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New boulevard segment opens in Bucharest after NGOs fight losing battle over demolition of historic buildings

13 January 2014

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The most recently finalized boulevard in Bucharest, the Buzesti – Berzei one, was opened for traffic on Sunday afternoon (January 12).

Built based on an architectural and urbanism project from the 30s, the boulevard connects the north and south of the Romanian capital. The finished segment, between Victoriei Square and Vasile Parvan, has two lanes each way, a tram track and a short bike path.

Work started in 2009, and was delayed temporarily on various occasions, as NGOs opposed the demolition of historic buildings along the route.

The first segment of the boulevard required investments of some EUR 28.8 million without VAT, and the project will continue with expanding the Hasdeu bridge and the underground pass underneath the Parliament hill, and then connecting to the Uranus street and the intersection with Tudor Vladimirescu boulevard, which is finalized. From then onwards, the boulevard will reach Progresul railway station, and then exit Bucharest.

The new segment of the boulevard, connecting Victoriei Square to the Vasile Parvan intersection, has stirred controversy and conflicts. While Bucharest mayor Sorin Oprescu, who attended both the opening ceremony, and the first tram tests on the new boulevard last week, said the boulevard segment was built in 'full legality', others argue the project was not legal. NGOs managed to get a court order suspending some construction work permits in the area.

“The boulevard is there, we all know it, but legally the city hall cannot officially take it over. It is an existing boulevard which is however an illegal construction,” said Nicusor Dan, president of the Salveaza Bucurestiul association, one of the main opposers of this project.

In order to enlarge the existing boulevard and create the newly opened segment, several buildings along the road were demolished, including the historic Matache Hall, a former historic peasant market. The place where the market used to stand until March 2013 now lays empty.

The remains of other old buildings, which were torn down to make room for the expanded road, can still be seen here and there. NGOs have fought a losing battle with the authorities to prevent these demolitions, which they called illegal. In total, 90 houses were demolished, and 1,000 people were expropriated.