An international jury made up of specialists in urban landscaping and ecology, community development and sustainable tourism convened on June 27 in Satu Mare, a northern Romania city that has registered this year in the “Entente Florale Europe” competition dedicated to cities and communities that invest in improving the quality of life by developing green spaces, protecting the environment and getting citizens involved in urban planning, the Satu Mare City Hall said.
The international jury represents several European states, and evaluates the quality and maintenance of green spaces, the sustainability of local projects, the involvement of citizens, ecological education and the positive urban impact of the mayor’s actions.
“We are honoured to welcome to Satu Mare an international jury of the prestigious Entente Florale competition. A modern European city cannot be conceived without an essential component: the greening of urban spaces. I believe that this is one of the most important directions of development and not only for the beauty and aesthetics of our city, but especially for the health and comfort of the entire community. In recent years, we have constantly invested in the rehabilitation of existing parks, in the creation of new green areas, in the planting of trees. Our direction is clear: Satu Mare, a greener city! And when we say that, we also mean bicycle lanes, non-polluting public transport, energy-efficient buildings, responsible waste management. In Satu Mare, through all the implemented projects, we integrate nature into the urban environment,” said Satu Mare Mayor Kereskenyi Gabor.
After the general presentation of the strategy for the development of green areas, of the projects completed and under implementation, the jury embarked on an extended tour of the green and floral locations in the city, such as the historic centre, the musical playground in the Garden of Rome and the Vasile Lucaciu Park, the Green House in the Garden of Rome, the Ham Janos Kindergarten, the Cubic Park, the urban forest in Noroieni, the George Boitor Park, the spaces where “insect hotels” have been arranged, the landscaped private cemetery, the promenade on the right bank of the Somes River.
Along with Satu Mare, the following municipalities enrolled in this year’s edition of the contest: Babylon – Czech Republic; Costigliole D’Asti – Italy; Huglfing – Germany; Maynooth – Ireland; Nantes – France; Nice – France; Nyiregyhaza – Hungary; Terryglass – Ireland; Varsany – Hungary; Zedtwitz – Germany.
The “Entente Florale Europe” competition is organized by the European Association for Flowers and Landscaping (AEFP), bringing together every year cities and towns in rural areas from 11 EU member countries.
