In the current European context, where many cities are grappling with abandoned or underutilized spaces, the Green Place “Let’s do it together!” project proposes an integrated and participatory approach to revitalize these areas and reintegrate them into the urban fabric, using nature-based solutions. The initiative aims to transform these areas into accessible and functional community spaces and green spaces, contributing to improved quality of life and strengthened social cohesion.
Funded through the URBACT IV program, the project supported sustainable urban development through the exchange of experiences and the transfer of best practices among European cities, contributing to a better alignment of urban policies with the real needs of communities.
Objectives and Results
The main objective of the project was to implement a participatory methodological process, based on the involvement of the URBACT Local Group, through which local authorities and stakeholders went through the stages of analysis, problem definition, co-creation of the vision, and development of the Integrated Action Plan.
The project’s approach integrated several complementary directions:
– adaptive reuse of underutilized sites;
– integration of heritage into regeneration processes;
– increasing urban accessibility and connectivity;
– introduction of green infrastructure and sustainability principles;
– establishing a participatory process through the URBACT Local Group;
Through the exchange of experience among partners and the testing of pilot solutions, the project generated intervention models replicable at the European level.
The Role of ADIZMB and Local Implementation
The Bucharest Metropolitan Area Inter-Municipal Development Association (ADIZMB) served as the local coordinator of the planning process, ensuring the implementation of the URBACT methodology at the Bucharest municipal level and facilitating collaboration among relevant stakeholders. Its main contribution consisted of coordinating the URBACT Local Group and drafting the Integrated Action Plan for the regeneration of the Victoria Depot.
The Victoria Depot site, located in a central area of the city, is characterized by underutilization, limited accessibility, and insufficient use of the existing heritage, despite its urban and historical potential. In this context, the project aimed to define, through a participatory process, a vision for transforming the site into a multifunctional space that integrates transportation, cultural, and community functions and contributes to improving urban connections and the quality of public space.
Methodology and Tools Developed
The project followed the specific URBACT methodology, which combines the transfer of experience between cities with the development of concrete planning tools. To this end, the following were developed:
– best practice sheets;
– comparative analyses and thematic presentations;
– study visit reports;
– pilot actions tested at the local level;
– the integrated action plan.
A key element of implementation was the activation of the URBACT Local Group, which brought together relevant local stakeholders—public administration, experts, non-governmental organizations, and community representatives. This mechanism facilitated the co-creation of solutions and ensured that interventions were aligned with users’ actual needs.
Activities and Achievements in 2025
January–September 2025 – Participation in working sessions within the Urboteca Fellowship, dedicated to analyzing and exploring the regeneration potential of the Victoria Depot site.
March 2025 – Participation in the second online meeting of the Green Place network, focused on the exchange of best practices and project progress.
April 2025 – Working meeting with the Bucharest City Hall regarding the opportunity to organize a competition for the Victoria Depot; participation in the study visit to Lobau (Germany) and the URBACT Festival.
May 2025 – Organization of the 5th meeting of the URBACT Local Group and participation in the partners’ meeting in Vila Nova de Poiares (Portugal).
September 2025 – Participation in the project partners’ meeting in Limerick (Ireland).
October 2025 – Organizing the 6th meeting of the URBACT Local Group and participating in the study visit to Wrocław (Poland).
2025 – Drafting the public consultation report, in collaboration with the Association for Urban Transition.
Key Dates
Period: June 2023 – December 2025;
Budget: 78,500 euros;
Project code: 20286
Funding: Project co-financed by the URBACT IV program;
Partners: Wrocław, Poland (project leader), Boulogne-sur-Mer Développement Côte d’Opale (France), Bucharest Metropolitan Area Inter-Municipal Development Association – ADIZMB (Romania), Cehegín (Spain), Limerick (Ireland), Löbau (Germany), Nitra (Slovakia), Onda (Spain), Quarto d’Altino (Italy), Vila Nova de Poiares (Portugal).