thermal energy necessary in Bucharest.Large transportation distances from producers to final consumers lead to losses of heat andheating substances (up to one third), as well as high consumption of pumping energy at heatsources. The heating system faces significant wear and tear, the re-technologization programof thermal points, stations and modules is in process of being executed. To reduce the thermalenergy demand, the rehabilitation of buildings is required.

Natural gases are distributed through a more than 50 year old network. The mainproblem is the decrease in gas pressure at consumers during wintertime. The natural gasoperator is planning to gradually replace the steel pipelines, which are old and highly

11The information in this chapter is taken from the expert appraisal reports regarding the situation of the technical and urban infrastructure,attached to the “Integrated Urban Development Strategy in Bucharest and Its Support and Influence Territory”

corrosive, with other pipelines made of materials that are resistant both to corrosion and thenew envisaged pressure level (the passing from a low pressure regime to a medium pressureregime is contemplated).

In the 90’s, the telecommunications infrastructure passed through a modernizationprocess with implications at urban level, by the construction of new telephone conduits,replacement of the old, deteriorated ones, placing of street cupboards to mass cables,reorganization of the networks from such street cupboards to clients, often trying to use asmuch as possible cables mounted in underground pipelines instead of aerial cables (onbuildings or poles). Once the cable television companies and mobile telephone companiesappeared on the market, the cable infrastructure developed, and cables were mounted onpoles or buildings (because the creation of underground conduits was more expensive).During the past ten years, Internet networks (cable or optical fiber) developed, which againled to an increase in the mounting of cables on poles or building (including fiber for secureddata transmission for companies such as banks). The citizens and the municipality are beingconfronted with having to choose between high speed communications at a low price, butwith the disadvantage of unaesthetic cables mounted on poles or buildings, on the one hand,and the obligation to move such cables underground, which leads to a decrease incommunication speed and increase in price (especially for natural persons). In 2008, thecontract for the installation of the metropolitan telecommunication network in a public-private partnership (Netcity) was executed, which will offer support for mounting of cables,non-operated optical fiber, data conduits and a metropolitan network for public institutions.Such network will allow the elimination of aerial networks on the routes where Netcity willinterfere with. Paradoxically, some of the areas which are currently disfavored as regardsInternet and television are the central areas of private dwellings (Blvd. I.C. Bratianu, Blvd.Unirii, Blvd. Carol I, Calea Mosilor).

Interventions to underground networks are not planned and correlated, even thoughthere is a specialized network coordination department within the Bucharest Municipality.Thus, urban networks do not develop in an integrated way, and operators no dot reinstate thestreets to their initial condition after working on the networks they are in charge of, thusmaking the urban space look “patched”. Let us not forget the delays in obtaining theendorsements for investments, as a result of the lack of coordination and sometimes deficientorganization of operators in archiving the completed underground networks.

1.7.3. Cleaning

Street and household cleaning services are provided in the urban action area byauthorized cleaning companies (the cleaning activity was taken over by the local councils ofthe Bucharest Municipality sectors; thus, there are five specialized cleaning companies).Although in the short and medium term, storage will remain the main waste managementoption, the objective is to promote other management options ensuring compliance withEuropean practices and that would avoid as much as possible, the final elimination solutions(storage, incineration). The project entitled “Integrated Waste Management System forBucharest and Ilfov“ will be financed by POS Mediu, and the estimated value is EUR 270million.

Waste management is still underdeveloped: there are areas in the very centre of Bucharest that represent uncontrolled waste

storage points by the population and economic operators, with serious negativeconsequences on the soil and underground water;

only the main streets are cleaned, with the help of special machines (automaticsweepers and street vacuum cleaners); most of the street waste is collected manually,using rudimentary means;

the lack of or insufficient street recipients and garbage bins; waste is not selected; selective collection is introduced only as a pilot project and

proves to be a failure in the absence of public information campaigns regarding thebenefits of the recovery, recycling and use of certain types of waste;

existence of abandoned motor vehicles, absence of a system for their collection andrealization;

large waste transport distances until final storage.

1.7.4. Health

Good health is essential to human wealth fare, and it represents a value per se. Atindividual level, good health allows people to carry out their activities, achieve theirobjectives, have a fulfilled life and act as active members of the society. Socially, anincreased health condition is a key element of the human capital, contributing to the society’scompetitiveness in relation to other regions. Health is the result of a complex combination ofindividual and social factors. On the one hand, health is influenced by the genetic legacy,values regarding health and life style, choices that people make in this regard, as well as bypersonal characteristics such as age, education, occupation, living environment. On the otherhand, there are social factors that influence health: quality of the medical services, of theenvironment, various possibilities for people to choose their eating habits.

Assessment of people’s personal health is the manner in which they define their ownhealth, which represents an important dimension of the quality of life. A research conductedin 201012 shows that Romanians assess their health moderately: the average assessment is 3.2on a scale from 1 to 5, from very bad to very good. 46% assess their health as good and verygood, 28% as satisfactory, while approximately one quarter (26%) think of it as bad and verybad. Such data suggests that a significant percentage of the population has serious healthproblems.

In general, primary medical assistance is assessed positively, 56% of the populationdeeming it good or very good, 28% as satisfactory, and 16% assess it as bad or very bad.Positive assessments can be explained by the relatively easy access, most of the times, toprimary assistance services. In time, the perceptions of primary medical assistance slightlyimproved. The progress noticed may be explained by the significant change in the type ofmedical services to which people have access. Diversification of medical services,development of private medical services that imposed new standards, development of privatepharmacies, introduction of new medical treatments and new technologies, all contribute tothis slightly improved perception of the medical assistance that people benefit from.However, the health care system is assessed mostly negatively. In 2010, most of thepopulation (54%), but nevertheless, fewer than in the previous years, think that the healthcare system is bad or very bad.

A part of the health infrastructure was taken over by the municipality, by theBucharest Hospital and Medical Services Administration (ASSMB), which enabledtransferred hospitals to move from the subsistence sanitary management to a normal activity.Hence, such hospitals succeeded not only in covering their expenses with salaries andmaterials, but also in investing in the rehabilitation of buildings and purchase of equipment,goods and services. In Bucharest, there are 66 hospitals (out of which 25 belong to the

12 “Quality of Life 2010” – Romanian Academy, National Institute for Economic Research, Research Institute for Quality of Life

network of the Ministry of Health - 15 national hospitals and 10 emergency hospitals -, 10 inthe network of the Bucharest Public Health Department, 20 under the Bucharest Hospital andMedical Services Administration and 11 in other networks, either public or private) and 39medical centres/significant policlinics (most of which are private). Of the 66 hospitals, 10 arelocated in the urban action area, totalling 1,980 beds and 2,560 medical staff. 15 medicalcentres and over 150 medical offices add to the health infrastructure of the central area.

As revealed by Figure 161, most of the medical units are located in the North of theZAU. Due to the large number of sanitary institutions in the central area, they are actuallyused by all of the capital’s inhabitants, as the outskirts have fewer medical units. The privatehealthcare network, consisting mainly of medical centres, was developed to cover the deficitin the residential areas.

Areas in Bucharest withgood medical

representation13

● hospitals●policlinics/medicalcentres● medical/dentist’s offices●pharmacies

Source: Synergetics – data collection (inventory) of functions of immovable assets – July 2011,Bucharest Public Health Department, Bucharest Health Insurance House

Figure 1: Health infrastructure in ZAU - PIDU

13 Source: “Integrated Urban Development Strategy in Bucharest and Its Support and Influence Territory”

1.7.5. Education

The Romanian educational system has passed, throughout the past two decades,through an almost continuous change in terms of structure, content and organization. Thedeclared purpose of such changes was to increase the population’s access to equal chances toeducation and improve the quality of education. In Romania, the difference between wishesand their accomplishment is very big, and the reasons are both the inconsistency in drawingup and applying educational policies, and the economic difficulties. The State is the maininvestor in education. The limited resources allotted to education have resulted in theappearance of adverse effects as to accessibility to and quality of education: increase in therate of school abandonment, low educational performance, deterioration of learningconditions in schools. The State’s capacity to financially support education, but also thepopulation’s capacity to invest in education are first of all reflected by the duration ofmandatory education. In the developed states, school is mandatory for a period of at least 10years. The high level of economic development allows the population in these countries tobear an important part of tuition costs. Thus, most of the students finish 12 years of school. InRomania, except for higher education, where the number of students has constantlyincreased, the other educational levels have varied. Changes in the duration of mandatoryeducation have had a significant impact on the general evolution of the population’seducational level, exposing some of the society members to the risk of prematurelyabandoning the system, and creating the conditions for others, in general persons with goodsocial, family and economic backgrounds, to go through all educational stages.

According to certain people, for the economic development of a country, aqualitative educational system is much more important than many years of school.Experience has shown that, in countries where educational output is high, the number ofschool years is higher. The reason is that students who benefit from quality education havebetter results at school and most of them chose to continue their studies.

Both the quantity and the quality of education are determining factors in the socialand economic development of a country. Quality education, the high number of students, apopulation educated at a proper age not only recover the investment in education, but alsocreate benefits both at personal and social level: increase in the population’s living standards,improvement of labour quality and productivity, health, quality of family life.

As regards accessibility to education (i.e. the equal chance offered to all individualsto receive the form, type and specialization they want, and the quality of education), in 2010the population’s assessments varied: 30% of the population think that accessibility toeducation is high and very high and 29% think that accessibility to education is low and verylow. In all, based on such data, it may be asserted that the educational system does not offerequal chances for all categories of individuals to access education.14

The population is also divided in their assessments over the educational system: 31%think that the system is good and very good, 32% think that it is bad and very bad. Thedistribution of assessments changed significantly in 2010, as this is the first year when theimage of the Romanian educational system undergoes a fundamental change, i.e. itdeteriorates (traditionally, in Romania, the image of the educational system was positive).The increasing negative assessments might be the result of the continuous instability of theeducational system over the years, which has also been enhanced by the recent crisis, whichcaused new problems. Apart from the continuous changes, which affected thepupils’/students’ education and life strategies, another cause is the worsening of the problemsaccumulated during the transition in the field of school infrastructure and the problems

14 “Quality of Life 2010” – Romanian Academy, National Institute for Economic Research, Research Institute for Quality of Life

related to personnel. Romania ranks among the first countries in the EU in terms of earlyschool abandonment, and the percentage of students with low reading/reading comprehensionskills is high compared to the European average (both indicators are double compared to theEuropean target).

The main problems of the secondary education found at regional level by theBucharest School Inspectorate include:

improvised, unprofessional management in some school units; insufficient vacancies in kindergartens; existence of an unjustifiably high number of students that repeat their school years; exaggerated ungrounded absences from school; a high rate of school abandonment; low interest on the part of certain teachers to ensure quality in education and de-

centralize the educational system; many substitute teachers and unqualified teachers (although the school network is

comprehensive for the region, there are difficulties in providing tenure teachers forsome specialties);

low professional mobility and fluctuation of teachers/foremen instructors invocational and technical education causes a decrease in the efficiency of theteaching/learning process;

parents’ low interest and commitment to know and solve school problems; insufficient school and career guidance counsellor’s offices, which leads to students

opting mainly for theoretical high schools, and after finishing school, they areunemployed (annual reports of the Bucharest Employment Agency reveal thedifficulties that pre-university graduates face in finding jobs: the majority of theunemployed persons are high school graduates without any professionalcertification);

pre-university population has decreased dramatically (only preschool education hasnot faced a decline);

most of the parents’ precarious financial situation has negative consequences on theirchildren’s interest in school.

The capital’s school network is formed mainly of public pre-university educationalunits. Private units have developed especially in the preschool field, private kindergartenscovering part of the deficit, by satisfying the educational offer for more than 5,000 children.

Figure 162 shows that, as the tuition level grows, educational institutionsconcentrate on the central area. This phenomenon is explained by kindergartens’ and schools’proximity function, which are distributed in a relatively equal manner. High schools tend togroup in the central area, which comprises a series of prestigious national colleges15. Table 48shows the high percentage of schools that operate in the marked area out of the total numberof such units in all Bucharest, compared to the same index calculated for kindergartens andschools (such are closer to the relative weigh of the ZAU population in all Bucharest).

Higher educational institutions representative at national level are mainly located inthe urban action area (see table 49).

15 Most of the high schools in the central area are among the best high schools in Bucharest, according to the average of the last studentadmitted, the number of Olympic students participating in the Olympics’ national phase and in international contests, and the options of theBucharest students (source: ISMB 2010)

Table 48: Public pre-university educational network in ZAU PIDU

Kindergartens Schools High

schoolsSpecial

educationSportsclubs

Total Bucharest 179 162 102 20 7of which in the ZAUPIDU

14 9 21 3 0ZAU PIDU percentage/Bucharest

7.8% 5.6% 20.6% 15.0% 0.0%

Table 49: Higher educational institutions in ZAU PIDU

Higher educational institution No. of students Staff“Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism 3296 744University of Bucharest 39,997 1,127“Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy* 16,729 3,088Academy of Economic Sciences 12,941 2,363National University of Music 1,055 329University of Arts 1,500 364“I.L.Caragiale” U.N.A.T.C. 874 361S.N.S.P.A. 9.962 350Technical Military Academy 400 n/a“Titu Maiorescu” University 10,365 901“Spiru Haret'' University 135,124 2,699Ecological University 12,952 224Financial and Banking University 364 31

* has specializations in ZAU PIDU

Kindergartens inBucharest16

Schools inBucharest16

High schools inBucharest16

Faculties in16


● higher education●high schools,colleges●schools●kindergartens

Source: Synergetics – data collection (inventory) regarding functions of buildings – July 2011,Bucharest School Inspectorate

Figure 2: Educational units in ZAU - PIDU

1.7.6. Culture

Architectural, arts and history monuments, museums, theatres, monument churches,memorial houses, art galleries, cultural centres, libraries, second-hand bookshops, culturalinstitutes of other States focus on the central perimeter, due to the spatial typology,functionality and representativeness of such area.

Most urban marketing studies show that the city identifies itself mainly with thecentral area. The sociological study has revealed that for the citizens, the most representativeelements for Bucharest are its historical buildings and monuments.

Chapter 2.4 hereof proposes a strategy to give value to such cultural sites, both forthe citizens of Bucharest and for tourists alike.

Cultural institutes inBucharest17

●cultural sites●churches●embassies/consulates

Source: Synergetics – data collection (inventory) regarding functions of buildings – July 2011

Figure 3: Cultural sites in ZAU - PIDU


1.8. Dynamics of investments in the urban action area

1.8.1 Dynamics of public investments

Public investments in the entire city are made by the Bucharest City Hall and thecity halls of the other sectors. The competent authorities in the urban action area are theBucharest City Hall, Sector 1 City Hall, Sector 2 City Hall, Sector 3 City Hall, Sector 4 CityHall and Sector 5 City Hall. However, most of the urban infrastructure works in the urbanaction area are carried out by the Bucharest City Hall.

The evolution of public investment in Bucharest is revealed by the analysis offinancial indicators related to local budgets. As shown in Figure 164, the capital expenses ofthe Bucharest City Hall and the institutions under the subordination of the Bucharest GeneralCouncil decreased in the past few years, more than the general drop in the municipality’stotal expenses. While in 2006 investment expenses counted for two thirds of the totalexpenses, in 2010 they reached 40% of the total number of the Bucharest Municipality’sbudget (see Figure 165).

Source: activity reports of the general mayor and budgets of the Bucharest Municipality during 2006-2010

Evolution of total, current and capital expensesin Bucharest Municipality (million lei)

total expensescurrent expenses

capital expenses

Structure of expenses in Bucharest Municipality in2010

municipal public services

investment

environmental protection

social assistance

service of duty

forced executions

expenses of the apparatusof Bucharest Municipality

Figure 4: Evolution of expenses of BucharestMunicipality

Figure 5: Structure of expenses of BucharestMunicipality in 2010

(other investments includethe modernization ofthermal points, extensionof water and sewagenetwork, rehabilitation oftreatment station, hospitalequipment, etc.)

Source: activity reports of the general mayor and budgets of the Bucharest Municipality during 2006 -2010

Figure 6: Structure of investments in Bucharest Municipality in 2009 and 2010

Most public investments were intended for transport infrastructure (repairs andrehabilitation of streets, construction and modernization of passageways). Annex 9 details theinvestments of the Bucharest Municipality in the urban action area.

1.8.2. Dynamics of private investments

This chapter presents only private investments that are relevant in terms of urbanism.

RESIDENCE

As regards investments made in the past years in the residential sector in the area analyzedherein, almost eighty small residential complexes (4-5 storey buildings, with 20 apartmentson average), and six big projects, whose development was made public starting from 2006,were identified. Only four of the big projects were completed, bringing over 400 newapartments on the market. Other two projects, totalling almost 300 apartments, werepostponed because of the crisis and, implicitly, the considerable decrease in demand. Thetotal value of the residential investments in the marked area is estimated at approximatelyeuro 150 million.

Structure of investments of BucharestMunicipality in 2009

Structure of investments of BucharestMunicipality in 2010

transport infrastructure

rehabilitation of national stadium

rehabilitation of schools andkindergartens

rehabilitation of historical center

other investment programs

Source: Synergetics – data collection (inventory) regarding functions of buildings - July 2011

Figure 7: Collective dwellings built in the past5 years in ZAU PIDU

Figure 8: Significant residential projects inZAU PIDU

OFFICES

The current office space area in Bucharest is approximately 1.5 million sqm. Thecentral area alone represents 25% of the total rentable area. In the Central Business District(CBD), as it is called in specialized language, there are the most expensive rents in thecapital. Such area is located between Charles de Gaulle Square, Victoriei Square, RomanaSquare, Universitatii Square, Unirii Square, Gara de Nord and Stefan cel Mare. The CBDtenants are mainly banks, support services supply companies for business or State agencies.Such companies want to be visible and have good access for their main headquarters and arewilling to pay a premium to the rent.

The analyzed area is, in principle, part of the CBD office area, without covering itentirely. The total office supply in the CBD is 400,000 sqm, while the subject area comprisesapproximately 300,000 rentable sqm. The office segment developed in central Bucharest bytaking into account the characteristics of the land around the city centre. Due to the smallnumber of available land and high prices, the buildings developed vertically. Thus, there aremany buildings whose floors have small surface areas. Because of the height of suchbuildings, the number of parking spaces is low compared to the semi-central areas and theoutskirts (the average is one parking space at 100 sqm of office, half the number of parkingspaces in semi-central areas, where the ratio is 1 space/50 sqm). Supplies constantlyincreased, from 3,000 sqm in 2007, to approximately 70,000 sqm in 2009 and 2010. Thedemand has also increased in the central area, attracting companies that relocate theirbusiness from semi-central areas or the outskirts for a better location in the city. The level ofrents was constant during 2006-2008, but in 2009 it started to decrease. Current rents arearound euro 15-17/sqm/month. Figure 168 presents the representative office projects in thearea (i.e. those that have more than 10,000 rentable sqm), totalling a surface area of 111,000sqm.

Existing projects

Announced projects

LEGEND

As we may notice, the analyzed area benefited from significant investments over thepast few years. Although land in the urban action area is scarce and expensive, the demand onthe office market made entrepreneurs invest in this sector an excessive of euro 200 million.Major transactions involving buildings located in the ZAU were registered (for example, theacquisitions in the past years of “America House” and “Europe House”).

Source: Synergetics – data collection (inventory) regarding functions of buildings – July 2011

Figure 9: Office buildings constructed in thepast 5 years in ZAU PIDU

Figure 10: Significant office projects in ZAUPIDU

INDUSTRIAL SPACES

Together with the relocation of plants outside cities, required by the legislationregarding environmental protection, the industrial element disappeared almost entirely fromthe capital centre. Hence, industrial parks appeared outside the city, most of which arelocated at the first two exits from the A1 Bucharest - Pitesti highway. Prior to 1989, subareas8 and 9 had numerous industrial areas, which changed or are in the process of changing theirinitial use. It is the case of Inox, Romtrans, Electromagnetica, Muntenia, Bere Rahova plants,former units that were either closed, relocated or changed their profile.

Investors purchased such platforms with the purpose of demolishing existingconstructions and developing various real estate projects or giving another destination to theexisting spaces. Thus, Zonal Urbanism Plans were issued to change their destination fromindustrial to residential or office spaces. Most of the transactions were performed during2006-2008, but developments have not started yet because of the real estate crisis.

1.9.Development needs identified in the urban action area

1.9.1. Development needs identified through the sociologic study

The main problems of the central area identified through the sociologic studyrealized by the SNSPA on a representative sample for the population in Bucharest arerepresented by traffic and parking places, followed by cleaning, road status and oldbuildings (figure 101).

For the enhabitants of the central area, the main problem is represented by parkingplaces (figure 102).

Citizen safety is also one of the problems of the urban action area for theinhabitants in the central area, on a larger scale.

1.9.2. Development needs identified through the diagnosis analyses

Following the analyses described in the previous chapters, first of all a discrepancyis noticed between the status of the sub-areas in the north of the urban action area (sub-areas1, 6 și 7 with sub-area 2 in positive evolution) and the other sub-areas. The latter ones weremainly affected by urban operations in the 80s, which enclaved and segregated entire sectionsof the city, limited economic activities by lack of accessibility and created image problemsthat lead to the unexploitment of the area’s potential. Therefore, Buharest only uses thenothern half of the central area. Solving spatial and socio-economic disparities between theNorth and the South of Bucharest’s central area is consequently one of the priorities of theurban action area.

Both the analysis of the urban network ant the economic analysis highlighted thefact that the lack of accessibility contributed to the isolation of the southern part of the urbanaction area and a decrease in its attractiveness and economic dynamics. Thus reconnectionappears as a fundamental necessity of the central area.

The need to solve the traffic problem is emphasized both by the analysis of urbantransport and the sociologic one, traffic being invoked as the main problem of the capital’scenter. Transport analysis and the analysis of the preferences of Bucharest’s inhabitantsemphasize the need to create alternative routes. These alternative routes are mainlydesignated for pedestrians and cyclists, whose mobility conditions are currently hindered by alarge number of obstacles, as well as public transport, the main urban mobility mean inBucharest, which would thus benefit from the creation of new connections.

Sociologic, transport and economic analysis have emphasized the need tointelligently approach the problem of parking spaces in the center, whose lack isconsidered the main problem by the inhabitants of the central area and at the same timerepresent an impediment for economic agents.

Social, economic and built environment analysis proved that in the central area thereare regions with socio-economic problems, but with a valuable bilt environment, which areideal for urban regeneration projects. The need for urban regeneration of the sections withsocial and spatial problems appears especially in sub-areas 3 and 9, as well as in an extendedsection in sub-area 6 (Grivița-Buzești-Berzei). They need urban regeneration operations, thatlead to the improvement of urban space quality, to community consolidation and to thecreation of economic opportunities. At the level of the entire urban action area, urban re-enactment must also be focused on creating leaisure opportunities, which will hereby build

the community and increase the population’s cultural capital. Today, Bucharest must promoteurban life under all its aspects, economic, social, political and cultural, so that its own citizensstart getting acustomed with high living standards.

Although, from the point of view of the image capacity generated through its strongpoints, Bucharest is at the same level as Kőln or Salonic, it does not succeed in having asgood an image, according to its potential. The need to improve Bucharest’s urban image isimportant. Research in the field of urban marketing shows that the status of buildings andpublic spaces plays an important role in a city’s perception, which, in its turn, influences thedecision to invest in the area. Bucharest needs an intervention at structural level, in order tobecome an attraction point in an European (even world) competition at city level.

The status of the patrimony and the public spaces leads to deficiencies in spaceattractiveness and perception, both for the inhabitants and for the tourists and possibleinvestors. The often precarious status of the built patrimony and the abuses caused inprotected areas transmit the need to protect and value the cultural patrimony.

Moreover, Bucharest’’s center needs high quality public spaces, which serve thecommunity and consolidate the European metropolis image. Both green spaces, and othertypes of public spaces (markets, streets, side-walks) must be rehabilitated. Major publicspaces, such as Unirii Square, Revoluției Square or Victoriei Square, are presently difficult tomanage by pedestrians, being rather auto traffic and parking spaces. In Unirii Square, greenspaces are isolated from each other by fast traffic color, a series of fountains are also trafficislands and cannot be closely admired by pedestrians. These spaces need an identityreconfiguration, but also works that improve their functionality and integrate them in touristroutes.

Urban operations realized in the last years are generally punctual. They do notapproach any extended scale (except for infrastructure works in the western area of theHistorical Center, sub-area 2), nor integrated in space, social and economic problems of thecentral area. That is why another important necessity is the holistic vision in approaching thedevelopment of the capital center. Moreover, differences in approaces or problem solving canbe noticed in several areas from one sector cityhall to another or even within the actions ofthe municipal cityhall. The lack of an institutional organism and/or a set of regulations,which, at municipal level, involves in a policy or a coherent vision the various aspectsdefining the urban landscape, developing and administrating it, is one of the major causes ofthis disfunction and of this status. Bucharest needs visions assumed by all the parties(political, administrative, civil society, professionals), long term visions, on 10-20 years,which can be taken over from one legislature to the other. Thus there is a need forcollaboration between several urban actors in order to generate coherent and quality urbansolutions.

1.10 The development potential of the urban action area

Bucharest is one of the few European metropolises that does not use its advantagesto generate a strong image and brand and to attract investments and tourists18. The city’spotential, mainly the city center, is unexplored. That is why, for the execution of theIntegrated Urban Development Plan for the Central Area, this potential was considered.Following the analyses presented in the previous chapters, a series of still unexploited strongpoints were identified, representing a significative development potential for the city:

the presence of a lrge diversity architecture, which can valorize and eclectic citybrand;

18 Saffron Consultants, 2009, The Saffron European City Brand Barometer

the existance of field reserves that can be reused, as well as the opportunity toregenerate brownfield type spaces (from destructured spaces in the Civic Center areato old industrial surfaces);

the existance of public spaces that are presently not landscaped or maintained, whichcan be reconfigured in order to improve urban image and in order for them to beused by inhabitants and visitors as well;

the existance of spaces that are not sufficiently valorized for the community (sportfields, show rooms);

the existance of an important green space network, care pot fi amenajate și integrateîntr-un sistem de spații publice eficient;

the increase in popularity of bike transport can support a reconfiguration of somecentral streets for cycling transport color;

the presence of cultural endowments that can be rehabilitated and valorized, therebyparticipating in the extended value system of Bucharest center (Vilacrosse, Odeon,Victoriei, Englez Passages, Curtea Veche, the Hystorical Center, Antim Monasteryarea, the Antrepozite-Rahova-Uranus area);

the presence of the Dâmbovița river, presently not valorized at its potential;

the existance of important connections at city level, which can support thedevelopment of intermodal functional nodes;

the existance of a tendency to revalorize the consumption of traditional and biologicalproducts and the existance of free spaces can support the idea of creating newmarkets and recovering the old and degraded ones;

the companies’interest to establish in a functional center may lead to the economicand edilitary development of the area.

2. DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR THE URBAN ACTION AREA

2.1 The need for a local development strategic vision

The aim of the local development strategic vision is to harmonize the socio-economic objectives formulated at the level of the urban action area with the Bucharestspace, economic and social dynamics and with the priorities at city and country level.

The development vision of the urban action area contains the coordinates establishedby Romania’s integration in the European Union in order to valorize the local potential.

Viziunea este în acest caz îndreptată în trei direcții majore: ...........................................................................................................................................A

competitive center at national and international level;

...........................................................................................................................................A sustainable urban area from a social and economic point of view, with a balancedmedium and long term dynamics and development;

...........................................................................................................................................An attractive area for inhabitants, visitors and investors, which offers facilitydiversity, benefits from a good infrastructure and becomes a magnet fordevelopment and creative investments.

2.2 Objectives

2.2.1 European objectives and principles regarding the improvement of the livingenvironment in the urban area

The strategy for the Bucharest center is fundamental both for the analysis of thearea’s needs and potential and for the integrated approach principles resulting from theprograms, policies and documents proposed and adopted at European Union level or at thelevel of member state reunions, such as the Leipzig Charter or the Toledo Statement. TheLeipzig Charter for Sustainable European Cities, approved on occasion of the informalreunion of the European ministers responsible for urban development and territorial cohesion,in Leipzig (May 24-25 2007), recommends “the more frequent usage of integratedapproaches in urban development”. The integrated urban development policy is a processthrough which spatial, sectorial and temporal key aspects are coordonated, the dsired resultbeing the integration of the operation at local and municipal level from an urbanistic,economic and social point of view.

The Leipzig Charter specifies, among the action strategies: creating and insuring high quality public spaces, by

intensifying the interaction between architecture, infrastructure planning and urbanplanning, in order to increase the quality of life in the cities;

modernizing infrastructure networks and increasingenergetic efficiency, sustainable and accessible urban transport, at a reasonableprice;

proactive innovation and educational policies:

competitiveness and economic growth, reducing thedisparities between neighborhoods and inside them;

granting a special attention to under-privilleged areas,considered in the context of the city as a whole.

Similarly, the reference Document in Toledo regarding the integrated urbanregeneration and the strategic potential of this approach, for a more intelligent,sustainable and inclusive urban development in Europe specifies that “the ministersreaffirmed the validity of the assumed commitments and of the principles established duringthe previous ministerial reunions, particularly the «integrated approach» in urban policies asone of the main instruments to advance in the directions established by the EUROPE 2020strategy.” The Toledo Declaration emphasizes the fact that urban areas suffering from socio-economic problems and a degradation of the built environment must make the object of anintegrated and coherent urban regeneration process, which considers both the rehabilitation ofthe built fund and public spaces, and community consolidation and encouragingentreprenorial activities.

Good European practices suggest several key aspect that may characterize asuccessful regeneration project. For example, from a spatial component point of view,English Partnerships specified in its Urban Design Compendium that the key aspect are:

Places with character. In order for urban areas to be properly used and appreciated,they must be safe, comfortable, diverse and attractive. Moreover, there must be aplace specificity and it must offer variety and usage options.

Enriching the system. New projects should improve the qualities of the existingareas, reflect and complete their context. This applies at any level – region, city,neighborhood or street.

Reconnection. Urban spaces must be easily accessible and integrated from a physicaland visual context point of view. This aspect requires a special attention in order toestablish how the spaces can be accessed by a pedestrian, a biker, by public transportor personal vehicle – in that order.

Landscape work. Emphasize is placed on spaces that create a balance between thenatural and the built environment and use all the resources – climate, landscape andecosystem – in order to preserve energy and fully use the infrastructure.

Investment management. In order for the projects to be developed, they must bevalid from an economic point of view, well administrated and preserved in time.This assumes the understanding the developers, assuring the involvement of thelocal community and authority, defining adequate implementing mechanisms andincluding all the stakeholders in the design process.

Design for change. New developments must be sufficiently flexible to answer futuerchanges in use, life style and demography. This means designing to make resources

more efficient, to make the usage of the public space and service infrastructure moreflexible and introduce new concepts for transport, traffic and parking management.

2.2.2. Objectives of the regional operational program

The Regional Operational Program (ROP) is the strategic document implementingelements of the National Regional Development Strategy within the National DevelopmentPlan (NDP) and contributes, along with the other operational programs (POS IncreasingEconomic Competitiveness, POS Transport Infrastructure, POS Environment, POS HumanResources Development), to achieving the objective of the National Regional DevelopmentStrategy and of the Reference Strategic National Frame, that is reducing economic andsocial development disparities between Romania and the average development of themember states of the European Union. ROP was elaborated in accordance with the Europeansubsidiarity principle, based on the development strategies in the regions, elaborated atregional levels in large partnership work groups. The Regional Operational Programs shall beestablished between 2007 - 2013 from the state budget and the local budgets, being co-financed from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

ROP’s strategic objective consists of the territorially balanced economic and socialdevelopment of Romania, according to specific needs and resources, focused on supportingsustainable development, improving the business environment and the basic infrastructure. Inorder to reach the general objective of regional development, the ROP strategy impliesreaching specific objectives:

Increasing the economic and social importance of urban centers, through a polycentricapproach, in order to simulate a more balanced region development;

Improving accessibility, especially the accessibility of urban centers and theirconnections with the surrounding areas;

Increasing the quality of the social regional infrastructure;

Increasing region competitiveness;

Increasing the contribution of tourism in regional development.

The objective of the Regional Operational Program is therefore increasing thequality of life and creating new work places in the cities, by rehabilitating the public urbaninfrastructure, the cultural improving social services, as well as by developing business andentrepreneurship support structures.

2.2.3. Objectives for the Integrated Urban Development Plan in Bucharest-Central Area

In this context, after analysing the needs and development potential in the area andconsulting the objectives of the Regional Operational Program 2007-2013, Priority Axis 1-“Supporting sustainable development in the cities”, the following general objectives wereestablished for the Urban Development Integrated Plan- Bucharest central area:

Consolidating the city’s identity and supporting its vitality and attractiveness,

Local economic development,

Sustainable urban regeneration.

These general objectives can be reached only through an integrated and holisticapproach, considering the social, economic and spatial aspects and answering to as manysocial groups and necessities at the same time. This approach allows maximum visibility andimpact.

The specific objecives of the Integrated Urban Development Plan for theBucharest central area aim at creating an accessible and efficient urban network,rehabilitating the public service infrastructure, re-enacting the puclic space network andvalorizing the area’s high potential. The effect of these actions shall be increasingattractiveness, increasing the quality of life for the inhabitants in the area and the entire city,creating a vibrating, dynamic center for Bucharest, European capital.

O1. The center – and identity markImage and brand studies realized at European level show that Bucharest is an under-

appreciated and unknown city. Although studies indicate the fact that the city has a highpotential for investments and urban tourism, Bucharest suffers from a mostly negative imageor even from the lack of knowledge of any identity landmark by Europeans. Tourists visitingBucharest usually visit the Parliament’s Palace, and other parts of the city center often remainunexplored. One of the objectives of the Integrated Urban Development Plan is (re)creatingan urban identity for the Bucharest central area, a clear identity, that attracts tourists andinvestors, creates a positive eclectic city brand, as well as stimulating a community andaffiliation feeling that Bucharest inhabitants today do not have. Asige from the economic sideof reaching the attractiveness potential for investors and tourists, the integrated plan aims atrecovering the gap between the inhabitamts and their own city, highlighted by the sociologicsudies realized in Bucharest. By recreating the bound between the center and its users,beyond the economic benefits, a process to highlight social cohesion and local pride for cityinhabitants is thus envisioned.

O1a) Delineating an identity for the central area with a tourist and cultural potentialThe heterogenous and eclectic ccharacter of the Bucharest central area must be

valorized in order to create an urban identity of which the inhabitants are proud and whichattracts both tourists and investors. With quality public spaces, a diverse architecturalpatrimony, well valorized, alternative attractive routes for pedestrians and bikers, theBucharest central area shall be an identity landmark for a European metropolis with a specialhistory and an yet unexplored potential.

O1b) Re-enactment of the public space networkThe value and attractiveness of a city are supported by the quality and diversity of its

public spaces. Public spaces, presently adversly landscaped, often spontaneous parking,inaccessible spaces or spaces with redundant urban furnishing, have a currently sub-usedpotential. Representative public spaces must make the object of rehabilitation projects onmodern principles, tranforming them into representative points, the symbol for a EuropeanBucharest. This integrated plan meet the investments made presently for public buildings inthe central area (the National Theatre, the National Library), proposing an adequate publicspace by organizing international contests, so that the final solution is both high quality andrepresentative for the city.

O2. Restructured and reintegrated urban networkUnbalances created by the insertion in the Civic Center represent the main problem

of the Bucharest central area. Enclaved, segregated areas with major socio-economicproblems resulting because of being separated from the rest of the city must be reintegratedthrough the present plan. Its priority must be both the physical reconnection of the isolatedareas, by creating new connections and traffic flows, regenerating the area by acions thatincrease the investments in the area and community cohesion, as well as mentalreconnections at the level of the cities population in the areas separated from the CivicCenter. These areas must be reintegrated from all points of view - spatial, functional, socio-economic, identity – in the city center.

O3. Efficient traffic systemTraffic problems today in Bucharest are major. The city is congested, the number of

cars is increasing, and the problem of parking spaces is acute. An objective of the IntegratedUrban Development Plan is to make the traffic system efficient in the central area byprioritizing sustainable and alternative traffic forms and by creating more and smallerparking spaces, that do not occupy the public space. These two sub-objectives comply withthe actions in the other capitals of the European Union, where pedestrian and biking traffic isencouraged, and public spaces are redeemed to the city through the construction ofunderground and surface parking lots.

Therefore, the configuration of an integrated pedestrian and bike traffic networkin a wide central area is considered, which represents not only traffic opportunities, but alsoquality public spaces. Moreover, as to bike transport, the realization of a concentric and radialcontinuous and coherent velo route network is considered important.

Secondly, the assurance of the necessary parking lots is aimed for the central area byconstructing underground and surface parking lots, that realize public spaces andcontribute to the decongestion of streets and markets in central areas.

O3a) Encouraging walking and bikingthe use of public transport as alternatives forauto traffic

Bucharest is a city suffocated by auto traffic. Both inhabitants and visitors considerintense traffic one of the important problems with a negative effect on the quality of life andurban experience. The number of cars on the streets of the capital increased each year,reflecting an increase of the purchase power among the population and the car’s role as asocial status in postsocialist Romanian culture. However, an increase in the number of carshas a negative influence on the city, determining a polluted urban space, with a high stresslevel.

The “invaded city” reflects what happens in occidental cities between 1950-1960,when the number of cars increased exponentially, important markets in the cities becameparking spaces, and pedestrian space was reduced to narrow sidewalks. Bucharest repeats theWestern scenario, developed however with a greater speed. A chance for Bucharest would beto profit from the lessons learned from the experience of western-European cities and the waythey transformed the cities “invaded” by traffic into cities with a friendly and dynamic publicspace, promoting a high quality of urban life and experience. Since the 1950, pedestrianspaces with commercial role appear in Rotterdam (the famous Lijnbahn) and German citiesreconstructed after the Second World War. Commercial pedestrian spaces are externded inthe entire Occidentl Europe, but the first city to move on was Barcelona in the 80s, whenample urban works were executerd, based on a well established concept, the one of qualitypublic spaces dedicated both to the city’s inhabitants and to visitors. The public spaces ofWest-European cities were “recovered” for their own inhabitants, and the phenomenon was

adopted in the entire world, from the American Portland to Curitiba in Brasil, including in themajority of post-socialist cities. The movement “cities with no cars” is a global presence.However, Bucharest, except for the pilot area of the historic center (and it is spatially veryrestricted), lacks pedestrian areas and pedestrian priority areas and a coherent traffic systemfor cyclists.

What cities with successful public spaces have in common is ther existance ofvisionary urban policies with clear objectives and priorities. The “recovery” of public spacesfor Bucharest inhabitants and encouraging walking and biking to the detriment of auto trafficrepresent absolute priorities for the Integrated Urban Development Plan. Only under theseconditions will Bucharest stand to be compared with the other European capitals.

Streets and boulevards in the central area must have a role in supporting urban lifeand not in transit. Works facilitating transit auto traffic in the center, such as redirectingtraffic on the Dâmbovița quay or enlarging the boulevards, only lead to its congestion,contradicting the understanding of the functionality and role of a city center. Center arteriesmust be treated as local character streets, streets that support commercial, cultural andleaisure activities, essential traits of an European urban center.

Encouraging sustainable transport modalities must also be a priority. The ToledoDeclaration includes several aspects related to transport sustainability, among which“Reducing transport needs by promoting proximity and mixt transport layouts”, simultaneouswith stimulating a more durable mobility at urban, metropolitan and interurban level. Thesame declaration emphasizes the need to prioritize non-motorized less-polluting transportmeans, promoting walking and biking. It is recommended to support an efficient and cheappublic transport, accessible to everyone – especially to marginalized neighborhoods, where itcan play a key role in reducing physical isolation -, multimodal transport networks, as well asthe optimization of urban logistics. Works on new metro arteries must become a priority. Arapid, efficient and comfortable public transport will become much more attractive than usingthe personal car. Consequently, starting from these aspects and after the analysis of therecommendations of the Transport Master Plan, the integrated plan recommends consideringtramway infrastructure projects that would make the network more efficient, by creatingconnections in Unirii Square, as well as from the Northern Railway Station to EroiiRevoluției, passign the Izvor-Uranus area, which is presently weakly served by publictransport.

Walking and using bikes must be prioritized because both are ecologic andconvenient transport means. Benefits for health are incontestable. Moreover, psychologystudies have shown that a dynamic street, filled with pedestrians, offers a feeling of safety. Inaddition, local economy benefits from the continuous passage of pedestrians and bikers, byencouraging the commercial activity of stores, restaurants and coffe shops.

Proposed actions must allow the creation of pedestrian and biker spaces, thatrepresent alternative routes for the city’s streets suffocated by traffic. Creating an attractivealternative will lead to a change in the acual perception of car usage (the lack of a car is oftenseen in Wetern Europe as an increased level of independency, by avoiding the need to park orloss of time in traffic).Biker and pedestrian routes can be realized on the existing structure ofsome central streets, which are sized to a “human” scale and which accommodate buildingsthat can receive trade and food service functions on the ground floor. These streets can betotally or partially closed to auto traffic, throughout an entire day or only during certainhours.

For the streets with a variable number of lanes, an opportunity is represented bystudies analyzing the optimization of auto traffic, in terms of the minimum number of lanes(corresponding to the narrowest steet widht), the rest of the street surface being dedicated tothe other transportation means.

Bike routes and varied means of public transport must be correlated and connectedby realizing intermodal poles. These will consist of points from which different public andalternative transport routes will start. Intermodal poles identified through the IntegratedUrban Development Plan are: Romană Square;

Rosetti Square: Starting point for different routes, thus avoiding the great trafficcongestion from Universității Square. Rosetti Square must become the mainalternative for Universității Square. The streets afferent to this intermodal pole, onwhich bike routes can be marked: Cristian Radu Street, Hristo Botev Boulevard,Dianei Street and Tudor Arghezi Street;

Sf. Gheorghe Square: It is presently an important terminal point for tramways,however it is difficult for bikes. The bike route coming from Lipscani Street mustcross (underground) the N. Bălcescu Boulevard, continue through Sf. GheorgheSquare and reach Calea Moșilor (old route).

Public transport must be prioritized through supported investments, networkextension and frequency optimization and by introducing, on a wide scale, the passagesdedicated to public urban transport means.

O3b) Small and medium parking lot systemThe presence in the central area of several public, leisure and cultural functionalities

generates congestion and the usage of sidewalk areas dedicated to pedestrians as parkingspace, which creates disconfort for all users. A proposal is made for the execution of anintegrated small and medium parking system (under 500 spaces), on a perimeter ring of thecity’s central area. These parking spaces will be connected through an infrastructure systemin which pedestrians and bikers have a well defined and equipped space, connected inimportant public transport nodes. The entire system will be supported by an integrateddisplay and signaling system for available spaces, allowing the possibility for an adequatemanagement of parking lots throughout the entire central area. The installation in the centralarea of large parking lots (over 1000 spaces) is not recommended, because such parkingspaces become a traffic generating factor in itself. The small parking system, arranged on theentire central ring, will allow reducing the number of cars on the streets, by moving themunderground. Thus relieved space at street level becomes available for a better use bypedestrians and bikers, simultaneously ensuring a better traffic and public transport flow.This project will be executed in stages, avoiding a major traffic disfunction in the centralarea.

The regulation of street parking, as proposed through this strategy, shall bringsignificant benefits: important spaces are given back for use in pedestrian and biker traffic, encouraging

walking and biking;

the existing roadway is maintained;

traffic capacity is maintained almost unmodified on the routes proposed formodernization, due to low traffic flow values.

O4. SustainabilityIn accordance with the objectives of the Leipzig Charter, the Toledo Declaration and

the Regional Operating Program, the strategy for the city’s center must provide a sustainabledevelopment. Rehabilitating and landscaping green spaces, creating a green network,encouraging the use of public transport, walking and biking in the overcrowded central areawill lead to a more sustainable, greener city, with an increased quality of the surroundingenvironment. Field recycling is recommended through redeveloping and reusing abandonedor unused fields for public functions (we exemplify with the Panduri library, the CădereaBastiliei mobile market) – a key strategy to contribute to a reduction in field consumption.

O5. Integrated urban regenerationA number of areas with a significant historical and architectural value are marked

today by major spatial and socio-economic disfunctions. Their potential, determined by theircentral location and by the values of the built fund, as well as the acute social needs of thearea, recommend them as target areas for integrated regeneration projects. The „integratedurban regeneration” concept, according to the Toledo Declaration, “proposes to optimize,preserve and revalorize the entire existing urban capital (social, built environment,patrimony), as opposed to other intervention forms in which, in this entire urban capital, onlythe field value is prioritized and preserved, by traumatizing demolition and by ignoring therest of the urban and social capital.”

Urban areas suffering from socio-economic problems and a degradation of the builtenvironment must make the object of an integrated and coherent urban regeneration process,that envisions both the rehabilitation of the built fund and the public spaces, as well as theconsolidation of the community and the encouragement of entrepreneurial activities.

O6. Development of economic activityBy improving public spaces and quality and diversifying cultural services and

activities will increase the attractiveness of the city’s central area for investments, this actionbeing registered in the recommendation line of the Leipzig Charter and the ToledoDeclaration.

O6a) Creating un attractive public fieldExcept for the green spaces, whose landscaping and maintenance became a priority

for local authorities, Bucharest does not offer and attractive public space for residents andvisitors: sidewalks made of bad wuality materials, with cracks and dislevelments, publicspaces invaded by parked cars. An unattractive public space leads both to a decrease in thequality of life for the inhabitants (walking through a city invaded by cars becomes a stressfulactivity), and a negative effect on the city’s image for tourists and possible investors.Therefore, the improvement of public spaces must become a priority. Within the ToledoDeclaration, the essential role of public spaces in the city’s urban development wasdiscussed: “revalorizing deteriorated public spaces and creating new open spaces, as well asprotecting or requalifying architectural forms shall contribute not only to the improvement ofthe urban landscape, the quality of several urban networks, and thus to an increase inbusiness and specialized labor force attractiveness, but also to an increase in theirattractivess for the locals and to identifying the locals with the urban environment and thecommunity they are part of”.

O6b) Creating work placesThe Toledo Declaration emphasizes: “Building rehabilitation, physical improvement

and modernization of the infrastructure represent not only essential requirements for a city’s

attractiveness, but also for sectors in which the need for work force is greater and thusrepresents a new potential source for work places, helping with unemployment absorption,especially in the construction sector (which presently goes through a major crisis in somemember states).” The projects proposed through the integrated plan shall lead to an increasein the area’s role int eh city’s economy and implicitly in creating new work places.

O7. Social cohesionRecent social tendencies in Bucharest reflect an amplification of the discrepancies

between different population categories. A residential segregation process according toeconomic criteria is in full development, in contrast to general European principles promotingsocial mixture. Mainly in areas 4, 8 and 9, there is a concentration of needy population withspecific problems that must be approached coherently and comprehensively by an IntegratedUrban Development Plan. Bucharest must not develop as a series of paralel cities, but it mustreflect the diverse character of a European capital. Therefore, priorities must be establishedfor the actions envisioning social cohesion, as well the creation of cultural centers for thecommunity, which play a social, educational and leisure role for the entire population in thearea.

Objectives Sub-objectives Actions

The center – anidentity mark

Rehabilitating buildings witharchitectural value

Valorizing the builtpatrimony

Educating the public on the builtpatrimony

Reconfiguring / creating qualityand representative public spaces

Reconditioning the publiclighting infrastructure

Quality publicendowments

Reconditioning pavements

Endowment with urbanfurnishing


Restructured andreintegrated urbannetwork

Coherent spatial structureTracing new connection axes

Creating new pedestrianconnections (Parliament’s Palace,crossing the Unirii Boulevard)

Integrating area enclavedby the Unirii andLibertății Boulevards

Creating auto and pedestrianconnections across Dâmbovița.

Integrating the enclaves betweenthe Unirii Boulevard, UniriiSquare and Libertății Boulevardfronts

Efficient trafficsystem

Studies regarding the extensionand modernization of thetramway network

Improving the publictransport system

Building intermodal transportterminals

Introducing colors dedicated tolocal public transport

Integrated pedestriantraffic and bike network

Creating pedestrian and bikeroutes and rehabilitating theexisting ones

Insuring the necessary parkingspaces for the residents

Insuring the necessaryparking lots

Eliminating parking lots frompublic places and creating newunderground/surface parkingspaces

Better trafficmanagement

Development of trafficmanagement systems


Sustainability Reconfiguring the greenspace network

Creating a „green system” of thearea

Improved environmentquality

Rehabilitating the existing greenspaces

Encouraging non-pollutingtransport means (walking, bikes)and public transportation

Promotin a sustainableconsumption model

Traditional markets with localproducts


Development ofeconomic activity

Supporting creativeeconomy

Diversifying and improving thequality of cultural services andactivities

Supporting traditionaleconomy

Markets for traditional producers

Attracting investors in thearea by promotingcommercial activities inpedestrian areas

Creating pedestrian streets thatsupport commercial activities inriverain buildings

Creating businessincubators

Creating business platforms

Diverse and safesocial climate

Meeting the needs of allpopulation groups

Transparentizing the project andcontinuous consulting

Varied socio-cultural activityagenda


Ensuring a design of thespaces considering citizensafety

Understanding the optimum andsafe space operation conditions

Increasing safety andpreventing criminality

Investment for citizen safety

2.3 Development priorities

The proposed Integrated Urban Development Plan considers existing opportunitiesand transposes the vision to create an integrated and well coordinated frame to transform thestudied area. A series of priorities have been identified to guide the actions of this integratedplan. It is important to specify that, starting from the recommendations resulting from theperformed analyses, a proposalhas been made for realistic actions at the level of urbanintervention. There are certain problems, such as the one of auto traffic at city level, whichcannot be approached through this integrated plan, because solving the auto traffic needsestablishing an integrated strategy at city level and cannot be limited only to theinterventions at central area level.This strategy only presents possbile prioritary directions fora transport policy, resulting from the specified needs, potential and principles. Similarly,complex urban spaces, with problems, such as Unirii Square, cannot make the object ofinterventions within this plan.

Following the analyses, a large number of accessibility, connectivity, pedestrianmobility problems have been noticed, disfunctions in public space design, the existance ofbarriers (auto flows, fences) limiting pedestrian flows and area usage, lifting the complexitydegree of urban interventions in these spaces. For such spaces, first of all foundation studiesare necessary. It is recommended to organize solution contests to approach these verycomplex spaces:

Unirii Square

Universității Square

Revoluției Square

Victoriei Square

Națiunile Unite Square

In this context PIDU’s key priorities are:

1. RECOVERYa) Recovering an urban identity for the Bucharest central area.

Bucharest is an eclectic city, for which the architectural diversity of the centerrepresents an advantage and an idntity mark. The interventions started during the 80sbroke Bucharest’s historical center through large boulevards, bordered by tallhomogenous buildings, which physically and mentally segregated the neighborhoods.For Bucharest inhabitants, today, the historical center only represents the Lipscaniarea, which represents a simplified history. The risk is losing the value of somemonuments and areas belonging to the old city center, from the old Uranusneighborhood, to traditional commercial axes such as Calea Moșilor and CaleaGriviței. This integrated plan proposes a concept to revitalize and reconnect diversecharacter areas which represent Bucharest’s central area.

b) Recovering the southern Dâmbovița area and reconnecting it tothe center. A major problem to recover unity in the central area represents the lack ofconnectivity between the northrn and southern Dâmbovița. At the end of thesocialist period, two main arteries that drained with user flows the southern Dâmbovițaarea were divided (Calea Rahovei and Uranus Street) and two bridges connecting themto the center from the northern part of Dâmbovița were demolished. A reconnection ofthe said streets is proposed and the reconstruction of two bridges which would becomean attraction through their design. Reconnecting this area shall revive the LibertățiiBoulevard area, the Parliament Palace and Romanian Academy House area, which, foryears, remained a space that was low frequented and used by the inhabitants. This way,presently hidden and difficultly accessible historic monuments and tourist objectivesshall be recovered, (Antim Monastery, Bragadiru Palace, Coșbuc Flower Market), andby reconnection they will only be a ten minute walking distance from the current“Historical Center”.

c) Recovering Dâmbovița’s attractiveness as a river in the center ofthe city. The lack of attractiveness for Dâmbovița is another major problem for thecenter’s urban identity and image. Dâmbovița was treated so far as a utilitaryinfrastructure work, not as a valuable element from an urban point of view. Aproposition is made to reconfigure the Dâmbovița Quay between Unirii Square andIzvor by delineating a walking space along the river. In this context, other urbanoperations facilitating tranzit traffic on Splaiul Dâmboviței must be avoided. SplaiulDâmboviței must not be approached as a traffic artery, but as a local characterstreet, in order for it to become a pedestrian and biker-friendly public space and tovalorize the Dâmbovița river.

d) Regenerating degraded traditional neighborhoods

Several central areas were affected in the last decades by continuous degradation

processes on the built fund, simultaneous with an aplification of social problems.Significanthistorical and architectural value areas, such as the medieval nucleus of Calea Moșilor or thearea of the old commercial axis of Calea Griviței, are marked today by major spatial andsocio-economice disfunctions.

Given that, through an integrat urban development plan, investments can only bemade in the public field, most of the buildings in these areas, on private property, cannotmake the object of direct rehabilitation investments. However, through these integratedinfrastructure and public space improvement projects, through the appearance of businessincubators and community centers, this plan represents a catalyst for area regeneration.Three central areas with socio-economic problems and with an amplified degradation of thebuilt fund - the Rahova-Uranus area, the old Calea Moșilor area and the Griviței area – can bethe target of an integrated urban regeneration program recommended by the strategy for thecenter of the city. By rehabilitating historical monuments and public spaces the image ofthses areas will be improved, work places will be created and the economic activity of the oldcommercial axes will be stimulated. Finally, creating business incubators, as well as theUranus business platform and creating socio-cultural centers in the specified areas shallincrease the dynamics of the area.

e) Recovery and re-functionalization of the fund built byreconversion

This fund ties the physical regeneration of the fund built by the socio-economic one, both atthe level of the degraded areas, and at the level of the entire city center. A number ofhistorical buildings shall be reconditioned in order for them to become business incubators(business platforms). Both modern creative industries and craft and traditional style tradere-enactment are supported, by physical reconditioning of traditional places in the field, suchas Hala Matache, or creating new structures, such as a Craftsmen Court. The plan alsocontains rehabilitation projects by reconversion of the social infrastructure, such asrehabilitating the building on 2 Blănari street in order to realize a socio-cultural center.

1

2. TRAFFICa) The main priority regarding the car traffic facility is to ease the passing traffic throughthe central area, by building city rings and the beltway. The passing traffic through the centralarea must be redirected in compliance with the Transportation Master Plan for Bucharest, to thecity's median and extern rings. The offering of alternatives through the main ring andsubsequently through the beltway shall allow for a more fluid traffic in the central area and theincrease of the travelling speed, as well as a more efficient mass transportation.

The maximum widening of the central boulevards is not a solution. In fact, theboulevard widening for the traffic continues the urban interventions performed in the last decadeof the communist period. The Civic Center, with its main axis - Unirii Boulevard - is the absoluteexpression of this plan: a large artery that becomes an obstacle in the connecting route betweentraditional neighborhoods from the northern part to the southern one. The boulevard widening forthe traffic also leads to a complete out phasing with the urban policies from the European Union.If, on short term a new artery leads to the mitigation of the traffic issue, it has a different effect onmedium to large term: it encourages the usage of private vehicles. Thus, the traffic's volumeincreases again which leads to an increased issue that should have been initially solved.

The streets and boulevards from the central area must facilitate the supporting ofurban life, and not be meant mainly for the traffic. The central arteries must be regarded asstreets with local character, which support trading, cultural and leisure activities adapted to anurban European center. A first step in offering a new moving sustainable model consists in thereconfiguration of 23 streets with priority granted to pedestrians and bicyclists.b) A second grand issue of the central area is represented by the parking spaces. Thepresence in the central area of a large number of public and cultural institutions as well as leisureplaces leads to a built-up area and excessive usage of the streets as parking spaces (most of thetimes jamming the sidewalks). Therefore, we suggest the building of an integrated small andmedium sized parking system (under 500 spaces), which is connected to the important masstransportation nodes and to the artery network with priority for pedestrians and bicyclists. Theunderground and above the ground parking system placed all over the central ring shall allow forthe removing of the "unwanted occupation" of the public space by parked vehicles.c) Encouraging the sustainable means of transportation. The European cities (lately theNorth-American ones as well) focus on new transportation polities where the mass, bicycles andpedestrian transportation (in this particular order) are favored and the transportation by privatevehicles is discouraged. We suggest studies regarding the improvement of mass transportationconnections in the central area (such as the creation of new links for the tramway network). Theworks at the new subway rails must turn to a priority. A fast, efficient and comfortable masstransportation shall become much more attractive than using the private vehicles. The walking andriding of bicycles are recommended, as they are environmental-friendly and affordable methods,with minim investments in the infrastructure. The local economy benefits from the pedestrian andbicyclists flows by encouraging the trading activity performed by shops, restaurants and services.In conclusion, the present plan suggests the execution of an integrated system regarding thestreets' infrastructure, parking spaces, mass transportation, priority systems for pedestrians andinfrastructure for bicycles. The creation of attractive alternative means of transportation shalllead to a change of the current perception of car usage.

3. PUBLIC SPACESa) A city's value and attractiveness are supported by the quality and diversity of its publicspaces. The introduction of an underground parking system shall allow for the recovering of morepublic space to be returned to the citizens of Bucharest or to tourists, for walking, relaxation oreven to children for playing.b) Streets and markets as friendly public spaces.The public spaces within the capital's central area are currently poorly developed, inaccessible orwith redundant urban fittings, with under-used potential, often used as spontaneous parkingspaces. Their rehabilitation would lead to the creation of socialization and relaxation spaces for the

inhabitants and visitors equally. This integrated plan prioritizes the reconfiguration through qualityprojects of 21 urban public spaces, from George Cantacuzino market to Antim Monastery publicspace.c) Representative public spacesThe intervention area of this plan lies between Victoriei Square (Piața Victoriei), Romană Square(Piața Romană), Universității Square (Piața Universității), Unirii Square (Piața Unirii), RevoluțieiSquare (Piața Revoluției), National Library Square (Piața Bibliotecii Naționale) - up to the Palaceof the Parliament (Palatul Parlamentului) and George Coșbuc Flower Market. These are importantpublic spaces for which the rehabilitation is based on modern principles, turning them intorepresentative spaces, symbols of an European Bucharest. The strategy integrates the investmentsperformed on public buildings within this area (The National Theatre, National Library, AntipaMuseum and Peasant's Museum) suggesting an adequate public space by organizinginternational competitions so that the final solution would be the best and the mostrepresentative for the city, approved by public debates taking into account the importance, historyand public emotion that these places represent for Bucharest.

4. COMPETITIVENESS

A planning and prioritizing of investments based on a flexible strategic medium and long termplan allowing for various financing options, from European funds to private-public partnerships(with high public impact) may provide a more efficient usage of the City Hall's budget in a periodwhen the public funds must be invested with a final purpose of increasing the quality of life in thecity and in the same time to turn the city in a more attractive one for economic and investmentactivities.

2.4. Strategy for the touristic development of the Central Area of Bucharest

The present chapter aims for an alternative strategy for promoting the Bucharest's centralarea starting with the previously disclosed development analysis, objectives and priorities.

For this purpose the most important public spaces and the most interesting touristiclandmarks have been defined, included in a two hour journey by foot or a half an hour bybicycle. The initial concept was the urban room. The urban room means the community publicspace with well defined activities, integrated in a system at the level of the whole city. Within thissystem, the identity is a fundamental element in creating the urban room. This generates dedicated,supported and applicable functions for a certain urban room. The city, as a whole, should functionas a network of interconnected areas, with major supremacy clearly defined - the urban rooms.The definition of "urban room" arises as necessary the more we refer to Bucharest. For Bucharest,the concept of urban room becomes a major element in promoting diversity. Diversity maybecome the support for an alternative route for pedestrians and bicyclists, apart from the currentcrossing routes, which would function on an existing, adapted revitalized and renewedinfrastructure. There is no "circuit" that the city would provide for the tourist and the streets havebecome just traffic ways, with a more and more difficult functioning. The route suggested in thepresent integrated plan is meant to describe Bucharest and to provide an ambiance, event andchallenge to its inhabitants and tourists.

The classical culture room is the name suggested for the Revoluției Square - Palace Hall(Palace Hall) area. It includes some of the city's and country's most important cultural institutions -Romanian National Art Museum, Romanian Athenaeum, Palace Hall. This is the Bucharest'sclassical nature cultural focus. The Enescu festival is organized here, which is one of the mostimportant symphonic music festivals in Europe; important historic and modern art exhibitions arealso organized in these locations. A walk through the classical culture urban room invites to anexcursion into the art history and Romanian and international culture. The urban space occupiedby the classical cultural room is a relatively unitary and homogenous one. The Revoluției Square

is the outcome of an integrated urban shaping undertaking for the 30's. The unity is reflected in thealignment of perches, in the stylish resemblance of the facades and in the fluidity of the wholespace.

The Universității Square is the academic room as it hosts national famous educationaland cultural institutions: the University of Bucharest, "Ion Mincu" University of Architecture andUrbanism and "I.L. Caragiale" National Theatre from Bucharest. The place's spirit is stronglyaltered by history and culture. Due to the surrounding traffic, the Square is perceived more as animportant traffic node. However, the academic room is a dynamic urban space where the studentlife is present everywhere. The surrounding relaxation spaces are intensely used by the youngpeople, as traditional meeting locations. From the urban point of view it is an odd space, howevercoherent as a whole, being the result of architectural and urban interventions, which have beenexecuted for over a century.

The ambiance room (Grădina Icoanei - Romană Square area) aims at presenting thevisitor of Bucur's city with an area of typical private houses found in the immediate surroundingsof the grand boulevards, namely Magheru, Dacia and Eminescu. While Magheru Boulevard is theexpression of the inter-war development and moreover a major traffic and trading artery, there is aparcelar kept since the Borroczyn plan (1855) lightly densified afterwards, in its nearestneighborhood. The counterbalancing of the Magheru trading area with the relaxation area ofGrădina Icoanei, together with Buleandra Theatres creates the potential for a touristic interest invisiting this room, consisting of isolated private houses, of a high cultural value. The area seems tohave a lot of vegetation, although it can be found more in the private space than in the public one.Also the presence of Grădina Icoanei has its contribution to this feeling. Importantpublic/cultural/leisure functions may be found here. The not very high elevation regime favors theambient and intimate character of the entire area.

The alternative culture room (Uranus - Rahova area) is a suggestion in order togenerate a natural integration of the southern area of the center, currently separated by Calea 13Septembrie and Unirii Boulevard. The Uranus area is suggested to be turned into a pole ofalternative cultural activities, of interaction at niche level, for organizing various nonconventional,pluralist events or projects pursuing an urban and cultural regeneration. This is the room whichprovides the possibility to create gardens, where the coffee shops and the leisure area maycompete with the high vegetation that diminished the scale difference between the socialistbuildings, dominated by volume and the medium sized picturesque ones. Moreover, it is theproper space where flea markets may appear. The area's characteristics are given by the presenceof some representative buildings for Bucharest and by the contracting atmosphere of amulticolored world. The Romanian Academy, Bragadiru Palace, the former building ofMerchandise Exchange and Flower Market offer a certain specificity to this place through theirpositions and historic values. Thus, an urban socket is created completing the socialist architectureand scale and announcing the re-entering into the picturesque, historical urban scale. The Rahova-Uranus area is however a weakly connected area to the city's core and the presence of industrialarea as well as non-valorized land related to the Palace of the Parliament represent a physicalobstacle generating a weak permeability. The reconnecting is not important solely for the area'sdevelopment but it shall also have a powerful impact on all the surrounding areas. A plan forconfiguring the street network, pedestrian traffic, bicycle tracks integrated in a developmentstrategy of Bucharest's central area shall pursue the decrease of the car traffic speed and theincrease of the pedestrian and bicyclist routes. The increase of the green spaces' quality shall leadto a reintegration and implicitly a revitalization of the whole area.

The contemporary culture room (The Palace of the Parliament - ContemporaryNational Art Museum area) is meant to be a space dedicated to cultural events exclusively orientedto the contemporary art. The spaces created by the area's urban systematization during the 80's arethe proper setting for exhibitions, events, presentations of contemporary artistic facilities and soon. The presence in the area of the Contemporary National Art Museum, a welcome architecturalparasite located in the premises of the Palace of the Parliament and more recently of theMNACLab, an experimented artistic lab imprints the urban room with the character dedicated to

contemporary culture right from the start. The contemporary culture room occupies a cavity withinthe urban core, resulted from the mass demolitions executed in the 80's, with the purpose ofbuilding the Palace of the Parliament. The once existing relief of this place, dominated by DealulSpirii, also known as Dealul Arsenalului, was flattened and the street raster has disappeared,making room for a un-built space, covered by spontaneous vegetation. The whole space iscurrently dominated by the Palace of the Parliament, the second largest building in the world. Theadjacent land is delimitated by a fence type border separating the urban public space from the one(also public) belonging to the Palace of the Parliament. Mântuirea Neamului Românesc Cathedralshall be build within the same urban room.

The entertainment room (Unirii Square area) is a true city stage. Unirii Square hasalways been a place of interactions, exchanges, intersections. Naturally deemed as a place wherethe most diverse entertainment manifests are organized, Unirii Square may function as a hugestage in the center of the city's most complex crossroad. The area is currently regarded as a placewithout a past, at the crossroads of some extremely different urban events. Its grand surface, thecomplexity of the road network crossing it, its intermodal character make Unirii Square a passingarea as well as a grand interstitial urban space. Its successive remodelling, the most brutal beingthe one during the demolitions in the 80's have created an area where the history is marginalized:Patriarhiei hill was almost entirely covered by blocks, the hall complex has completelydisappeared and Hanul lui Manuc is the only witness for the passing of the last decades, on thenorthern side of the market. Surrounded by a front of blocks from the last years of the 80's decadeand by Unirea shopping center, a building from the 70's remodelled during the past years of thecommunist regime in order to integrate in the new ensemble, Unirii Square is a space that availsan abrupt passing from the old urban core of Bucharest, of the historical center or the formerJewish neighborhood to a rarefied urban core, whose characteristic is the monumentality - thenew civic center and its main artery, Unirii Boulevard, former Victoria Socialismului. The 90'shave brought a series of bright commercials on the Unirii Square's facades, leading to the currentimpression of a chaotic space. The central park in Unirii Square is currently an isle of green spacesurrounded by intense car traffic on all sides.

The history room (Historic center area) corresponds to the traditional center ofBucharest, from the location point of view. Regarded as a neighborhood starting to rediscoveritself step-by-step having a touristic and pedestrian potential, the historic center may become anarea filled with coffee shops, niche shops, theatres, galleries. The history urban room invites to anincursion into the Bucharest's history, to a relaxed walk through the charming streets of Lipscani.It is an area with dense, compact and continuous fronts urban texture with some empty lots, mostof them insanitary. Being a traditional trading area by excellence, the historic Center - or Lipscaniarea - claimed the most judicial occupancy of lands, which led to a grand density of buildings,compared to the other old neighborhoods in Bucharest. The built environment is valuable from thehistorical and architectural point of view however it may be found in an advanced state ofdegradation. The various legal issues determine a troublesome process for the rehabilitation ofLipscani.

„Touristic market” room (Amzei Market area) is a traditional important trade node inthe Bucharest's center. The vegetables and fruits market naturally attracts an important flow ofsurrounding inhabitants, on its side appearing numerous shops, banks, restaurants and coffeeshops. The market's reshaping is in progress. The urban room of the touristic market aims atgenerating a short incursion into what used to be a local specific trading form that implied thedirect interaction with small manufacturers as well as with the city's inhabitants. The market'sensemble is by excellence a pedestrian space.

The bridge room (Izvor area) is an important traffic location on the suggested touristicroute. Until 1977 there was Mihai Vodă bridge, subsequently replaced by a wooden temporarypassage, that also disappeared. We suggest the rebuilding of the natural connection betweenBrezoianu area and Izvor park, where Mihai Vodă neighborhood existed, a neighborhood forwealthy merchants. As the name shows it, the bridge room is a space located at heights, a place

where one can admire the city and its life, which shall connect the two shores of Dâmbovița, different as urban texture. On one side, Brezoianu area, with continue facades, buildings with high patrimonial value - such as the building of the Ministry of Internal Affairs - trading activities at the ground floor, night clubs, the most diverse restaurants and shops. On the other side of the river, a continue facade of blocks from the 80's, mark the southern limit of the urban room.

3. ACTION PLAN

3.1 Projects' list and the estimated budget for implementing the integrated plan,on financing sources; project's implementation period

Pursuing the analysis performed in the urban action area, for identifying the area's needsand potential and for establishing the Objectives and developments priorities a number of Projectsfor the central area have been suggested within this strategy.

The Projects to be implemented represent the direct means of carrying out the Objectivesformulated within the present Urban Development Integrated Plan, representing in the same timethe outcome of some communication and consulting procedures. One of the plan's key projects isthe creation of an alternative route that brings closer the area's attractiveness and most usedfunctions and provides an increased comfort and quality of finishes. This was born from the desireto increase the impact of some possible projects/major investments at city level and to providetheir directing towards a larger number of users.

In this context there were identified a series of macro level projects, that must beintegrated in an ample strategy at city level, whose impact shall be felt on a wide area, located atspatial and functional level. Thus, a positive attitude towards the presence of some land reservesthat may be reused (such as the Uranus department store area), of the presence of some elementswith cultural functions (theatres, show halls, museums) that have both a local as well as a citylevel influence, could represent the important elements for the area's development. Projects forthe rehabilitation of some buildings with socio-cultural function are provided at this scale as well,of the whole city's, having a large impact, as they address a large public.

At a medium scale, we suggest projects that complete the infrastructure necessary for agood functioning of the central area. This type of projects involve the creation of under and abovethe ground parking spaces, building of connections such as bridges and reshaping of public meansof transportation.

The micro scale interventions involve the development of public spaces, pursuing theincrease of their quality in order to offer an ambiance characteristic to the center area, especiallyfor pedestrians and bicyclists. The projects within this category cover a large range, starting withthe development of spaces along the existing traffic arteries until the development of attractionpoles such as squares, markets.

The projects reply to objectives and development priorities identified in the previouschapter :

Objectives Sub-Objectives Actions Projects

Central aria - anunitarylandmark

Rehabilitation ofbuildings with higharchitectural value

Restoration of"Curtea Veche"Voivodal Palace

Rehabilitation ofHanul Solacolu

Rehabilitation ofHala Matache

Objectives Sub-Objectives Actions ProjectsRehabilitation ofDacia Cinema

Educating the publictowards the builtpatrimony

Informativebillboards in theprotected areas

Improving thebuilt patrimony

Museum of lostBucharest

MulticulturalismMuseum

Improvingmonuments for thepublic

Central area - anidentitylandmark

Reconfiguration /creation of qualityand representativepublic spaces

Improving 23 streetsand 19 markets andsquares along thealternative route withpriority forpedestrians andbicyclists

Quality publicfacilities

Rebuilding thepublic lightinginfrastructure

Reconfiguration ofthe public space onUnirii Boulevard

Rebuilding ofsidewalks

Reconfiguration ofthe public space onCalea Victoriei

Urban furniturefacilities

Rebuilding ofsidewalks in thecentral area

Improving theConstituției Square aspublic space forevents

Modernizing SaintAnton Square publicspace

Objectives Sub-Objectives Actions ProjectsReconfiguration ofthe Antim Monasterypublic space

Reconfiguration ofthe Filaret buss-station square publicspace

Configuration of theNational Librarypublic space

Reconfiguration ofDâmboviței Quay-Unirii-Izvor

Reconfiguration ofUniversității Square(competition)

Reconfiguration ofUnirii Square(competition)

Reconfiguration ofRevoluției Square(competition)

Reconfiguration ofUnited NationsSquare (competition)

Reconfiguration ofRomană Square(competition)

Reconfiguration ofGara de Nord Square(competition)

Reconfiguration ofMatache market area(competition)

Objectives Sub-Objectives Actions ProjectsStructured andintegrated urbantexture

Coherentspatial structure

Establishing newconnection arteries

Crossing the Palaceof the Parliamentyard

Crossing the UniriiBlvd near GeorgeGeorgescu street andSfinții Apostoli

Building of a newpedestrianconnection (Palaceof the Parliament,crossing the UniriiBoulevard)

Building of thepedestrian and cyclistbridge Izvor Park -MNAC yard

Building of car andpedestrianconnections acrossDâmbovița

Building of MihaiVoda Bridge UrbanComplex

Integrating theareas comprisedby Unirii andLibertățiiBoulevards

Building a bridgeacross DâmbovițaȘelari - Palace ofJustice

Integrating theenclaves between thefront of UniriiBoulevard, UniriiSquare andLibertății Boulevard

Building of theDomnița Bălașaurban ensemble

Reconfiguration ofAntim Monasterypublic space


Studies regarding theextension andupdating of thetramway network

Studies regarding thebuilding of atramway linesconnection across theUnirii Square

Objectives Sub-Objectives Actions ProjectsStudies regarding thebuilding of tramwayinfrastructure andintroducing tramwaylines on the EroiiRevoluției- Uranus-Gara de Nord route


Improving themasstransportation

Building oftransportation ofintermodal terminals

Rebuilding theRomană Squareintermodaltransportation node

Rebuilding theRossetti Squaretransportation node

Introducing corridorsdedicated to localpublic transportation

Rebuilding the Sf.Gheorghe intermodaltransportation node

Integratedpedestrian andbicycles trafficnetwork

Building pedestrianand bicycles routesand the rehabilitationof the existing ones

Building of a routewith priority forpedestrians andbicyclists withrelated infrastructure

Ensuring thenecessaryparking spaces

Removing of parkingspaces from publicspaces and buildingof new under/abovethe ground parkingspaces

Palace Hall Squareunderground parkingspaces

Ensuring the parkingspaces necessary forthe residents

Domnița Bălașaunderground parkingspaces

Piața Constituțieiunderground parkingspaces

Automatedsuperposed parkingspaces - N. Tonitzastreet 7-9

Objectives Sub-Objectives Actions Projects Uranus - RahovaSquare undergroundparking spaces

Antim parkingspacesAcademy areaparking spaces


Better trafficmanagement

Developing systemsfor trafficmanagement

Enlarging the trafficmanagement systemwith another 50crossroads

Implementing a VMSsystem by installingbillboards withvarious messages

Restricting andcontrolling systemsfor car access intomainly pedestrianareas

Management systemsfor opened above theground parkingspaces

Management systemsfor closed above theground parkingspaces

Sustainability Reconfigurationof green spacesnetwork

Building of an area’s„green system”

Reconfiguration ofgreen spaces aroundthe Palace of theParliament

Improved qualityenvironment

Rehabilitation ofexisting green spaces

Improving andmodernizing Izvorpark

Objectives Sub-Objectives Actions ProjectsEncouragement ofthe non-pollutingmeans oftransportation(walking, bicycles)and the masstransportation

Creating a 9 kmroute for pedestriansand bicycles

Promotion of asustainableconsumptionmodel

Traditional marketswith local products

Rehabilitation ofHala Matache –traditional market

Building a traditionalmarket - CădereaBastiliei 65

Developing theeconomicactivity

Supporting thecreativeeconomy

Improving thequality and diversityof cultural servicesand activities

Rahova- Uranuscultural/communitycenter

Dacia- Grivițeicultural communitycenter

Blănari 2 culturalcommunity center

CurteaMeșteșugarilor

Mihail Sadoveanucultural communitycenter

Supporting thetraditionaleconomy

Markets fortraditionalmanufacturers

Căderea Bastiliei 65traditional market

Developing theeconomicactivity

Attractinginvestors in thearea bypromotingtrading activitiesin the pedestrianareas

Creating pedestrianstreets supportingtrading activities inthe riparian buildings

Creating a route withpriority forpedestrians

Objectives Sub-Objectives Actions ProjectsCreating businessplatforms

Creating businessplatforms

Business incubator –22-24 CaleaVictoriei 2

Business incubator -26 Franceză

Divers and safesocial climate

Providing theanswer for theneeds of allpopulationgroups

Project’stransparency andcontinuous

Building of PanduriLibrary

Recreational spacesfor the community -Mihai Eminescuhigh-school

Various offer ofsocio-culturalactivities

Recreational spacesfor the community –Unirea high-school

Recreational spacesfor the community –Cervantes high-school

Show room - DinuLipatti culturalcommunity center

Playground for thechildren from Acvila- Ion Creangă area

Providing spacestaking intoconsideration thecitizens’ safety

Understanding theoptimum conditionsfor a safe functioningof the spaces

Pedestrian priorityroute

Increasing thesafety andpreventing crime

Investments forcitizens’ safety

Video monitoringsystem necessary forincreasing safety andpreventing crime,oriented towardspedestrian traffic andintensely circulatedareas

Objectives Sub-Objectives Actions Projects

3.2 The map for the urban action area, with localization of individual projectscomprising the plan

Restaurare Palat voievodal “Curtea Veche”IIIIII.1.3.1.3

Gara de Nord

GaraGara

de Nord

IIIIII.1.3.1.3

P

P

P1

P1

P2

P2

P3

P3

P4

P4

P5

P5

P6

P7

IIII.1.3.1.3

IIII.1.2.1.2

IIII.1.1.1.1

I. INFRASTRUCTURA PUBLICA URBANA

I.1. STRAZI, TROTUARE, ZONE PIETONALE / CU PRIORITATE PENTRU PIETONI

I.2. SCUARURI, PIATETE SI PIETE PUBLICE

I.3. PODURI

I.4. PARCARI

II. 3. CONSTRUIREA SI/SAU AMENAJAREA DE CULOARE SPECIALE PENTRU MIJLOACE DE TRANSPORT IN COMUN SI/SAU PISTE DE BICICLETE

III. SOCIO-CULTURALIII.1. PATRIMONIU CULTURAL MONDIAL (UNESCO), NATIONAL SI LOCAL, DIN MEDIUL URBANRestaurarea, consolidarea, protejarea si conservarea monumentelor istorice

III.2. DEZVOLTAREA DURABILA A MEDIULUI DE AFACERI

III.3. REABILITAREA INFRASTRUCTURII SOCIALE

Reamenajarea de strazi si realizarea unui traseu cu prioritate pentru pietoni si biciclisti cu infrastructura aferenta

Reconfigurarea zonei de intrare metrou Piata Romana

I.1.1.1.1

I.1. 2.1. 2 Traversare Bulevardul Magheru şi Calea Victoriei

I.1. 2.1. 2

I.1. 3.1. 3

I.1. 4.1. 4

I.1. 4.1. 4

I.1. 5.1. 5 Reconfigurare Cheiul Dambovitei - Unirii - Izvor/Traversare Bdul Unirii in dreptul str. G. Georgescu si Sf. Apostoli

I.1. 5.1. 5

I.1. 6.1. 6 Reconfigurare spatiu public Calea Griviţei – „poartă de intrare în centrul Capitalei”

I.1. 6.1. 6I.2.1. Refacere infrastructura piata Alexandru Lahovari I.2.1.

I.2.2. Refacere infrastructura scuar intersectie str. Brezoianu cu str. Matei Millo

I.2.2.

I.2.3. Refacere infrastructura scuar str. I. Campineanu intre str. I. Brezoianu si Piata Walter Maracineanu

I.2.3.

I.2.4. Refacere infrastructura scuar str. Piata Amzei si str. Mendeleev

I.2.4.

I.2.5. Refacere infrastructura scuar intersectie str. Gen. Berthelot cuCalea Victoriei

I.2.5.I.2.6.

I.2.6. Refacere infrastructura scuar intersectie str. Lutherana cu str.Gen. Berthelot

I.2.7. Refacere infrastructura scuar intersectie str. Stirbei Voda cu str.Lutherana

I.2.7.

I.2.8.

I.2.8.

I.2.9.

Reamenajare acces pietonal pasajul Villacrosse

I.2.10.

Amenajare spatiu public manastirea Antim

I.2.9.

I.2.11. Refacere infrastructura scuar intersectie str. Matei Basarab,Mircea Voda si Logofatul Udriste

I.2.11.

I.2.12.

Realizarea Ansamblului Urban Domnita Balasa

I.2.10.

I.2.13. Configurarea spatiului public din arealul Bibliotecii Nationale

I.2.13.

I.2.14.

I.2.15.

Refacere infrastructura Piata George Cantacuzino

I.2.14.

I.2.16.

Refacere infrastructura scuar str. Arthur Verona intre N. Golescu si Bdul Magheru

I.2.15.

Reconfigurarea spatiului public din fata Autogarii Filaret

I.2.16.

I.2.12.

Refacere infrastructura scuar intersectie Calea Rahovei cu str. Uranus

I.3.1. Constructia podului pietonal si pentru biciclisti peste Dambovita in zona Selari - Palatul de Justitie (Fost Podul Calicilor)

I.3.2

I.3.2. Constructia podului pentru pietoni, biciclisti cu spatii amenajate de repaos si verzi peste Dambovita zona Parc Izvor - PMB

I.3.1.

I.3.3. Constructia podului pentru pietoni si biciclisti intre Parcul Izvor si MNAC

I.3.3.

Parcare subterana Piata Sala PalatuluiParcare supraterana automatizata str. Tonitza 7-9 (Centrul Istoric)Parcare subterana Ansamblul Urban Domnita Balasa

Parcare subterana spatiu evenimente Piata Constitutiei

Parcari Ansamblu Urban Complex Pod Izvor:parcaj subteran zona Parc Izvor Est; Parcaj Subteran Splaiul Independentei zona PMB Parcaj subteran Gradina Icoanei

Parcaj subteran Uranus - Piata Rahova

Reamenajarea de strazi si realizarea unui traseu cu prioritate pentru pietoni si biciclisti cu infrastructura aferenta

IIIIII.1.1.1.1

II. TRANSPORT SI MOBILITATEA POPULATIEIII.1. CONSTRUIREA DE STATII PENTRU AUTOBUZE, TRAMVAIE SI TROLEIBUZE SI/SAU MODERNIZAREA CELOR EXISTENTE; CONSTRUIREA DE TERMINALE INTERMODALE IN SCOPUL IMBUNATATIRII INTEGRARII DIFERITELOR MODURI DE TRANSPORT PUBLIC URBAN

Reconfigurare nod intermodal de transport in comun Piata Romana

IIII.1.1.1.1

IIII.1.2.1.2

IIII.1.3.1.3

Reconfigurare nod intermodal de transport in comun Piata Sf. Gheorghe

Reconfigurare nod intermodal de transport in comun Piata Rosetti

I.5. CREAREA / MODERNIZAREA SPATIILOR VERZI Reconfigurarea spatiilor verzi din Parcul Izvor

Reabilitarea Hanului Solacolu-Atelier Mestesugaresc/Galerii/Centru comunitar

IIIIII.1.1.1.1

IIIIII.1.2.1.2 Reabilitarea Pietei Matache - piata traditionala

III.1.2

Recondiţionarea Pietei de Flori George Cosbuc

IIIIII.2.1.2.1

IIIIII.2.2.2.2

IIIIII.2.2.2.2

IIIIII.2.3.2.3

Reconditionarea si crearea structurii de sprijinire a afacerilor “Curtea Mestesugarilor”

Reconfigurarea spatiului viran de pe str. Caderea Bastiliei 65 pentru utilizare in folosul comunitatii (organizarea unei piete volante pentruproducatorii traditionali in timpul weekend-urilor)

IIIIII.2.4.2.4Platforma business Uranus

IIIIII.3.1.3.1 Reconfigurarea salii de spectacol a Liceului de Muzica “Dinu Lipatti” si constituirea unui hub cultural pentru comunitate

IIIIII.3.1.3.1

IIIIII.3.2.3.2

Reabilitarea cladirii situate pe str. Blanari 2 in vederea realizarii unui centru socio-cultural

IIIIII.3.2.3.2

IIIIII.3.3.3.3 Crearea unor spatii recreative pentru comunitate-amenajarea si modificarea spatiilor publice din curtea si vecinatatea Gr. Sc. Unirea

IIIIII.3.3.3.3

IIIIII.3.4.3.4 Crearea unor spatii recreative pentru comunitate-amenajarea si modificarea spatiilor publice din curtea si vecinatatea Lic. M. Eminescu

IIIIII.3.4.3.4

IIIIII.3.5.3.5 Muzeul Bucurestiului Pierdut - Vanatori - Apolodor

IIIIII.3.5.3.5

IIIIII.3.6.3.6 Constructia Muzeului Evreiesc/Muzeul Multiculturalismului

IIIIII.3.6.3.6

IIIIII.3.7.3.7

Crearea unor spatii recreative pentru comunitate-amenajarea si modificarea spatiilor publice din curtea si vecinatatea Lic. M. de Cervantes

IIIIII.3.7.3.7

IIIIII.3.8.3.8 Centru cultural comunitar Dacia-Grivitei

IIIIII.3.8.3.8

IIIIII.3.9.3.9 Achizitie spatiu comunitar Rahova-Uranus in vederea realizarii unui centru socio-cultural

IIIIII.3.9.3.9

IIIIII.3.10.3.10 Reconfigurarea spatiului de la intersectia str. I. Creanga cu str. Acvilei - teren de sport si loc de joaca pentru copii

IIIIII.3.10.3.10

IIIIII.3.11.3.11 Constructia bibliotecii Panduri pe str. Caius Marcus Coriolan - arhitectura reprezentativa

IIIIII.3.11.3.11

I.1. 7.1. 7 Reconfigurare spatiu public Calea Victoriei I.1. 8.1. 8 Reconfigurare spatiu public Bdul Unirii

I.1. 7.1. 7

I.1. 8.1. 8

Reconfigurare Piata Unirii, Piata Natiunilor Unite, Piata Universitatii,Piata Revolutiei, Piata Romana, Piata Constitutiei, Piata Victoriei,Piata Garii de Nord, Piaţa Matache (concursuri)

Plan Integrat de Dezvoltare Urbană Zona Centrală Bucureşti

Reconfigurare spatiu public Calea Mosilor (intre str. Baratiei si Bdul Carol I) Reconfigurare spatiu public şi proiect de regenerare urbană pentru axele centrale

(concurs)

IIIIII.2.3.2.3

Traseu TransCentral Urban Bucureşti

.1. 2.1. 2.1. 2I.1. 2.1. 2

I.1. 2.1. 2I.1. 2.1. 2

I.1.3.1.3

I.1.1.1.1I.1.1.1.1

I.1.1.1.1

IIIIII.2.4.2.4

IIIIII.2.1.2.1

3.3 The management of the integrated plan implementation

Describing the structure ensuring the management for the plan implementationIn order to establish the methodology for implementation of the „Central area” Urban

Development Integrated Plan, we took into consideration the fact that some projects shall beimplemented using non-reimbursable financial support.

In this regard, the following key elements were taken into account: The methodology for accessing non-reimbursable funds; The methodology for implementing non-reimbursable financing projects; Implementation completion of projects financed through structured funds until 2005; Ensuring the financing sources and compliance with the strict rules regarding cash

movement and account records; Compliance with the legislation in force regarding public acquisitions and assigning the

work contracts; Ensuring a structure that permanently maintains the connection with management

authorities related to every financing source; Ensuring the audit, monitoring, evaluation procedures both at UDIP level as well as at the

level of each individual project; Identifying the financing sources for the projects that are not eligible or may not be

financed within the operational programs; Creating some inter-institutional structures at municipality level that provide the UDIP

functioning.The task for implementing the „Central Area” Urban Development Integrated Plan

belongs to the Project’s implementation unit, structure created within the Bucharest City Hall.The capacity of managing the suggested urban regeneration projects depends on the institutionalcapacity of Bucharest City Hall, measured through human, technical and financial resources.

The suggested management structure shall ensure the forecasting, organization,coordination, training and evaluation-control functions.

The main strategic partners for implementing UDIP are as follows:a. Beneficiary1. Bucharest City HallGeneral Department for Development, Investment and Urban Planning (Department of

Urbanism and Territory Improvement, Department for Patrimony management, Department forReal estate and Land book recording, Investment department, Learning Department, CultureDepartment, Development – Tourism Department)

General Department for Infrastructure and Public Services (Transportation Department,Roads, Traffic Signalizing, Department for infrastructure coordination –regulation, Departmentfor Environmental protection and eco-civic education, Public Utilities Department)

General Department for Operations (Department for Quality and EnvironmentManagement , International relations Department, European Integration Department, PublicRelations and Information Department)

Economic General Department (Budget Department, Income Department, Departmentfor Acquisitions, Leasing, Contracts, Department for External credits, Financial AccountingDepartment)

Legal and legislation DepartmentDepartment for strategy and documents’ analysisProjects management office with international financing2. General Council of Bucharest MunicipalityThe administration of lakes, parks and recreation for BucharestStreet Administration in BucharestRADETRATB

b. Public and private strategic institutions- Bucharest Ilfov Regional Development Agency- ANOFM- Environmental Agency- Public Health Department- Ministry of Transportation- Apele Române

c. Public interest companies- Electrica- Distrigaz Sud- Apa Nova- Luxten

d. Other relevant institutions- Consulting and designing companies- Community associations, Non-governmental organizations

UDIP phasing

It is important to state that the list of suggested actions for UDIP shall be completed byBucharest City Hall, based on its existing priorities, objectives and urban polities. Whenestablishing an implementation program, an assessment of the projects’ importance shall beexecuted taking into consideration the following aspects:

when building the bicyclists route, the street parking spaces shall be removed; when the parking spaces are removed, new parking spaces must be created for the users; new parking spaces shall be created within the under and above the ground parking lots

suggested through this integrated plan, as well as the parking lots already planned to beexecuted by the Bucharest City hall;

in order to provide the crossing of Dâmbovița river by the bicyclists' and pedestrians' routethe pedestrian bridges are mandatory to be build;

there are streets still in the warranty period (Appendix 8)

Taking the above mentioned into consideration, the projects have been divided into two phases: phase 1: consists in the building of parking spaces, pedestrian bridges and routes for

pedestrians and bicyclists routes (that are not subjected to by infrastructure or warrantyprojects)

phase 2: the building of the other parts of the routes for the pedestrian and bicyclists.The Image hereinafter presents the projects’ phasing.

Image 1: Execution phases for the pedestrian and bicyclists route

PHASE 1PHASE 2

4. PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS IN ISSUING UDIP

The Urban Development Integrated Plan shall be subjected to an ample action of publicconsultations. There are two target groups for this process: the regular citizens represent a targetgroup on one hand and a second target group is represented by the urban actors – economicagents, institutions, media and NGOs, on the other hand.

Public consultations and outcome analysisIn order to consult the public opinion with respect to the urban revitalizing project the

following methods shall be applied:1. Public face-to-face consultationTarget group no. 1. Regular citizensAccessible information points shall be built in the interest area, where the citizens shall

be informed over the suggested strategy. Their opinion regarding the present strategy shall berecorded in a report.

Target group no. 2. Urban actors- economic agents, institutions, media and NGOs..Deep interviews shall be organized with decision makers within the economic

environment, institutions, schools, media and NGOs active in the interest area.The report shall include detailed information of all the expressed opinions, conclusions

and recommendations regarding the improvement of the disclosed strategies.This technique represents an efficient method for obtaining detailed feedback, may

include „hot” reactions and attitudes and new ideas may be generated with respect to the presentedurbanism strategies.

2. Public on-line consultationThe population shall be consulted through an on-line forum. The information subject to

debate for the interested factors shall be available on a web site. The on-line forum shall includean area for questions and shall be supervised by a specialist who may answer the additionalquestions asked by users. The forum shall have a limited functioning term, however large enoughso that many citizens may express their opinions.

The advantages of this public consultation method are represented by the fact that a largenumber of citizens may express their opinions, remaining anonymous, thus being able to do sowithout the fear of being sanctioned.

The on-line forum report shall comprise detailed information of all the expressedopinions, conclusions and recommendations regarding the improvement of the presentedstrategies.

The outcomes shall be summarized in a global report that will take into account thecompletion of the urban revitalizing strategy.

5. THE BENEFITS BROUGHT BY UDIP AND SUGGESTED ACTIONS

The suggested Urban Development Integrated Plan is the result of a multidisciplinaryanalysis that has led to the identification of the needs and the development potential of urbanaction area and to the determination of the objectives and the action priorities. In compliance withsection 3.1, the UDIP specific objectives are met by the set of suggested interventions.

Apart from the established objectives, solutions for the urban action area are suggestedproviding the correlation of social, economic, environmental, cultural and touristic elementsthat are generally efficient, from all these points of view. Special attention has been awarded toour wardnesses, that represent the positive and negative impacts of the area 's economic,environmental and social structure projects. For each project there was an individual presentationof the positive and negative impacts using the Cost-Benefit Analysis method in general, thatassigns monetary value to each of these effects. We present hereinafter an outwardness andefficiency analysis method for the entire Urban Development Integrated Plan using the Multi-Criteria Analysis method (that does not assign monetary value). If the Cost-Benefit Analysis isused in practice to individually assess projects, the Multi-Criteria Analysis is considered adequatefor the evaluation of urban policies or project packages, as is the case with the UrbanDevelopment Integrated Plan.

ECONOMIC IMPACTa) Positive

The creation of an identity for the center through different spaces, with diverse identities,and the improvement of the public spaces' design will lead to the improvement of the city's image.The professional literature underlines the fact that this increases investments and tourism. As such,the municipality will have additional income, both from the taxes paid by the new companies aswell as from all the related tourism activities. The pedestrian and bicycle riders priority route willbring an important flow of people with the capacity to sustain the commercial and leisureactivities. Additionally, the improvement of public spaces will lead to the increase of desirabilityof certain areas with a currently bad image (for example sub-area 9). This will determine the startof commercial and leisure activities (bars/restaurants) that will pay taxes to the local budget. Assuch, the works for improving public space and building a route will lead to a larger tax collectionbase.

The building of underground superposed parking spaces will also lead to an increase inincome for the City Hall. "Parasitic" parking, on the sidewalks, that do not provide cash to theCity Hall's budget will be replaced with lucrative parking, as in other European capitals.

Business platforms will also generate a source of income for local taxes.By avoiding the increase of traffic jams, there will be an avoidance in high costs for the

private sector from the delay between destinations, from accidents as well as the cost of theexistence of a general perception related to a stressful life and business environment that decreasesinvestments.

By creating new connections - as bridges over the Dâmbovița, there will be a generaldecrease in transportation costs.

The actions suggested by the integrated plan will have a positive impact and with regardto the creation of new jobs. On short term, during the improvement of public spaces, andconstruction of parking spaces, new jobs will be created. In medium and long term, jobs will besupported for the management and supervising parking spaces and for the maintenance ofcommercial locations that will develop along the routes, for serving the newly generated customerflow.

If the execution of these actions will be accompanied by municipality policies ofstimulating the usage of public and alternative means of transportation, benefits will be achieveddirectly for the City Hall's budget (including profits from the public transport company) andindirectly through the improvement of life quality for the Bucharest's inhabitants.

b) NegativeThe actions suggested are focused on the creation of an efficient and sustainable traffic

system and on discouraging transportation by personal car. A negative impact of these measureswill be felt by the car manufacturing industry and the car sales sector in the capital. Nevertheless,the decrease in car sales in Bucharest need not be immediate nor significant, having in regard thatBucharest is located at equal distance from the mountains and the seaside, which usuallydetermines most Bucharest inhabitants to spend their week-end outside the city.

SOCIAL IMPACTa) PositiveThe suggested actions will have an important role in increasing the life quality in

Bucharest. The reconfiguration of public spaces and the building of a route for pedestrians andbicycle riders will lead to attractive leisure spaces. Additionally, there will be new means oftransportation with a lower stress level then using the personal car in an overcrowded traffic.

The promotion of new sustainable means of transportation will have a beneficial effect onpublic health. Walking and bicycle riding are means of transport beneficial for the entirepopulation.

The building of socio-cultural centres dedicated to the entire community, as well as thereconfiguration of school public spaces to be used by the entire community will lead to thestrengthening of the communities' cohesion and the creation of a living environment that satisfiesthe community's needs.

An important aspect of this plan is the projects' distribution fairness. The actions willhave a positive effect on the whole population, the area and the city as well. For instance, thepedestrian route may be used by all of the city's inhabitants and does not only address a certaincategory, as is the case of a vehicle infrastructure project, that will only influence those whoafford a car.

The suggested actions will have a positive impact with respect to unemployment as well.On short term, during the improvement of public spaces, and building of parking spaces, new jobswill be created. On medium and long term, jobs will be supported for the management andsupervision of built parking spaces.

b) NegativeBuilding the route for pedestrians and bicycle riders as well as improving public spaces in

certain areas will lead to an increased status and image of those respective areas. This willdetermine an increase in investments in the area, as well as the area's centralizing. Thus, theunderprivileged population that mainly lives in sub-areas 2, 3 and 9 may find themselves under therisk of no longer affording to live in the area, thus leading to a negative social outwardness. Thiscan be solved through City Hall actions to build social housing, including in the impact areas,through negotiations of such spaces with the project developers.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTBy encouraging walking and bicycle riding alternative and very environmental friendly

transportations means are promoted, taking into account that they are pollution free. By creatingmedium sized parking areas the access by personal car in the center is discouraged, leading to adecrease in air pollution. Additionally, development of public transportation by the municipalitymay consolidate the favourable impact on the environment, by acquiring new ecological means oftransport and mainly expanding the electrical transportation.

On long term it is estimated that volunteering and citizens' involvement policies will beencouraged in executing sub-area/city level projects.

CULTURAL IMPACTThe projects for the rehabilitation of public monuments and cultural spaces and for

developing new cultural spaces for the community will have a beneficial effect for supporting andpromoting cultural activities among the population. In addition, the socio-cultural spaces shall alsooffer a chance for the population within the underprivileged areas to access the center.

The rehabilitation of historical and architectural interest objectives is another culturalbenefit important to the city. The Curtea Meșteșugarilor project will encourage traditional culturalmanufacture activities, with direct benefits for the city's tourism development and support thebeneficial tourism impact as described below.

TOURISM IMPACTA dynamic and living city with rehabilitated and well valorized patrimony monuments,

with public spaces with well defined identity and a high quality design, with friendly pedestrianroutes is an attractive city for tourists. The integrated plan's actions suggest a city identity brandthat will be extremely beneficial for the tourism. Major touristic objectives, such as the RomanianAthenaeum and the Palace of the Parliament, will be connected through pedestrian priority routes.

Business tourism will be re-launched in Bucharest, having in regard the Palace of theParliament's attraction for this type of tourism consumers. The development of a platform foractivities, leisure and alternative transportation around the Palace of the Parliament is likely toprolong the tourists' stay in this area for cultural consumption, directly related to businesstourism.

Bucharest City Hall may develop a partnership with the Palace of Parliament for thepurpose of gradually opening this space.

INSTITUTIONAL IMPACTThe execution of the actions suggested in the present Urban Development Integrated Plan

may lead to a significant improvement of the Bucharest inhabitants' and the tourists' perception onthe authorities. The usage of European as well as local or central budget funds for projects withobvious favourable impact on the citizens is likely to change the populations' mentality, withdirect/indirect effects on the city's wellbeing.

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