Description
The "Civic participation in urban development of the city" project is proposed by ASCDBN for Damaroaia and Bucurestii Noi districts from Bucharest; though the project has the possibility of being relatively easy multiplied in other areas. The project is necessary to (a) foster a sense of membership in the community of citizens and increase their civic involvement, (b) supporting the notification activities of irregularities and illegalities in terms of new construction, (c) improving the legal framework so the abuses in construction can be prevented, and so transparency of local governments to be effective and civic initiative to find their answer in PLA (Public Local Authorities) shares. Over 400 citizens from these 2 districts will be informed, counseled and assisted to develop citizenship and belonging to the community and maintaining a pleasant environment in the neighborhood. The project results are: 400 citizens involved in civic activities, 50 citizens counseled, 10 court actions, 4 public consultations and one legislative initiative of citizens.
Summary of project results
The association emerged as civic reaction to the development of illegal constructions in Damaroaia and Bucurestii Noi neighbourhoods, buildings which do not respect the parameters approved by the General Urbanism Plan of Bucharest. Following the situation in the two districts and seeing how local authorities operate on issues of urbanism, the promoter concluded that they need improvement in the legal framework. All activities proposed at the beginning of the project that took place throughout the implementation period yielded the intended results. Thus, there were organised meetings to promote the project and meetings with people from the two districts, which are affected by buildings that do not respect the parameters allowed by law. They also monitored buildings in the neighbourhood, as well as sites about which town halls are obliged to publish information of public character. Notifications were sent to the authorities, when irregularities were found. Based on authorities’ responses, they opened court cases. The promoter organised public debates during which were discussed laws supposed to make improvements (through additions and alterations); following these debates and with the help of experts, a final version of the proposed legislative amendments was submitted to Parliament. Throughout the project, the promoter informed citizens about the progress and results of their activities. The Association Save Damaroaia and Bucurestii Noi Neighbourhoods (ASCDBN) also compiled a material called "Corruption mechanism", which consists of describing, analysing and criticising the whole phenomenon, from issuing building permits that violate the law, to building constructions which do not match building permit at reception, their tabulation and entry into the civil circuit, followed often by oversizing them through illegal permits. The material was sent to all state authorities, among which: Presidency, Parliament, Government, Bucharest City Hall, Bucharest District 1 City Hall, Local Police of Bucharest, Local Police of District 1, Ombudsman, etc. Therefore, the most important results of the activities developed in the project are: more citizens interested in the situation in the two districts that engage in activities, establishing partnerships with other NGOs with the same field of activity, drafting proposals for legislative change with the help of specialists.
Summary of bilateral results