In Romania, large cities continue to grow despite a declining overall population and still account for 56 per cent of the population. Congested roads, limited public transport solutions, a lack of cycle paths and footpaths and a shortage of parking spaces pose major challenges for urban centres. The need for infrastructural and environmental improvements is considerable.

In addition, many Romanian residential buildings from the communist era do not meet today’s energy and construction standards and often consume twice or three times as much thermal energy as modern buildings. Romania also lags behind EU standards when it comes to recycling and waste separation.