In Romania, construction of infrastructure was formerly a slow and inefficient process that left many in the country without access to basic needs like water and roads. But now, construction has picked up and the country's services have vastly improved.
"Though public works has been at the centre of discussions, little has been achieved on the ground in bringing Romania up to speed with the rest of the EU in its infrastructure."
"Public-private-partnership (PPP) is now the word of the day, with a plethora of financial institutions, local authorities and Government officials taking a closer look at this funding mechanism as a way of moving Romania's infrastructure forward."
"'The construction segment in Romania has increased by 16 per cent this year,' says Borbely, 'and in the future, if we really manage to adopt EU norms, we will have a stable legal framework and I believe Romania can become a success story [in public works and infrastructure].'"
Read the full story: Work in progress?
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
In Texas, data centers are swallowing promised parkland
Residents who moved to Taylor, Texas for a rural community now have to contend with three data centers in their backyard.
How a Chicago-sized wind farm beat the odds and powered on
The project spanned five presidential administrations and a standoff with a U.S. military base.
MTA gives itself 30 days to transform pit into basketball court
The site has been under construction since 2022; the city originally estimated it would finish the court in 2024.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority