Revitalising Constanța: A Vision for Sustainable Urban Transformation

Adrian Craciun has been a cornerstone of the Constanța metropolitan area since 2007. As a co-founder of the Intercommunity Association that brought together Constanța and its surrounding municipalities, Adrian has focused on crafting strategic documents such as the Urban Integrated Development Strategy and the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP).

His work involves collaboration with influential organisations, including the World Bank, Romania’s Development Ministry, and the European Commission. Adrian’s expertise lies in adapting European objectives to meet the needs and capacities of local governments, bridging the gap between European directives and local implementation.

Reflecting on his career, Adrian recalls the early days of Romania’s accession to European funding, a time when the field was both obscure and pioneering. “It was an exotic job,” he notes, describing the challenge of navigating uncharted waters when few understood the intricacies of European funding.

George Lupascu began his career in 2005 in the Department of European Funding for Constanța Municipality. Since then, he has contributed significantly to the strategic and operational frameworks that underpin urban development in the region.

Currently working in cooperation with the Constanța metropolitan area, George specialises in European project implementation and strategic planning. He was instrumental in developing Romania’s first urban functional area strategies, a forward-thinking approach that has shaped national best practices.

His work has spanned multiple funding programmes, including the Regional Operational Programme, Horizon projects, and Interreg initiatives. Under his guidance, the metropolitan area has successfully designed and implemented numerous development strategies, enabling local municipalities to access critical European funding.

Together, Adrian and George have fostered sustainable urban development in Romania for two decades. Their work has not only strengthened the capacity of local municipalities but also secured vital financial support for flagship projects.

As pioneers in their field, they began their careers when European funding was a largely unknown field in Romania. Their ability to navigate this landscape and translate strategic European objectives into actionable local projects has earned them recognition as forerunners in urban development.

For both men, the journey has been one of dedication and innovation. “We were lucky to start when we did,” George reflects. “It allowed us to build something from the ground up and help shape the future of urban development in Romania.”

Adrian and George are now leading an ambitious project to revitalise the city centre of Romania’s oldest city. With over 2,500 years of history, Constanța boasts a rich cultural heritage, but decades of neglect during decades of communist regime left its heart in decay.

“The area had lost its identity,” says George, recalling a time when the municipality lacked the resources to invest in the space. Inspired by successful urban regeneration projects across Europe, the team set out to transform the city centre into a cultural and economic hub that reflects Constanța’s multicultural heritage while embracing contemporary urban planning ideals.

The project adopts a holistic approach, integrating public and private interests to achieve long-term sustainability. Recognising the importance of collaboration, Adrian and George are working to involve the private sector more actively.

“We don’t just want private sector investment,” explains Adrian. “We want to bring stakeholders closer to our work, involving them in policy development and strategy creation.” This marks a significant shift in a region where public-private cooperation has traditionally been underdeveloped.

The team has faced challenges, including disputes with private investors over municipal decisions. These experiences have underscored the importance of fostering dialogue and trust among stakeholders.

The revitalisation effort goes beyond restoration. Sustainability is a cornerstone of the project, with a focus on energy efficiency, circular economy principles, and governance rooted in dialogue. By embedding these values into their plans, Adrian and George aim to create a city centre that is not only visually appealing but also environmentally and economically resilient.

A significant component of this endeavour is the Re-Value Project, a European project that is allowing Adrian and George to deepen public-private collaboration. Thanks to it, they are building a platform to attract private investment and align business interests with the municipality’s vision for the city’s future.

Adrian and George are proud of the progress they have made in the city in the last decades, but they acknowledge there is more to be done. “It’s not enough to develop the area,” says George. “We need to ensure its sustainability, integrating modern European objectives into our approach.”

The transformation of Constanța’s city centre shows the power of strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and a commitment to preserving history while embracing progress. It is a blueprint for urban renewal, demonstrating how cities can balance tradition and innovation to create vibrant, sustainable communities.

Adrian and George’s work in the Constanța metropolitan area is setting new standards for stakeholder collaboration through innovative dialogue-based governance. By fostering communication among diverse groups—including public authorities, private companies, universities, NGOs, and citizens—they are creating a foundation for sustainable urban development.

One of their standout initiatives in this sense is the Horizon 2020-funded Portis Project, which aimed to improve integration between the port of Constanța—one of the largest on the Black Sea—and the city.

The project established a mobility forum, a communication platform that brought together key players: the Port Authority, Ovidius University, the municipality, the metropolitan administration, private consultancy firms, and others.

Through workshops and discussions, this forum produced policy briefs and proposals aimed at harmonising the port’s operations with urban needs. “The forum facilitated ongoing dialogue, building trust and strong connections between stakeholders,” says George. 

Adrian and George employ a range of methods to engage stakeholders effectively:

1. Workshops and Meetings: These are tailored to address specific topics such as urban mobility, sustainability, and energy efficiency. Stakeholders share expertise and collaboratively develop actionable strategies.
2. Independent Consultations: Universities, businesses, and NGOs are engaged in one-on-one discussions to leverage their unique perspectives.
3. Open Invitations: Events are announced publicly through social media and other channels, encouraging broad participation and transparency.
4. Policy Development Platforms: Forums like those used in Portis are extended to address multiple systemic challenges, ensuring stakeholders are part of both planning and implementation phases.

Despite their successes, Adrian and George recognise the difficulty of fostering a culture of dialogue in a region where such practices are still emerging. “For decades, there was no real communication between municipalities and stakeholders,” says Adrian. “It’s like a long fast—when you rush into change too quickly, it can overwhelm people.”

Hostility from some NGOs and scepticism from citizens illustrate the barriers to open communication. To counter this, they emphasise consistent and realistic dialogue, allowing stakeholders to engage at their own pace without undue pressure.

Adrian and George’s collaborative methods are driving meaningful change in Constanța. By fostering communication and cooperation among diverse stakeholders, they are not only solving immediate urban challenges but also laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and sustainable governance model.

Their vision is clear: to create a city where every stakeholder has a voice, and where dialogue becomes the cornerstone of progress. However, fostering trust and translating ideas into tangible outcomes presents significant challenges.

One of the biggest hurdles they face is overcoming stakeholder scepticism. “The hardest part is to give them trust,” says George. Many stakeholders perceive engagement efforts as formalities to justify funding or comply with bureaucratic requirements. This cynicism can hinder meaningful collaboration.

To address this, Adrian and George focus on creating an authentic and informal dialogue. “We speak to them in a familiar and normal way—not with formal rhetoric,” George explains. Informal meetings, such as work lunches, tours, and team-building events, play a crucial role in establishing rapport and ensuring stakeholders feel valued.

Challenge 2: Balancing diverse needs

The peninsula area of Constanța, now a hub of development and activity, illustrates the complexity of managing competing interests. Tourists, local residents, business owners, and municipal planners all have different priorities. For example, the push to restrict cars in the area to prioritise pedestrian access has faced resistance from business owners and residents.

To address these conflicting needs, the team is adopting a co-design approach. Through workshops, meetings, and stakeholder consultations, they aim to craft solutions that balance interests while promoting sustainable development.

Ensuring stakeholder input translates into tangible outcomes is another challenge. “We don’t have anything standardised,” George admits, “but we make sure all good ideas have their place in our action plan.”

The process begins with gathering insights during discussions and SWOT analyses. These ideas are then integrated into the Sustainable Integrated Development Strategy, a key framework guiding local development. This ensures that stakeholder suggestions are not only heard but also embedded in actionable plans.

Maintaining long-term communication with stakeholders requires consistent effort. Years of limited dialogue between authorities and citizens in Romania have made open communication a relatively new concept. Adrian likens the process to breaking a fast: “If you rush change after a long period of silence, it overwhelms people.”

The team is working to create a permanent and structured dialogue through regular meetings and transparent communication channels. Social media announcements and public invitations ensure that engagement remains open and inclusive.

Adrian and George’s ultimate goal is to create a holistic and sustainable development model, particularly in areas like the peninsula, where tourism and economic activity are booming. By engaging stakeholders in the planning process and addressing their concerns, the team hopes to ensure that growth is not only dynamic but also sustainable for future generations.

Within this context, culture is at the heart of Adrian and George’s vision for revitalising Constanța, a city steeped in history and diversity. Recognising the power of cultural heritage to drive sustainable development, they are working to ensure that culture plays a central role in shaping the city’s future.

Constanța’s rich heritage—spanning over 2,500 years—provides a strong foundation for urban renewal. The city’s identity as a multicultural hub, shaped by Greek, Roman, Ottoman, and modern influences, is celebrated through its museums, historical landmarks, and festivals.

The team actively engages cultural institutions, artists, and designers to bring creative perspectives into urban planning. Partnerships with museums, heritage organisations, and the Ovidius University of Constanța enrich projects with cultural expertise. These collaborations help to ensure that the city’s transformation reflects and respects its historical roots.

Through their innovative approach, Adrian and George are demonstrating how culture, creativity, and community can transform urban spaces into vibrant, inclusive hubs of activity. By blending heritage with modernity, fostering dialogue among diverse stakeholders, and championing sustainable practices, they are not only revitalising Constanța but also setting an inspiring example for other cities to follow. Their efforts underscore the power of people-centred urban development, where history, art, and innovation converge to build a brighter, more connected future for all.

Written by Jose Rodriguez