Why Brasov
We are on our way to reshaping our industrial landscape into a green and open haven.
We are committed to nurturing sustainable businesses that not only contribute to our economy but also prioritise the well-being of our residents and visitors.
Our vision extends beyond our borders as we aspire to serve as a model of good practices for other cities to emulate.
With great ambitions and strategic planning, we have set our sights on the title of the Green Capital of Europe. It is a natural progression for us, as we are already proud to be the Green Capital of Romania.
The key elements of our journey are well-mapped, and we are already taking bold steps towards our ultimate goal of becoming an emissions-neutral city by 2050.
Through our commitment to eco-friendly public transportation and innovative projects that promote energy independence, we are positioning ourselves at the forefront of sustainable European cities.
Brașov is blazing a trail towards a brighter, greener future, and we invite you to be part of this transformative process.
Under the theme "Brașov, a mountain of possibilities," we embrace various shades of green that symbolise our commitment to a cleaner environment… But, this is not just about infrastructure and technology; it is about us, the people of Brașov. We are active participants in this journey, embodying a spirit of environmental consciousness. Together, we can create lasting change and inspire others to follow suit.
We have the vision, the strategy, and the resources to make Brașov a city that truly develops for its people. We are confident that our comprehensive approach, encompassing efficient waste management and conservation programs, will set an example for cities worldwide.
The Green Cities Forum
From the first edition in 2021, the Green Cities Forum became the most important event dedicated to public environmental policies in Romania. Held under the high patronage of the President of Romania, one of the main events of the Forum is the International Conference on Public Environmental Policies addressed to public authorities. In 2022, we had 3 days of presentations and debates in 12 panels and 3 technical workshops, under the theme "Energy Challenge - Find your power". Also, The United Global SDG Index Institute (UNGSII) Foundations’ Awards Gala for the most involved municipalities and companies in Europe took place at the end of the conference.Speakers and Participants:
This year, at its 3rd edition, the Conference expands its target to public authorities from all of South East Europe.Pilot projects were tested during the two editions of the Forum, as:
Mobility Plan at Massif Winter Festival
Massif Winter is a 30.000 participants music event, developed by the organizers of the festivals Untold and Neversea, that was held for the first time in Poiana Brasov in march 2023.
Legal and Technical Regulations regarding the preparation of Urban Planning Documentation for building on sloping land
The Scheii Brașovului neighborhood is mainly made up of small houses built along narrow streets with gardens on the mountain side. The infrastructure does not permit the construction of multilevel and multi-flats buildings, still the developments that took place in the 2000s didn’t take that in consideration.In 2021 the new administration of the city tried to regulate the developments in this area, but facing a very high pressure from constructors and land owners, the Local Council postponed the adoption of the new rules proposed by the mayor.
The regulations ask now for a number of different studies to be taken before the authorization of the construction. Also, at least 25% of the land surface will remain in a natural state and the weight of the area of green spaces will be at least 50%. The document clarifies how the levels are calculated, so that there are no longer situations where on one side the number of levels is P+2, and on the opposite side it is P+5, the difference being up to now classified as "underground level".
Metropolitan train
Brașov is the first major city in Romania to have developed a project for introducing the metropolitan train. The current status shows the feasibility study being finalized and the procurement to be launched as soon as the funding programme (with EU financing) will be launched by the Romanian Government in the upcoming months.The Metropolitan Train is key to further economic development, as it better and faster interconnects the new industrial developments with the pools of workforce inside the Metropolitan area. Also, it would connect Brasov to Sfantu Gheorghe (capital of Covasna County), enlarging the Metropolitan catchment area to more than half a million people.
Energy independence / green energy
Since 2021, Brasov has been using 100% green energy for its public consumption, achieved through green procurement. Developing the largest solar park owned by a Municipality (20 MWh, due in Q1 of 2024) and turning public buildings into prosumers (including 27 schools) will help Brasov achieve 100% green energy from own sources for the public consumption (which includes electricity for the schools, public lighting, public transportation, snow preparation for Poiana Brașov ski resort etc.).These projects are making Brasov a leader amongst Romanian cities for energy sustainability.
Digital waste management
With 70 smart bins already installed and secured funding for up to 500 others through EU funds, Brasov has been a pioneer in Romania in introducing smart/digital waste management systems and soon will be the first municipality in Romania to have a full infrastructure across the city. This is further important for the fast improvement of recycling rates, a chapter in which Romania places amongst the last places in Europe.
