How Craiova is becoming a leading green city in Romania

This article is brought to you in association with EBRD.

The EBRD Green Cities programme is changing the lives of 250,000 locals

Craiova was the first city in Romania to join the EBRD Green Cities programme back in 2019. Home to around 250,000 people in the south west of the country, it is one of Romania’s oldest cities, rich in culture and history dating back to Roman times, as well as a longstanding industrial and economic hub. Walking through Craiova, you’ll pass striking centuries-old architecture and encounter lively streets filled with the cafés and shops of today.

This mix of old and new creates a unique atmosphere; however, like many cities across Europe, Craiova also faces significant environmental challenges that are a threat to quality of life. Craiova’s Green City Action Plan has identified the key areas of concern: air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, green spaces, resource consumption, climate vulnerability and land use pressure.

Locations such as Nicolae Romanescu Park offer an example of how thriving natural spaces can be integrated into urban environments, creating clear benefits for citizens and the climate, but it is one of few green areas in the city.

With support from EBRD donors such as Austria and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Craiova is now embarking on a journey of environmental transformation. Its aim is not just to mitigate climate impacts, but to create a city that thrives in harmony with nature.

The EBRD Green Cities programme is helping reshape the way Romanian cities approach sustainability, creating cleaner, greener and more liveable urban spaces. It is empowering cities to tackle various environmental challenges by providing guidance and funding to improve people’s quality of life.

So far, six cities in Romania – Bucharest, Craiova, Iași, Alba Iulia, Timișoara and Mediaș – have joined the Green Cities family. Each is developing its own Green City Action Plan (GCAP) that addresses local environmental concerns, from air pollution and waste management to sustainable transportation and energy efficiency. With support from the EBRD and the Bank’s donors, these cities are putting in place projects that are reducing their environmental footprints and leading the way towards a more sustainable future.

Renovating Craiova City Hall

The EBRD’s investments in Craiova include the renovation of 12 public schools and two administrative buildings that are among the city’s architectural jewels.

“The main challenge in such a project is implementing energy-efficiency measures,” explains Andrei Boarna, who works in the investment and procurement service at Craiova City Hall. “Since these are historic structures, we cannot change the façade or make many external changes.”

However, efforts to achieve this have been very successful, with upgrades to the heating systems (which now include dual, ventil convectors and a chiller cooling system) among the features that will help reduce local air pollution.Other changes include the introduction of new surveillance video systems, video projection systems in meeting rooms and alarm and fire detection systems that have modernised the buildings without sacrificing their unique character.

Similar upgrades have also taken place in the 12 public schools, with the additions including new insulation systems, solar panels, PVC windows and doors, and ventilation systems that purify air in the classrooms.

“I remember with great excitement the words of a pupil, who said that our school is like in the movies!” says Alina Dumitru, principal of Saint George School.

Improving urban transport, water and waste management

One of Craiova’s most pressing concerns is its urban transport system. Facing growing traffic congestion and high emissions from traditional vehicles, the city has started making significant strides to modernise its public transport infrastructure.

The EBRD supported the city in buying 40 buses that would improve air quality and provide more efficient and accessible transportation options for residents. “Citizens have started using public transport more and more,” says Boarna, adding that the new buses are also more comfortable than the old fleet.

Another critical component of Craiova’s green transformation is its approach to water and waste management. The city is focusing on enhancing the efficiency of water use, reducing waste generation and improving recycling processes, all of which will help it preserve natural resources, prevent pollution and foster a cleaner environment for future generations.

“Craiova’s journey towards greener, more efficient infrastructure reflects the EBRD’s vision of creating resilient cities that can withstand the challenges of climate change while offering better lives for their residents,” says EBRD Associate Director Venera Vlad.