Bucharest – the role of spatial planning in a challenging urban environment

Abstract

Bucharest, Romania’s dynamic capital of over 1.7 million people, grapples with complex urban challenges deeply rooted in its history. In six centuries, the city has witnessed foreign occupations, natural disasters, as well as radical structural transformations during the Communist era. Today, Bucharest faces challenges similar to other post-socialist cities, such as uncontrolled suburbanization or traffic congestion. Registering significant economic growth in the last fifteen years, the city seeks to harness its potential, using innovative urban planning to create a more competitive and liveable European capital.