Strategy: Maximise – expanding green-blue spaces Located in the bustling urban environment of Bucharest, Romania, Văcărești Nature Park is an example of how nature can enable a city to be more resilient to the changing climate and its impacts. After the government’s abandoned plans to build a reservoir in 1989, this 183-hectare park has naturally evolved into a flourishing urban wetland over three decades, providing cost-effective, critical ecosystem services, offering a sanctuary in which biodiversity can thrive. Sometimes described as ‘nature’s kidneys’, wetlands in urban parks can perform as green-blue infrastructure for water management and temperature regulation. The park’s complex network of vegetation and water bodies acts as a natural water filtration system, enabling effective surface water run-off. Additionally, the park’s expansive water surfaces and over 100 species of vascular plants help cool the air, providing relief from urban heat islands during hot summer months. Furthermore, in a country prone to flooding, Văcărești Nature Park significantly bolsters flood protection. The park’s marshy landscape functions as a natural sponge, absorbing and gradually releasing rainwater, which reduces flood risks by mitigating harmful peak flows. This natural process effectively replaces the need for extensive — and often overburdened — networks of pipes and culverts, providing invaluable protection against potential water damage to infrastructure and residences. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation works to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. We develop and promote the idea of a circular economy, and work with business, academia, policymakers, and institutions to mobilise systems solutions at scale, globally. Charity Registration No. (England and Wales): 1130306 OSCR Registration No. (Scotland): SC043120 Ellen MacArthur Foundation ANBI RSIN (Netherlands): 8257 45 925 The wild wetland of Văcărești is a symbol of nature’s resilience wildlife has reconquered this abandoned lake and transformed it into a green oasis in the middle of one of Europe’s densest cities There are rarely ever more than a handful of people present when you visit Văcărești Bucharest’s wild wetland just a 30-minute stroll from the city centre Almost no one dares go down into the park itself; the perimeter wall – a five-metre concrete embankment that isolates this unique green space from the surrounding city – remains the favourite and safest spot From an unfinished piece of urban water infrastructure abandoned in 1989, Văcărești has been reconquered by nature and wildlife without any human intervention, to become one of Romania’s most diverse ecosystems. Last month, following a four-year campaign led by a small but determined group of environmental activists, the government finally granted it protected area status officially making 183-hectare Văcărești one of the biggest urban nature parks in Europe The diversity of landscapes is fascinating The northern edge is a meadow with wild grass towards the three interconnected lakes at its heart and the vegetation becomes denser and more characteristic of wetlands: various types of willow Along the way you will also come across some of the 100-odd species of bird that have been spotted in Văcărești – from wild ducks to herons you might also see a turtle or fire-bellied toad – two protected species that have flourished in these untouched surroundings None of these projects would be completed. In 1989, the Romanian revolution removed President Nicolae Ceaușescu from power. He was executed, and his grand schemes abandoned. While the lake was at an advanced stage of completion, a major engineering defect made it almost useless. And that is how Văcărești remained: an empty lake, hidden behind high dykes, in the middle of one of Europe’s densest cities. Read moreOn a stormy day 27 years later, Dan Bărbulescu and Cristian Lascu explain the genesis of their fight to turn Văcărești into a “protected nature park”, as defined by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature when Lascu – who was editor-in-chief of National Geographic Romania for 20 years – published an article headlined “The delta between the blocks” Nature photographer Helmut Ignat had been spending a year photographing Văcărești’s wildlife; his pictures showed that over the two decades since the infrastructure project had been abandoned nature had developed within the low-lying land in a staggering way creating a genuine ecosystem whose diversity came as a shock to many people There are several sites in Bucharest with a similar history: grand projects ordered by communist leader Ceaușescu that remained unfinished after the 1989 revolution thorny legal feuds and a lack of interest from investors Yet while most of these are now simply ruins or barren land Văcărești has regenerated itself in the most astonishing way In 2013, the Romanian Academy (the highest scientific authority in Romania) undertook a study of its fauna and flora which confirmed the extent of this ecosystem: hundreds of species of plants and flowers several mammals including weasels and otters – a European protected species – but also reptiles including turtles and snakes Nightfall over the south-eastern Bucharest suburbs near Văcărești Lake. Photograph: Alamy“We have no idea how otters arrived in Văcărești,” says Bărbulescu, executive director of the Văcărești Nature Park Association which led the fight to make Văcărești a protected area “But it certainly shows how clear and good quality the water is.” As we climb up the concrete embankment that separates the polder from the built-up area surrounding it Lascu tells me: “Văcărești is the perfect combination of luck and nature’s resilience The embankment around the lake has protected the area from the city’s interference And the layer of clay at the bottom of the lake means that it is connected to one of Bucharest’s five main aquifers providing fresh water that you can actually drink.” We pause at the top of the embankment which supports some sort of walled walkway There are a few joggers and walkers around minding their own business A barren concrete slope goes down to the bottom of the lake To face this vast and luxuriant cistern is slightly frightening contrasting starkly with the surrounding city that is grey and mineral Imagine yourself looking down at an area larger than Regent’s Park in London As we move to the bottom of the basin the atmosphere is eerie yet comforting at the same time: the embankment and the abundant vegetation create a buffer that stops the noise of the city from reaching us Read moreProtecting the area from abuse – people having BBQs and the threat of thieves and poachers – is one of the main challenges for the association despite the many campaigns to clean the area there’s a lot of debris including a fridge plastic bags and hundreds of broken decorated tiles “As a protected area we hope that we will be able to hire Gica as Văcărești’s first ranger,” says Bărbulescu as we get ready for a boat ride on the pond Lascu gives a reproachful glance to the future ranger when he casually throws his cigarette butt in the water Despite the campaign’s success – a social media strategy documenting the diverse wildlife on a daily basis has contributed to their 60,000 “likes” on Facebook – there’s still some way to go One of the tasks ahead for the young park is to have the area ready to welcome the public without damaging the ecosystem or losing what makes this place so extraordinary “The main challenge now is to create an organisation that will manage the park,” says Bărbulescu but they need to demonstrate that they have the financial ability to do so – there is no automatic funding available for newly created parks in Romania “We still need support locally and internationally I’d love to have Sir David Attenborough coming to visit Văcărești Follow Guardian Cities on Twitter and Facebook and join the discussion Things you buy through our links may earn Vox Media a commission but deployed carefully here — reveals the confounding reality of what we’re watching: an immense span of wilderness in the heart of the Romanian capital of Bucharest homemade shack covered in sheets and rugs to keep the weather out We see the lakes and meadows surrounding it And then we see an embankment and a highway beyond which stretches an urban sea of concrete and steel as far as the eye can see Initially intended to be the site of a reservoir but never actually filled up Vacaresti Nature Park has stood there for decades neglected by bureaucrats and slowly emerging as a rich marshland with startling biodiversity It’s also the unofficial home of a man named Gica Enache who with his wife and nine children — not to mention a few pigeons and pigs — has resided here for nearly 20 years away from the world in a kind of impoverished Radu Ciorniciuc’s film follows Gica and his family as their existence is interrupted by the growing demands of the modern world But Acasa is not exactly a movie about paradise lost Ciorniciuc seamlessly blends intimacy and lyricism with a clear-eyed honesty about what he’s depicting everyone piled on top of each other in their tiny We watch the kids cavort in the fields and streams exploring and horsing around without a care in the world The Enaches are free but also desperately poor who serves as a kind of unofficial ranger for the park (or maybe he just thinks he does) He abandoned life in the city to live here because he was angry at “this wicked world,” and his anger has clearly not subsided if Gica has his way: When some volunteers show up at Christmas with gifts he takes the books they’ve given the kids and uses them as kindling for the stove and the kids have to go and hide in the woods There’s an understated velocity to Ciorniciuc’s storytelling Acasa clocks in at under an hour and a half but we see Vacaresti transformed and the Enache family sent into an existential tailspin A massive fire in the park forces the government’s hand and Prince Freaking Charles — are visiting forgotten swamp into something more meaningful We see Gica looking on curiously as dignitaries do their rounds We see his children staring quizzically at the colorful backpacks of kids rolling through on school field trips to move into the city so the kids can go to school and so the Enaches can finally fall in line with how the rest of the world sees them: as poor and ignorant the lost dream of the idyll clashes with the sad workings of reality The most agonizing shots in the film might be those of a bulldozer carrying off the small seemingly inconsequential pile of wood and rugs that was once this family’s home a diabetic who drinks and smokes constantly They have no idea what to do with the tiny apartment they’ve all been forced into trying to do the things they did in nature with the urban landscape They hang off light posts as if they were branches Life becomes a debilitating series of social-worker visits Ciorniciuc wants to tell a more complicated story In the city is also where the Enaches’ oldest striking out on his own and starting to butt heads with his father their curiosity about the world around them endless despite the unique circumstance of the Enaches’ existence their story is the story of just about every family as a parent’s grip on a child’s reality loosens and life finally begins to take over bittersweet film about a group of people like no other is that Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York The Romanian government has approved on Wednesday the creation of the Vacaresti Nature Park following a successful campaign of NGOs that was started more than four years ago Bucharest will now have the biggest natural urban park across Europe one of the NGOs that has lobbied this project “This historic decision for Bucharest and Romania will mean that the area that hosts at this moment over 97 protected species will have a special protection and conservation regime,” said the NGO in a statement. This association has worked together with Let’s Do It Romania and Save the Danube and Delta association to make the park a protected area The group said that following today’s decision authorities need to enforce measures that eliminate the negative impact on the park In this area there are stray dogs and homeless there is a problem with the cutting of trees and fires There are additional issues with people that are claiming this land in court. These persons will have to be compensated by authorities. the protected natural area must be developed by the future administrator on the basis of a management plan approved by the Ministry of Environment We use cookies for keeping our website reliable and secure providing social media features and to analyse how our website is used Eva Pervolovici movingly juxtaposes the tragic history of women held in a Romanian communist jail with the beautiful wetlands area that the site is today film-maker Eva Pervolovici felt disconnected from the communist past of her home country until the arrival of an unexpected parcel ignited her curiosity sent Pervolovici a beautiful piece of hand-stitched tapestry: a colourful artwork that opened a portal to a bleak and tragic history Lena was held at the notorious Văcăreşti prison in Bucharest charged with anticommunist activities – the same vague accusations that forced numerous other women into incarceration Featuring intimate interviews with former inmates this poignant documentary honours these brave souls who endured unimaginable hardship and pain Many of the women gave birth during their imprisonment and were forced to part with their children Pervolovici also dissects history in geographical and architectural terms was established within a former monastery; the contrast between the original grandeur of the complex and the abuse inflicted on the prisoners is shocking Watch the trailer for The Delta of BucharestDecades after the Ceaușescus’ downfall and execution the land on which the prison was built is now a nature park having been cleared during the communist years Pervolovici undercuts this peaceful atmosphere with Lena’s account of her harrowing experience and excerpts from her TV interviews It is a bold stylistic choice that conjures the ghosts of the past the urban “delta” – a park with wetlands – is now home to various Roma families The sight of young children happily living among the greenery carries hope for the future The Delta of Bucharest is on True Story from 7 July and cuckoos that frequent parks and residential areas the city’s avian diversity extends far beyond these familiar winged inhabitants boasting a remarkable total of over 200 species In 2016, biologist Dani Dragan, a member of the Romanian Ornithological Society, initiated systematic monitoring of Bucharest’s bird population. Since then, the number of observers has grown, leading to the creation of a comprehensive database. While sedentary species remain stable, each year brings exciting encounters with new migratory species that have never been seen in the city before. Among the noteworthy sightings are both species of cormorants geese pass through and rest on the city’s lakes the nocturnal species include the classic owls and long-eared owls without knowing that this is the cry of the scops owl Among the city’s birdwatching hotspots, Vacaresti Park reigns supreme, offering a lush, diverse habitat with wetlands, reeds, trees, and bushes. Tineretului Park and Lacul Morii also teem with various bird species. over 180 bird species have been documented a considerable number that biologist Eugenia Petrescu representing the Vacaresti Natural Park Administration deems “far from insignificant.” While this count may be around half of the Danube Delta’s species The park plays host to an impressive array of avian life, including various cormorant species and ducks like the common pochard, garganey, mallard, common teal, and mottled duck. Additionally, the gray heron, red heron, night heron, and little bittern also grace the park with their presence. The specialists mention that for patient observers both large and small egrets reveal themselves in Vacaresti Park Eugenia Petrescu advises visitors to bring binoculars for a more distant yet stress-free viewing experience She also cautions against using camera flashes the red-backed shrike stands out for its amusing behavior Recognizable by the black stripe on its head this unique bird adds a touch of charm to the area deserves special mention for its incredible nest-crafting abilities Using small pieces of willow and fuzz-covered willow fruits it constructs an exquisitely beautiful and fluffy nest which it then suspends from a willow branch It’s no wonder it’s also known as the purse-building tit responsible wildlife observation allows visitors to appreciate the beauty and behavior of these captivating birds without causing them undue stress Enjoying nature’s wonders in harmony with its inhabitants enhances the overall experience for both humans and the precious wildlife thriving in this urban oasis With its thriving birdlife and enchanting natural settings Bucharest proves to be a haven for both avian enthusiasts and those seeking a closer connection to nature Photo courtesy of Administrația Parcul Natural Văcărești Vacaresti Natural Park  opened its first bike and hiking path The initiative is part of a collaboration between Vacaresti Natural Park Association The bike path is designed for off-road bikes and is open to both adults and children as long as they are accompanied by their parents The path consists of two sectors, namely the “belvedere” sector and “among everglades” sector and stretches along the dam surrounding the park. Access is possible via two entrances: Splaiul Unirii 168 and Strada Savinesti. It takes around 60 minutes to cycle on the path. „One of the most important functions of the Vacaresti Natural Park is leisure Bikers who will come to the park on bikes will be able to fully enjoy this,” Dan Barbulescu director of the Vacaresti Natural Park Association said the EU renewable energy arm of the DTEK Group will build a new 60MW solar park in Glodeni This is DRI’s fourth renewable energy project in Romania bringing the company’s renewable energy portfolio in the country to 299MW will be located alongside DRI’s operational 53MW solar park in the same region The two projects combined will make one of the largest solar parks in the country in terms of size DRI also operates a 60MW wind farm in Ruginoasa the first wind farm built in a decade in Romania and a recently acquired 126MW solar park in Vacaresti which is expected to start construction by the end of this year Glodeni II solar park is expected to be operational in the summer of 2025 and preparatory construction work started earlier this year The project is estimated to produce 86.4 GWh of electricity per year – enough to power more than 22,400 homes and reduce carbon emissions by 21,800 tonnes per year DRI has again partnered with the Finas Group which handled the initial phases of the project including securing the land and obtaining the necessary permits DRI will add value through its extensive engineering construction management and operations expertise “Glodeni II is another step in DRI’s commitment to accelerate the energy transition in Romania a country that is well placed to maximise its renewable energy potential and capacity DRI plans to build 1 GW of renewable energy by 2030 in Romania and we now have two projects that are producing energy and two projects in development “We thank the Finas Group for once again partnering with us on this project Together we are taking the next steps towards Romania achieving its 34% renewable energy target by 2030.” “The sale of the project to DRI allows us to focus on new development projects while our partner will bring the necessary expertise to manage and operate this major investment This collaboration reflects our ongoing commitment to contribute to the expansion of renewable energy in Romania,” noted Claudiu Sugar DRI’s strategy is to develop projects through the acquisition of greenfield projects and portfolios (from early-stage to ready-to-build) and partnering with local developers When you take the first step on the concrete dam surrounding this nature park the size of the park comes as a surprise: 184 hectares of green space You may hear around you or maybe you’ll be the one exclaiming: “Wow Regardless of which you choose to enter it the park does surprise with its unknown and unexpected a noisy central area with high traffic during the day is an oasis of peacefulness and also a good place to go back in time: there is a concrete dam surrounding it which brings to mind the plans that the communist regime had in the area There should have been an artificial lake here There are two marked entrances to the park We enter from the parking of a residential complex with tall buildings whose silhouettes are visible on the horizon from inside the park We pass by an informative sign that directs visitors to the entrance and climb up a few small stairs the contrast between urban and natural is striking before descending to the other side of the dam and enter nature’s territory We take the first steps on the Path of Biodiversity (Poteca Biodiversității) the trail that goes to the heart of the park and connects with the other thematic trails here the former Glădiței street was right where this trail is today That was before the communist regime started expropriations for the artificial lake project concrete remains of former homes can still be seen on the edges the project was abandoned and all activity in this area stopped Văcărești remained nothing but a grey place Homeless people and stray dogs found a place to live here As many as 200 people were living here at some point Two of the children born and raised here - Vali and Rică - now work for the Văcărești Nature Park Association the NGO that made great efforts to have this place declared protected area in 2016 Sometimes we meet dog owners on their walks from guided tours and educational or sporting events we find a insect hotel: a rather strange appearance that we’ll find again in other places in the park A small construction with special spaces for pollinating insects in the park reed panels where you can lurk to see birds There are informative signs here and there there are also a few signs pointing to the exits A walk through “Bucharest’s delta” brings moments of peace and reconnection with nature If you are patient and stay quiet near the lakes in the shade of reed or near a bush of dog-rose or elderberry you can see majestic birds passing by: egrets Don’t be disappointed if you don’t get to see one of the many animals in the park; wild animals feel the presence or vibration of humans and prefer to stay away So it’s unlikely to see a weasel or a fox cutting your way The birdwatching season kicks off in autumn but some of the most interesting ornithological rarities can be observed in winter too in the cold season you can also go sledding in the park The best spot is near the entrance from Săvinești street the park becomes a stage for the noisy chorus of birds and frogs you can escape the heat of the city and enjoy the cool air near the park’s lakes or the high grass You can have a picnic here or bike along the marked routes this is the place where you can get inspired by nature and escape the noise of the city for a little while rather than look for very intense activities But rule number one is to leave things as you found them Any intervention can have a major impact on the animals and plants here all listed on the panels installed at the park entrances located high up in a tall building next to it which people admire almost holding their breaths both children and adults learn about the mysterious world of animals and plants Văcărești Nature Park is the place that shows While other big cities in Europe have made plans to create such natural spaces in Bucharest everything happened by itself Now the park is home to a very well preserved and balanced ecosystem which attracts not only tourists who want to reconnect with nature,but also experts from all over the world Even Prince Charles of Wales walked the alleys of this unusual park not long ago Access to the park can be done both from Săvinești street (pedestrian and bicycle access) and in front of the Asmita Gardens complex (pedestrian access) To get to the entrance from Săvinești street get off at Piața Sudului subway station and walk about 15 minutes or less than 10 minutes if you choose to go there by bike Guided tours are free and you can book one on the Parcnaturalvacaresti.ro website A tour takes about 2 hours and the visitors are guided by specialist biologists The other events organized in the park throughout the year are promoted on the park’s Facebook page those interested should know that the Văcărești Nature Park Association is working on a mobile app that will be launched soon Rangers recommend visiting during the day because there is no light in the park at night This material is part of a project under the program of promoting the touristic heritage "Destination: Bucharest" carried out by the Bucharest City Hall through the Public Monuments and Touristic Heritage Administration (AMPT) (photos by Kathrin Weident/Romania-Insider.com for AMPT) Business Insider SRL is a carrier of data with personal character registered in the “Registrul de Evidenta a Prelucrarilor de Date cu Caracter Personal” with the no Romania-Insider.com is a trademark registered with the help of NOMENIUS and all exclusivity rights are reserved to the owner of Business Insider SRL Any unauthorized use will be sanctioned according to the provisions of trademarks law 84/1998