From July to October, a team of young people monitored policy areas relevant to their communities and focused on Bucharest, a city facing a significant lack of green spaces, infrastructure deficiencies, lack of bicycles and pedestrian areas, all of which contributed to Bucharest’s ranking as the third most congested city in the EU. The monitors chose topics that were relevant to their city as well as to all age groups. They were careful to choose policies that are also relevant to the wider European policy space, namely the topics of environmental policy and urban development.
Civic Monitoring Team
The civic monitor team consisted of Alexandra, Tania, Neli, Adela and Eduard, who looked closely at issues related to green spaces, waste and construction in Bucharest. This team was made up of students with backgrounds in law, political science or public policy who were mentored and trained for the monitoring process.
Chosen Policy Areas and Monitoring Policies
1. Parks and Green Spaces Policies in Bucharest 2nd District:
The assessment of Parks and Green Spaces Policies in Bucharest’s 2nd District highlighted key issues: notably, a shortage of per capita green spaces (12.43 m²) and a lack of substantial parks. The report proposed actionable solutions, including repurposing abandoned land to increase green spaces and advocating for a green axis and linear parks.
2. Waste Management in Bucharest 3rd District:
The young monitors identified pressing challenges in the 3rd District. These included poor waste traceability, insufficient data transparency, low recycling rates (11.3% vs. EU target of 60%), and high landfill usage (51% vs. EU target ≤ 10%). The report emphasized the need for reforms to improve waste management strategies, highlighting the urgency for better transparency and traceability within the district’s operations.
3. Building and Construction Management in Bucharest:
The investigation into building and construction management in Bucharest uncovered various concerns. These included corruption in the permitting process, leading to compromised safety and quality in construction projects. Inconsistencies in enforcement and the presence of illegal constructions added to these issues. The report emphasized the importance of transparency and collaboration among institutions, calling for clearer roles to enable more effective oversight in the construction sector.
Conclusion
The monitoring reports highlight crucial issues in Bucharest’s environmental and governance systems, offering specific recommendations aimed at improving green spaces, waste management, and construction regulation. These findings and proposals intend to support local authorities in addressing these pressing issues for the city’s betterment.
The full report, in Romanian (abstract in English), is available here.
The report is part of the “Civic-EU: Young Civic Monitors for the Future” project. The project is implemented with co-financing from the European Union. The content of the project activities is the responsibility of the Romanian Center for European Policies (CRPE) and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union or the Education and Culture Executive Agency of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.