Viorel Bostan
Prof. univ., dr. hab., Rector al Universității Tehnice a Moldovei
Public urban consultation conference
Chisinau 2040
Strategic directions, challenges, and opportunities in the context of preparing the General Urban Plan
Conference concept
Project: Conference “Chisinau 2040 - Strategic directions, challenges, and opportunities in the context of preparing the General Urban Plan”
Introduction
Urban development in Chisinau municipality is entering a decisive stage in which planning quality, decision-making transparency, and public participation become critical success factors. The General Urban Plan (GUP) is not only a technical land-use regulation document, but a long-term social contract between public administration, communities, professionals, and future generations.
Preparing the GUP for Chisinau is a complex process that goes beyond the technical drafting dimension. A GUP is valid and applicable only to the extent that it is understood, accepted, and assumed by society, including academia, professionals, local authorities, the economic sector, and civil society.
Purpose and objectives
The conference aims to create a framework for dialogue, exchange of views, and proposals among local and central authorities, academia, and national/international experts in urban development, while consolidating a shared strategic approach for Chisinau.
Main objectives:
- Presenting preliminary results of baseline studies.
- Debating opportunities, risks, and development scenarios.
- Connecting the GUP process to professional and academic communities.
- Increasing public understanding of the document’s importance and impact.
- Collecting relevant recommendations to improve the planning documentation.
- Discussing the current legislative and regulatory framework in the Republic of Moldova for urban and land management.
- Highlighting the role of GUP data and digital innovation in urban management.
Proposed thematic axes
A. Territorial development directions and structural transformation
- Demographic and economic trends in Chisinau.
- Urban expansion, densification, and regeneration.
- Urban and regional mobility.
- Chisinau’s role in national and European urban networks.
B. The city in climate and energy transition
- Climate resilience.
- Management of natural and anthropogenic risks.
- Energy efficiency and infrastructure adaptation.
C. Critical infrastructure and territorial balance
- Utility infrastructure.
- Green spaces, urban ecosystems, and ecological corridors.
- Housing and new urban development models.
D. Public participation and social ownership of the GUP
- Why a GUP is not just a technical document.
- European participation models.
- How city-level urban consensus can be built.
- The role of academia in informing and shaping public opinion.
E. Territorial management and surface cost calculation methodology
- Establishing a collaboration framework between APC and APL in applying land and construction valuation methodology.
F. Digital transformation of urban management
- GIS Solutions, open data, and modeling used in the GUP development process.
- E-Urbanism component within the project.
- Digitalization of urban planning infrastructure and integration with the e-Urbanism component.
Who the conference is for
The conference is designed as a shared working space between administration, experts, and the community. Target audience:
- Local and central public institutions involved in urban planning and regulation.
- Academia, architects, urban planners, engineers, and related professionals.
- Business stakeholders and investors interested in long-term urban development directions.
- Civil society organizations, NGOs, and active civic groups.
Expected outcomes
The event is expected to produce practical outputs that directly support the next GUP drafting phase:
- A consolidated set of observations and actionable recommendations for the drafting team.
- Prioritization of critical topics to be integrated into development scenarios.
- A post-conference collaboration framework between APC, APL, academia, and technical partners.
- Baseline input for the synthesis report used to substantiate urban planning decisions.
Conference agenda
(agenda may be adjusted over time)
Updated: March 26, 2026
Conference Program (March 26, 2026)
Chișinău 2040 – Strategic directions, challenges and opportunities in the context of elaborating the General Urban Plan.
Event objective: Creating a platform for dialogue and consultation regarding the strategic directions for developing the General Urban Plan of Chișinău Municipality, in order to consolidate a shared vision between authorities, the academic community and experts for substantiating balanced urban development decisions.
Participant registration and welcome coffee. (08:30 - 09:00)
Official opening and welcome speeches. (09:00 – 09:45)
- Viorel BOSTAN, University Professor, Dr. habil., Rector of the Technical University of Moldova.
- Marian MOICEANU, Professor, PhD Arch., Rector of the “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism, Bucharest.
- Ion CEBAN, General Mayor of Chișinău Municipality.
- Svetlana DOGOTARU, Chief Architect of Chișinău Municipality, Head of the General Directorate of Architecture, Urbanism and Land Relations, Chișinău City Hall.
Why is a PUG not just a technical document?
- Mihai MOŢCANU-DUMITRESCU, Lecturer, PhD in Urban Planning, “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism, Faculty of Urbanism and Architecture, TUM.
Press statements of officials.
The relationship between Chișinău and its suburbs and the metropolitan influence area. (09:50 – 10:05)
- Vitalie MUNTEANU, Chief Architect of the Municipal Design Institute “CHIȘINĂUPROIECT”.
Challenges of amalgamation in the context of urban planning and the approval processes of urban planning documentation. (10:10 – 10:25)
- Nicolae CRĂCIUN, GIS and Urban Planning Expert.
Chișinău – a magnet city, a city under pressure: socio-demographic foundations for the General Urban Plan. (10:30 – 10:45)
- Alexandru TOTH, Sociologist, Director of Sociometrics Association – Social and Economic Analysis Group.
Fundamentals of economic development of Chișinău Municipality. Dysfunctions, potential and development priorities within the General Urban Plan. (10:50 – 11:05)
- Cristina Andreea BĂLAN, Doctor of Urbanism.
Socio-economic, demographic, and migration evolution with a major impact on new visions regarding the General Urban Plan. (11:10 – 11:25)
- Veaceslav Ioniță, Associate Professor, PhD in Economics.
Urban expansion, densification and regeneration. Imbalances between zones and functional zoning. Transition areas. (11:30 – 11:45)(Online)
- Corneliu Florin MACHEDON, Professor Emeritus, PhD Arch., “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urban Planning, Bucharest.
Assessment of the existing built fund (categories and hierarchies). (11:50 – 12:05)
- Gheorghe Pătrașcu, architect, former Chief Architect of the Municipality of Bucharest, former Director General of the General Directorate for Urban Planning and Territorial Development within the Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration, former State Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research — Romania.
Housing typologies and intervention strategies for the built environment — the experience of the Municipality of Bucharest. (12:10 – 12:25)
- Claudiu RUNCEANU, Prof., PhD Arch., Dean of the Faculty of Urbanism,“Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism, Bucharest.
Challenges in developing an environmental study for the Chișinău general urban plan compliant with European requirements: results of comparative studies with the Bucharest general urban plan situation. (12:30 – 12:45)
- Alexandru-Ionuț PETRIȘOR, Professor, PhD in Ecology, PhD in Geography, Habilitated Doctor in Urbanism, Doctoral School of Urbanism, “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urban Planning, Bucharest, Romania; Professor, TUM, Chișinău, Moldova; Senior Researcher I (Biology), Senior Researcher I (Geography), National Institute for Research and Development in Construction, Urbanism and Sustainable Territorial Development URBAN-INCERC;
Eugeniu Braguța, Andrian Țugulea, Antonio-Valentin Tache, Olga Harea, Vladimir Mogîldea, Oana-Cătălina Popescu, Diana Andronovici, Iurie Bejan.
Lunch break. (12:50 – 14:00)
The UNECE guidelines for formalization of informal constructions in the UNECE region. (14:05 – 14:25)(Online)
- Chryssy POTSIOU, Professor at the National Technical University of Athens, Greece, Honorary President of FIG, Vice Chair of UNECE WPLA.
Pressure of territorial development on technical infrastructure and housing (new models of urban development). (14:30 – 14:45)
- Nistor GROZAVU, Associate Professor, PhD in Technical Sciences, Faculty of Urbanism and Architecture, TUM.
Comprehensive urban resilience: a lifelines-based planning framework. (14:50 – 15:10)(Online)
- Illya AZAROFF, 2026 AIA National President, Architect, Geographer, Professor, New York City College of Technology (CUNY), Founding Principal, +lab Architect.
Sustainable mobility in Chișinău: from planning to implementation — lessons, adjustments and challenges. (15:15 – 15:30)
- Vladimir BUTÎRSCHI, Engineer, Regional Transport Expert, UN-Habitat Project.
Sustainable mobility planning as a structural driver of balanced urban growth. (15:35 – 15:55)(Online)
- Yelda REIS, International Project Consultant, Urban Planner, UN-Habitat.
Use of GIS and open data for substantiating and monitoring the implementation of the GUP. (16:00 – 16:15)
- Marian RĂDOI, Chartered Engineer in Geodesy.
Use of (geo)spatial data in the creation of General Urban Plans in the Republic of Moldova. (16:20 – 16:35)
- Livia NISTOR-LOPATENCO, Associate Professor, PhD Eng., Dean of the Faculty of Constructions, Geodesy and Cadastre, UTM.
- Rodica SÎRBU, Associate Professor, PhD in Geonomic Sciences, Faculty of Constructions, Geodesy and Cadastre, UTM.
Urban digital infrastructure – the foundation of urban development and impact simulation in the General Urban Plan (GUP). (16:40 – 16:55)
- Alexandru GHIȚMAN, CEO, “Real Tech Solutions” Company.
Digitalization and data security in the digital era. (17:00 – 17:15)
- Doru-Ioan VÎJÎIANU, CEO, Compania Zipper.
Presentation of the preliminary conclusions of the substantiation studies related to the elaboration of the General Urban Plan of Chișinău Municipality. (17:20 – 17:35)
- Mihai MOŢCANU-DUMITRESCU, University Lecturer, PhD in Urbanism, “Ion Mincu” University of Architecture and Urbanism, Faculty of Urbanism and Architecture, TUM.
Official closing of the conference. (17:40)
Marian Moiceanu
Prof., dr. arh., Rector al Universității de Arhitectură și Urbanism „Ion Mincu”, București
Ion Ceban
Primar general al municipiului Chișinău
Svetlana Dogotaru
Arhitect-șef al municipiului Chișinău, Șefa Direcției Generale Arhitectură, Urbanism și Relații Funciare, Primăria Municipiului Chișinău
Mihai Moțcanu-Dumitrescu
Lect. univ., dr. urb., Universitatea de Arhitectură și Urbanism „Ion Mincu”, Facultatea Urbanism şi Arhitectură, Universitatea Tehnică a Moldovei
Vitalie Munteanu
Arhitect-șef al Î.M. „Institutul Municipal de Proiectări CHIȘINĂUPROIECT”
Alexandru Toth
Sociolog, Director Asociația Sociometrics - Grupul de Analiză Socială și Economică
Cristina BĂLAN
Dr. Urb., consilier Ministerul Dezvoltarii si Lucrarilor Publice Romania
Veaceslav Ioniță
Expert în politici economice
Corneliu Florin MACHEDON
Dr. arh., profesor afiliat al Școlii Doctorale de Urbanism, Universitatea de Arhitectură și Urbanism „Ion Mincu”, București
Gheorghe Petraşcu
Arhitect, fost Arhitect Șef al municipiului București, fost Director general Direcția Generala de Urbanism şi Amenajarea Teritoriului Ministerul Dezvoltării Lucrărilor Publice şi Administrației, fost secretar de stat Ministerul Educației şi Cercetării Științifice - România.
Claudiu Runceanu
Prof., dr. arh., Decan al Facultății de Urbanism, Universitatea de Arhitectură și Urbanism „Ion Mincu”, București.
Alexandru-Ionuț Petrișor
Dr. hab. urb., dr. ecol., dr. geogr., Profesor afiliat al Școlii Doctorale de Urbanism, Universitatea de Arhitectură și Urbanism „Ion Mincu”, București, Facultatea Urbanism şi Arhitectură, Universitatea Tehnică a Moldovei
Nistor Grozavu
Conf. univ., dr. şt. teh., Facultatea Urbanism şi Arhitectură
Illya Azaroff
Președintele național AIA 2026, arhitect, geograf, profesor Colegiul de Tehnologie din New York (CUNY), fondator principal, +lab Architect.
Open presentation
Chryssy Potsiou
Profesor la Universitatea Tehnică Națională din Atena, Grecia, Președinte onorific al FIG, Vicepreședinte al UNECE WPLA
Livia Nistor-Lopatenco
Conf. Univ., dr., Facultatea Construcții, Geodezie și Cadastru, UTM
Open presentation
Rodica Sîrbu
Conf. univ., dr. șt. geonomice, Facultatea Construcții, Geodezie și Cadastru, UTM
Open presentation
Alexandru Ghițman
CEO, Compania ”Real Tech Solutions”
Olga Harea
Conf. Univ., dr. şt. ing., Decană a Facultăţii Urbanism şi Arhitectură, Universitatea Tehnică a Moldovei
Conference materials
Presentations by the experts participating in the “Chisinau 2040 – Strategic directions, challenges, and opportunities in the context of preparing the General Urban Plan” conference, held on March 26, 2026.
Presentation topic:
Using GIS and open data to substantiate and monitor GUP implementation.
Short description:
Marian Rădoi explains how GIS systems and open data can transform the General Urban Plan (GUP) from a static document into an operational tool for informed decision-making and balanced urban development. You will discover how Chisinau’s existing data can be integrated, structured, and monitored to support effective GUP implementation.
What you will learn from the presentation:
- How GIS becomes an analysis and decision-support infrastructure for the city.
- The importance of integrating and correlating open data in urban planning.
- Continuous monitoring of GUP implementation for predictable and controlled urban development.
- How the digitalization of topographic support enables scenario simulation and evaluation of the impact of urban planning decisions.
Presentation topic:
Using (geo)spatial data in the creation of General Urban Plans in the Republic of Moldova.
Short description:
Livia Nistor-Lopatenco and Rodica Sîrbu present the important role of geospatial data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in developing the General Urban Plan (GUP). The presentation highlights how the national spatial data infrastructure and modern technologies contribute to efficient, scientifically grounded urban planning adapted to the Smart City concept.
What you will learn from the presentation:
- The role of geospatial data in urban planning and the city’s sustainable development.
- The types of data used in the GUP process (infrastructure, environment, cadastre, risk areas, etc.) and their importance in decision-making.
- How GIS technologies such as ArcGIS and QGIS make it possible to analyze, model, and visualize territory.
- The specific features and challenges of using spatial data in the Republic of Moldova.
- The importance of collaboration among academia, institutions, and experts for coherent urban development.
Presentation topic:
Comprehensive urban resilience: a planning framework based on critical infrastructure.
Short description:
Illya Azaroff presents a new urban planning model based on the concept of urban resilience, where cities are understood as interconnected systems capable of adapting to change and risk. Drawing on international examples such as New York, Istanbul, and Tokyo, the presentation shows how the General Urban Plan can become a dynamic tool for sustainable development and urban regeneration.
What you will learn from the presentation:
- What urban resilience means and why it matters for the future of cities.
- The concept of the 7 critical infrastructures (lifelines): safety, water, energy, transport, health, communications, and housing.
- How cities can manage risks and change through data-driven and scenario-based planning.
- International examples of urban regeneration and adaptation to climate, social, and economic challenges.
- Why the GUP must be a flexible, adaptable, and future-oriented instrument.
Presentation topic:
Sustainable mobility planning as a structural factor of balanced urban growth.
Short description:
Yelda Reis highlights the important role of mobility in shaping urban development and explains why transport planning must be integrated with territorial planning. The presentation introduces the concept of Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning (SUMP) and shows how it can guide the balanced development of Chisinau, including through the UN-Habitat “Move Safe+” initiative.
What you will learn from the presentation:
- Why mobility does not merely follow urban development, but shapes it.
- What balanced urban development means: equal access to opportunities, connectivity, and a polycentric structure.
- The importance of integrating land use, mobility, and infrastructure.
- How SUMP works: people-centered planning, multimodal transport, and strategic investments.
- Chisinau’s current challenges.
Presentation topic:
The challenges of amalgamation in the context of urban planning and the review/approval processes for urban planning documents.
Short description:
The presentation examines the impact of the merger process on urban planning, highlighting the challenges posed by the integration of urban planning documents and the differing regulations in place across administrative-territorial units.
What you will learn from the presentation:
- What urban sprawl means and how it intersects with urban planning.
- The challenges and risks of urban sprawl.
- Possible consequences for territorial development
- Relevant European examples and models
- The role of GIS in modernizing and unifying processes
- Why the urban planning certificate is becoming a modern challenge
Presentation topic:
Digitization and Data Security in the Digital Age.
Short description:
The presentation highlights the important role of digital transformation in the development of modern cities, with a focus on the efficiency of public administration and data security. It features a relevant case study on the digitization of the Chisinau City Hall, where millions of pages were scanned and converted into digital data, demonstrating the tangible impact of technology on administrative processes.
What you will learn from the presentation:
- What are the main challenges facing modern cities in the digital age?
- The stages of digital transformation in public administration.
- How technology contributes to rapid and effective decision-making.
- The importance of protecting and intelligently using the data generated.
- Examples of best practices from the Chisinau City Hall digitization project.
- The role of the digital citizen in an interconnected ecosystem.
Organizers
Chisinau City Hall - General Directorate for Architecture, Urbanism and Land Relations
The General Directorate for Architecture, Urbanism and Land Relations is a subdivision of Chisinau City Hall, responsible for planning and regulating the municipality's urban development, as well as managing land relations.
The institution coordinates the process of drafting and implementing urban planning documentation, ensures compliance with standards and regulations in the construction sector, and contributes to the city's sustainable and harmonious development.
Technical University of Moldova
The Technical University of Moldova (TUM) is a public higher education institution in the Republic of Moldova, specializing in training professionals in engineering, information technologies, architecture, construction, and other technical and applied fields.
The university's mission is to prepare highly qualified specialists capable of meeting the demands of the modern economy and actively contributing to technological development and innovation at national and international levels.
SC ARHICON
SC ARHICON is a consulting company specialized in architecture, urban planning, and investment project development, providing professional services for both the public and private sectors.
The company provides technical and advisory support throughout all stages of the design and development process, contributing to the implementation of sustainable, functional projects compliant with applicable regulations.
Contact
Address
Chisinau, 39 Dacia Blvd, Study Block 9, TUM, Faculty of Urbanism and Architecture, Ion Mincu Expo Hall 9-208
Contact phone
Contact form
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