The Foundation For The Defense Of Citizens Against State Abuses (FACIAS) has issued a stark warning regarding the actions of the Mayor of Bucharest, Nicușor Dan. In a note issued in August of this year, Dan suspended a number of essential construction works for Bucharest residents. These include the rehabilitation of the Grozăvești district heating network, which is vital for the CP3-CD2 dormitories, as well as other works, links and connections to public utility networks. As winter approaches, thousands of families are experiencing difficulties due to the lack of essential services, including heat, hot water and other utilities. This situation is significantly impacting the lives and comfort of residents in Bucharest.
In an official response from Bucharest City Hall (PMB) to FACIAS, it is confirmed that between 8 August and 8 November 2024, a total of 318 files were registered and suspended by the Technical Commission for Traffic (CTC), without being submitted for debate. The files concern major projects of public interest, including:
- 147 files including rehabilitation works, connections and connections to public utility networks (water, sewerage, gas, electricity),
- Rehabilitation of the heating network in the Grozăvești area, necessary for the student dormitories CP3-CD2,
- 70 files for the construction or modernization of single-family houses and collective housing,
- Infrastructure works for public transport, including rehabilitation of tram lines and construction of pedestrian walkways,
- Repair the pavement and infrastructure in the Union Square area,
- Draft permits for commercial and service buildings,
- Other urban infrastructure works essential for the city's development.
A note was issued by the Mayor General and registered under the following number: In a note dated 7 August 2024, numbered 132580, Nicușor Dan ordered the suspension of the issuance of agreements and opinions for PUZ (Urban Development Plan), PUD (Detailed Urban Development Plan) and DTAC (Technical Documentation for the Building Permit) until the amendment of the provision on the organisation, functioning and nominal competence of the Technical Commission of Bucharest. The rationale provided by the Mayor General was that the opinions issued by the CTC fail to consider the comprehensive urban and legal context within which they are provided and frequently contradict the legal position of the Mayor.
It is the view of FACIAS that this justification fails to take into account the exclusively technical nature of the Technical Commission for Traffic (CTC). In accordance with the relevant legislation, the role of the CTC is to issue recommendations and opinions based on technical criteria alone, without involving legal issues. The CTC is comprised of experts whose role is to issue specialised opinions and recommendations pertaining to agreements in principle and opinions on DTAC, PUZ and PUD documentation. These opinions are limited to technical aspects and do not take into account the legal framework, as the verification of legal compliance is the exclusive competence of the PMB's Legal Department, not of the CTC.
In the context of the ongoing transparency process surrounding the proposed amendments to the CTC organisational structure, it is worth noting that Article 24, paragraph (3) of Annex 1, suggests that the Mayor General, Nicușor Dan, may assume responsibility for endorsing opinions pertaining to PUZ, PUD and DTAC, a role that was previously reserved for the Executive Director of the Transport Directorate.
FACIAS considers that the centralisation of the decisions of approval for PUZ, PUD and DTAC, whereby the Mayor General reserves the prerogative to personally sign the opinions issued by the Technical Commission for Traffic, is unjustified and deeply contrary to the public interest. Such a change gives rise to legitimate questions about the role and relevance of the CTC, a commission made up of technical specialists whose expertise may be marginalised by direct subordination to the Mayor's decision.
FACIAS has identified a potential issue with the recently proposed amendments, namely that they lack a robust administrative foundation that would warrant the exclusive centralisation of approval authority in the hands of the Mayor General. Such a course of action could inadvertently impede the implementation of crucial rehabilitation and modernisation projects, which are vital for maintaining the quality of life and safety of the urban population in Bucharest.
