However, in the former communist countries in eastern Europe other priorities were set for political and economic interests. In the wake of European integration and the economic upswing linked with it, also in the countries in south-eastern Europe, the pressure relating to planning structure on towns will increase as well as the area necessary. This makes it all the more important to react to this situation and support a positive town-planning development.It is the aim of the Planwerk Cluj to work out an adaptable, sustainable development concept for the city of Klausenburg in Romania, first of all for the period from February 2002 until May 2003.

With this pilot project the aim is to develop applicable strategies for towns in south-eastern Europe which are undergoing similar radical changes. Participating are German and Romanian students, town-planners, professors and local authorities. An important aspect is the participation by the local Romanian public. There will be regular conferences informing about the project as well as discussions so the town's inhabitants will have a chance to take an active part in the planning - an important contribution for the inhabitants to identify with their city.The first "filtering date" for the presentation of the current status of the project was on 7th and 8th June, 2002 in Cluj Napoca/Klausenburg. This embraced numerous guests from home and abroad who talked about the reasons for and experience gained with town-planning projects in Germany and Romania.

The Planwerk Cluj Napoca was a resounding success at the 5th Romanian Architecture Biennial: it won the gold medal in the sector Urbanism as well as the first prize, which the corresponding ministry (for Public Works, Transport and Housing) had offered as a reward for the duration of the Biennial. The Biennial is being held between 18.11. and 15.12. at the University for Architecture & Town Planning "Ion Mincu" (UAUIM) in Bucharest and was presented by the Romanian Chamber of Architects (OAR), the University for Architecture & Town Planning "Ion Mincu" (UAUIM) and the Romanian Ministry for Public Works, Transport & Housing (MLPTL).An overview on the plans submitted and an account of the contents can be found here.

Project partner: Universitatea Tehnica Klausenburg - Hochschule für Bildende Künste Hamburg / http://www.info@planwerkcluj.org