The new Bucharest: Two decades of restructuring

The Romanian capital became well-known under communism for major construction and redevelopment projects. Bucharest’s post-communist reconstruction has seen a major sectoral change from industry to commerce, backed by numerous building projects for housing, shops, offices and hotels. The urban landscape has changed in many parts of the downtown and outer suburban areas, especially with the intrusion of tall buildings into areas of pre-communist development. The approach has been quite permissive towards private enterprise, absent a clear vision of a 21st century city. Although development has not been excessively chaotic, there is a clear case for more effective regulation as well as greater attention to infrastructure in privately-managed utilities and in the public transport system.