European Times: How are you regenerating Constanta and integrating the nearby resort of Mamaia?
Decebal Fagadau: We envisage development projects in Constanta as interrelated in three ways: Constanta for inhabitants, Constanta for tourists, Constanta for investors.
We have key development target areas for the city: an umbrella project to regenerate the historical part and the heart of the city; an upgrade of the city’s infrastructure and the promenade in Mamaia to improve access and links between the city and the resort and thus integrate Mamaia with the city; and to build a coastal road.
We are now regenerating the city centre of Constanta and upgrading the Mamaia resort, one of the most favourite tourist destinations in Romania. Among the important development interventions is the improvement of the access between the resort and the city by the enlargement and renewal of the road.
The aim is to consider and transform Constanta as a city that is close to a tourist resort and in the same time a city that is close to the port, and to think an integrated development of both of Constanta’s maritime and tourist industries, together with the specific horizontal activities.
The historical part of the city is 90% regenerated, having the urban infrastructure restored. We are seeking structural funds, EU money and other investments to complete the 10% remaining.
In Mamaia resort, the promenade is a delight for tourists and locals: they are riding bicycles, jogging, having contests and other activities on it. During summer, people are walking on the main boulevard and taking pictures. Mamaia resort has become a very attractive tourist destination, and, unsurprisingly, was adjudged the most dynamic resort in Europe in Monte Carlo in 2013.
European Times: What types of investment are you seeking to attract to Constanta?
Decebal Fagadau: We are seeking investment in energy. It could be structural funds, private investors or private-public partnerships (PPP). The city has urgent investment opportunities to build car parks – a sector with huge demand.
With the Black Sea, the Danube River, Constanta Port as the biggest port on the Black Sea, airport, highways, railways, there are multi-transport investment opportunities in the area. This will create an important transportation hub for goods, passengers, tourists, etc. for Romania and Europe at large, together with Rotterdam.
There are also investment opportunities in industrial parks and the historical part of city.
European Times: What is your concluding message?
Decebal Fagadau: Constanta is a safe city from different perspectives: inhabitants’ security, tourists’ security and business environment security. It has the potential to become the Hong Kong of the Black Sea. It is a safe city with varied investment opportunities.
