Press release -
From Cars to Community - Cugir's Urban Transformation Journey
At this year’s Urban Future Conference in Łódź, Poland, all eyes will be on a small Romanian town making a big impact: In Session 4.11, Mayor Adrian Teban and Mobility Facilitator Adrian Frătilă from Cugir will present one of Europe’s most compelling urban transformation stories — a bold and practical shift from car-centric planning to people-first mobility.
Cugir’s approach to “Just Streets” is refreshingly hands-on: pilot street redesigns, pedestrian-first initiatives, and a radical change in how public space is viewed and used. What began as a modest intervention has grown into the one of the most successful Just Streets projects.
From Car Lovers to People Movers
The story is simple — and powerful: With a few barriers, some paint, and real conversations with residents, Cugir turned car-dominated spaces into vibrant, walkable streets. The shift wasn’t just physical, but mental: from “autofreaks” to advocates of biking, walking, and livable neighborhoods. No lengthy masterplans. Just action.
Why This Matters for Romania — and Europe
Mayor Teban is more than a local leader. As the official representative of all Romanian towns and cities in the EU’s Committee of the Regions, his voice carries weight far beyond Cugir. His presentation in Łódź isn’t just about one town — it’s about what’s possible for every Romanian city, large or small.
And here’s the kicker: Mayor Teban might not yet fully realize how influential he could be in driving urban transformation across Romania and beyond. That’s why we’re inviting Romanian media to spotlight this moment — through interviews, podcasts, LinkedIn features, and more.
📣 Want to speak with Mayor Teban?
We’re arranging exclusive interviews and podcast opportunities with Mayor Adrian Teban and Adrian Frătilă directly from the Urban Future in Łódź. International and Romanian media are warmly invited to join the conversation.
Contact:
Elisabeth Meze, Project Leader at Urban Future: elisabeth@urban-future.org, media@urban-future.org
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