Planting fruit trees in urban areas of Buzău, Southern Romania, based on the model of a successful initiative in New Zealand
In the heart of Romania, the city of Buzău is undergoing a green revolution, thanks to the innovative "Orașul Comestibil" (Edible City) project. This urban greening initiative is transforming public green spaces into productive edible gardens and fruit tree orchards, integrating food-growing plants into the city environment.
Project Details
The core objective of the Edible City project is to convert underused green spaces and parks into orchards and edible gardens with fruit trees, berry bushes, and other edible plants. The project involves planting fruit trees such as apple, pear, plum, and cherry, as well as vegetable and herb beds accessible to the community.
Local residents, schools, and volunteers participate in planting and maintaining the gardens, fostering community engagement and environmental education. The approach emphasizes sustainable city development, biodiversity, and circular economy principles by reducing food miles and encouraging urban agriculture.
Progress and Impact
The Edible City project was launched a few years ago, starting with pilot plantings in selected parks. Following successful pilot results, the city expanded the edible gardens and orchards into more neighborhoods. Educational programs and workshops accompany the green plantings to teach urban gardening skills.
As of the latest updates, several edible orchards have been established, with fruit-bearing trees now maturing and producing harvests accessible to the public. The project is considered a growing model of urban agriculture in Romania.
Environmentally, the project improves urban biodiversity, air quality, and green space usability. Socially, it strengthens community ties, promotes healthy eating, and provides educational opportunities. Economically, it has the potential to reduce household food expenses and support local volunteerism.
International Inspiration
The project's international inspiration is not limited to cities within the European Union. It is also inspired by successful international examples such as Auckland, Nelson, and Waiheke Island in New Zealand. The project's potential for community engagement and education through workshops and activities is highlighted by its international inspiration.
The project's digital map of edible plants may expand to include international examples of edible urban gardens. The project's success is linked to the implementation of 'urban foraging' concepts, as demonstrated in the mentioned international examples.
Future Plans
Three pilot edible urban gardens will be set up as part of the project. The project includes identifying suitable green spaces, planting fruit trees and edible shrubs, setting up these pilot gardens, creating an interactive digital map of edible plants, organizing educational workshops, and community activities for space maintenance.
The project "Orașul Comestibil" in Buzău is undergoing funding and approval processes, with a vote in the city council planned. Funding for the project will be provided from the 2026 local budget, with the possibility of attracting sponsorships and non-reimbursable funds. The initiator of the project is local councilor Laurentiu Stîlpeanu.
For the most current status or details about specific locations or upcoming projects under "Orașul Comestibil," local Buzău municipal sources or community organizations involved in urban agriculture would be the best point of contact. The initiative aims to provide the people of Buzău with direct access to healthy, chemically untreated fruits and plants.
- The Edible City project in Buzău, Romania aims to integrate healthy cooking into the city lifestyle by transforming underused green spaces into productive edible gardens and fruit tree orchards, encouraging vegetable and herb beds for community use.
- The project draws inspiration from international urban farming initiatives, such as those in Auckland, Nelson, and Waiheke Island in New Zealand, which emphasize urban foraging concepts and community engagement through workshops and activities.
- In the future, the Edible City project plans to establish three pilot edible urban gardens, facilitate educational workshops, create an interactive digital map of edible plants, and promote the project's potential for improving overall health, community engagement, and urban biodiversity.
