Modernization of the green-blue infrastructure in the municipality of Craiova

By project PROXIMITIES

Published on 10 March 2025

Romania

Sud-Vest Oltenia

Craiova

About this good practice

The development of the city and the expansion of the function of living in the peri-urban area led to the appearance of some neighborhoods with a high density of buildings, but without the residents of these areas benefiting from urban planning such as green spaces and areas of leisure facilities dedicated to spending free time, playgrounds for children to ensure an appropriate quality of living. Also, the Strategy of Craiova is to have a park in each neighborhood, so that citizens do not have to walk more than 15 minutes to the first oasis of greenery. The existence of an undeveloped, marshy land that affects the lives of the residents of the neighborhood by creating discomfort, especially during the summer, and thus leads to the need to take actions in order to valorize this land degraded through coherent landscaping, sanitation works and the development of a park equipped with all categories of equipment for spending free time in a pleasant and safe environment. The land proposed for the development is currently presented as a degraded and unhealthy space, given the fact that spontaneous vegetation has developed in the area, with no dendrological value, which has favored the multiplication of insects and pests, their development also being favored by the soil swampy and stagnant dirty water.

Expert opinion

The good practice illustrates an integrated approach using green-blue infrastructure in the peri-urban area of Craiova, Romania, which previously lacked green spaces and leisure facilities. Craiova aims to ensure that all residents have access to a park within a 15-minute walk. As part of this vision, the initiative focuses on transforming Cernele Park through sanitation, landscaping, and the development of recreational infrastructure. Additional projects, including Fantasy Park and Pedagogical Park, bring the total investment to over €16 million. These developments will convert degraded, unused land into safe and attractive public spaces. The project also raises awareness about climate issues, biodiversity, and pollution reduction. This good practice offers a valuable example of revitalising neglected areas through green-blue infrastructure and can inspire other medium-sized cities.

Arnault Morisson

Works at Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform

Resources needed

Total value of the
Cernele Park project 14,877,386 euros
Fantasy Park project value 1,597,113 euros
Pedagogical Park value 386,106 euros
Human resources: the project implementation team established at the level of Craiova City Hall

Evidence of success

Through the activities of decontamination and development of the land, the objective related to the reconversion of degraded, vacant or unused lands will be achieved. The Municipality of Craiova set up the green-blue infrastructure of Cernele Park, but also a themed park, which involved the transformation of an unsanitary vacant space, from the largest neighborhood of Craiova, and the Pedagogic Park in a neighborhood in the northern part of the city which did not have public parks or gardens.

Potential for learning or transfer

The project provides actions to raise awareness among the population regarding the actions related to climate change issues, restoring biodiversity, reducing the carbon footprint and other forms of pollution, adequate water management, soil and improving air quality. This type of project can be used as a successful model that can be integrated into local/regional/national development strategies, through the municipality of Craiova, as a body through which the transfer of project results or development strategies in the field of urban mobility will be carried out, from the local/regional/national, international level. Thus, it can be stated that both projects and results obtained following their implementation will be multiplied at different levels: local, regional, sectorial, national, international.